A little piece of Japan

Visitors are surprised to discover a century-old connection between Japan and South Florida.  It was here that a group of young Japanese farmers created a community intended to revolutionize agriculture in the Sunshine State.

Their crop experimentations were disappointing and the group fell apart, except for one man—George Sukeji Morikami.  He continued to cultivate local crops, raise a family, purchase land and fall so much  in love with this area and our country that he donated land to Palm Beach County to be used as a park to preserve the memory of the Yamato Colony.

This is not a botanical garden, where you will find trees and plants identified.  It is a place of tranquility and grace, where one can sit on a bench and enjoy a break from the noise of life.

 

And see a turtle or two…or koi searching for food

A few tourists…

 

 

 

Lots of bonsai trees…and trees that are pruned and being artfully shaped by bamboo poles…and rock gardens.  Oh yes, and a good café!

This is a very nice place to visit and learn a little about Japanese culture.  Check it out at www.morikami.org.  We’ll have to go back again some day.  It’s worth a second look.

Sayonara for now, y’all!

Be who you are…

Advice from Maxine:

Be who you are and say what you feel... because those that matter... don't mind...and those that mind...don't matter!

We had a lovely dinner Saturday night with former employees Bill and Jose, along with Jose’s wife Sarah, son Joe and his wife Dahlia, who are new grandparents.  It is always nice visiting with old friends and catching up on who is where and doing what, along with doing a little reminiscing of way back when.

Bill brought Lynne, Sarah and me each a beautiful orchid, and some luscious produce, just picked.  Big smile here.  Fresh strawberries…yum!

These people really matter to us.  We look forward to seeing them every winter.  Jose promises to come for a visit up in Mayberry so he can see all our kids that he watched grow up, and meet our grandkids.  We’d love that.  Really love that.

Dick and I enjoy meeting new folks, but we still always value our long-time friends.

That’s just the way we are.

Sunday smiles…

Not that any of US are so old that we need these reminders, but still…
Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
Share a smile or two today.  It’s windy and chilly here in paradise, but the sun is shining.
Life is good, y’all!

Saturday recap

In the prophetic words of Maxine:

My mind works like lightning, One brilliant Flash and it is gone.

So before today gets too busy and I forget, let me just say that yesterday was fabulous!  The photos are still in the camera.  The day was very overcast, so I hope I have at least a few to show y'all of the beautiful Morikami Gardens that we visited yesterday.

More importantly, after a good Japanese lunch in their cafe and since we were in two vehicles, we regrouped, boys and girls.  We girls went to a local HUGE mall on a quest.  Lynne needed a MOG dress for their son's June wedding, and she had two helpers for this mission. 

Bingo...Macy's rocked!  The first two dresses she tried on were FAB.  Really fab.  I texted photos to Meg (future d-i-l).  She loved them.  Hmm, now which one to buy?  Tough decision.  Hello--I suggested that Lynne buy them both, decide later!  Or keep both:)  You can see how helpful I am.  I wish I could show them to y'all, but the great reveal can't come till June.

We didn't find any shoes, so Lynne and I are gonna go to some of our fave places and poke around on this rainy day.  Bob and Dick?  Who knows.  They'll entertain themselves, as they do so well.  And Mike/Jennie headed south to visit friends for the day.  Everybody is doing their own thing.

That's the recap.  Tomorrow is a day of rest.  Ya think we'll need it?

Life is good in paradise, y'all!



Ohio go zi e mas

That is good morning in Japanese, not spelled correctly, of course. WYWH!

This sub’s for you!

Hey, Dan, in honor of your birthday yesterday, we all went to Russo’s for lunch to try their subs…at your suggestion.  They don’t have spicy mustard.  Bummer.  They were good, but I don’t think they will put Subway out of business.

Dick needed yet one more bag of Sakrette, so he dropped me off at Publix while he went to the big box store…and then we each got a few chores done.  No time for beading yesterday.  What’s wrong with that picture?!

The nawthern Bells arrived late afternoon and will be here for a week.  Yayyy!  Mike and Jennie joined us for dinner.  We all enjoyed the Greek chicken and couscous that I fixed in the crock pot.  Easy peasy.  Joy, this recipe was in the cookbook you gave me!  I am planning on using my crock pot as much as possible, so it is fun trying out new recipes.  Look for it at www.dyerdining.blogspot.com.  Soon.

Today we will kick back and be a bit lazy, then the six of us will join Dick’s high school group for dinner tonight.

Friends and food just go together.  Love it!

Beads and cord equals fun

This is a bit of my latest bead order.  I’ve spent time sorting, labeling, filing…

 

And then doing a little playing, such as this one…

 

 

 

 

And this one…

And a few more items are in the works, along with yet another order of supplies.  Shhh…keep that last one just between us.  Dick will wonder where I’ll have room to store more *stuff*—but I’ll find a place!

The really, really good news is that Dick found a washer/dryer replacement just up the road in Cocoa Beach.  The guy will hold it until we can get up there in a couple of weeks, saving us from a special trip up there and back.  Woohoo!!!  Score! 

Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends!
Life is too short and friends are too few! 

I just wanted to say that I REALLY appreciate each of you, especially everyone who leaves me a comment.  You know who you are!

Enjoy your Wednesday!