Naginata pups,Nico's, House W/O a Key, Manoa Library, Food Court

We have quite a few dog lovers in our Naginata group.

Gracie and Penny, the mini dachshunds .  Gracie has a sister named Lucy who is training to be a show dog.

Penelope, the pesky barker, with Gracie.

Kathy's Corgi, held by Denise.

And on Saturday we were introduced to Lacey's new puppy:

George, the little Corgi.

She was an instant hit - so friendly and quiet.
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Kids are visiting so we took Penny and went to Nico's for dinner.

Even with a Prime Rib in front of her, and having spent the whole day at day care without food, Penny was a quiet, good girl throughout the meal.

The other good thing was Nico's Short Ribs, of course.

Before going to the airport this morning, we went to House Without a Key for breakfast.
We were pleasantly surprised at how the buffet has improved from a couple of months ago.  (So has the price, unfortunately).

The quinoa and olive salad, for instance, and the watermelon and tomato mix were fresh and tasty.
Even the little pancakes and waffles were fluffy and good.

After dropping M off at the airport we took some books to donate to Manoa Public Library.
It's tough to clean out our storage (our present project) and have to give up old books, but we need to make room for more things that will
 occupy their space and also be forgotten.

The librarians were friendly and helpful.

After all that cleaning and hauling, we were hot and wanted shaved ice!  Our favorite spot was closed on Mondays, so we ended up at the Food Court at the Mall.

It's been quite a while since we visited it.  After renovations, it's much brighter and more inviting.

rain, rain

We're having strange weather this summer with all the storms , not hitting us directly, but shoving heavy rains, thunderstorms, and muggy weather our way.

When the skies were allowing a bit of sun through, we took a short drive to see how the eastern half of the island fared.

All the usually brown areas were green, and the ocean was so calm.

No waves!

Heading back to Honolulu through H2, it began to rain again.

Passing through downtown Chinatown.

Penny's new t shirt - The Yellow Watermelon.
She doesn't like fruits or veggies in her food either, and takes them out  one by one.

Summer haiku, Voice lesson, Tokoname, Made in Hawaii Festival

It has been a very hot summer in Hawaii, but I remember how humid and HOT Tokyo can be.
This little pocket park, dedicated to this statue gentleman (I wish I could remember who it was),  was near our apartment in Akasaka.

Full of trees at the peak of their greenery, it was hushed and still, so the droning of the cicadas (semi in Japanese) was hypnotic.

And when you looked closer at the branches and bushes, you could see  so many cicada shells!

A cicada shell;
it sang itself
utterly away.
(Basho poem, translated by R.H. Blyth)

More shells.
And of course, one of Basho's most famous haiku:

Shizukesa ya
Iwa ni shimiiru,
 Semi no koe

Translation by Donald Keene:
Such stillness-
The cries of cicadas
Sink into rocks.
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Here's Penny trying to figure out how to get into the bag.
We were going to take her to puppy day care, but she thought if she could get into the bag, we would take her for an outing.

Today was my voice lesson at Shimizu Voice.  If I go early enough, the parking lot is much emptier and I can have my lunch at the Korean market downstairs, although I never eat it all.
Today was Bibimbap, vegetables and meat over rice.

Another fun and challenging lesson with a perceptive instructor.

We had an early
supper at Tokoname

  The Happy Hour Vegetable Tempura French Fries are good.
 

The Made in Hawaii Festival starts today.
Our friend usually has a table where he sells the leather items he tools, and R wanted to buy new eyeglass cases.

We couldn't find his table, but there were over 475 booths!
Shell leis..

...even a Christmas booth.

Thought we'd try some famous Molokai Bread.  Apricot Pineapple to have with breakfast coffee.
Glad I'm downsizing.  There were so many interesting and beautiful items for sale, all handcrafted in the Islands.

Cold noodles, Museum of Art, Jimbo's with A.

I had some time before my voice lesson at Shimizu Voice Studio last week,  so I went to the Korean Market downstairs.

The cold noodles were refreshing, with apples, cucumber slices, turnip, boiled egg and beef.  I like the vinegary, salty, sweet, peppery soup.

After a fun and challenging lesson, I decided to head to the Museum of Art.

First, coffee at the coffee shop.

It's nice to revisit from time to time and get a dose of peace and beauty.

A quick tour of my favorite galleries..

Georgia O'Keefe's Pawpaw Tree.

The horses are still standing outside the entrance.

Picked up Penny and had a light dinner at home.

Penny trying to get onto the coffee table.
Mini Doxies have short but powerful legs that can propel them anywhere.

Yesterday, Audrey and I satisfied our cravings for the cold noodles and tempura at Jimbo's.

She always shows me interesting things I can do with my iPhone.
She also showed me an article from WiseBread called "15 Things You Should Buy at Costco"

And while having dessert at Zippy's (Brownie a la Mode, a big plate of two brownies, ice cream and whipped cream), I decided I needed to get Costco's almonds, rotisserie chickens, and berries.
The blueberry crisp she made with the fresh berries she had bought sounded simple and good to have in the refrigerator.

Celebrating life by the sea

Yes, Penny had to overnight at Aloha Dog Sunday, but she got her monthly grooming session and photo.  Still not the model, but she's working on it.

In the morning, our class is setting up our weights, which look like torture instruments, at our gym for the Island Tone Class.
Must prepare for....

...the delightful get together that night, hosted by our neighbors  who said they wanted to have a Celebration of Life affair while they can still move and drink.

It was also their 150th birthday (combined, of course), so many family, previous co-workers and neighbors and friends were there.

Dr. Lassner- Wishing you luck as the UH opens for a new year.

We wanted to practice our Japanese with our friends/neighbors, but they speak wonderful English having worked in NY for many years, but it was fun.

It was a balmy, breezy evening by the sea, probably the last before the VOG returns this week.

Naginata at the Byodoin Festival

The yearly Byodoin Obon Festival at Valley of the Temples Memorial Park.
Cross the bridge into a different world.

There were cheery lanterns hanging everywhere.

For the Flower Lantern Floating Ceremony to be held later, you can write the names of your deceased loved ones on the petals for remembrance.  The flowers will be set afloat on the pond in front of the temple at no charge. 

Trying to strike the bell evenly takes practice.

Sensei and Sempais did the Shihogiri, a blessing kata, as part of the opening ceremonies.
A Nichiren priest, Reverend Yamamura, sang Ave Maria beautifully in his robes also.

The beautiful moss covered boulder.

We've been doing naginata demonstrations here for over six years and it's nice to see the carp and black swans doing so well.

There were food booths and free shaved ice and popcorn.

Kokochan enjoying cotton candy.

Practicing our kata.

Opening bow

It was nice to have a big tent to ward off the sun and rain,
just in case.

There was also a great Taiko performance by the Dragon Drum Beat Group, Aikido demonstration, Okinawan Dance and Music, Bon dancing and Gagaku.

It's  a great feeling to be surrounded by the lush tropical greenery of  the Koolaus, and then hear the Taiko drums and the ringing of the great bell.