Friday Finish - Felt Fish

Four felt fish pins

Year of the Horse

Happy New Year!

According to the 12 year cycle of the zodiac animals, this is the year of the horse.

Here are some interesting Japanese sayings which involve horses:

馬の耳に念仏—Uma no mimi ni nenbutsu. “To say a nenbutsu prayer in a horse’s ear” means to say something that is not understood or totally ignored, just as horses do not comprehend the chanting of the name of Amida Buddha in this form of prayer.

が合う—Uma ga au. The expression that “the horse matches well” is used for when people get on well with each other, based on the idea of riders being a good fit with their steeds.

人間万事塞翁が馬—Ningen banji saiō ga uma. “For humans, everything is like the horse belonging to the old man at the fort.” This proverb expresses the idea that life is unpredictable, and it is impossible to predict both good and bad fortune. It is based on a story about an old man in ancient China who lived at a border fort. One day, his horse ran away, but later returned with another fine breed of horse. The man’s son rode on the new steed, but fell and broke his leg. However, this turned out to be lucky as it meant he was not called up for war.

生き馬の目を抜く—Ikiuma no me o nuku. “To pluck an eye from a live horse” means to profit by sharp practices that may be legally dubious.

下馬評—Gebahyō. In former times, wherever people got off their horses, such as at castle gates or temples, retainers and others waiting for their masters would gossip to each other. This “dismounting talk” is used for idle rumors from people who are not directly involved with particular matters.

尻馬に乗る—Shiriuma ni noru. This phrase, either “to ride on the back end of a horse behind someone else holding the reins” or “to follow the back end of the horse walking in front,” is used for following other people’s words or actions without thinking for oneself.

馬脚をあらわす—Bakyaku o arawasu. “To reveal one’s horse’s legs” is to show one’s true colors or shortcomings.

WIP/UFO Update - End of Year 2025

I’ve had a pretty good year with finishes, especially with all the bed quilts. My last WIP/UFO Update was end of Mid-Year 2025, and can be seen here. 

This is my latest update. I’ve taken out the finished projects and added the newly started ones. Bold titles show the ones I have worked on in 2025. I also wrote if I hope/plan to work on or finish these projects in 2026.

Dressing Gown - hope/plan to finish

Ribbon Album Wall Quilt - hope to work on

Bess of Hardwick 

Paisley Purse and Pocket - hope/plan to work on

RSN Knot Garden - hope to work on

RSN Rice Fields 

Miniature Chair Cushion 

Silk Gauze Cat 

EGA Drawn Thread GCC - hope to finish

Linda Driskell White Hardanger - hope/plan to finish

Bristol Bag Etui - hope to finish

Dogwood Afghan - hope to work on

Tale of Genji - plan to finish

Lavender and Lace - The Quilt Maker - hope to work on or at least unstitch the mistake area.

Sneek Sampler - hope to work on

Stumpwork Flowers - hope to finish 

Here are some kits/projects I want to start in 2026.

Funai Castle Ruins

I don’t know what this statue is about.

About 15 minutes walk from the Oita Station is the park with the Funai Castle Ruins. Some of it is being repaired.

This covered bridge is very cool.

On the other side of the bridge, is a shrine area.

Going back across the bridge to the castle area.

I climbed up to this observation area. Getting up was a little scary, but coming down was scarier.

Looking back on the covered bridge.

The castle park covers a large area with a lot to see.