Mother's Day 2008

Our friends Hiroshi and Eiko Tawara join me for Mother's Day celebration. It would have been much more fun with Margie here. Hiroshi really likes Margie, but then so do a lot of Japanese men. I like her too.

Hiroshi and Eiko Tawara join me on Mother's Day on base.

Hiroshi and Eiko join me for Mother's Day brunch on base. That number is my age. I am the youngest one at the table.

Continuing the Mother's Day tradition, Nancy and Eldon join Hiroshi, Eiko, and me at the Eagle's Nest bar.

Matsuoka Party

Margie and I were invited to a party at the home of Hiroko and Hideko Matsuoka. This is the second time we have been to this house. Of course Margie was there only in spirit. Everyone asked about her. Knowing that I am fending for myself, Hiroko and her sister Reiko insisted that I take food home. I resisted three times, the polite number, hoping that they would keep insisting. I took home food for three days. It was a great party in spite of the rain.

Hiroko's granddaughter - about 1 1/2 years old. She is a cutie.

Sisters

Beautiful sculpture in the foyer.

The cooking area. Others days, it is Hideko's shop.

The pork cook. Note the beer in his hand. They have the same law here as in Alabama. That is, it is unlawful to cook outside unless beer is present and in the cooks.

Shooting the bull around the nabe pot.

Ooh! The taku yaki is so good.

Webbers are in Japan too.

Chicken wing specialist.

Pro is prepping pork.

Yum. Shiku nabe.

One of the cooking areas.

This is the garage every man dreams of.

Let the carnage begin.

Taku yaki or octopus balls. They were yummy.

More cooking.

Still cooking.

Still eating.

Desserts and pickles.

Reiko cooks yaki soba. IT was the best I have ever had. Yum!

Kid's table.

The control panel for...



The garage bathroom complete with heated seat, bidet, and grab bar.

These boys are ready for construction. Keep in mind that it is still pouring down rain.

King of the construction site. Bill and I used to play this.

Boys and mud are made for each other.

This their back yard. All the greenery is bamboo.

This little girl was having a great time playing with uncles.

This little seven year old was quite a camera hog. Every time he spotted me with the camera, he posed and made the peace sign.

This is the parking area of Hiroko and Hideko. The houses in the background are for relatives. So, this is really a family compound. There is a lot of property here.

This is the most important area for any cookout. There was an excellent selection of beers. Oh, yeah, there were juices, sodas, and water.

These are baby yamadori or mountain pheasants. Hideko found them when hunting.

This is Hideko's tractor.

Margie's Back in the USA . . .

I made it back to Alabama for the summer -- jetlagged, but always glad to be home, so check back for updates soon. Stan will join me in June, after school is out.