Novus Latium

red flame breaks the spell of grey

2012-02-11T11:23:00.012+09:00

Today, President Obama made a statement of "compromise" in response to outrage from the Catholic Church (and those similarly minded with regard to sexual ethics) over the HHS mandate for all employers to cover sterilization, contraception, and abortifacient drugs beginning in August of this year. While houses of worship are not required to comply, religiously affiliated schools, hospitals,

The Presentation

2012-02-03T12:46:00.003+09:00

From "The Presentation," a featured piece by Heather King in the February Magnificat:""And you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed," Simeon told Mary. Whatever pierces our heart is a religious experience. Whatever pierces our heart we are invited to offer at the temple.We bring all our joys and all our trials. We especially bring our contradictions,

busy, busy, busy

2012-01-28T11:39:00.004+09:00

I drank the last of my Miss Elizabeth tea from Bingley's Teas today. I will have to look into getting something new for my black tea category! It's exciting. The choices are boundless over there. Go check it out if you are in the market for some quality tea leaves!Other quick notes...-I like Ron Paul because he is consistent and he is serious about limiting government. He is the only one who

fwiw

2012-01-15T09:48:00.000+09:00

a moment of peace

2012-01-09T16:12:00.001+09:00

At the Start of a Bright New Year

2012-01-01T13:40:00.009+09:00

"And so the old years, fraught with memories, die, one after another; and the new years, bright with hopes, are born to take their places..." This line from the final pages of Kate Douglas Wiggin's The Birds' Christmas Carol, which my family reads aloud every Christmas, has always seemed to me to best describe the end-of-year atmosphere. Of course, on December 31st, a day passes, some numbers

reflection on Christmas

2011-12-24T06:12:00.001+09:00

みえこさん〜

2011-12-13T10:13:00.002+09:00

お久しぶりです！もしこのブログをまだ読んで頂いているなら、お願いしたいことがあります。実は・・・ご住所を無くしてしまいました。T−Tそれは手紙が多かったので半分半分に分けたのですが、なぜか、みえこさんからの手紙は見つけられない半分にあるようです。お手数ですが、もう一回メールで教えて頂けませんか？私のメールアドレスは：novus . latium @ gmail . com (空白除き）よろしくお願いします！m（＿　＿）m

early days of Advent

2011-12-05T11:05:00.008+09:00

I haven't had much time for blogging or anything else since starting my new job-- which I still feel excited and warm and fuzzy about, by the way. I wake up in the morning and after the initial ugh, must I get out of bed? comes a great feeling like a hot chocolate fountain bubbling up inside: I have work to do! Advent started last Sunday; today was the second Sunday of four. Until a friend

Joshua Radin

2011-12-01T13:33:00.005+09:00

I love this song. Look into Joshua Radin if you haven't heard of him yet. There are very few songs of his that I don't listen to over and over again. This one, I think, is from his first album.I like my job, too. I'm a freelance translator now, but working for a specific company this month as a trial for full-time employment, possibly starting in the new year. It keeps me busy because there's a

where I work

2011-11-30T14:19:00.002+09:00

Night over Minneapolis.I love where I work. <3

intro to Innocent Smith

2011-11-23T14:43:00.003+09:00

Love it.

a&e

2011-11-20T12:57:00.001+09:00

The tune belies the lyrics, I think.

a blacksmith courted me

2011-11-19T14:26:00.010+09:00

A blacksmith courted me nine months and better.He fairly won my heart, wrote me a letter.With his hammer in his hand, he looked so clever;And if I were with my love, I'd live for ever.O, where has my love gone, with his cheeks like roses?He's gone across the sea, gath'ring primroses.I'm afraid the shining sun might burn and scorch his beautyAnd if I were with my love, I'd do my duty.Strange news

does “what I believe" matter?

2011-11-19T00:42:00.001+09:00

the love song of j. alfred prufrock

2011-11-15T11:17:00.007+09:00

Let us go then, you and I, When the evening is spread out against the sky Like a patient etherized upon a table; Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets, The muttering retreatsOf restless nights in one-night cheap hotels And sawdust restaurants with oyster-shells: Streets that follow like a tedious argument Of insidious intent To lead you to an overwhelming question…. Oh, do not ask, “

do something

2011-11-14T12:26:00.005+09:00

Today's homily was based on the same Gospel reading I analyzed here a few weeks ago, the one about the talents. I gained a new insight on it, though: in the Christian life, it isn't enough to just "not sin." That could be comparable to the third servant's burial of the one talent. He isn't doing anything wrong, per se. But it is expected of us to multiply the gifts and the grace that we're given.

that waterless fish again...

