In Japan, the Chrysanthemum symbolizes high honor and Royalty."

In Japan, the Chrysanthemum symbolizes high honor and Royalty."
~ Author Unknown



.......................................


1. "The hidden meaning of a chrysanthemum flower is you’re a wonderful friend.",

2. "The chrysanthemum flower means love and cheerfulness.",

3. "The chrysanthemum flower is believed to bring happiness and laughter to the home.",

4. "The chrysanthemum is one of the most honored flowers in Asia."


.......................................


memories from Sankeien Garden in Yokohama (Japan)


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Thanks for stopping by

and God Bless,

hugs, Chris

"As the sun sets, schools of silvery mullet began jumping out of the water everywhere."

"As the sun sets, schools of silvery mullet began jumping out of the water everywhere."i
~ Author Unknown 







"A silvery flash caught my eye and there was fish jumping toward the sky."
~ Author Unknown







"A silvery mullet sees a lower sun and jumps happily in the air."
~ Author Unknown







"When you least expect it, a jumping fish will swim by."
~ Og Mandino







“No fish jumps without a purpose."
~ Author Unknown




 views of grey mullet jumping as the sunsets at Ashiya Marina (Ashiya, Japan)


more later...

God Bless America ~ We'll never forget ~ 11 Sept, 2001

Thanks for stopping by
& God Bless,
hugs, Chris




more later...

"A Great Blue Heron's very slow wing-beat, tucked-in neck and trailing legs create an unmistakable image in flight."

"A Great Blue Heron's very slow wing-beat, tucked-in neck and trailing legs create an unmistakable image in flight."
~ Author Unknown

................


1. "All Great Blue Heron glides with beauty.",
2. "A Great Blue Heron flies gracefully thru the skies.",
3. "A Great Blue Heron gracefully glides before landing.",
4. "A Great Blue Heron appears almost motionless before landing.",
5. "A Great Blue Heron curls its neck into a tight “S” shape.",
6. "A Great Blue Heron is a majestic sight."


................


memories from Sankeien Garden, Yokohama (Japan)




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"A Great Blue Heron flies gracefully thru the skies."

"A Great Blue Heron flies gracefully thru the skies."
~ Author Unknown



memories from Sankeien Garden, Yokohama (Japan)





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"The sun give brightness to the earth and birds can soar in the sky."

"The sun give brightness to the earth and birds can soar in the sky."
~ Author Unknown


memories from Sankeien Garden in Naka-ku, Yokohama (Japan)





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"Happy Flag Day ~ God Bless America"

Flag Day was celebrated on June 14th in the USA.


And, the Teddy Bears in Japan celebrate this Holiday with pride.


Thanks for stopping by
and God Bless,
hugs, Chris




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A little more listening

Each Spring, the City of Yokohama has a "Tulip Festival". This double tulip is one of the many tulip varieties planted in a garden near the Baseball Stadium in downtown.



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"Happy Memorial Day!"

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Tokyo-Wan Ferry (Japan)

The Tokyo-Wan Ferry (東京湾フェリー Tōkyō-Wan Ferī) links Futtsu, Chiba and Yokosuka, Kanagawa.


These are my photo memories from taking the ferry at sunset from Chiba Prefecture to Kanagawa Prefecture (Japan).




1. Tokyo-Wan Ferryboat, 2. Tokyo-Wan Ferryboat views [1], 3. Tokyo-Wan Ferryboat views [2], 4. Tokyo-Wan Ferryboat views [3], 5. Tokyo-Wan Ferryboat views [4], 6. Tokyo-Wan Ferryboat views [5]



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“I'm not a vegetarian! I'm a dessertarian!”

“I'm not a vegetarian! I'm a dessertarian!”
― Bill Watterson

.....................

1. “All chocoholics love chocolate.",
2. "We are all tempted when it comes to cake.",
3. “Chocolate is the answer. Who cares what the question is.”,
4. “Stressed spelled backwards is desserts. Coincidence? I think not!”









memories, memories, memories from an Easter dessert buffet in Tokyo...







