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Thursday, April 30, 2020

Zensou-ji

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.




























Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Stay-cation Plan

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.




Tuesday, April 28, 2020

The UFOs

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.)