Category: My Garden

January Blues - Garden Cheer

1/25/2019

I've been feeling a little blue. Okay, maybe grumpy is a more appropriate word. I enjoyed the holidays but they weren't exactly restful and January has been pretty demanding. My computer is also playing with me and although now would be a perfect time to be editing photos from the past, it's not cooperating. Grrrr... Computer, your days are numbered!

Thankfully, in the midst of a cranky January my garden still manages to cheer me up. I have little time to give it these days, and it's cold out there besides, but despite the gloom of winter, things still continue to grow. Every morning, as I leave for work, I take a quick peek at my garden. Currently I have a few pansies and snapdragons blooming, and several camellia bushes and a jade plant that should start any day now.

However, what cheered me up most this week was this - the first plum blossom of the year. There is no real need to get excited since this is what plum trees usually do this time of year. Regardless, it is a harbinger of spring and although that may still be some time off, January, your days are numbered too!

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Black & White

11/10/2018

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Several blog posts ago I mentioned that I had entered some photos in the LensCulture Black & White Photography Awards. At the time I only posted one photo and a link to my FB photo page which would then take you to a another link where you could view my entries on the LensCulture site. On hindsight, that was a few too many hoops to jump through - and to see rather small images at that.

So, here are my entries. Since Lensculture's only stipulation was that the entries be in black & white, there is no unified theme. I simply chose some of my favorite black and white images. All of them were taken when I was out and about (nothing staged), and all were taken close to my home in Osaka except for the lantern photo. That was taken when I was on a trip to Singapore.

Unfortunately, if I add captions to the photos, it cuts off part of the image so here are the photo details.

Sun + Breeze, Namba Parks, Osaka
Rope at the Kanji Museum, Kyoto
Chrysanthemum, Local Shrine, Osaka
Baby Cactus, My Garden, Osaka
Rose + Rain, Nakanoshima Rose Garden, Osaka
Chinese Lanterns, Singapore

Enjoy! (^.^)/

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A Big deal...

11/8/2018

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I just mailed my very first calendar order that was placed on this website using a credit card. While this may not seem like a very big deal, it is for me! Here's why.

When I first started selling calendars last year, almost all of my orders were in person. However, a few people asked for other options and so I quickly figured out how they could order using money transfers. These were all friends and none of the orders were going overseas so it was easy to sort it all out.

However, this year, there was interest from overseas. What to do? I wasn't quite sure but, regardless of the solution, it soon became clear I was going to need a website. So, off I went. Oh, what a learning curve! Oh, so many abandoned efforts! Oh, so many mistakes! Oh! Oh! Oh! Well, you get the point! Things finally came together on my third try and although this website isn't perfect, at least it does what I want it to do.

After setting up the website came the challenge of figuring out all the various payment options. That took some creative thinking but I'm happy with the results and I was pleased to find that I could set up a secure credit card paying option through Weebly, the host of this website. That took a lot of fiddling but slowly, through trial and error, it all came together. I was so relieved when everything was finally completely ready to go. Whew! What a lot of work! (You have no idea...)

So, the website was finally ready to go public. It should work, right? However, believing it should work and it actually working are two very different things. One of my biggest concerns was whether the credit card order process would work as it should. If not, then all the blood, sweat and tears (and cursing, cussing and gnashing of teeth) to set everything up would be in vain... But it wasn't! It worked like a charm! As smooth as butter! Easy-peasy!

And so that's why today is a big deal. It all works! And it works well! My very first credit card order has gone off without a hitch and now I can rest easy! Yes!!

Now, please excuse me while I go do a happy dance around my living room. (^.~)/

(A huge thanks to M.S. for placing the first credit card order. Bless you!)

Toad lilies are in season and I have several growing in my garden. The name always makes me laugh, but I love the flowers no matter what they are called! This is from last week.

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Saxifraga

10/28/2018

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I love gardening but I'm afraid I'm not very good at knowing the names of plants. Some I know only in English, some only in Japanese, and there are the rare few that I know in both languages. I'm getting better, though, although searching for plant names on the internet when you only have a description to go by can be a challenge.

I did manage to track down this one though. It's called "saxifraga" and there are many varieties. The ones I prefer are notable for their 5 asymmetrical petals. I love these plants. They are whimsical and charming, and yet tough enough to survive the Osaka summers. (They don't really like the heat though.)

Here are the two latest saxifraga additions to my garden.
May they live long and prosper! (^.~)/

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You just have to start!

10/19/2018

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I have a few friends who are serious about photography. (Hello, Bob and Alan!) However, most people I know consider themselves beginners. They often tell me they want to improve their photography skills but they don't really know where to start. It's all a bit overwhelming.

I get it. The learning curve can be very steep. I think I cussed at my camera for 6 months straight before it started making sense to me. However, the important thing is that you have to start. That's all you have to do. You don't have to be good at it. You don't have to be skilled or graceful or confident . You. just. have. to. start.

So, where to start? Of course, if you have friends that can give you advice, great! However, if not, there many resources available on the internet. This is where I began since I had few opportunities to talk "photography" with anyone.

One website I often referred to was Digital Photography School. It's a great resource for tips and tutorials for improving photography skills. and one whole section is dedicated to helping beginners. It's as good a place to start as any!

So, off you go! That learning curve has to start somewhere! (^.~)/

P.S. You might want to start with 11 Tips for Beginner Photographers. It's short and sweet but will get you headed in the right direction.

A Maple Leaf, My Garden, Osaka

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January Blues - Garden Cheer

Black & White

A Big deal...

Saxifraga

You just have to start!

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