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"Nighttime views of Yokohama (Japan)"

Views from the dinner cruise with Sakuragicho in the distance. 

1. Yokohama Bay Bridge & Shoreline [1],
2. Yokohama Nighttime View [1],
3. Yokohama Nighttime View [2],
4. Yokohama Nighttime View [3],
5. Yokohama-Sakuragicho,
6. Yokohama Bay Bridge 





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"FLUTTER OF HOPE" ~ a memorial slide show

This slide show is dedicated to the Japanese who were affected by the earthquake on 11 March 2011 along the Tohoku Pacific coast. It is now past the one year anniversary day of this earthquake.



for your listening pleasure:
"Have You Got A Story For Me?"
performed by John Barry


According to an internet search about the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami", the following statistics are listed.

"On 12 March 2012, a Japanese National Police Agency report confirmed 15,854 deaths, 26,992 injured, and 3,155 people missing across twenty prefectures, as well as 129,225 buildings totally collapsed, with a further 254,204 buildings 'half collapsed', and another 691,766 buildings partially damaged. The earthquake and tsunami also caused extensive and severe structural damage in north-eastern Japan, including heavy damage to roads and railways as well as fires in many areas, and a dam collapse."

I live in Yokohama (Japan) and watched how this tsunami changed the countryside. The lonely moth in this slide show is walking around as if it is searching for answers as if it is looking for its lost family and friends. This moth never finds the answers to the questions about where, who, or why. And, over this past year, many families have not been able to find the answers about missing family and friends who were lost in the force of the earthquake's tsunami.



Thanks for stopping by,
& God Bless,
hugs, Chris



memories from Sankeien Garden, Yokohama (Japan)


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Mt. Fuji with clouds

descending out of Hakone resort area



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Mt Fuji ~ my favorite mountain...

memories from our New Year's Eve drive from Yokohama to Hamamatsu (Japan)
[2011 Dec 31]




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"The bird draws his feet under his body, opens his wings, and bids you farewell."

"The bird draws his feet under his body, opens his wings, and bids you farewell."
~ John James Audubon









"Birds are all different."
~ Ernest Hemingway








"Birds fly in different ways but the sensation is the same."
~ Ernest Hemingway








"I hope you love birds too."
~ Emily Dickinson








"Other birds, without speech, fly freely about."
~ Saskya Pandita




from Hayama Marina, Japan




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Karuizawa (Nagano, Japan) at Christmas

Memories from our trip to Karuizawa (軽井沢町, Town of Karuizawa), Nagano, Japan.

My husband and I went to this area to meet his family and celebrate Christmas 2011 together.

For your listening pleasure: "Lilac"
Performed by: Sergey Rachmaninov


Thanks for stopping by and
God Bless, Chris










Some of our memories from the Town of Karuizawa (軽井沢町), Nagano, Japan.

My husband and I went to this area to meet his family and celebrate Christmas 2011 together.


....................

1. The ski resort in the Town of Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan., 2. Martian cat (me) just after arriving at the Bullet Train Station at Karuizawa,, 3. Yoji just after just arriving at the Bullet Train Station at Karuizawa,, 4. A winter view of Kumobo Pond in Yagasaki Park, Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan, 5. Ducks at Kumobo Pond in Yagasaki Park, Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan [1], 6. Ducks at Kumobo Pond in Yagasaki Park, Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan [2], 7. Ice and Reflections on Kumobo Pond in Yagasaki Park, Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan, 8. Ducks at Kumobo Pond in Yagasaki Park, Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan [3], 9. Ducks at Kumobo Pond in Yagasaki Park, Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan [4], 10. Ice on Kumobo Pond in Yagasaki Park, Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan, 11. Mount Asama in Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan, 12. Christmas Dessert


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"Keep close to nature's heart..."

"Keep close to nature's heart..."
~ John Muir


Mt. Fuji... my favorite mountain... a view from near my home... natural colors, no PS




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"Everyone is like a butterfly, they start out ugly and awkward and then morph into beautiful graceful butterflies that everyone loves.”

"Flowers and butterflies drift in color, illuminating Spring.”
~ Author Unknown


...............

