so this is natsu in Japan

where is that buzzzzing sssssound coming from?


sunlight thru pine and maple


summer Ikebana (by Noriko)

Yamamoto Cafe on the trail to the Minoo waterfall

just about to take a dip in the stream . . . and so was the dog



the grande finale of this year`s Inagawa Hanabi Taikai in Ikeda which is in Osaka which is in Japan for those of you just joining me here. it was a very warm but not too hot saturday evening. and luckily no mosquitos. and give or take a thousand people, i would say about 100,000 people enjoyed the 70 minues of fireworks. i think it was the 70th anniversay of this event. this was my second time to see this wonderful summer fireworks festival with Noriko and the first for Tony, Tori and Niji. more photos later including some more natsu (summer) yukata and yatai photos.


summer hanabi in Japan


yatai, yatai, yatai and more yatai


Ricky, the wonderful Beatles singer. that is Minoo Takey FM`s deejay taking his photo from the stair. oh, that reminds me not to forget to find about why people were coming out of the restaurant across from the stage with one long noodle coming from their mouth.

Day 3 begins

let`s see. where was i? did i tell you i was in Japan again? did i tell you about surprising Noriko`s Father at the hospital on saturday? did i tell you about the Inagawa Hanabi Taikai (fireworks festival at Inagawa) on saturday? did i mention Ricky singing Beatles songs at the Minoo Tackey FM radio live broadcast? i think i mentioned doing some work in the garden yesterday morning before lunch at Kenta (Kentucky Fried Chicken) before Ricky. i am sure i mentioned walking to one of my favorite places along the trail to the Minoo Waterfall and having my favorite snack and hoping to see a monkey or two. no monkeys but many cute dogs being walked along the forest trail. and it goes without saying i have eaten more delicious food in the last three days then in the last three months . . . since my last visit to the Maekawa Home. later i hope to add some photos from the last few days but first time for a shower and breakfast. and yes, it is very very warm here. i don`t want to call it hot as that would make it seem . . . hotter.