2011-11-10T11:11:00.004+09:00

There's a full moon tonight and its luminance, reflected on the wind-driven surface of the dark lake, caught my eye and pulled me a short way back in time. It was not so very long ago that I felt in control of my life, a competent young professional optimistically working through mysteries and questions while seeking the future as though it held nothing but sincere smiles and firm handshakes and

live from a place of strength

2011-11-09T11:38:00.003+09:00

"My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me."＊「『考えすぎをやめる』ことが、いつでも自在にできるようになると、肩の力が抜けて、生きるのが楽になってきます。笑ったり感動したりすることが多くなってきます。自分自身に盤石の自信が持てるようになります。」＊"Don't say, 'That's the way I am--it's my character.' It's your lack of character. Esto vir!--Be a man!"I do not like divided hearts;I give mine whole,and not in parts.1. Jane Austen 2. Arina Hosai 3. Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer

spending it all

2011-11-08T12:18:00.002+09:00

At the end of Living the Catholic Faith, author Abp. Charles Chaput poses a question we should all ask ourselves at the end of each day: "I have paid one day of my life to do what I did today. Was it worth it?"

Bingley's Teas

2011-11-07T04:01:00.017+09:00

I want to share with you a wonderful discovery I made at the 2011 Jane Austen Society general meeting in Texas: Bingley's Teas. You may have noticed its debut on the side bar a few weeks ago-- if you haven't already, check it out! Bingley's Teas is a small company owned and operated by Ms. Julia Matson, tea sommelier and fellow Minnesotan. She describes the Jane Austen Tea Series as her "way of

more revels in rhyming

2011-11-06T14:04:00.009+09:00

Everyone Wants YouA Poem for a Friend, with Apologies for its Triteness"Everyone wants" a home of her own,Green grass in the suburbs, her personal throne,But do I now, really? There's a new thought."Everyone wants" a good job with a raise,Or even a bad one, as long as it paysSomething. What is it exactly, the job that I want?"Everyone wants" to get married quite youngTo the love of her life,

November, one more year

2011-11-04T11:23:00.008+09:00

In the waiting room the air turns sourEars open, but they catch no soundsThe moments gape like open woundsA hundred thousand every hour.Visions of a time long gone,Remembered land across the sea;Can any ship there carry me?My heart sinks in the light of dawn.I seek and search, my heart has flown;The journey's done, the door's now shut.Search seaside, seek the forests, butwhere it lies hid God

In Dreams

2011-11-04T11:12:00.003+09:00

"When the cold of winter comesstarless night will cover day.In the veiling of the sunwe will walk in bitter rain.But in dreamsI can hear your nameand in dreamswe will meet again.When the seas and mountains falland we come to end of daysin the dark I hear a callcalling me there; I will go thereand back again."

जय हो

2011-11-02T14:02:00.005+09:00

The song "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire has been in my head all day. Wikipedia tells us it means "may there be victory," just like it sounds (right?). The song was used for a practice warm-up at the Zumba training I attended this past weekend, and that's exactly what was right about the whole experience: so many people who think as I do about infectious music and expressive movement-- and a

the lowlands of holland (lyrics)

2011-10-27T13:56:00.003+09:00

The love that I have chosen I therewith be contentAnd the salt sea shall be frozen before that I repent.Repent it shall I never until the day I dieBut the lowlands of Holland have twined my love and me.My love lies in the salt sea and I am on the side.It's enough to break a young thing's heart that lately was a bride.That lately was a bonny bride with pleasure in her e'eBut the lowlands of

Marianne sang Scots songs, and other stories

2011-10-27T10:49:00.006+09:00

The AGM wasn't all dancing and feasting. In between, we were treated to a number of lectures and breakout sessions offering further insight on the world of Sense & Sensibility.Maureen Kelly came all the way from Scotland to introduce us to some of the songs Marianne Dashwood might have sung. Scotland (aka Caledonia) had become something of a national craze in Jane Austen's time, with its romantic

Dance Practice

2011-10-24T12:58:00.007+09:00

Here's a not uncommon sight at the AGM: ladies in their costumes-- ahem! their dresses--enjoying each other's company. Of course, some of them might be simultaneously sizing up the other's income, as our witty dance instructor, Miss Frances, pointed out. Here's Miss Frances, now, with the son of one of the attendees and speakers, who gallantly attended more than one dance practice and wowed all

because it's Friday

2011-10-22T13:26:00.001+09:00

I interrupt my Texas reverie to bring you this music cover from Karmin. Love it!

