2020

Having not submitted for more than a year, I knew I needed to return and say "bye" at least. 

Not that I swear I'll never return, but...so long for now.

I made this very, very public and have come to feel, perhaps too public. 

For the sake of my family, I will publish this via the blogger publishing group, and buy a book of this "work of art" and of stories I shared accompanying the photos I worked to put in here. 

IF...you come here looking for me and new photos, I would love to hear from you that you did. 

What I will share below are what I keep on my computer desktop right now. The sign of the times as we near the end of June 2020. 

In peace, love and appreciation, let's carry on!!!

Last Japan trip March-April 2019

I'm in the middle of writing in here, and rearranging photos : )

We flew into Centrair, and made our way to Ischin's house. Hungry, with Halle, Taka and I went to Gonkichi.

With Toi and Halle, sharing what we brought from the States. Halle especially liked Toi's hammer and block "nails"! 

March 21st, 2019. Sweat and Memorial for Yoshie-chan.

Hanami TENNIS!!!

With Yuriko and Mari, and lots of Kahori's friends and babies and little kids!

We met Kahori's Masaya for the first time : )

We flew to Sapporo after about five days in Nishio. Same day Joseph came!

Hakodate game, and drove together Friday night. 

At NOBORIBETSU,  JIGOKUDANI Onsen ("Hell Valley" cause of the steam ; )

  TOYAKKO then to RAKKUAN Bnb, with the snow.

A two story, cool 'Bnb Taka found, 

where Joe stayed upstairs.

Once again, I've gotta deal with two single beds and making them into a queen size arrangement ; )

Brand new?! Cedar smelling bath was awesome.

And our little dining area, for our somewhat healthy breakfast snacks, and coffee.

Zen still wasn't playing

but with beer-young women coming around, and with Joe, we could still enjoy. The team's losing, our boys couldn't be blamed for anything ; )

Joe came to Nishio and we showed him around Hirahara. He stayed with Motohiko 

Taka and me, with Ischin and Halle, we stayed at Luna Rosa, the first day a big Hanami Bbq was planned.

That's when one of the most awful memories happened: I saw this photo on facebook via our neighbor friends, Nancy and David's daughter Lauren:

Lauren had posted that 22 hours earlier, writing "Our parent's house burned down..."
I could hardly find my voice, and almost choking up, I called to Taka downstairs, taking my computer to him, trying to find the words to say, the house burned down. And we couldn't tell...everything? Our place too? Sadie, their dog, what happened to her?

An hour later, I could get a msg back from Lauren, Sadie was gone, our place still stood.
Whenever people asked how our trip was, once we returned to California, and our home, it was this that always came to mind.


Kushiro

Akkon Yakkon, the Ainu place with the deer Nancy.

Last nice 'Bnb in Sapporo