Signposts

Making decisions in life is not always easy, and I'm continually looking for signposts serendipitously pointing out the right way. Getting older, and I've been teaching at Sophia for a dozen years now, although the freedom there allows me to be rich and creative with the materials and Economics is not as boring as it's made out to be. Talking about signposts, this woody one is pointing to the Noh theater just down the road. The dogs are not pleased, why have you tied us up just when we got to the park, hey Mum, this is no fun...

There are a lot of really boring metallic signs in the park, which are really not worth taking a picture of unless you're some kind of photographic genius with a lot of visual flair. I avoided those, and found this cute no campfire in the park sign...since it's up in the woody area with scents of squirrels and grouse, my babies are much less miffed at being tied to a post.

This one has sprung up on the newly paved path round the rim of the park which is often used for walking and jogging, and it's ever so funny...people wear headphones and are in their own world, or codgy seniors who feel they own the place and have no need to give way for dogs or others. A sign of the times?

Old paths for new year

Just enjoying the quiet time this year, the peaceful atmosphere, the wonderful weather, the lazy time. I feel most out of touch with Japan at this time of year, everyone is out first-footing and praying at the shrine, eating sumptuous food, wearing their Sunday best and shopping for New Year bargains, having a ball, and I hole up with the dogs, stuck in PJs all day except for walkies...

 Claire was particularly on the go though, running around after squirrels and birds so much her legs cramped up on the way home! She was so jittery it was hard to get pictures, even with multiple shots.

 The russets and muted winter tones were glorious and soothing, the air crisp but not freezing, almost no need for hats or coats, particularly running around after a setter.

Back home it's straight for the sofa, and no way am I going to get up again to go in the shower...

Monkey Walk

Blessed with a beautiful sunny day, temperatures verging on spring and time to spare, I went for a gentle walkies and exploration trip in the Maita area.

 Better to avoid the crowds lining up at the shrine, and pray for peace in my own way...

 Claire loves this park, there's some wild woody hillside adjacent, unfortunately fenced off, but she's exploring with her nose and senses the best she can. May this year bring out the social responsibility, nurturing, cooperation, caring, loving and gentleness in all us apes...

If you go down to the woods today...

Not three, but four wibbles in tow...Fortunately all four so well behaved, although Claire wanted a bit more freedom...

 Woooohooooo! Playing with fallen leaves, perfect fun on a dry sunny day...

 Woooooooohoooooo! Let them fly!

 Woooooooohoooooooo! Get in there and roll in it! 

 Oh yeah, this is the life, sunshine, kids, leaves, a walk in the park....

 Watching the wains, no hunting today, just making sure everyone is safe and happy...

 Walking with the family, what a great way for a setter to end the year...Happy Christmas, everyone :)

Verdure

 Best time of the year for glorious morning walks in the green early summer woods, with the dogs finding pigeons and soaking up the morning sunlight. Gotta go to the vet soon to get the heartworm meds and check up on Luna's health :)

Profile Pics

Whither Wending

 Three setters in the park leading me a merry dance, with pigeons all around...not to mention the ducks...fortunately Nobu is easy-going about birds, so the focus is on the ladies...and the birds. Smiles all round, and more pics to come.

Spring Break

 First day of spring break, and I'm enjoying it first up with a walk in the park. Beautiful warm day, sunshine, no wonder the plum blossom is out in some places...I didn't even need a scarf, hat or gloves. I'm proud to say Luna is looking much more like a setter now, with butt muscles and that setter stance, she's put on at least two kilos and is coming into her own, seems to have stretched and grown in all directions.

There's nothing quite like the smile of the dogs in the park, fabulous soft vibrant smiles, crinkling up the eyes and radiating happiness. Claire in quite an unusual pose, a little off color with a possible stomach bug this morning so less than her usual diva self, but that's okay too, cutesy panda look.

Year of the Horse

 Walking into the New Year with blue skies, warm winter sunshine and happy hearts. Wishing you all a very special and propitious New Year.

Long local walk

 On a longer walk than usual because it may rain this evening, I decided to venture on new paths (for Luna), Nobu and Claire like this walk down to my local kimono store and round the park near the store. There's a woody area on the way down the hill, and of course Luna got all excited. Sometimes there are squirrels, I remember how excited Claire was the first time, Luna is nothing in comparison, she's so small and placid. 

 After dropping by the store to say hello and show off Luna's hidden secret, her beautiful cherry blossom belly (just the color of the natural dyed original cherry kimono in the store), we went round the park. Luna points on crows and sparrows, unlike Claire she doesn't seem to be able to tell the difference. Claire only goes wild over pigeons, ducks and seagulls. As she's on point, frozen up, I crept round in front to get a snapshot of her focused working dog face, here it is: