Ohanami!

A hypnotic pink froth entrances young and old, 

Lures us into parks and down tree-lined allées, 

Invites us to pause in the shower of delicate petals 

And drink our fill of spring.

Kyoto, Japan

Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan

Sakura to go, Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan

Celebrating the Buddha's birth, Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan

Sankei-en, Yokohama, Japan

Salted cherry blossoms

Wagashi shaped like a cherry blossom

Sakura mochi, Kyoto-style

More photos here: https://picasaweb.google.com/105060227937518922873/SakuraMadness#

Poetry Group

The Redwood Coast Writers Center (another Dream Maker Program of the Ink People Center for the Arts) has a poetry group that meets on Wednesday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. in Arcata (Humboldt County, Calif.). They looking for serious people who want to bring new work to discuss. No cost, no age limit. Contact Daryl at (707) 822-6170 if interested.

One Week, Two Demos

It's been a busy week for tea ceremony demonstrations.

Sunday, March 20, was our monthly tea demo and talk at the Ink People Center for the Arts. No one attended, so we made each other bowls of tea and Harvey-sensei taught us warigeko  as we practiced folding our fukusa.

Tuesday, March 22, Harvey-sensei, Laura and Kristin demonstrated Chanoyu to a class of about 40 students of Asian art history at Humboldt State University. Harvey gave a short lecture and demonstrated ryakubondate-temae. Then Laura and Kristin kicked into high gear and made bowl after bowl of tea for students who wanted to try matcha -- they whisked individual bowls of tea, then poured it into paper cups. Best of all, their efforts were well received.  Gambatte, Team Humboldt!

Why Cats Don't Do Chabana

Photo by Laura Dodd

Our cat Nikko takes great pride in rearranging our chabana, which we now call "Nikkobana."

Eureka Sakura Report, March 22

Grotto and F streets, Henderson Center

Old Town Gazebo, 2nd and F streets

Eureka City Hall, 6th and L streets

Eureka Sakura Report

What is the saying, hope springs eternal? After more than a week of terrible news from Japan, we are ready for an eternally hopeful spring. Let's celebrate O-Higan!

Eureka's cherry trees greet the spring with freshly-opened flower buds. On my way home from work yesterday I took note of the status of several of my favorite trees:

Eureka Gazebo in Old Town, 2nd and F streets


Eureka City Hall, 6th & L


Henderson Center Pharmacy, F and Grotto streets


Umpqua Bank, Henderson Center, Grotto St. between E & F streets


Cherry Blossom Bakery, Henderson Center, E St.


           Residence, Lucas and Harrison streets -- status TBD

Our own cherry trees are not far behind. The Kanzan in the front yard didn't get pruned this year, but still has good form. It is a dark pink variety that blooms late. The Yoshino in the back yard is an early bloomer, its buds are ready to burst open.

Sakura icons are from the website http://hanami.walkerplus.com, which features a beautifully interactive sakura report. Total eye-candy.

Helping Pets in Japan

This is from Care2.com:

Below is a list of a few organizations helping animals in Japan. I’m sure there are many more, so please feel free to list them in your comments below. All of these organizations can use donations, and I’ve provided a link so you can easily make yours. Japan is a country who loves it’s pets, and while the animal lives are not valued more than people’s, they are still valued. Thanks for not forgetting them in the aftermath of this terrible tragedy.

Animal Refuge Kansai (ARK) gives homeless animals the chance to live a happy life, free from fear or danger, in a loving home. No discrimination here. They often take in abused, abandoned, unwanted, sick, injured, and senior animals. So, it’s no surprise that they are doing their best to take in as many animals as they can manage who became suddenly homeless on March 11 as a result of the Tohoku-Pacific earthquake and tsunami. Your online donation will help them provide care for more homeless animals. You’ll find a direct link for donations through paypal on their home page.

World Vets is a non-government 501c3 nonprofit organization (NGO) providing veterinary aid around the globe in collaboration with animal advocacy groups, foreign governments, US and foreign military groups and veterinary professionals abroad.  Their work spans 25 countries and 6 continents and addresses not only veterinary issues, but also human health issues impacted by zoo-notic diseases in developing countries.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/helping-pets-in-japan.html