Fort Worth

2011-10-21T14:21:00.004+09:00

Few of the areas I've visited over my short career as a conference-goer offer the high level of order and convenience found in Sundance Square and the Renaissance Worthington in particular. With the exception of a Japanese-style convenience store or grocery, it seemed like anything one could wish for was within walking distance. I was struck by the subtle strangeness of yet another state in the

Back from Texas!

2011-10-20T14:05:00.006+09:00

I'm back from Texas, where I attended the 2011 Jane Austen Society of North America's Annual General Meeting-- or JASNA AGM, for short. The AGM is held in a different city (and sometimes a different country) every year, and each year a different theme is explored for the benefit of the members' better understanding of Jane Austen and her world. Some years, the theme is broadly defined, allowing

the new look

2011-10-12T11:23:00.004+09:00

What do you think of the new look? Changing it was a piece of cake, but perhaps it isn't your cup of tea?I loved the color and energy of the hitherto-design, but felt that I'd gotten too used to it and too complacent to post much anymore. Enter the chic new colors, textures, and fonts. As always, I am keeping busy-- now with finding a job and with some personal pursuits I wasn't able to chase in

関心

2011-10-11T13:22:00.008+09:00

先週、面白い本を読みました。その本は自己改善がジャンルで、タイトルは「彼はあなたにそれほど関心がない」。３、４年前に大ヒットになって、去年同じタイトルの映画が登場しました。（ところで、ネットで借りて観ました。お勧めです！）　好きな人、彼氏、夫など、女性は意外な時間をかけて恋人のことを悩むというのがこの本が書かれた理由だそうです。女性同士で話す時に、決まって誰かがその悩み事を打ち明けて、みんなで解決しようとするのですが、みんなが聞いて欲しいような、前向きな考えしかしないらしいです。例えば、「電話を返してくれないなら、たぶん親戚が病気で余裕がない」とか、「もしかして電話を壊しちゃったかも」とか、「記憶喪失でしょう」まで、好きな人の言い訳を考えてばかりいるそうです。　ところが、事実はもっと簡単です。それは、関心がない。男性は女性が本当に好きになったら、彼女のために何でもします。たとえ偶然に

looking back and forging onward

2011-10-09T08:59:00.003+09:00

Up-and-coming composer Austin Haynes- check him out!It's been nearly a month now, since they passed away, my grandmother and her mother. Life feels different, less rich, as if dynamic voices in the great background score of life have fallen silent, leaving the melody to carry on in a weaker form; or as if you awoke to find walls and roof-beams missing from your home, opening it to the wind,

pesky wasps

2011-10-09T08:52:00.001+09:00

Pesky wasps got you down? Say no more. Just attract some giant dragonflies and they'll take care of your problem.

plans

2011-09-28T13:57:00.003+09:00

Tonight on Novus Latium, I have more questions than answers. I'm all right with that, too. Always taking things for granted and cruising along without stopping to wonder why is an unfortunate way to live. What does it mean to say God has a plan for you? Do you believe it? How do you believe it? Do you believe He has a "Plan" according to which your occupation, spouse, and children are more or

a cool jam

2011-09-27T14:29:00.003+09:00

A great thing happened tonight, and I remembered to be grateful. Isn't it funny how hard it is to remember that sometimes? Maybe it's only me. But at the top of the list, I know I'm grateful for my lovely friends and family.

in search of

2011-09-22T14:04:00.004+09:00

This past weekend, both my grandmother and great-grandmother were laid to rest after a very surreal week, spent with family, making sure the things that needed to be done were done. I learned something new about myself, too. I don't do well with people are crying at me. Call it heartlessness, lack of empathy, or some latent Nordic reserve, but on the few occasions it happened I found myself

急な出来事

2011-09-12T11:03:00.008+09:00

昨日、夕食の用意をしているところに大好きな叔母から電話がありました。でも、声がいつもと違って、とても辛そうでした。速く母か父に電話を渡すように言いました。母は教会に行っていたので、父を昼寝から起こして電話をとってもらいました。叔母は私の祖父から先に聞いたのですが、祖母が亡くなりました。二人はよく楽しむ旅行をネバダ州でしていたようですが、昨日はシカゴへの帰り日になっていました。祖父は早く起きて、荷物を片付けたりそろったりしてから、祖母を起こそうとしましたが、どうしても起きなかったそうです。死亡していることが分かったら、近くの施設に預けることにして、何百マイルも走ってシカゴへ帰り始めました。叔母に電話をしたのは、夕方になってホテルに止まってからでした。シカゴに着くのはたぶん火曜日でしょう。帰ったら葬儀の支度をするそうです。・・・このおばあちゃんは、チェコの伝統をよく教

