Thanks so much for visiting even though I've been largely absent over the past few months. I've been dealing with many changes in my life - some difficult and painful, others welcomed and exhilarating, and others still ongoing. It will take time to settle into this new "normal" but I'm looking forward to what lies ahead. (In short, I've retired! \(^.^)/)

One thing that has become clear is that while I love sharing my photos, I need to rethink how I have organized this website. There is lots to consider and no matter what I do it will be a lot of work! However, it's one of the tasks I've given myself over the next year so expect some changes ahead!

Wish me luck! (^.~)/

Asian fawnlily ("katakuri" in Japanese) is a woodland plant and is rated vulnerable-endangered in parts of Japan. The bulb produces "katakuriko" which is used as a thickener in Japanese cooking but since quantities are so small, potato starch is now more commonly used. This patch was growing in a local botanical research garden.

For most of the fall and December the weather was unusually warm. However, a few days ago things changed. BRRR! So cold! Temperatures here rarely go below 0°C at night and, when they do, they usually return to above zero very quickly. However, not so the past few nights and my plants have been suffering. I've never seen such severe frost damage in all my time here and I am sure I will lose some of them. I'll know in the spring. Thankfully, it's supposed to warm up from tomorrow. Bring it on!

I took this photo at a local shrine at the beginning of the year. Usually there are only one or two blooms this time of year, but this time they were all in full bloom! So cheerful! Although they will have suffered frost damage, I'm confident they will survive the cold to bloom again next year. Three cheers for vigorous plants! \(^.^)/

For various reasons, it's going to be a very different kind of Christmas this year. This past week, as I've been preparing the house for Christmas, I've been reminiscing about Christmases past. I am so thankful for the memories but feeling sad that this one will be spent without the joys of gathering with friends and family. However, we do want to keep everyone safe so we will make the necessary adjustments and trust that the day will come when we can freely meet with others. Until then, phone calls and video chats will have to suffice. (I am very thankful for technology!!) I suspect that your holidays plans are also undergoing a similar transformation. Wishing you all the best as you reconsider how best to celebrate this season.

Today we are having our coolest weather so far this fall. Today's high is 15°C, the sky is a cranky grey, and there are a few raindrops here and there. I'm so thankful we managed to get out and about last week when the weather was gorgeous! We saw lots of colourful fall foliage but, to my surprise, we also came across cherry trees that were blooming! This variety is known as Jugatsu Zakura (October Cherry Blossoms) and, as the name says, they usually bloom in October. However, I have seen them bloom as early as September and these were blooming in late November. Regardless of the month, they are always a delight to come across.

(This was a cherry tree on the grounds of a small temple on the outskirts of Kyoto. This was what I saw when I crouched underneath it and looked up.)