World’s Oldest Woman

 

After the recent death of a 117 year old Maria Branyas Morera, living in Spain, the 116 year old Japanese woman, Tomiko Itooka, became the world's oldest woman. Tomiko Itooka was born on May 23, 1908 and was a mother of three. She climbed mountains into her 70's, twice climbing Japan's 3,067 meter Mount Ontake. At age 100, she walked up the lengthy stone steps of Ashiya Shrine without using a cane. She now lives in a nursing home in Hyogo Prefecture. 

Friday Finish - Heart Table Runner

I'm happy with how this one turned out!

The Dinosaur Space

Walking down from the top of Komurayama, there was a side path that went to the Dinosaur Space.  Not knowing what a dinosaur space was, I went down the path to take a look.

You can't see all the creatures at once.  As you walk along, you see another, then walk along, something else. They are cleverly arranged.

This sign is helpful for identification!

The views from the Dinosaur Space are gorgeous.

I think this one is looking for dinner.

What a fun place!

Fortunately, I made it out alive!

Work In Progress Wednesday

Christmas Treasures afghan progress 

This is the third block that is totally finished.

Just Nan's Rose Wings progress

Celebrating Eight Years of Friendship and Stitching Together

Sunday, my stitch group went to Furaipan restaurant to celebrate our friendship and stitching together for eight years! 

This is a sweet little restaurant. One of the stitchers called and made reservations for us, including our main dish orders (there were three choices). 

The waitress was a tiny elderly woman. First she brought us each a hot roll, followed by a cream squash soup. 

I ordered the fish plate, which included four shrimp, salmon (under the cabbage) and vegetables. This was the most popular choice in our group. 

The other choices were a chopped beef patty and a beef plate. 

In addition to the five stitchers, we were joined by the university student daughter of one of the stitchers and her university friend. 

Finally, we had dessert with coffee or tea. 

The two university ladies asked me ahead of time if I would stitch with them after the lunch and of course, I agreed. I planned a little fob project (similar to this, with their choices of colors and fabrics, etc.) Another of the stitchers also joined us for the stitching session and the stitcher/mother worked on her Clover Cutter Cover. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of the finished projects.

Are you wondering about the history of this group?  In May 2016, I moved to Shizuoka prefecture for a job teaching business English at a global company site. One of my students asked me who my friends in the town were.  At the time, I knew few people and didn't yet have friends in this town. He (felt sorry for me and) invited me to his home to have lunch with his family and I brought a little stitched gift. My student's wife was not yet a stitcher at that time, but was interested in learning to stitch.  She brought a few of her friends together and all of them became my friends as we stitched together. Over the last eight years we have stitched many things, we have hiked together, visited the art museum, and eaten out. They know how I love my birthday and always celebrate me in a big way. My life has been enriched by their friendships.

Monday Morning Star Count

The heart table runner is now quilted - lines about two inches apart. 

I quilted along the lines on the backing fabric.

All I have left to do is make the binding and stitch it.

Komuroyama Hike

Komurayama Park features 321 meter high Mt. Komuro. From the wood deck at the top there is a 360 degree view of the area, including Mt. Fuji, Sagami Bay, the Boso Peninsula, and the islands of Izu. From late April to early May, a hundred thousand azaleas create a carpet of red. I'll have to go back for that!

English information is available in the parking area at the bottom.

Wild boars are a dangerous problem here. You can see areas where they have dug up the ground.

Cage traps are set up to catch them. I don't know what happens to them after that.  Fortunately, I did see any boars on this hike.

Near the top is a little shrine.

At the very top is a wood walkway, which was closed when I was there.  Maybe it was too early in the day?

The views from the top are breath taking.

If you don't want to hike to the top, there is a chair lift.

 

There is a small memorial near the parking area at the bottom.

It was a gorgeous day for a hike!