Wednesday in Japan... DIY Totoro

Make your own Totoro.

Japanese son had a re-tweet on this.
One of his friends tweeted a photo.

.

First : have, beg or borrow one grey cat.

Second: cut the Totoro's eyes, nose, tummy from paper.

Third: hope the cat is sleepy.

Fourth: get camera ready.

Five: quick take photo.

Six: pray your got photo and the cat didn't rip your face off.

Seven: easy peasy
.

Thank you to Violet the kitty

and her Mum Caroline.

.

totoro. . . parsnip

music. . . My Neighbor Totoro, OST

parley view parsnip... Memorial Day

 Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have 

died in our national service.

I wonder how many people today know this ?

.

It seems today Memorial Day is known as the start of summer, driving to the beach or mountains or a day to barbeque.

I think the barbeque tradition started started years ago, that after watching a parade in town, a flag cermony, or putting flags on the graves of our veterans... you had family over to enjoy the rest of the day.

I am not sure when it became a day for sales to buy appliances, furniture 

and cars but it did.

This day commemorates all women and men, who have died in military service 

for the United States.

.

.

.

appreciative. . . parsnip

music. . . The Stars Spangled Banner

Square Dog Friday... it is a gift

It is Friday again. 

The days go by so fast and zoom by when your ill !

I have lost a week.

But no matter what The Square Ones have their day. No matter what.

It is in their contract.

Or they drag me back into arbitration.  And I always lose.

More chkinik' strips.

So lets woof it !

.

 We just came back from our herbal body wraps

We are looking and feeling really good.

.

 yesh i thehamish is lookin' gud

mememememememememememememememeeme gud.

tie thingie ichie so i am scrachin' it and ripped it

ohnoes

yert

.

No pretty today but a hope.

I live in Tucson, Arizona. 

Today there are four major fires in our beautiful state.

From Flagstaff (north) to Tucson (south) our state is on fire.

I know in many parts of the U.S.  are having rain, hailstorms and wind.

Horrible is horrible no matter where you are.

But if you have followed this blog you know I lost my home (i993) in a fire storm

when I lived in Laguna Beach, California. 

The fire was set by some crazed, stupid, horrible idiot.

 My neighborhood

.

 With my children in the car I raced the fire down the hill. 

One second we were safe the next it was raining fire on us.

The wind had changed.

As we drove south out of town the fire was coming straight towars us.

I remembering telling my older son, if the fire hit the road to hold on the his brother and sisters hands and jump in the ocean. We were on Pacific  Coast Hwy 

right next to the ocean. They were all good ocean swimmers.

I would follow.  You save your children first.

So this weekend no matter were you are to hug your family, friends or pets.

.

Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.

(Dickinson)

.

 My garage looked like this even with six fire trucks parked in front of my home.

.

Soldiers patrolling outside the "window of my studio" tamping down

any hot spots.

.

My home was the second one from the white home on on the right.

So this weekend I hope we all can think for even just a second how 

very luck we are.

We need to remember our families, friends and of course our loving pets.

Smile today.

hope. . . parsnip

music. . . Stay,  Blue Merle

Wednesday in Japan... photo bomb

On one of Japanese granddaughter trip to visit me,

(yes, the other tall people came too)

I was introducing  her to the joys of water play in the shade on a hot summer day.

The fun of pouring water back on forth filling up all sorts of cups and pails. 

Then in the photos I was taking thehamish came sneeking in.

Now thehamish is very funny when he walks along a wall with his head down 

that means, if he can't see you then you can't see him.

I love how his mind works.

.

So here is a few photos of granddaughter and the photo bombing thehamish.

.

 .

 lalalalalalalalalala

.

 oh you sitin' here imwalkin' here

.

 ummmm not so payin' attention just sorta walkin' by

.

 oh looky where am i ?

.

 errrrrrrr mmmmmmm photothingie

.

you needin' a gud photo of me?