明日から

2011-09-06T13:33:00.002+09:00

明日朝一から就職活動に戻ります。今週こそ進歩しないと！と思っていますが、もちろん私だけの努力でできることではないので、違う活動もするつもりです。まずはお祈り。そして、運動。家に帰ったら、まるで毎日のように甘いものが台所に置いてあるのにびっくりしました。パイ、カップケーキ、ケーキ、クッキー、プリン・・・　とりあえず太らないように頑張ります！

survival

2011-09-03T14:18:00.002+09:00

It's been quite some time, but I've been, in various ways, digging out from under piles of stuff. I've also been pursuing a number of job opportunities, but so far I haven't succeeded in catching any of them, which is frustrating and preventing me from posting regularly. Still, I've been telling myself (and my mom has been telling me, too) that I'll just find something better. I suppose it's time

vertigo

2011-08-13T00:33:00.002+09:00

Life goes on, and very soon this epilogue as a volunteer interpreter will come to a close. For all that, it's been a fairly relaxed experience compared to last year, enough so that I was able to go to an internship interview earlier this week. Next week, after saying goodbye to the Japanese group, I'll go to another interview, this time for a paying job. And then I'll be off to an undisclosed

lilies of the field

2011-08-10T14:05:00.002+09:00

"Bee on Flower" is apparently such a popular photo subject that some digital cameras have actually named it as a mode, similar to Portrait or Landscape. I think Macro does as good a job as any in describing it. But there is something about these tiny creatures.

if you're thirsty, come and drink

2011-08-10T14:02:00.000+09:00

Henna

2011-08-07T10:21:00.003+09:00

リバーシティーデーズで色々な売店がありますが、最後の方にあるところではヘンナをつけることができます。ヘンナというのは、インドからのミソバギ科の植物ですが、昔からヘンナタトゥー（入れ墨）の染料としても使われてきました。私は一回もつけてもらったことがなかったですが、いつも面白そうに思っていたから、今日こそやってみよう！と決めました。（タトゥーといっても、入れるのでなく肌につけるものだし、一週間ぐらいしか保たないので、心配しないでください。笑）

2011-08-06T13:34:00.001+09:00

the city

2011-08-05T13:07:00.007+09:00

As a child spending the best part of the summer on the outskirts of Chicago, the primary impression I had of the city itself was that it was a dark, dirty, dangerous place where people would clobber you as soon as look at you. I'm sure this came about after some occasion when my siblings and I asked about going to downtown Chicago, and one of our parents or grandparents very simply said, "it

from Willis Tower Skydeck

2011-08-04T22:14:00.005+09:00

『企画をするならば大きくせよ。ちっぽけな企画は人の心まで届かないものだ。』ダニエル　バーンハム

Chi-town

2011-08-03T22:29:00.000+09:00

Glory Bound

2011-07-31T21:50:00.002+09:00

It's my very last night in Ikata.I can hardly feel anything right now-the fact that I'm leaving in seven and a half hoursa place that has, through good times and bad,become home to meis laying heavy on me like a death sentence.But I knowthings will get better,I'll get used to a new way of life,and the pain of separation will fadethough my memories will not.I'll be whole.

little dorrit

2011-07-04T21:01:00.002+09:00

I watched the miniseries (Little Dorrit) this past weekend. This shot, which has been my wallpaper for the last couple months, seems like it could be a portal into that Dickensian universe. Great frivolous waste of a weekend, you might say. Well, maybe so, but I submit that we can always profit from gentle reminders about things like the flaws in our own characters and how well off we generally

evergreen

2011-06-17T22:29:00.002+09:00

I like this kitchen countertop photo. The jar, by the way, reads "Evergreen: A symbol for a vigorous young and healthy life!" And yes, that is a box of cereal behind it. Frosted Flakes, to be specific, and it looks like the front panel is touting the health benefits of 9 grains, or 9 vitamins, or maybe 9 different sugars.

