Squirrels in Hokkaido

The spring flowers here were spectacular, but the fall colors are every bit as beautiful.  I’ve seen colorful autumn scenery in the US, but nothing I’ve ever seen compares with the fall colors in Hokkaido.

One of the parks near where we live has a small lake with two islands.  One has trees and tall grasses and seems to be for the ducks to live on. 

The other has a tea house and has several bridges that go over the water to get to it.  I call this park the bridge park.

It could also be called the squirrel park because many of them live here.  The squirrels here have long hair on their ears.  I think this confirms my assertion that hair grows faster in Hokkaido.

 

 This is a popular place for photographers and dogs with their people.

 

I continue to be thankful for being able to live here in Hokkaido with Ted.

Hokkaido Shrine

We continue to try to make the most out of however many fall days we have left before the snow falls.  We took another trip to Sapporo to Maruyama Park and visited the Hokkaido Shrine, then the zoo again. It was a beautiful day.  I visited this shrine with Miwako in the summer, but this was Ted’s first visit here. People always seem to be coming at going at the shrines and everyone seems to know the “rules” on what to do.  There’s always a place to wash your hands and at the door to the building there is a slotted box where people throw in the five yen coin and clap twice, bow twice, and pray.  Even little children know what to do.  Simplicity is good.

 

We like going to the zoo.  As sad as it is to see animals in small cages, it is also fascinating to be able to see them so close.  When we went to the Maruyama Zoo a few weeks ago we bought season passes.  Every trip after today will be free.  My favorites at this zoo are the red panda and the reptile house, but I have to say I like most of the animals there.

 

Sonoko has Hair

I’ve been working on Sonoko and she’s coming along nicely.  Her hair is done with DMC rayon thread, as are her lips.

 

I still have a long way to go, but I am already thinking about the finishing and how difficult it will be.  I recently saw a dog ornament on another blog.  Some background was done in tent stitch and the ornament was finished in a shape instead of going around the head and individual legs.  Maybe I could do an oval shape to make it easier.  What do you think?

Hula Lessons

At the Culture Event we recently attended, I saw several hula performances.  I decided then that I wanted to learn to hula dance!  One of the luncheon ladies is a dancer and she introduced me to her group last week.  She said she had a practice skirt I could have.  I was sure it wouldn’t fit, but the elastic waist stretches quite a lot. I think I look like a big yellow balloon among these tiny Japanese women.  I attended the first lesson last week and let me tell you, it is a lot harder than it looks.  Knees bent, stomach in, shoulders don’t move, hips move, arm at 45 degree angle. That’s just the beginning.  I’m already looking forward to the next class.

Sonoko Progress

I’ve been working on the kimono and have stitched the hands and face.  I’m using DMC floss, 210 and 791 for the kimono and 948 for the face and hands. The collar is Rainbow Gallery Panache. I think it’s going to be cute little ornament.