Carolyn & Harvey's 50th Anniversary

Mizuho, Tokiko, Mutusmi and I arrived home yesterday evening following two uneventful flights from Atlanta to Seoul to Fukuoka. I can't say Mutsumi and I feel rested yet, but as we don't have any pressing engagements, we're free to get caught up at our own pace. Mizuho and Tokiko are still here in Fukuoka and spent the night at a hotel. We'll be seeing them this evening for a farewell dinner.

Our visit to the US this year was the best ever and I think most everyone wished we could have had a few more days together. Perhaps because we were so busy and the time passed so quickly. But perhaps even more so because we had a chance to speak more openly than we're used to, to talk about things we don't often talk about, and therefore to connect more deeply and meaningfully.

Besides the typical reminiscing that goes on during family get togethers, there was also a dinner celebrating my parents' 50th wedding anniversary at which many of us shared with Carolyn and Harvey what their lives have meant to us, a wonderful, weepy evening more memorable for what was said than for what was served. That was preceded by a ceremony on the beach at which the celebrants renewed their vows, a lovely affirmation of 50 years of trust, faith, and love.



There were also more sober discussions in Atlanta about wills and advance medical directives, discussions on mortality that helped us appreciate simply being together and the time that we have now.

It's a visit we'll always remember and I'll have more to share in the days to come. Stay tuned.

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Atlanta Botanical Gardens

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Morning Sky over Newnan

We arrived safely in Atlanta on the evening of 31 July and are now residing in Newnan, a small town south of the big city where my parents moved about four years ago. Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day, with clear skies and very comfortable temperatures, very much unlike I remember Atlanta in summer.

Yesterday was a fairly quiet day around home. After renewing my Georgia driver's license, we stopped by Wal-Mart to pick up a few things we hadn't packed and amazed Tokiko and Mizuho, Mutsumi's parents, with the size and scale of American supermarkets.




They also had a good time driving around the store.

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Last night's Full Moon

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At the lotus pond

Today was my last day at my radio program, Earth Feeling. When I started doing this back in 1998, I never imagined I'd be doing so for nine years. Even more surprising, I've been invited to return whenever I get back to Fukuoka. That makes leaving very sweet.

After the program I did a bit of this and that in preparation for leaving for the US. We depart Fukuoka Tuesday morning, July 31st. On the way home I stopped for a photo assignment at the moat surrounding the remains of Fukuoka castle. It's stilled filled with water and at this time of year brimming with hundreds of the magnificent elephant ear-sized leaves of the lotus.


Lots of dragon flies, too.

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Depth of Field

Week three of my photography class has had us experimenting with depth of field. Here are a couple of composites I submitted. Click on the pictures for larger images.



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White moon, pink clouds

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Summer colors

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Kusagae Moon

Last night saw a beautiful orange half-moon that turned red like the sun when it set behind the mountains surrounding Fukuoka. These shots were taken around 23:00. The colors are as they were captured by the camera.

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New Bell at Ankokuji

Saturday afternoon I went to Ankokuji (安国寺) to take some photos for this week's assignment. To my surprise I found the temple has installed a new bell, and to my delight I arrived just as it was being rung. Apparently, this happens once daily at 11:00am.

The bronze bell weighs 10 tons, and is 1.8m in circumference and 3.1m tall. The manufacturer also made the bell for the UN Headquarters in New York.

I wasn't successful in capturing any useful images for my assignment, but I did get a few good ones of the bell, including the ceiling painting.

For those in or near Fukuoka, Ankokuji is located in the Oyafuko area of Tenjin.

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