Painting the blades of my ceiling fan
Bring on the color
Friday, November 26, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
to answer your question
I am number four of 11, being the 3rd oldest sister.
On the far left is my mom - then it goes number 8, 1, 4(me), 5, sis-in-law, 3, 6, 10. Numbers 2, 7, 9, and 11 are not pictured, as they are the bros - and this pic is just us ladies.
No twins, one set of parents, let's see...what else do people always ask...
On the far left is my mom - then it goes number 8, 1, 4(me), 5, sis-in-law, 3, 6, 10. Numbers 2, 7, 9, and 11 are not pictured, as they are the bros - and this pic is just us ladies.
No twins, one set of parents, let's see...what else do people always ask...
foul cry and cry foul
I am still in a foul mood.
I know - it's been like, not too long since I just posted a bit of a woe.
So here's a gratitude list in hopes that by then time I am done typing I will feel better about life.
I am grateful for...
my plants that are in my front room.
my fingers, that I have all 8 fingers and both thumbs.
that I have toes too.
for my ideas, that will soon be materialized by way of designs and paintings, etc.
for my sister that lives in SLC. I am grateful for all my sisters (6 of them), but to have one live closer than the rest has been really great.
for my patient clients
for the ability to read
for the sun, and afternoon naps, which I don't take too often, or at all really, but just the same
for chances to improve, new days, new minutes.
for those who read this blog, and are still my friends
that I was able to study in Japan twice this year
and I am grateful for my car - kiwi green Honda Element, love it
for my nieces and nephews that are loud and hilarious
for Heavenly Father and Jesus who are extremely patient with me, and for some reason always lovingly let me get back on the track.
I know - it's been like, not too long since I just posted a bit of a woe.
So here's a gratitude list in hopes that by then time I am done typing I will feel better about life.
I am grateful for...
my plants that are in my front room.
my fingers, that I have all 8 fingers and both thumbs.
that I have toes too.
for my ideas, that will soon be materialized by way of designs and paintings, etc.
for my sister that lives in SLC. I am grateful for all my sisters (6 of them), but to have one live closer than the rest has been really great.
for my patient clients
for the ability to read
for the sun, and afternoon naps, which I don't take too often, or at all really, but just the same
for chances to improve, new days, new minutes.
for those who read this blog, and are still my friends
that I was able to study in Japan twice this year
and I am grateful for my car - kiwi green Honda Element, love it
for my nieces and nephews that are loud and hilarious
for Heavenly Father and Jesus who are extremely patient with me, and for some reason always lovingly let me get back on the track.
Sure
I am sitting here waiting to blog about something. I was going to write about how I am not that thrilled for the coming holidays, a trend in my life that started more or less two years ago - but who wants to read about that, especially the day before one of the main events? I am supposed to make the yams. I do like yams. I should probably go buy the yams.
With snow on the ground and the temps in the teens my work has come to a halt. Most people would be thrilled to have my yearly routine...not much work in the winter - time for reading, writing, painting, etc. Whatever I want, right? Never mind the no-making-money factor. Well, I disappoint myself most everyday during the winter and it wears on me, but I haven't proven to really do much about it in the last several years. I sleep in longer than I want to, I get ready for the day way too late, I take too long to make meals - if and when I eat, and then I don't do a whole lot of nothing else. I try to hit the gym several days of the week to say at least I have done something. Oh, I make plans, lots of plans, lots of paintings in my head - it's just that nothing materializes and I don't ski, snowboard and living alone I have no people energy and I am thinking maybe it would be nice to have roommates. But that's not looking like an option at the moment.
My winters are full of potential and I just kill it over and over and over. Like a broken record, baby. Such a bad habit. I am thinking, pathetic.
