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.
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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.) Curious as to why I haven't made a Japan-themed calendar yet? I have given it some thought but putting one together isn't as easy as one would think! (To learn about some of the challenges, I recommend reading my answer to question 10 on the FAQ page.) I haven't given up though. Let's see what the next year brings. (^.^)/
(This is the kind of photo I refer to in my answer to question 10. As much as I love photos like this, I'm not sure it's for everyone. Oh, it's also in portrait mode so there's that as well. Phooey!) I'm running a little late this year but the 2021 calendar is finally ready! I plan to place my order on December 1st so, if you are interested, please let me know by November 30th. You can find out more about the calendar in the menu above. If you have any questions, please let me know. You can email me directly or use the contact form available in the menu above.
This is a different shot of the same anemone that is on the front of the 2021 calendar. It's an anemone that I grew from seed. Yes, I'm as surprised as you are! (^.~) Every year the local ward office gives away 1,000 rose bushes. People who live in the ward can apply and the winners are chosen in a lottery. We applied 2 years in a row and had luck both times! This is the one my husband won. It's called "Blue Moon".
I've had a lot of trouble with my roses this year and, at one point, I wasn't sure our "Blue Moon" was going to survive. Thinking the end was near, I put it in a corner of the garden and left it alone. (At that point I had done everything I could.) To my relief, it continued to grow, then produced buds, and finally bloomed just a few days ago. I'm so pleased! (There are 2 rose season here in Japan: late spring and fall.) |
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I'm a photographer based in Osaka, Japan. I love to take photographs. I like to share.
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