Morning at the Observation Park

With autumn winding down, we are trying to make the most of the pretty days.  Near our garden space is a park with an observation tower at the top of a hill.  Ted brought out the big camera and lenses and the tripod and I had my little camera and we headed out to do some observing.

There is a nice walkway to get to the tower. The railings have Braille along the way.

 

The wood tower spirals around, with benches available for those who need to rest on the way up or down.

 There are two landscape photos posted to tell you what you are seeing.

 

 

At the top you can see all around – the town and the mountains and the rice fields and the beautiful fall trees.

 

I haven’t seen Ted’s photos yet, but he probably took ten times more than I did. He has an eye for great photographs.

 

Oh what a beautiful day!

 

A Warm Winter in Hokkaido?

JapanToday.com reports that Japan will see a warmer than average winter this year.  This is good news!  With only two of 50 commercial nuclear reactors in operation after last year’s earthquake and tsunami, Japan has been making efforts to conserve energy. None of the three reactors in Hokkaido is in operation. The article states that Hokkaido has the heaviest snowfall in the region and has temperatures of minus 40 degrees Celsius.

We’ve heard that snow has already fallen in several areas in the US, including the North Carolina mountains. This is the opposite of last year’s mild winter there.  Maybe we will have the opposite of last year’s winter here too.  Time will tell.

Sonoko

This needlepoint ornament was an ANG chapter project in Raleigh several years ago.  I didn’t even get the outline basted. The designer is Mary Polityka Bush and the project was published in the November/December 1989 Needlepoint Plus. Maybe I can finish it before Christmas this year.

 

Culture Day

Today is the National Holiday known as Culture Day.  This holiday was established in 1948 and commemorates the November 3, 1946 announcement of the Constitution. It is recognized as a day to celebrate peace and freedom and promote culture. (Although prior to the establishment of this holiday in 1948, November 3 was also a national holiday called Meiji-setsu commemorating the birthday of Emperor Meiji, the two holidays are unrelated.)

The two train engines at the train park are finished being covered, now waiting for winter and the snow.

 

Here are some of the beautiful trees near the train station. The sky is gloomy, but the trees bright.

The Iris Park in Autumn

The Iris Park was beautiful in spring when all the flowers were in bloom, but it is just as pretty now with the trees all in color. Autumn also means anticipation of winter.  The trees are already tied and the benches and signs covered, waiting for the snow to fall.

 

 

Dragonfly Cross Stitch

There is a counting mistake on this.  I know it’s not right, but I’m not sure where the mistake is, so I’ve continued working on it.  Maybe I can make it work.

Goodbye Garden

We picked the last few green tomatoes and sunflower heads full of seeds and pulled up the supporting poles and stakes. Even though some little bean plants are in bloom, it’s time to say goodbye for the winter.

 

We enjoyed our garden and got our money’s worth in the entertainment value alone. Factor in the vegetables we ate all summer long, and it was definitely a bargain. Next year, maybe we'll get a bigger plot.

Decaf coffee update

Our friend Audi told us that red, not green, means decaf here.  We didn’t buy any of this instant coffee, but we did find it at the big grocery store at the mall. I think the label says 97% caffeine cut.  Thanks, Audi, for the tip!