With snow on the ground and the temps in the teens my work has come to a halt. Most people would be thrilled to have my yearly routine...not much work in the winter - time for reading, writing, painting, etc. Whatever I want, right? Never mind the no-making-money factor. Well, I disappoint myself most everyday during the winter and it wears on me, but I haven't proven to really do much about it in the last several years. I sleep in longer than I want to, I get ready for the day way too late, I take too long to make meals - if and when I eat, and then I don't do a whole lot of nothing else. I try to hit the gym several days of the week to say at least I have done something. Oh, I make plans, lots of plans, lots of paintings in my head - it's just that nothing materializes and I don't ski, snowboard and living alone I have no people energy and I am thinking maybe it would be nice to have roommates. But that's not looking like an option at the moment.
My winters are full of potential and I just kill it over and over and over. Like a broken record, baby. Such a bad habit. I am thinking, pathetic.
Monday, November 22, 2010
He brought me flowers
He showed up at my doorstep with both hands behind his back. I had only seen him in his work garb, and for a welder, you can imagine what that is. He cleaned up real well - nice black ostrich boots, nice black pants, vivid blue dress shirt, and a real nice sports coat. I must say, I don't think a man has dressed up so nice for me before. The flowers were purple and yellow.
And we were off. In his truck.
He hadn't asked a woman out for four years - so he had been nervous about this one. He only asks a woman out if he sees it going long term...he thinks long term. He said he didn't know if that made me uneasy. I said no, that's fine. And it is.
But. I figured if he is thinking long term, then we might as well discuss some things from the get go. Oh boy. What a conversation, on the way to dinner. We hadn't even eaten yet! But I explained to him that there are things that have caused friction and a broken heart in a past relationship and I knew they could be issues with other relationships. And this man obviously didn't need a young girl leading him on, so best to be honest and upfront about certain things, even if it is before dinner. It just happened that way.
"I don't drink"
"Neither do I."
"And I don't have sex before marriage."
"So...you're a virgin?"
"Yep."
"Wow. Uh, congratulations."
"Uh, thanks." (And to top it all off) "And when I get married, I want to be married in the temple. (The M word in the first 15 minutes of a first date, I think that sets a record). Sorry, maybe I should have told you I'm a Mormon when you asked me out."
"Naw, that's okay! It doesn't bother me. Does it bother you that I'm not a Mormon?"
"No. It's just that I have had a relationship in the past where basic beliefs were different and it caused a lot of heartache, lots of sadness."
"Oh."
We sat at one of those little booths - you know - where you are up high and the table is so tiny that you have to sit close. Romantic were his words. I try to smile as sincerely as I can.
I'm 29, he's 52. "But age doesn't mean anything." Sometimes, no, and sometimes, yes...you could be my father!
Dinner was good. And we did have a good time getting to know each other better. He has three purple hearts among some other medals. He's a real hero, actually. He's seen a lot - more than he would have wanted to. For someone who has been through what he has, I am pretty impressed with his demeanor, big heart, and congenial personality.
Dinner ended at 9 and when we walked out the snow was falling heavily. He had more than an hours to drive, with a not-so-pleasant canyon to pass through. So we called off the bowling. Our relationship wasn't going anywhere anyway, we had decided.
His parents were hoping I would be a guest at Thanksgiving dinner, his sisters were anxious to call him for the update, his buddies were curious about the girl he's been talking about for over a month, and his backyard had plans if it worked out between us...he had it all planned out...and hoped his stature and state of fitness would impress me. And frankly, for a 52 year old, it did. Oh, and he can purr really well, because he purred at me while we were walking to my door. Or maybe it was a tiger growl....
We wished each other the best, and that we hoped we would each find the right person. I asked him to call me when he made it home, since he had a treacherous way to go. 1.5 hours later he called and I thanked him and we parted, as friends.
And we were off. In his truck.
He hadn't asked a woman out for four years - so he had been nervous about this one. He only asks a woman out if he sees it going long term...he thinks long term. He said he didn't know if that made me uneasy. I said no, that's fine. And it is.
