”Tragedy is a tool for the living to gain wisdom, not a guide by which to live.” ~Robert Kennedy Life can be full of tragedy, but only if we make it that way. Every once in a while, there comes along a heartbreaking tale that is almost too hard to believe. This one I experienced … Continue reading
Love and Radiance: Sunflowers of the Ryukyus
“The sunflower bathes its flesh in golden oil, languidly craning up so high – oh how small the sun” ~Tanka poem by Yugure Maeda Jody and I were out exploring the rustic coast of Miyakojima during a recent island getaway, with no particular destination in mind. Heading down one of the many detours we took … Continue reading
Hatsumode: New Year’s Shrine Visit
“Church is who we are, not where we go….” ~Unknown Jody and I headed out with every intention to visit our local Shinto Shrine on New Year’s Eve – one of the most important dates to celebrate in Japan and much of the Far East – to hear the ringing of the shrine’s bells. Futenma … Continue reading
Diving Against Debris: For A Cleaner, Healthier Ocean Planet
“The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” ~Mahatma Gandhi I decided to host my first Project AWARE “Dive Against Debris” event here on Okinawa at the turn of the New Year, and I must say, it was a smashing success! At a local dive site called “Kadena … Continue reading
Toshikoshi: New Year Noodles in Japan
“Noodles are not only amusing but delicious….” ~Julia Child Jody and I are lucky to have a delicious udon noodle restaurant, Marukame Noodle, just a few minutes away, and even more fortunate to have a terrific excuse to head out on New Year’s Day to feast on a steaming bowl of fresh Asian pasta in … Continue reading
Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum: A Moving Visit
“We learn geology the morning after the earthquake.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson On January 17, 1995 at 5:46 in the dark, cold morning, the city of Kobe and the surrounding area of Osaka, Japan, were rocked by a massive earthquake in what became to be known as “The Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake”. The region, home to … Continue reading