Mr. Grumpy

2011-06-14T22:06:00.004+09:00

Now there's a guilty mug if ever I saw one!(It's the perfect time for a bird expert to tell me that this is actually a female... but "Mrs. Grumpy" just doesn't have that sweet ring to it.)

there's beauty everywhere

2011-06-11T21:17:00.000+09:00

my avian visitor

2011-06-09T21:51:00.007+09:00

See that dark shadow behind the window? I was making dinner the other night, chopping up some red pepper, when I heard a scritch-scratch and noticed it moving along the outside of my window. Honestly, my first thought was, "what, a mouse?! Impossible!"Then the shadow turned its head so I could see the profile-- and the unmistakable beak. "Aha!" thought I. "My friends the grumpy birds are back!"

One Billion Stories

2011-06-08T22:49:00.005+09:00

Over my Easter holiday in Tokyo, I pulled out my camcorder and started recording people's stories for the new Catholic faith and testimony project, OneBillionStories.com. It's a powerful way to do what St. Peter exhorted and "give a reason for the hope that is in" us.I thought it would be a cinch, but it turned out to be a humbling experience in many ways, not least of which is having to hear

for your viewing pleasure

2011-06-06T17:18:00.004+09:00

New from "Theater of the Word," aka Kevin O'Brien, this is an EWTN dramatization of a debate between Tolkien and C.S. Lewis on myth. (When Lewis was an atheist.) I have to say my favorite O'Brien role is Stanford Nutting, but this was interesting, too.

all the small things

2011-06-05T20:38:00.003+09:00

I have a confession to make. I finished decorating only three or four eggs in time for Easter this year. Yesterday, I finally put the final touches on the last blown egg I had. I don't have photos of them yet, because until the good light was gone they were lying in all kinds of awkward positions around the room while their lacquer coats were drying. Meanwhile, I got to do something I've been

down the drain

2011-06-05T20:34:00.002+09:00

Tottori was a no-go.NSK Ltd. was a no-go.But I trust that the selection committees knew exactly who they were looking for and knew that I wouldn't be a good fit. My job is still out there, and I'm going to keep on looking for it.

Tottori

2011-05-30T22:03:00.003+09:00

I went to Tottori, Tottori Prefecture this weekend, and it absolutely took all the time and energy I had. It also rained all day Saturday and Sunday, unfortunately; it's hard to appreciate a new city when wind and cold rain make it difficult to walk around and enjoy the place. In fact, the rain was part of a typhoon that, apparently, really picked up Sunday afternoon back where I live in Shikoku,

opulence and simplicity

2011-05-27T23:42:00.001+09:00

I loved this bike parked in front of the Hermes store in Ginza.It's a high fashion kind of place.

congratulations

2011-05-20T23:02:00.004+09:00

Congratulations to my friends J.O. and A.B. on their recent engagements, and to J.K. who got married last week!As Grandma Kitty used to say,"Ain't love grand!"

peach rose

2011-05-20T22:59:00.001+09:00

exploding koinobori!

2011-05-19T21:11:00.001+09:00

(Look, Mom, no tripod!)

potteresque

2011-05-16T21:37:00.006+09:00

Lovely symmetry.This is from Tokyo University,which is chock full of"potteresque"architecture.It's Monday night, after a long, busy, fun weekend. On Friday night Tenshing and I decided to go to a barbecue hosted by our new Regional Advisor for any JETs interested in coming. Her place was supposedly in the Emerald City area, which isn't very close to us but close enough that we're roughly familiar

you're a girl, or maybe a wagon♪

2011-05-16T16:57:00.003+09:00

Speaking of [noun] fulla [noun]...

me and my pocket fulla dreams

2011-05-11T18:36:00.002+09:00

(from post production on the commercial that won 4th place at this year's Ehime Asahi TV competition)

drive-by: inaka edition

2011-05-11T17:47:00.007+09:00

Something wicked this way comes.A bundle of high tension, supersensitive appendages, poison, and pure malice.Then BAM!Somebody drives right over the thing. It's dead.Of course it may not have been a drive-by smash; it may have been a walk-by. Possibly my neighbor Tenshing happened to see the critter on his morning walk to school, and this carnage was the work of a quick heel in steel-reinforced

trapped!