But. I figured if he is thinking long term, then we might as well discuss some things from the get go. Oh boy. What a conversation, on the way to dinner. We hadn't even eaten yet! But I explained to him that there are things that have caused friction and a broken heart in a past relationship and I knew they could be issues with other relationships. And this man obviously didn't need a young girl leading him on, so best to be honest and upfront about certain things, even if it is before dinner. It just happened that way.
"I don't drink"
"Neither do I."
"And I don't have sex before marriage."
"So...you're a virgin?"
"Yep."
"Wow. Uh, congratulations."
"Uh, thanks." (And to top it all off) "And when I get married, I want to be married in the temple. (The M word in the first 15 minutes of a first date, I think that sets a record). Sorry, maybe I should have told you I'm a Mormon when you asked me out."
"Naw, that's okay! It doesn't bother me. Does it bother you that I'm not a Mormon?"
"No. It's just that I have had a relationship in the past where basic beliefs were different and it caused a lot of heartache, lots of sadness."
"Oh."
We sat at one of those little booths - you know - where you are up high and the table is so tiny that you have to sit close. Romantic were his words. I try to smile as sincerely as I can.
I'm 29, he's 52. "But age doesn't mean anything." Sometimes, no, and sometimes, yes...you could be my father!
Dinner was good. And we did have a good time getting to know each other better. He has three purple hearts among some other medals. He's a real hero, actually. He's seen a lot - more than he would have wanted to. For someone who has been through what he has, I am pretty impressed with his demeanor, big heart, and congenial personality.
Dinner ended at 9 and when we walked out the snow was falling heavily. He had more than an hours to drive, with a not-so-pleasant canyon to pass through. So we called off the bowling. Our relationship wasn't going anywhere anyway, we had decided.
His parents were hoping I would be a guest at Thanksgiving dinner, his sisters were anxious to call him for the update, his buddies were curious about the girl he's been talking about for over a month, and his backyard had plans if it worked out between us...he had it all planned out...and hoped his stature and state of fitness would impress me. And frankly, for a 52 year old, it did. Oh, and he can purr really well, because he purred at me while we were walking to my door. Or maybe it was a tiger growl....
We wished each other the best, and that we hoped we would each find the right person. I asked him to call me when he made it home, since he had a treacherous way to go. 1.5 hours later he called and I thanked him and we parted, as friends.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Missing Nihon
Today I am missing Nihon, and it is making for a somber me. I opened the kitchen window so I could hear and feel the wind...the rusty sycamore leaves scraping across the asphalt drive below. The kitchen is cool now and lit only by the hidden suns ambient light. This is good. I feel nature in me and I in it a little more, and that is Japan.
I am almost out of jet-lag....but sometime between 5 and 6 pm I start to nod, and my head wants a tatami mat and a buckwheat pillow to rest on.
I have had headaches since being back. I don't know if my body is missing the food, the sleeping style, always being around people, or if it's related to the jet lag. I think it's a combination of all the above.
Tonight I have a date. He's an ex-marine sniper from Vietnam (yes, do the math), who is now a welder and builds custom motorcycles. I do like older men, but I think I may have out done myself this time. Sushi and bowling is the format. It should be a good evening, and I hope to enjoy myself and get a really high bowling score.
I am almost out of jet-lag....but sometime between 5 and 6 pm I start to nod, and my head wants a tatami mat and a buckwheat pillow to rest on.
I have had headaches since being back. I don't know if my body is missing the food, the sleeping style, always being around people, or if it's related to the jet lag. I think it's a combination of all the above.
Tonight I have a date. He's an ex-marine sniper from Vietnam (yes, do the math), who is now a welder and builds custom motorcycles. I do like older men, but I think I may have out done myself this time. Sushi and bowling is the format. It should be a good evening, and I hope to enjoy myself and get a really high bowling score.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Jet Lagged Days
I planned my journey so that when I returned I would have time to do nothing for several days as my body adjusts to the airplane ride home and the time difference.
So far, so good....at doing nothing.
Tomorrow, that will not be the case - and the adventurous life continues...sure, why not.
So far, so good....at doing nothing.
