Grandson Andy's a Cub Scout!

Men's Selection Potato Chips

Don't know how or why these chips are specifically for men, but the picture under the chips looks like "something" being grilled on a hibachi . . . Hilarious! Of course I had to buy them . . .

Sandy Finally Moves In!

It's Sandy's moving day -- Friday 9/18 -- she's excited!

The front glass door is open to accommodate larger pieces. Looking into her front garden & the street beyond.

Sandy and the movers deciding how to proceed.

I'm on the balcony looking down at the street and the moving truck. That's Sandy's red car in her driveway.

Upstairs out on the balcony, I see that the glass doors have been removed to bring in Sandy's king-sized bed.

Downstairs, the front door is wide open and quilted fabric is taped on both sides to protect it, along with quilts on the floor. I don't think all movers are this careful!

Here comes her dresser up the narrow stairway to the upstairs. Before moving in any furniture or boxes, the movers put tape on the walls to show any pre-existing damage, no matter how minor.

Safely upstairs -- no bumps or scratches!

This is where Sandy's bed will go. We've cut up carpet squares to protect the beautiful wood floor.

Uh-oh, why is this mover taking off his socks?

 Look closely -- they're 5-finger socks.

Uh, what is he doing?

 

Yikes! He's climbed over the balcony railing and is sitting on the roof waiting for the bed . . .I guess his socks would have made it more slippery? Of course, I'm standing behind the safety of the rail taking pictures!

That's Sandy (barefoot?) in the street taking pictures. Her king-size bed is going to be lifted up to the balcony to the bedroom on the second floor.

Now there are TWO movers out on the roof to lift up her bed!

And here it comes through the opening of the glass door.

In the kitchen, Sandy and I need a strong drink after watching her bed arrive! This is a carton of iced coffee - delicious!

Her footboard awaits the mattresses and frame, so it can be assembled. Oh, the movers got back in safely.

Truck has left, but covered furniture and boxes remain to be brought in. Notice they are sitting on a blue tarp to keep from getting dirt in the house! (Only in Japan!)  Out front where the truck was parked, she has two more parking spaces in addition to her driveway where her car is.

Mountain view over a garden and houses, looking out her dining room window.

Next door terraced garden.

Look at the beautiful step-tansu Sandy bought in Germany!

As we left for a lunch break, we saw this amazing butterfly in the front yard -- an omen of good luck?

It's front wings flapped very fast -- almost like a hummingbird, while the back wings stayed in place & looked like a mask -- perhaps as a protective camoflage . . .

We drove only a few blocks away near the station for our delicious lunch at L Style Cafe . . .

 

Tired, but happy Sandy!

September Sumo Tournament

It's Sumo time again & for 15 days (starting last Sunday), I will be glued to the TV every afternoon from 4 until 6 pm. Here on the Air Station, we get a bilingual broadcast on Channel 41, which is a Japanese NHK channel. It's very exciting & I am totally addicted to Japanese sumo! Want to know more? Check it out here (LOTS of info in this website): http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/ozumo_joho_kyoku/shiru/kiso_chishiki/beginners_guide/index.html

I have many favorites for whom I cheer, but here's my favorite Grand Champion, Hakuho, originally from Mongolia. It's been a long time since the Grand Champion has been Japanese.

Bike Ride & Ikebana Downtown 9/13

I was invited to attend an ikebana display downtown today, so Stan and I decided to ride our bicycles -- it's a nice early Autumn day, and the weather has cooled down a bit recently. We're riding over the Hwy 188 bridge that leads into downtown.

It's high tide and you can see the boats tied up at the seawall.

One of the beautiful Iwakuni manhole covers along the sidewalk. It features the moon over Iwakuni Castle, the famous Kintai Bridge, and cormorant fishing, with a stylized cherry blossom in the center.

Sidewalk in front of Fuji Grand department store downtown Iwakuni. We'll cross the main street here to our left and ride for a few more blocks. Motorcycles park on the sidewalks, but must be walked into the street where they ride in the "bike" lane. Bicycles of course, ride with pedestrians on sidewalks.

Here we are at the Civic Center across from the Police Station. I understood that the ikebana exhibit was here. We've attended many art shows as well as a Japanese language class in this building over the years. Read about the fascinating art of ikebana here: http://www.japan-zone.com/culture/ikebana.shtml

Unfortunately, once we got inside, we found out that we should have gone to the Iwakuni Sinfonia. Oops, one of the hazards of not being able to read Japanese! Well, it's only a few blocks away, but we must find a way across the wide downtown train tracks, without having to ride down to the station and cross under the tunnel to the other side. Either that, or go up and over the steep crossing near the "curly" bridge, which is too steep for me to push my heavy bike up. So, another adventure . . .

We rode back over the tracks on 188 & then turned left along the tracks to find a bridge or tunnel. After only a few minutes of riding through a quiet neighborhood, we find ourselves in front of the Iwakuni Sinfonia.

Riding our bikes on the covered driveway that passes under part of the building.

We're here to view ikebana displays today, which is the Japanese art of flower arranging. I like this one hanging from a coatrack. This is less traditional than ikebana I've seen in the past.

You're going to have to be patient with me . . . I love ikebana and took lots of pictures of my "favorites" -- this one is more classic.

Stan thought this one represented a crescent moon.

Closeup of flowers and leaves.

Bent pine in traditional ikebana vase on red stand.

I loved this "snake" vase -- twisted around to hold a double arrangement.

Cactus, white orchids and persimmons in blue vase, standing on a beautiful slab of wood.

I liked this driftwood surrounded with black rocks.

This was definitely the most unusual ikebana we saw! The yellow stuff looked like unraveled rope or artificial blonde hair! Not sure what the black things are, but I assume some sort of seed pod. Suppose it represents a beehive or anthill?

Beautiful red roses, with pine & what looks like a dried seaweed fan in a white container. I like the little table it is presented on. You can't imagine how good it smells in these rooms!

Bird of Paradise looks like a small flock of birds . . .

Nice contrast of colors . . .