Friends Across the Sea

Was it really eleven-and-a-half years ago that Rick and I went to Japan?

Japan was both a big deal and no big deal to Rick. Big in that he loved it. Not so big in that he had been there many times before, traveling for business. He found it beautiful, with much to admire in the work ethic, the technology and the wonderful people he had met.

Me? I'd never been there -- but I had made some wonderful friends in America through Rick's work (and would later meet many more). We had talked about it -- wanting to see Naoki and Kanako who had left several years before. And of course I knew a bit of its history and had always been fond of Japanese art and line.

One day in the fall, after getting back my mammogram results, there was a blip in the radar -- enough so that I was sent to a surgeon and a biopsy was scheduled.

That morning, Rick took me to the hospital, we did all the prep, and I went in to have the final mams that would tell them precisely where this anomaly was.

Can you spell "terrified"? This was the disease that took my mother and aunt. I didn't see the potential for a positive (in a good way, not a medical way) result, but only flashbacks.

They did the mam. Couldn't find it. Did it again. And again. And again. Ten times, two views, as I recall it (or maybe ten altogether; moot point.) Then they sent me home and said to come back in six weeks.

It was shortly after that I decided to go to Japan. We'd talked about it. I had at least a reprieve (as it turns out, so far, so good!). I was tremendously grateful for that and I wasn't about to waste that time, just in case it came back.

All I can say about that period is that is was simply amazing. We visited temples, were in awe and sadness at the Hiroshima museum, and reveled in the steamy Japanese onsens or natural hot springs.

Most of the time we stayed in the homes of friends; on the few times we weren't, we stayed in Japanese ryokans -- the equivalent of an inn, B&B or small hotel, sleeping on the floor on downy-soft futons.

Despite the fact that it was February, most of the days were snow-free (apart from a short stint in the mountains) and we even saw some pansies in bloom.

We covered some ground during that trip, from Tokyo to Yamagata in the mountains, then off to Hiroshima and then to Otsu, where we stayed with Naoki's family. It was a wonderful time, filled with sightseeing, good conversations, delicious food and connecting with friends.

I became a fan of most every flavor I experienced -- and now when Rick makes sushi and other Japanese dishes, it reminds me of our moments in Japan.

Naoki and Kanako and Naoiki's parents were wonderful hosts. Being with them reminded us of how much we missed our Japanese friends -- although we were continuing to meet new people as they came to Michigan.

We saw Naoki once after that, when he came to Michigan, working for the Japanese government. A few days ago, he called to say he'd be here again! Could we meet? Well, yeah!

So, after finishing a birthday dinner with friends the other night, we crossed the street to the Marriott and saw not only Naoki in the lobby, but also Toshi, who had come to Michigan several years after Naoki, doing the same job as "delegate."

What a reunion! We talked, shared photos, took photos, and walked about East Lansing.

We took them to see Greg's current chalkboard painting at a local bar, and just reveled in one another's company.

Do you remember in my post about connecting with my childhood friend how I said that it felt as though time hadn't passed? It was indeed the same. We were all a little older, and they only carded Toshi at the bar. (At 40, we thought he was quite lucky to be carded!)

Their visit is short, but who knows? Perhaps one day, we'll see them both again, and longer.

(A postscript -- Naoki had to move on with the governor of his Japanese prefecture to Detroit, but Toshi stayed in town and last night he came over to Rick's for a late supper.

He said he was missing Japanese food and Rick was making domburi, which is a chicken dish with a sauce of mirin, sake, maybe a spot of sugar and some other things I can't recall! It's served over rice.

Toshi, being a skilled donburi maker, showed us his way of preparing it -- similar, but with subtle differences. (I have to say that although this photo is so out of focus, I love it -- there was such joy and fun in that kitchen.)

And it was indeed delicious.

After, we looked at each others family pictures on the computer, savoring one more visit. It was indeed lovely.

Mail Call!

I've had some wonderful mail over the past few months and I've been very delinquent in sharing it with all of you.

Even now, you won't see it all, because sometimes the camera is in a place that the art is not.

This photo shows items from several of you talented folks. In the upper left corner is a postcard from Nathalie, whose Ruby Floy Etsy shop is a delight!

On the right, a postcard from Janet, one of the most prolific painters I follow. She's always trying something new! (There SHOULD be an ATC from Janet here. Sorry... camera thing...)

Underneath Nathalie's card on the left is a July 4 ATC and inchie from Linda, another prolific creator! (And I have another Linda card, too, that -- well, you know...) I've never made inchies before, but I think Linda has convinced me!

