Setter in the Bamboo Forest

Captive on the carousel of time

Mid-afternoon, no coat, wearing just a sweater and scarf in the sunshine, and enjoying quality time with Claire and Nobunaga...

 We're all a bit slower than we used to be...

 ...I stopped to take some pictures in a quieter area of the park, today being Sunday there are people everywhere you go...

 ...but it's only squirrels that get Claire excited this season, so we follow her lead up some secluded paths...

 ...while Nobunaga checks out the bushes for cats, getting all caught up in the process...

 ....as the shadows lengthen...

 ... the sunlight creates tints in Claire's hair...

 ....maybe time to circle back and go home...

 ...one last look at the incipient blossoms in the plum park...

 ....too close to the lens to capture, the blurry pink blossoms shower petals and scent upon us...but cats are waiting to be hunted in gardens on the way home...and the seasons, they go round and round...

Hunting with English setters

 You wouldn't believe the things I find on walkies, out with my beautiful English setters...while they're hunting for pigeons, squirrels and cats, Mum has a beady eye on the street corners. You wouldn't believe the number of beautiful things the Japanese just throw out: the carpet scavenged a while back (easily washed and perfect for when Claire gets a weak bladder); the Yamaha western guitar, beautiful wood and looking all the better for polishing with lemon oil and some new strings in the offing;

 the embroidery books, inspiration galore to inspire me to knit, crochet, or even embroider, the color combinations to be explored in kimono and fashion co-ordinates;  the lego set, all washed and clean ready for grandkids, very fiddly putting it all together but thankfully the manual was included...

 this beautiful cream hand-knit mohair lace shawl, so soft and fine and warm and perfect on kimono coats, to mention just a few this past month or so;

Oh and of course there's my gorgeous, sensitive, loving, intelligent, delightful dogs themselves, some fool didn't want...no wonder I'm feeling blessed. Have setter, will scavenge!  

See no evil

Back to work today, and it's a busy day for me...I have to shampoo Claire, who refused yesterday, so I was able to spend a good long time really lathering up Nobunaga. I also have a truckload of student papers to grade for various courses, not my usual style, I'm normally on top of things right away, but last year was impossible...First pro-dance practice of the year today too, although carrying Cato yesterday I was getting twinges in my right knee which didn't subside all the way home. I wanted to visit friends, but wasn't sure I could walk the distance, so just headed back for the warmth of the kitchen where I sit this morning too. I'm hoping this was a one-day thing yesterday, I'll see during walkies...

 Nobunaga on walks is less interested in birds and more interested in cats, although he'll find a pigeon or two if Claire misses it. Claire is better at finding things up above, she knows birds fly into trees and watches the sky...see no evil, look up to the sky, and catch that cat!

 Back home Nobu is a smoochy darling, particularly handsome out of the shower with clean ears and sparkling fur...

 I guess I'm just in love with the setter breed, I don't get all gooey with tiny dogs: Nobunaga's size is perfect, round about 25kg, such gorgeous curls and that wonderful speckled fur, expressive eyes and such a gentle demeanor...and when they get all dozey and dopey, simply adorable.

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...

Year of the Monkey

Happy New Year, friends and family :) I'm more of a Christmas girl myself, so may the Lord bless you and keep you in this new year also, with blessings and divine inspiration and serendipity. 

 The monkey dolls are made by Akiko Hirohara using antique kimono fabrics. She is so gifted! Her monkey faces are just so perfect! What a great way to start the year, with art and setters. Nobu ate the camellias while I was taking the pictures...so here they are in all their glory before I started out...