Monday, May 28, 2007

Late spring woods


Late spring woods 2007 013
Originally uploaded by jhhymas
This is the way the wild cherry looked last week. We finally got here and fell into a computer crash black hole. Not worth repairing. I got this new Walmart HP up and running today. Easily. I am amazed.

The dark bird I have been catching out of the corner of my eye at the suet feeder is that big and greedy fellow, a grackle! So with the blue jay and all we may have to stop serving suet. But we have grown so fond of Mr. and Missus Downy Woodpecker and the pair of hairy woodpeckers that I can't make up my mind to do it.
We are also serving black sunflower seeds. So far we also have goldfinches and chickadees and an occasional wnite breated nuthatch.

Monday, May 21, 2007

Two Patricias


Two Patricias
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.
Here she is with her Japanese breakfast at a small eatery at the Tokyo Fish Market. I kind of like the serenity of this shot. I never noticed her mirror twin until I got back from Japan.

I won't be able to do any more posting for a couple of days. When they turn on my DSL Thursday, I promise to get more interesting! (How will THAT work?) I'm at the public library now in tiny Alanson, Michigan. It reminds me how hard we worked to get internet access in the library where I worked for so many years. Until Thursday.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Black tailed prairie dog


PICT0360crp
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.
These guys used to cover the Dakotas with their towns. They are useful to mix the soil, I have read. This is called bioturbation. In Theodore Roosevelt National Park, they are very evident, as are the signs reminding tourists not to feed them. Individuals kept running across the road; they were quite nimble at avoiding the car. It was fun to see so many.

Comments thing has been fixed. Comments should now go right up!

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

In a dust wallow at the very edge of the road


PICT0336
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

I opened the car window to take this picture. S said he was pretty bored with buffalo until we came upon this one. We hadn't been this close before. The major thing that was going on was cud-chewing.

Tomorrow: Prairie dogs!

Saturday, May 05, 2007

The Mayor


The Mayor
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.
This is the Mayor of Cupertino, speaking at my library friend's retirement party Thursday. This lady was really fun to photograph because her face was so alive and her gestures so graceful, clear and powerful. Every once in a while, my faith in photography is renewed and I don't have to get TOO post-modern about its communicative powers!

Friday, May 04, 2007

The great pine at Matsuyama Castle


The great pine at the Castle
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.
One thing I noticed in Japan is that almost all trees, even street trees are shaped. This beautiful tree is an example.
Today I went to a retirement party for a dear friend that I worked with for manhy years. We were part of a county system of community libraries. Many people I worked with were there, several of them I had not seem since I retired 6 years ago. It was wonderful to see them and sad to think that I am no longer just starting out with things to accomplish. I get to look back at the good, the bad, and the never-completed. I think we should try to shape our lives so they could be as graceful as trees. But it would involve difficult decisions that we don't know enough to make at the time we need to make them.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Bunraku lady


Bunraku lady
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.
This white-faced lady is part of a puppet tradition in Japan that has a very long history. On stage, I completely forgot the black-robed person who operates her. Her poignant gestures made me cry when I saw her, or her sister, onstage ten years ago. I had never expected to meet her at Cherry Blossom Viewing at Matsuyama castle, but here she was! In the bright light the beauty of her costume and the extreme paleness of her face were more apparent, but she was just posing, not telling a story. I have decided that little stories, or narratives, are my favorite part of life and memory. Good night.

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Why people love cherry blossoms


Why people love cherry blossoms
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.
I see now that it has been six full weeks since I've entered anything here. I am not very inspired tonight, either. Once you let something like this slip, it is easier to let the days cumulate, one by one. BUt an old friend just discovered this blog and so now I have to begin again. I've been back from a two-week trip to Japan (sherry blossom time!) for a couple of weeks and can no longer use the jet-lag excuse with a straight face.
Last night I met with my writing group. It is always interesting to see what the others are thinking about, working on, questioning, studying and so forth, I will miss them during the five months I'll be spending in Michigan; we plan to leave Sunday morning.
Some of you may remember the earlier tales of remodeling, which still continues, but this plase is almost finished and the results are very nice. Good night, I'll try to do better. More about Japan later.