1. "I dreamed I was a butterfly, flitting around in the sky; then I awoke.”,
2. "What's a butterfly garden without butterflies?”,
3. “Love is like a butterfly,...",
4. "Everyone is like a butterfly,..."

...............










"I dreamed I was a butterfly, flitting around in the sky; then I awoke.”
~ Zhuangzi










"What's a butterfly garden without butterflies?”
~ Roy Rogers









“Love is like a butterfly, it goes where it pleases and it pleases where it goes.”
~ Author Unknown











"Everyone is like a butterfly, they start out ugly and awkward and then morph into beautiful graceful butterflies that everyone loves.”
~ Drew Barrymore


memories from Sankeien Gardens in Naka-ku, Yokohama (Japan)

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all the best for this Christmas Season!

hugs, Chris
(aka) martian cat in Japan




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"Learn to stand up straight to admire the sunshine."

"Learn to stand up straight to admire the sunshine."
~ a friend


memories from Sankeien Garden, Yokohama (Japan)



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"Wishing you all the best this Halloween Season."

""Wishing you all the best this Halloween Season."
~ a friend


memories from the Flower Museum in Chiba (Japan)


For you listening pleasure: "Peach Cobbler"
sample music from my photo editing program




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"My formula for living is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between, I occupy myself as best I can."

"My formula for living is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between, I occupy myself as best I can."
~ Cary Grant




memories from Sankeien Gardens in Yokohama (Japan)




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Landmark Tower, Yokohama (Japan)

Memories... the view from a visit to my favorite rose garden in Naka-ku, Yokohama, Japan.

Landmark Tower is one of the tallest buildings in Japan.



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~ Kaleidoscope Magic ~ A 4th of July Celebration ~ a slide show with music

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


for your listening pleasure... one of my favorites...
"My Life"
performed by Billy Joel



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Thank you for stopping by
and God Bless,
hugs, Chris




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Bird Watching Weather ~ a slide show with music

" God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into its nest."
~ J.G. Holland



for your listening pleasure, an old jazz favorite of mine...
"Lady Be Good"
performed by Teddy Wilson



The other day, I was visiting my favorite Japanese Garden in Naka-ku (Yokohama, Japan) called Sankeien Garden.

Some photos might not be as clear because I was hand-holding my camera. I had just put my tripod away and these birds caught my eye. And, I learned my lesson... keep the tripod on while in the garden, after leaving the garden, go to the car, and then... remove my tripod off of my camera.

Thanks for stopping by... I hope you still can enjoy their story.
Note: In case you might wonder... there are about 60 photos in this slide show.

Wishing you a Blessed Day




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"Prayer is the simplest form of speech."

"Prayer is the simplest form of speech."
~ James Montgomery


memories, memories, memories...
weeping cherry blossoms in Sankeien Garden, Naka-ku, Yokohama (Japan)




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A Traditional Japanese Wedding Couple

At Sankeien Gardens in Yokohama (Japan), I just happened to turn around and saw this couple walking in the gardens. They are wearing traditional Japanese wedding costumes.

and, no... I do not know who they are...





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"An Iris World" (slideshow with music)

.









music title: Buddy

views from Sankeien Gardens in Yokohama (Japan)

thanks for stopping by and enjoying some of my favorite seasonal flowers




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"A goal, not in writing, is simply a wish."

"A goal, not in writing, is simply a wish."
~ anonymous

from a garden in Chiba City (Japan)




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A Spring Evening

.








views along the Ookagawa (Ooka River) in Yokohama, Japan




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NIght Lights in the City

Visit my set... just touch the photo below... it is the easy way to visit. The photo below is linked to my photo set.

NIght Lights in the City




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"Great work and great music are the result of creative honesty."

"Great work and great music are the result
of creative honesty."
~ Aretha Franklin


a night view of Minato Mirai area (Yokohama)

There was a cruise ship at the port... an amazing scene!



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Season Greetings from Tokyo

Merry Christmas to you and your family.


from Shibuya in Tokyo, Japan













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