2011-05-10T19:57:00.006+09:00

After my long, lovely vacation, coming back home felt like coming back to a place where someone else had lived. Only after Christmas and New Year's two years ago, when I went home home, did I experience this much of a disconnect on coming back to my apartment. Why? My best guess is that staying with Mr. and Mrs. M allowed me so completely to escape from the job, the boreout (not a constant, but a

timeless aspirations

2011-05-08T14:08:00.003+09:00

My favorite line: "I want to be able to point to something and say, 'I did that.'"Plus.... 80s HAIR!!!

reconciliation

2011-05-07T13:22:00.009+09:00

Cor and I decided, after half a dozen texts on either side, to meet on Friday afternoon in Shinjuku to visit a major bookstore, and then go on to Yoyogi Park. So after a busy morning at the MC's house and a quick lunch, I headed to the train station, texting that I was on my way and would be there in 45, in 30 minutes. But Cor texted back to say that he was going to be unavoidably detained for

Cor

2011-05-06T19:50:00.003+09:00

Last time, an unavoidable trip to the grocery store cut me off before I got to Cor, who has been in some ways the most influential Japanese person in my life.Cor and I were conversation partners for a year, six years ago, but what is more, we were friends. And although our friendship skirted around becoming something more for nearly that whole year, it never quite developed, but stayed safe,

back from the greatest city on earth

2011-05-04T17:11:00.002+09:00

...and as yet, there's no sign of giant spiders having moved into my apartment. I feel I need to write about this. This trip to Tokyo was different from all my previous trips; from the start I knew that I was going up there to say goodbye. No, no one's died. But it was my last opportunity to take a good chunk of vacation time and spend it slowly, savoring the moments with my dear friends. The

swan song for sakura

2011-04-10T21:05:00.006+09:00

These pretty pink petals won't be with us much longer.(Actually, it's a dreadful title. I can't imagine anything further from the cheerful chirruping of sparrows than the melodramatic gloom associated with the 'death song' of swans. Still, it'll have to do for now.)(That's odd. I've a funny urge to watch Pirates of the Caribbean movies now.);)

twinkle, twinkle

2011-04-10T21:02:00.000+09:00

2011-04-10T20:39:00.002+09:00

The petals are falling...

make a wish

2011-04-10T20:33:00.002+09:00

sakura

2011-04-03T22:29:00.000+09:00

dream within a dream

2011-04-03T22:26:00.002+09:00

(And now, back to our regularly scheduled broadcast.)

content

2011-04-03T22:22:00.000+09:00

innocent

2011-04-03T22:14:00.002+09:00

I don't know what this one is called, either. :/

too late

2011-04-03T22:11:00.001+09:00

inquisitive

2011-04-03T22:03:00.004+09:00

Despite its coloring, I'm quite sure this isn't a robin. Anyone know what it is?この鳥の種類は分かりません。御存知の方、コメントで教えて下さい！

seeking

2011-04-03T21:53:00.002+09:00

social

2011-04-03T21:46:00.002+09:00

intrepid

2011-04-03T21:42:00.002+09:00

your soul in neglect

2011-04-03T21:14:00.006+09:00

This local eyesore never fails to arrest my attention whenever I walk by it. Until now, I never thought to take a picture of it, because, of course, it's so ugly. But the other day, I happened to have my camera in hand, and the scene suggested something beyond itself. Thinking it over today, I decided that while "neglect" may be an apt title for the photo, that something that it points to is, in

the sea urchins make a new friend

2011-04-03T20:06:00.005+09:00

"And now for something... completely different."Time for a short break in the usual fare of flowers and twigs I've been subjecting you to for the last several weeks! I took a particularly good walk the other day, part of which brought me near the sea, and when I peered into the water, there were starfish all over the place. Upon closer inspection, sea urchins also abounded. I didn't think I

the dreamflower

2011-03-27T21:48:00.002+09:00

"He saw no colour but those he knew...but they were fresh and poignant, as if he had at that moment first perceived them and made for them names new and wonderful. In winter here no heart could mourn for summer or for spring. No blemish or sickness or deformity could be seen in anything that grew upon the earth. On the land of Lorien there was no stain."The Fellowship of the Ring

just another cherry blossom

2011-03-27T21:45:00.003+09:00

twisted

2011-03-27T21:40:00.002+09:00

lost

2011-03-27T21:38:00.001+09:00

moonrise

2011-03-19T21:28:00.002+09:00

perigee moon

2011-03-19T21:19:00.001+09:00

sober and alert

2011-03-08T22:11:00.001+09:00

Awake, my soul,awake, lyre and harp,I will awake the dawn.I will thank you, Lord, among the peoples,among the nations I will praise youfor your love reaches to the heavensand your truth to the skies.

ready to embark on the sea of Lent

2011-03-08T21:56:00.001+09:00

plum blossoms... the tail end

2011-03-08T21:54:00.002+09:00

one last rose

2011-02-22T15:40:00.000+09:00

rosy and bright

2011-02-20T20:52:00.001+09:00

cheer-up pansies

2011-02-17T20:45:00.002+09:00