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

Winter 2018 and into Spring 2019

Naomi and Kieahla at it again baking~ this time snickerdoodles. 

The persimmon tree is magnificent with all her fruit, as is the "asian pear" tree.

A photo Naomi took of Kieahla's good friend Koko. Those two faces are too adorable! And my girl Sheon, she's taking photography to another level. I know My camera would do so much more for me if only I'd give it the attention I should.

We found these pjs, and I didn't pay attention to the size ; )  too small actually. I could remedy it by cutting off the feet. We use those dog-face feet separately still.

This greenhouse of David's was moved from the high school he taught at. He ok'd my idea to move it down to right at the garden for easier access. Easy to say!

Taka spent about 5 weeks, taking it apart, preparing the foundation, piecing it back together, and making repairs to reinforce and make it stand straight and level.

From that muddy spot down to where I helped a little, taking piece by piece below (where Taka stands) Oh, yes, and between rainfalls. Covering the foundation so it wouldn't get muddy. Laying down straw, then wheel barrels of gravel. 

DONE, the weekend before we flew off for Japan, on March 21st, 2019.

 and from the back door: