Last weekend, I continued my solo temple walks. I found this one, Zensou-ji, by accident. It seemed new (compared to many of the others I've visited) and was quite gorgeous. Buddhist temples are very serene, something we need more of in this strange time we are in. I had a peaceful look around and there was no else in sight.
Today is the first day of my Golden Week Holiday - eight consecutive days at home. Usually, Golden Week is one of the three busiest travel times in Japan. This year the Prime Minister has asked everyone to stay at home and not travel to other prefectures. (In Japan this is a request, not an order, to stay home.)
This past week, when I asked my students what they will do over the holiday week this year, they all sadly said, "No plan". When I told them I had big plans for my stay-cation, they all seemed surprised. I had to explain "stay-cation" - stay at home vacation - meant I wasn't taking a trip. I was following the request to stay at home, but I still had plans for the week.
I'm going to enjoy time at home. I will put my chair outside on the balcony and drink coffee and read a book. I will walk by myself to area shrines and temples and enjoy the history and serenity of these places. I will do a little Japanese language study. Of course, I will sew and stitch on some of the projects I posted about yesterday. Maybe I will do some household chores. I love to travel, but this year I will love staying at home and enjoying things that are close by.
If you are curious about what the holiday is today - It's Showa Day. It honors the birthday of Emperor Showa, the current Emperor's grandfather, who was the reining emperor from 1926 - 1989. "Sho" means shining or bright and "wa" means peace.
Every stitcher has them - UnFinished Objects. Things that we have begun but not finished. With a week of national holidays starting tomorrow (Golden Week) and not traveling over the week, I decided to take a look at what kind of UFOs I still have and might work on. (Some of these have not seen the light of day in quite a long time.)
Year 2 of the Temperature Quilt
Year 3 of the Temperature Quilt
The House Quilt
The Midnight Mystery Quilt
Flower Applique Wall Hanging
Hexagon Block Wall Quilt
The Hexie Tree Wall Quilt
Miscellaneous Hexie Shapes
Ribbon Album Wall Quilt
Mary Queen of Scots
Bess of Hardwick
Canvas Vacation Ornaments (need Finish/finishing)
Paisley Purse
RSN Knot Garden
RSN Rice Fields
Cruise Bracelet
The Miniature Rug
Miniature Chair Cushion
Silk Gauze Cat
EGA Drawn Thread GCC
Blue Hardanger
White Hardanger
Kogin
Two Orphan Pears
Dogwood Afghan
Heart Cross Stitch
June Ornament
Winter Banner
New Year's Eve Mystery
Eyelet/Rhodes Stitch Project
Sashiko Table Runner
Fashionable Ladies
Fairies Hiding
Redwork Girl
Little Dragonfly Stumpwork Project
Pansy Stumpwork
Sardinian Filet
I'm sure there are other UFOs lurking out there. (This does not include the things I have kitted up but not yet started.)