All of those are sitting atop this book...

I won Sally Jean Alexander's inspirational book "Pretty Little Things" from Patty! And she included one of her zentangle horses, too. (If you haven't seen this book, you really must. Even if you don't solder (and it will make you want to), there is so darned much inspiration, so many ideas, that it's quite marvelous.

I can't begin to tell you everything in Dogwood's prize-winning package. It was like the craft fairy landed on my doorstep!

There is a wonderful cloth doll and all the bits and bobs (from yarn to angel wings and fabric) to dress her, glitter dots, tags, floss, more fabric, a wonderful wee notebook (now in my purse), a needlefelted flower and ATC, some stickers...well, you can see!

I really feel as though recently I have hit the jackpot, and I'm delighted to share these women's blogs with you -- talk about fun and inspiration!

Meanwhile, the winner of the drawing on Chopsticks and String was Vagabonde! Congratulations -- your book will be off to you soon! (Now on Chopsticks, my take on "Eat Pray Love" - The Movie.)

Part Two: Like Time Never Passed

I wish I had more of my childhood photos scanned. Some have been transferred over from faded photos to digital scans. But only a few of the ones I want today. I've been looking for photos of Jeri Aldrich and me from days long past.

When I was in sixth grade, my parents moved across town and we tried yet another church in our quest for a spiritual home. This time we landed at Plymouth Congregational Church in Lansing, Michigan. It was known for its beautiful Gothic-style architecture across from Lansing's capitol building and for its outstanding choir school.

You need to know something about Plymouth's choir school and its director, Richard Klausli, and his wife, Dorothy, who handled the children's choirs. First, it was good -- with more than 200 voices for the combined choir performances at Christmas and Easter.

And Dr. Klausli was somewhat ahead of his time. A professor at the university, he ran the choirs in the English choir school tradition. And he wasn't afraid to take chances on new music. In 1970 the choir did the oratorio "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice -- in partial costume. He told the choir that the duo had written another piece that was on the edge. He didn't know how it would fare, but it was called "Jesus Christ Superstar."

The choir school for my age group met on Thursdays after school. Mrs. Klausli (who could tame wild tigers with a steely stare -- just think what she could do with eight year-old boys or thirteen year-old girls!) ran the sessions with a heart of gold and an iron fist. Bonds were formed during choir school. And that's when I met Jeri.

For me, it was the closest bond of that era. I was a new kid in my sixth grade class, and yes, I had friends. But Jeri was different. You know how you sometimes just hit it off with someone? Well, we did. And when we found out we were going to the same junior high school, all the better!

We were in the school play. Went to the ninth grade dance together (because we didn't have boyfriends...truth be told.)

We played at each other's houses -- at the Aldrich house there was always a menagerie of animals, all of whom would sit for their suppers.

Jeri often came to the lake with me, and is the only person not family (including Rick) who calls me first by my family nickname. I wish I could find the photo of us with my cousins and their friends, happily posing on the dock after riding in the speed boat to the little burger place with pinball machines on the other side of the lake. Or one from the church retreat. But these bathing beauties will have to do.

We were sophomores in high school here. It was after this time we sort of lost touch, going to different schools.

She knew my parents (one of the few people remaining in my circle who did) and when my mom was dying, her mother was there every step of the way.

Now, I'm not a huge Facebooker. Part of my job includes monitoring and posting on various social media sites for the station, so I had to have an account. And of course, people find you. Eventually, you start finding people.

I found Jeri. Yes, we'd seen each other once several years ago in a crowded lobby of the symphony when she was visiting her parents; I knew she lived in Harbor Springs in Northern Michigan (but not where); that she had married, had children, later divorced. But we really hadn't been in sit-down-and-talk contact since that summer pictured above.

Well, over Labor Day weekend, I visited Jeri. We'd tried earlier -- it didn't fly because of her work schedule. But this time, it did.

And it was as though time had never passed.

I've had the experience meeting blog friends that it feels as though you already know each other, have forever.

But sometimes in meeting up again with someone from the past, there's that pause. What do I say? How much? Have they changed? Have I? Have we changed "together" even though we've been apart? How do you begin?

I'm pleased to report there was no "strangeness." No "stranger-ness," either. Just two good friends who both love to knit...

...who belong to book clubs and love their animals. (And really, who couldn't love a face like Dexter's?)

Friends who love to cook and shared soup and pasta salad that each had made.