Tomorrow, that will not be the case - and the adventurous life continues...sure, why not.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Heian Family Descedant
He's a descendant of the family of the Heian Shrine, the largest Shrine in Kyoto. Each year he attends a festival where he dresses in traditional clothing and participates in the ceremony.
"A gift for you," he nods.
A white paper parcel with some Japanese writing on it is handed to me.
He explains that inside are two tickets to the Heian Shrine gardens, and two sets of chopsticks. They are tapered at both ends.
The chopsticks are special, to be used at the New Year.
His English is understandable. "On New Years day...eat with these chopsticks. One side [he pauses and points to one end] you eat with, the other side...the other side [he pauses again] is for God."
"You eat with God."
And he nods again.
*****
I am liking this country more and more.
"A gift for you," he nods.
A white paper parcel with some Japanese writing on it is handed to me.
He explains that inside are two tickets to the Heian Shrine gardens, and two sets of chopsticks. They are tapered at both ends.
The chopsticks are special, to be used at the New Year.
His English is understandable. "On New Years day...eat with these chopsticks. One side [he pauses and points to one end] you eat with, the other side...the other side [he pauses again] is for God."
"You eat with God."
And he nods again.
*****
I am liking this country more and more.
Just another day
 |
| Heading home from school |
 |
| Temples and shrines are tucked in all over Kyoto. You never know when you are going to happen upon one. Another reason to take the side streets. |
 |
| Just one of the local stores |
 |
| Ah, love these streets |
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| And the river |
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| Kyoto sunset |
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| What they do when they take a picture |
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| Love live jazz...and on the river! |
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| Oh that huge orange tori gate? Doesn't your city have one? |
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| Where I ended the day - at the massive and amazing gates of Nanzenji |
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| Chillin on the stone veranda waiting for the temple bells to boom |
Various Pictures with Captions
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| Kyoto is actually pretty big |
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| A view from the northeast |
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| I find I am just as attracted to the architecture here as I am the gardens. Really they go hand in hand, you can't talk about one without discussing the other. |
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| At the Imperial Palace. The prince was in town the day we were there! High security. |
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| The detail - they paint the ends white as a sealant |
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| I think the curve of the roof line silhouettes on the temples and imperial buildings are rather attractive and somewhat sexy |
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| Cleaning the moss - gardening is intense here, I tell you |
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| Let's see....let me introduce the guys... |
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| I think I have mentioned how much they love jazz music here, and many more funky music |
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| So perfect that they leave the random pine growing in the bamboo shop. So Japanese. |
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| Wybee (I am not sure how to spell it), Mr. Takemata, and Prof. Amasaki. Takemata is a 10th generation bamboo guy. Number 11 is trained and the 12th is in diapers! |
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| How many businesses can say family owned and operated since 1688!? |
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| A visit to a private residence of a typical Machiya |
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| Where there's wood, there's no shoes. |
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| A detail of the courtyard garden. |
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The ceiling for the entry way. What a wonderful way to be welcomed home! I wonder what they do when it rains...  |
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tango Hanto
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Ine, a small fishing village off the Sea of Japan |
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| Me in front of a squid boat |
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| That's a really big fishing net |
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| Maybe someday I will park my boat in my garage too. Without ever leaving the water. |
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| Ready, set... |
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| How this little part of the world makes money. They tell you to stand here, look through your legs and see this... |
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| The Bridge to Heaven....whatever keeps the cash flow coming.... |
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| The rice has been harvested - the mountain fields wait for snow |
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| But first, the fall! |
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| I did get my ocean. |
From the mountains - this fall and in the spring
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| This bridge |
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| crosses this river |
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| To where I created a garden |
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| From the spring |
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| Thatched roofs |
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| in an old rustic village |
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| preparing rice for the season |
Greetings
Hey guys - this saying nothing really video is about 10 minutes long...long enough for a mothers love, but maybe too long for everyone else. One thing - while there is no magic formula or an elixir for a Japanese Garden, there really is an essence yes. A post about the essence is to follow.
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