Aodaisho

While coming up the concrete steps to my house a few nights ago, amidst the darkness and pitter-pattering of drizzle on dried leaves, I happened upon an Aodaisho -
("Green General"), or Japanese Green Rat Snake
Elaphe climacophora. This was by no means my first brush with one of these slithering reptiles. The Aodaisho was actually the very first species of snake I encountered in Japan about 3 years ago when I arrived here. Since that inaugural run in, many other Aodaisho have crossed my path. It's a beautiful olive green rat snake, and one of the largest serpents in Japan. This particular specimen was about one meter in length (about 3 feet).

Magical Mushrooms - キノコの子-

キノコたちも視線を下げて見てみれば、幻想的なものに変わったり・・・
大きさも様々で、小指の爪サイズから手のひらサイズまで。
毒キノコみたいな色が鮮やかなキノコに魅了されてるビルには、★松茸★は探せないでしょう・・・　（－＿－;）
金持ちになる道は(やっぱり)遠い！！！

Heavy rains give rise to damp forest floors. Damp forest floors lay the foundation for fungus.

Mushrooms are delicious, deadly, hallucinogenic, delicate,

and beautiful all at the same time!

Lets all celebrate mushrooms. They're awesome in all their many forms !!!!!!

Kayoko, Miku, and Ryoko Visit Hiroshima

Saturday, June 21 & Sunday, June 22 2008

Kayoko san, daughter Miku chan, & best friend Ryoko san

took a trip to Hiroshima, in the west of Honshu Japan

They travelled by Shikansen, or Japanese Bullet Train

Here's Miku enjoying the ride

Ryoko & Kayoko are excited about their adventure as well!

A bus in Hiroshima City which will take them to the famous Miyajima Shrine

This sign directs visitors to the Genbaku Domu, or Atomic Bomb Dome

The Genbaku Domu, Atomic Bomb Dome

This shell of a building stands as a grim reminder of the horrific devastation caused by atomic warfare. It was Hiroshima's Industry Promotion Hall until the morning of August 6, 1945. Visitors come from near and far, Japanese and foreign, to see this monument of tragedy, pay their respects to those who died, and pray that such an atrocity will never again occur anywhere in the world.

Kayoko and Miku stand inside

Genbaku Shibotsusha Ireihi (Cenotaph) at Heiwa Kinen-Koen Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park.

Beneath the arch memorial a cenotaph (An empty tomb or monument erected in memory or a person buried elsewhere) lists the names of more than 200,000 victims.

On a lighter subject, here's a delicious looking dish!


The ferry to Miyajima (Miya Island)
The famous Miyajima Torii (Miyajima archway) at Miyajima (Miya Island)
The Torii, or archway stands in water, for which it is very famous.
Here the Torii is completely exposed at Kancho (low tide)
Itsukushima-jinja Itsukushima Shrine





Tahoto Pagoda
More delicious cuisine
Through the beautiful symmetry of Itsukushima Shrine we can see standing perfectly centered, the archway
At Mancho (high tide)

" Excuse us! We're a bit busy eating snacks right now.

Could you please come back at a later time!"
The Shikansen (Bullet Train)
Scrumptious looking pork cutlets are on the menu aboard the train!
Going home happy!

Thank you for sharing your adventure with us Kayoko, Miku, and Ryoko!

Alice In Wonderland

Alice Mary is really getting around these days!

" Hmmmmmm......I see"


Alice Mary and Daddy (John) take a nap together. Looks very good to me indeed!
I wonder what she's dreaming about??!!

John and his mother "Grandma" Joan
Alice Mary looking very stylish
"Don't you go talking bad about my new strawberry outfit!"
I can only think of one word when I see this picture-

CUTE!

Alice Mary chills with Hank
John's Grandmother, Alice Mary's GREAT Grandmother

Grandpa Beaver with his pride and joy

Delighted Mother Mandy (Amanda) with her pink-footed bundle o' love!
Grandpa Beaver holds his little Grand daughter proudly in front of his Nursery,

BB& GG Farms
Son in law John now takes his turn!
Sleepy kitty cat

Two pet cats frolic on the very inviting green grass of Mandy and Johns beautiful backyard
Mandy, Alice Mary, and Hank pose in front of the Setauket Mill Pond,

just a few minutes from their home
Lovely pink Azaleas bloom at the Setauket pond next to John and Alice Mary
Taking a break in front of some gorgeous white flowersGrandpa Beaver walks across Mandy & John's backyard towards some comfy-looking chairs

The cats commiserate, asking the rhetorical question;

"How come we never get loved quite like Alice Mary?!"