SKYWATCH FRIDAY-STILL TRYING TO FIND THE MOUNTAIN

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THINK GREEN THURSDAY

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These pictures were recently taken from my sister and brother-in-law's home on the Peshtigo River in Northern Wisconsin. In 1969, the Peshtigo had the distinction of being one of only three rivers in the United States that was unpolluted from its source to its terminus. That was the year the Cuyahoga River in Ohio caught fire and as a nation we realized just how badly we had damaged our environment. This appalled awareness, due in part to A RIVER catching fire (listen to Randy Newman's "Burn on Big River, Burn on"), led to the enactment of clean air and water legislation and things have improved with many rivers now unpolluted.

But undaunted and having imperfectly learned our lesson, we find ways of doing even greater damage to our earth and her waters. The Coyahoga fire pales in comparison to what is happening in the gulf. I wonder, will there be public outrage and resolve after this disaster sufficient to result in effective legislation as there was in the 1970's after a river caught fire?

This is a picture of the Cuyahoga burning in 1952, one of THIRTEEN fires on that river since 1868!

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RUBY TUESDAY

Forgive me, all of you veteran bloggers, but I don't know how to do two pictures on the same post. I will learn. This picture, unlike the following, at least has some red in it and I needed to show you this shot of that precious child, carefully instructing this clumsy paper folder.

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RUBY TUESDAY-WELL SORT OF ORANGE TUESDAY

I couldn't help it.... I had to post a picture of Kamue, the seven year old son of Teruyo who had been a drawing student of mine 15 years ago when I lived in Sapporo. She was 16 then but now she is all grown up and has two wonderful children, Kamue is her oldest. I spent a night and morning with them and the whole time he made origami rabbits, cranes and baskets for me. He gave me a lesson and assured me, through translation, that it was o.k. when my results were clumsy failures while his were flawless. Carefully,, gently he steered my hands and whispered "koko" or "here" to indicate where I should make the folds. He was so gentle, so focussed on his work, so helpful, so loving, so eager that he brought tears to my eyes. I told his mother I want to follow his development. He is a most special child.

MONOCHROME WEEKEND-INCOMING TIDE ON THE IZU PENINSULA IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN, JAPAN

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WEEKEND REFLECTIONS-ON THE IZU PENINSULA

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Another grey day of the Mount Fuji tour

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FROM THE SHINKANSEN OR "BULLET" TRAIN

It is common knowledge that the Japanese rail system is amazing, with trains connecting all of the villages, towns and cities. If the schedule says that the train will depart at 1:03 it departs at 1:03. Not 1:03 and 30 seconds. Oh, these precise and orderly people! I took this picture from my seat on the Shinkansen, or "bullet" train to illustrate the blur that is the passing scenery. I think the train is called, in English, the "bullet train" because, indeed, the engine car reminds one of a bullet and the speed is incredible.

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THE ELUSIVE MOUNT FUJI

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During my recent month-long visit with my friends, Michiko and Shingo Yoshida in Japan, we took a four day-three night Mt. Fuji bus tour. The mountain is unique in that it stands alone on a flat plain. The tour circled the mountain and many, many times, the guide would say "If it were a clear day, this would be a spectacular view of the mountain". This comment, translated for me by my gracious and patient friend, was met by good natured groans. Finally, on the last day, from about 8 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., the mountain exposed a bit of itself. As you might imagine, the lawn outside the hotel was full of my fellow tourists and me, furiously snapping away with our cameras to prove that yes, we really were in Mount Fuji territory. As my consolation prize I bought a most magnificent book of photographs of that elusive mountain so I can enjoy on paper what could have been. Alas.

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