Hi friends. How are you?
In case you haven't notice, I have been away from this blog for a bit. Changes at work have kept me busy since October and I've guess I needed a little time to settle into the new routine of having a new additional position while maintaining the old one. Good thing I love the new position.
Also, my grandpa passed away the weekend before Thanksgiving. It's always hard to lose family. I flew down to Okinawa to attend the funeral and spend a few days with the family. He was the absolute best grandpa ever and I'll always remember his smile and the energetic way he would talk.
So...that was a little personal news from me. I'm back on my feet now and hope to keep up with the daily posts from now on. I'm very sorry I haven't been by to comment on all your posts...give me a few days and I will catch up in no time!
Regarding the flowers in the photo, they are called Kiku (菊) in Japanese. They are a type of Chrysanthemum. It's a flower that the Japanese hold very dear as it is also connected to the Emperor of Japan (his imperial seal is a chrysanthemum).
Many people love to grow this flower and we often see them being exhibited, like in the photos here. This was the exhibit at the Shinjuku City Hall. It was really interesting seeing the huge flowers...some how they remind me of the onion fries you can get at Outback!
What do you think of these funny looking...I mean, pretty flowers?
Hi Kaori
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your grandfather. Are you originally from Okinawa?
I like these flowers. Yes, kinda funny looking - my Mom grew them when I was young :)
Ev
Welcome back!
ReplyDeleteI thought of you on the way back from the mailbox tonight. There are always flowers in bloom around there.
Yours do look a lot like that Outback onion you shared.
But aren’t chrysanthemums edible? And I used to get soba with a kind of kakiage (under Serving and presentation) made with mum leaves: shungiku
Please accept my condolences for the loss of your dear grandfather. Did you once mention that he played the stringed instrument sanshin?
One of about three Okinawa songs I know of ♫ here at You Tube ♪. I hope it isn’t disrespectful.
It is good that you are adapting and growing with your increased responsibility at work. There was an article in the “Economist”, I believe, that said Japan’s population decrease could possibly be overcome by using Japan’s underutilized resource: their women! It is great that you work for a company that might understand that. Oh no; I just got an image from a French movie I like titled “Fear and Trembling.” There are good and bad among both men and women...
This time of year I always looked forward, on my way to the station, to the many potted mums a person grew and displayed outside their apartment. Maybe I remember most the spider mums with the circular wire supports: 糸菊。
Although beautiful, there is one chrysanthemum display I hope you forego. Ha ha.
I was wondering why you'd gone so quiet. "Why no photos?" I thought. "It's the best time of the year for photos!"
ReplyDeleteNow I understand. I'm so sorry to hear about your grandfather.
Good luck with the new responsibilities, and hope you'll still get plenty of opportunities for pix!
PS: Chrysanthemums? I have to confess they're not my favourite. The one in your photo has a beautiful colour, though.
I'm sorry for your loss. Welcome back, those are great flower photos, they're welcome here since all we've seen the last couple of days is white!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your grandfather Kaori. I've been taking a break from blogging too for many reasons, but I'm finally feeling up to doing it again. Welcome back my friend!
ReplyDeleteNatures smile.
ReplyDeleteYour love will negate time and distance, I'm sure. Please have a good Sunday.
I'm really sorry to hear about your grandpa. :( It's hard to lose someone you love.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you're back after a few weeks though! And I love that big mum. So pretty!
In case I haven't noticed...? Hah! I've dropped by at least every other day... and hoping you were okay, Kaori. A good time to take a break - to grieve the loss of a loved granpa and to get settled into a new (additional!? weren't you working hard enough already?) position. I've never been very fond of mums... maybe it's the colors that don't appeal to me. And yet, on closer scrutiny, they do have their own beauty, especially the way you photographed the top one. Welcome back.
ReplyDeleteHi everyone, thank you SO MUCH for all your comments and condolences. I'm really happy to be back and will be by shortly to comment back on your posts!
ReplyDeleteMissed you guys. xx
@Evelyn, yes I was born there and my mother's side of the family is all Okinawan! ;D
@Tall Gary, thank you for remembering! Yes, he was my grandpa who played the sanshin ;D
@Rurousha, Thank you. I know I missed a lot of opportunities to show everyone fall...but I'm counting on seeing it on your blog! :D
@Al, Thank you. I do remember already seeing a bit of snow in your photos even a month before! ;D
@Lois, I was wondering where you were, too! Glad to know we're both back on the wagon ;D
@Robert, Thank you so much for your kind words :)
@Halcyon, Thank you. I can't wait to see your photos of your trip!
@Francisca, you are such a dear! Your "uh hello?" comments made me realize I'd been away for quite awhile! haha. Thank you for checking in on me! :D (And I agree, mums are not my favorite flowers either. Especially since they are often used in funerals.)
«Louis» is delighted that you are back! You have been missed all around the blogosphere!
ReplyDeleteWe call them mums in the South. In fact, I had forgotten their full name until you mentioned it. LOL! I love how you said that the big ones remind you of the awesome blossom from Outback. So true! - I'm sorry about your grandfather. I know that y'all will really miss him.
ReplyDeleteHi Kaori, so glad to have you back. Very sorry to hear about your Granddad, Grandparents are so special, I'm sure he'll be around you always. It sounds like your new job will keep you pretty busy until you settle into it, good luck and welcome back!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your grandfather. What a lovely description.
ReplyDeleteMums are favorites of mine -- they're so quirky and they smell good.