Ume Blossom Viewing

It's a sunny & warm Sunday and Stan is washing the windshield so I can take better pictures - thanks, Stan! We're driving to the Kintai Bridge area to view ume (ooo-may) - plum blossoms today, but we're taking our bikes, so we can ride around when we get there.


Crossing a bridge - high tide.


Those are white plum trees above the tunnel.


Name of the tunnel?

After just a few minutes, we can see the Kintai Bridge - lots of people walking over it on this beautiful day.


We've parked our car, unloaded our bikes and are riding in the park. All the fountains are running today - that means it's warm and no wind. Lots of families are out today.





Look at this beautiful plum-colored plum tree!


Stan & Margie - a nice lady took our picture.

Closer view with the ropeway landing at the top of the hill.


Closeup of pink plum blossoms. You can't believe how fragrant it is standing here!


Little boy walking on a low wall (but his dad was very nearby!)


Closer view of the stone carvings.

Please click on "Older Posts" below to see more photos of this entry!

Stan beside a supported cherry tree.


A row of motorcycles. All these bare trees are cherries and will be blooming in early April.


Stan with the Kintai Bridge behind him.


Our usual ice cream shop, but we're going for sushi soon, so no ice cream today.


Back side of one of the fountains looks like castle walls.

More fountains - beautiful!



Art museum near the ropeway with plum trees in front.


Here it comes, but we're not riding today. Underneath this building are potties and lots of drink machines. We decided on boxes of peach juice - delicious & refreshing!


Torii gate

Closeup shows the decoration. Remember making chains like these white ones from chewing gum wrappers?


Prayers hanging on a cherry branch.


White plum blossoms





Swan enjoying the sunshine today.

Duck!


Little wooden guard shack (?) on the corner of a building wall.


That's me in the mirror.


Pagoda


That's the ropeway station at the top of the hill behind the ornate pagoda roof.

Cabbage roses


Pansy


Museum near the ropeway. We like to park in this parking lot when we take the car.


Driving back along the street with the Dr Seuss trees.


Crossing a bridge with a red boat in the water.

It was nice to have a bright sunny day today. Spring is coming!

Click "Older Posts" below to continue . . .

Sumo Yokosuna Asashoryu Retires in Disgrace!

Wow -- REALLY big (no pun intended - well maybe just a little!) news in the world of Sumo today! Grand Champion (Yokosuna) Asashoryu has been involved in one scandal after another and was never MY favorite wrestler - he was a great player & a winner, but never modest and respectful as the sport demands. I always rooted for the other Grand Champion Hakuho, who seems to live & respect the sumo lifestyle. But what's MOST amazing to me is that here in Japan, you actually CAN'T buy your way out of scandal & you're actually NOT too big to fall . . . I assumed that he would just pay someone off (after recently injuring a man during a drunken brawl) and continue to reign at the top of his sport. Although from Mongolia, he's been Grand Champion in Japan since before I began watching Sumo, so it's going to be weird not having him around. Read more details HERE ! ! !

Setsubun Festivities 2/3

"With Japan’s version of Groundhog Day, the Japanese don’t have to worry over the precarious nature of an oversized skittish rodent to determine whether winter will end or not. It’s not the shadows of groundhogs that concern the Japanese. It’s the devils infesting their homes that they are worried about. Instead of calling upon the professional services of an exorcist, however, the Japanese take matters into their own hands." For more great photos & info about Setsubun Spring Rituals in Japan: CLICK HERE!

Obama Sushi Roll (or Only in Japan!)

Found this recently while surfing: "My upcoming recipe book 'Cute Yummy Time' features adorable sushi... Obama’s skin is made out of ami (little shrimp) boiled in soy sauce, his hair is made out of black sesame seeds, and his teeth are made from fish paste. (Too cute to eat?)." Check out the cookbook author's website HERE for more cute food photos & info!

Big Snow in Nashville, TN

Some of Lisa's recent pics . . . Here's our son Larry in their yard.


Grandson Andy - I believe that's an Auburn hat he's wearing.


Granddaughter Natalie holding an icy snowball.


And Granddaughter Amelia on her sled.


Their dog Callie was having a ball pulling the children!

Like me, Lisa's the photographer, so she's not often in pictures. Click here to see MORE of her great pictures:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38443962@N03/sets/72157623316658004/show/

January Skyping

Here's Nancy & Eldon Skyping us from their home in Vicenza, Italy.


Natalie & Amelia - Everyone in their house is having snow days in Nashville, TN because of heavy snow & icy weather.


Andy has joined Natalie & Amelia. They were telling me about how much fun they've been having playing in the snow!


Cody - closeup


And Kelly