Miharu

 Wednesday 

31st March, 2021

End of March,

End of the first 1/4 of the year, 

Two days after Full Moon. 

Miharu

Fukushima 

Sweet memories ... 

This last photo perhaps best  conveys the point that I am thinking of ... 

Monday

 Monday

29th March, 2021

Tonight is a Full Moon

Cancer the Crab

My Starz courtesy of  Oscar Cainer: 

It's time to cut to the chase. Since it's become clear that by asking freely open questions you're only receiving confusingly imprecise answers, it's time to ask yourself what you want to know, and how you're going to get to the bottom of a conundrum. We tend to think that by excluding options we'll be able to hasten progress - and you're hoping for someone's help in this process. Following the Full Moon, if you scratch below the surface of this issue, you'll find an answer where you least expect. 

Olympic

 Thursday

25th March, 2021

The Olympic Torch is being lit

in Iwaki and then coming through

Fukushima Prefecture. 

 Unfortunately, with COVID-19 there are many crowd restrictions, etc. 

Thus said, it's fantastic news for Fukushima ! 

............ 

This morning I had a video call with the charming ladies

from Pastel. 

This photo was taken on 02nd November, 2017. 

As you see the photo: 

Back Row:

                              YUKO san in the striped top

                              YOSHIE san in the white coat, big smile

Front Row:   

                            ATSUKO san in the white top

                           YUMIKO san in the centre, red flower 

                           REIKO san holding her phone

It was just like old times chatting with them ... feeling nostalgic. 

Equinox

 Saturday 

20th March, 2021

Today is the Autumn Equinox in Australia. 

Hurrah ! 

Thought for this auspicious day ... 

Olympic Torch

 Friday

19th March, 2021

This article appeared in FUKURUM

a Facebook forum about Fukushima City. 

............ 

The Olympic Torch Relay will start at J-Village in Nahara/Hirono on Thursday, March 25 and make its way to Fukushima City on Friday, March 26. We have an update from Fukushima City Hall about the times and route. 

On Friday, March 26t there will be an Opening Ceremony at Shinobugaoka Stadium from 10:00 AM. Parking is available at Shinobugaoka Ryokuji Park. The 'Mini Celebration' Departure Ceremony will be held from 11:11 AM - 11:20 AM. 

The map below shows the route through the city as the Olympic Torch makes its way to Fukushima Prefectural Office at 12:43 PM. 

St. Paddy's Day

 Wednesday

17th March, 2021

A rainy and cool St. Patrick's Day 

here in Brisbane City today. 

White Day comes around yet again ...

 Sunday

14th March, 2021

My Cancerian Horoscope prediction for the coming week, 

courtesy of Oscar Cainer: 

Your Weekly Love Focus Horoscope: While some relationships stay stuck in the same groove, others hold potential that deserves to be mined. I'm not trying to suggest you start trying to develop a more meaningful rapport with the person behind the counter at your local supermarket. But a tentative new relationship in your life has much more to offer. The Equinox brings a chance to step safely outside normal formalities. Even a smile might unlock a door that leads to a positive development and new opportunities. 

-------------------------------

Today is also White Day in Japan - Part #2 of Valentien's Day as celebrated there. 

This Day

 Thursday

11th March, 2021

10th Memorial Day 

My adopted home for decades; my wonderful life. 

Not to relive the damage, but to embrace Nature and its beauty there. 

From Mt. Hanami looking towards Fukushima City. 

Mt. Adatara above and the summit below. 

The cause of much mirth .... LOL 

Above: Lake Inawashiro, the 4th largest lake in Japan. 

A place of wild, natural beauty ... one of my favourite places in Fukushima Prefecture. 

Fukushima City itself; focus on the railway station.

Above: The Abukuma River, the 6th longest river in Japan. 

I lived beside this beautiful river ... a source of great calmness for me. 

Below:  Taken from my apartment in Ogura-cho. 

The Abukuma River in Winter and next, illustrating Ohanami in April. 

The Arakawa River which connects to the Abukuma River

near Ogura-cho.  I enjoyed seeing these rivers every day. 

Sakura mochi - delicious sweet treat particularly served in April  in Fukushima-ken. 

Fuku - means happy or lucky

Shima - one of several Japanese words meaning island. 

The "island" originally coming from Shinobu Yama being surrounded by water. 

......................... 

Wednesday

Wednesday 

10th March, 2021

My horoscope: Cancer the Crab

Courtesy of Oscar Cainer 

A little voice in the back of your mind is questioning your ability to make meaningful progress. And this is undermining your ower and your chances of making significant gains. The Successful initiation of change requires confidence. And, if you can summon a sense of certainty, it won't be the only asset at your disposal. Take advantage of the power offered by the imminent Sun/Neptune alignment. It provides a wind that will carry you to where you want to go. Just put up your sail. 

Top: Magnolia Bonsai from Tokyo estimated to be some 80 years old. 

Lower:  Sakura Mochi, a most delicious Japanese sweet indeed ... 

March 4

 Thursday

04th March, 2021

Today is the fourth (4th) Memorial Day 

for

June Mary ....

Two photos of June with her lifelong friend, Gloria ( black swimsuit ). 

Maybe about 1946 ? 

I pray for the repose of her Soul. 

........................... 

Autumn

 Monday

01st March, 2021

The first day of Autumn here. 

The temperature is 31C and crazy humid - doesn't feel so Autumnal. 

Two images of Japanese colder weather food/s.