.

Oh hammie you are a hoot.

Never one to miss any attention.

.

Here is your mid-week pretty.

Here are two of Granddaughter 's earlier drawings.

I love theses two drawings so much that I am going to send them both to "Spoon Flower"

and have material made from the drawings.

I think they would make a really cute summer dress for Mia-chan

.

 .

 water. . . parsnip

music. . . You've Changed,  Lauren Flax

parley view parsnip... the ice breaks

Big news in Tucson, Arizona.

On May 16, the Ice Broke on the Santa Cruz River.

The first day of 100 degrees.

.

If you know Tucson, all our rivers are dry (earthquake, underground aquifer)

and only have water flowing with the winter run off and during the summer monsoons. 

I am so happy hahhahahahahahahahaha. 

The pool is officially open.

Taking about weather, I have been "under the weather" for several days.

Not very happy about that. 

booooooooo.

.

I usally can tellhow hot it is outside by what time in the morning Watson starts laying in the sun on the cool tile floor with the AC on.

.

 

 My sweet baboo Watson.

.

 .

 Following the sun.

.

 .

Son went to Trader Joe's

and brought back a bouquet of  the most lovely flowers.

.

 Just one in a lovely vase is perfection.

.

 .

I  have never seen hyacinths like this before.

And just because I can here is your pretty for the start of the week.

I boiled some eggs for The Square Ones and me.

One of the eggs cracked during cooking.

and when I shelled it the yoke and white looked like a perfect circle.

 .

 .

I think this is so amazing.

.

egg. . . parsnip

music. . . Burning In The Sun,  Blue Merle

Square Dog Friday. . . eye trouble again

It is that important day of the week again

Square Dog Friday.

It is in their contract this is their day.

hahahahahahahahahaha

Like everyday is not Square Dog Friday.

.

thehamish had his lens replacement three years ago.

Since then it has been daily drops two or three times a day. Several drops at different hours. Plus the two shots a day because of his diabetes.

Add in the various appointments and .... well you guessed it. 

We are at the doctors all the time.

His appointment a week ago last Tuesday to the eye specialist was not great. 

The blood pressure had gone up in both eyes plus the Horner's Syndrome in his left eye. New eye drops were given with a check-up on Tuesday. 

His eyes are much better but another check up in three weeks.

yert !

 .

 thehamish's eye's look pretty good to me

but what do I know.

Love the puffy lip action.

.

thehamish is looking for green ball

.

 in my studio cabinet 

.

 I can't believe he didn't find it.

.

Here are a few photo of the twin posing of The Boys.

.

 .

 .

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

And just because I can here is your pretty to start the weekend.

.

The Saguaro are blooming all over town.

Thick creamy white blooms.

Beautiful.

.

cactus. . . parsnip

music. . .  Looking After Ourselves Again,  David Bridie

.

Wednesday in Japan... under my feet

It is Wednesday already were did the week go ? 

So lets jump over the Pacific and land on our feet.

.

I look down a lot, mostly to help me from tripping and falling.

But I like to look where I am going and all the treasures you can find at your feet.

Cities in Japan have great what I call "street art".

Manhole covers, electrical covers, utilities covers, mosaic sidewalks,

everything and anything can be beautiful.

.

Each city, prefecture, has their own design.

And yes I have always wondered how I could get my hands on some 

and get through customs.

.

 Sanda

.

 Kobe

.

 Nara

.

 Osaka

.

 Nishinomiya

 Yasugi

.

 Yasugi

.

  Awaji Island

.

 Sanda

.

 Nishinomiya

.

 Nishinomiya

 ..............................

And just because I can here is your mid-week pretty.

I have written many time of my love of Japanese Vending Machines.

 

Here is one of my favorite memories

about a vending machine in Sanda.
.

Nishinomiya
.

walking. . . parsnip

music. . . Walk On The Ocean,  Toad The Wet Sprocket