And it was a perfectly wonderful.

On the End of Summer, Part One.

I find the end of summer to be somewhat melancholy. There's nothing I love more than a good warm day, lots of sun, and if I'm at the lake, all the better.

September seems to bring a return to routine. The visits to the lake -- while still on the agenda -- become fewer as obligations in town come to the forefront. So, I treasure that Labor Day weekend when I take some alone time and some Rick time at the lake.

My alone time was in synch with his several-day bike ride. I went north to do art, read, relax. And at the end of the day, I settled in to enjoy the dazzling September sunsets. (Well, there were two before the weather turned very bad!)

I started a painting on a large canvas (much to finish on that one) and worked up some other projects, including some matchboxes. This one was posted with a bit of jewelry inside as a long overdue birthday gift.

I started "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," our book club read (not purchased at this store, which as you can see was "shut.")

And I said a big "hurrah" when Gypsy brought in the fruits of his hunting labors...

...and then kicked it around.

Rick, meanwhile, rode like the wind... or, perhaps more applicable, in the wind. And rain. And I do mean rain.

But when we connected again for a party on the eve of the final day of his ride, and the next sunny morning when he took off, it was clear he was having a wonderful time.

On the way to pick him up, I kicked around Northern Michigan. Here are a few of the spots that caught my eye this year. The lighthouse in Boyne City...

...and another in Petoskey on Little Traverse Bay.

The Perry Davis Hotel, also in Petoskey, and decked out for Labor Day.

The Bay View area -- a charming neighborhood just outside of Petoskey with lots of Victorian houses and a small campus.

Beautiful Harbor Springs.

So many seagulls, all lovely.

But there was something even better that I celebrated on this wonderful holiday weekend. I'll tell you about that next time!

(Don't forget -- the deadline to enter my book giveaway on Chopsticks and String is Friday, September 10, at midnight! It's an entertaining caper book by Peter Mayle, set in France.)

Craft Camp!

It was time for our annual "Craft Camp" at the lake, when my pal Kate and I head north with boatloads of art supplies and just do art for two days! (This was about a week ago, but I'm way behind! This was the post I was trying to do at the lake when the library computer was acting weird!)

Kate was into polymer, making these amazing beads from sewing machine bobbins.

Polymer is something I've tried, like a lot, but don't seem to have the patience in which to excel! Kate, on the other hand, is a master!

I can't wait to see her finished projects!

I did tags.

Lots of tags.

I mean, lots!

I finished most of my tags for Karla's "Wizard of Oz" swap -- I'll show you those later! And a little teeny book.

But all work and no play makes Jeanie and Kate dull girls. So we did some relaxing...

And bird watching...

And Gypsy-watching. The picture of contentment.

Don't you wish you could relax like that?

(I'm getting caught up and will be visiting you soon! Thanks for coming, even when I haven't had time to stop by! Meanwhile, if you enjoy a good book, don't forget to enter my drawing on Chopsticks and String.)

Argh! Library Computers!

Greetings from the Lake. I'd love to show you photos of Craft Camp last week, but I'm working on the library computer and it won't let me edit/cut-paste, etc., so all the pix are at the top and not integrated and it looks bad indeed. (It also has lousy shift keys and periodically I go into my e.e. cummings mode.)

So, hang in there for a couple of days and when I'm home on Tuesday (or get to the cyber cafe with my own computer), I'll have pix of that, and later next week other things I've been working on.

And thank you for all the kind and lovely comments about my last post -- Rick's Uncle Gene. He has been as touched by them as I am.

The Gyp and I are having a grand time hanging out, despite weather which is rapidly going downhill. I've been painting and trying to finish some things I started last week. I might get to "Eat, Pray, Love" tonight, but it has had such lousy reviews and I really loved the book, so I'm on the fence. If it stays cold and rainy, I'll be there.

Even the Gypster has been busy with his usual northern activities -- sleeping and hunting. I'm rather hoping that tonight he'll catch the brothers, sisters or -- dare I say it -- mum of the little mousie he presented me with last night.

Tomorrow I'll meet up with Rick and friends for the almost-end-of-the-ride party as he nears completion on his 400-mile ride to the Mackinac Bridge and we'll hang out for a couple days after. Off to the store to buy ingredients for the potluck!

Meanwhile, stop by and enter my drawing on Chopsticks and String for Peter Mayle's book, "Anything Considered." I'll check in with you all next week and start to get back on a regular visiting schedule! Thanks for hanging in while I've been a tad erratic!