A Spider on my CD

I know the winter is getting closer because it is much colder outside. That means fewer little critters outside willing to have their picture taken. Oh, it could be a long winter...... but luckily for us, we live in an old, old house and every once in a while a little critter crawls inside to get some warmth.

This morning, in fact, Yumiko had a friend over for a little sleep over. While they were in the kitchen making breakfast, I was in the living-room straightening up and there to my delight was a tiny little spider crawling up the wall. Now, I know most people would be totally horrified at the sight, but I was thrilled. I could see the little guy was taking his time, so I ran and got my camera and my tripod. I knew taking a picture of the spider on the wall probably would not produce a very dramatic shot, so I scooped up the spider on a piece of paper and carried him over to the coffee table. I found a blue C.D. sitting on the table and the light was just right coming in the window. I put the spider on the C.D. and he sat there for a little while - a bit stunned at all the commotion. And here is what I got. (By the way, after the photo shoot, I did pick up the spider and took him outside where he belonged.)

Oh.... The Light

I got out to take photographs just at dusk today. Great light.

Fall at Valley Forge

Ken is sure I will come home with Lime's Disease one day, but I keep assuring him, the little deer ticks would never bother me. I have been walking the fields at Valley Forge Park these last few days. They are so beautiful this time of year. Golden tall grasses where lots of deer are grazing. And, what is even more wonderful, if you look closely, are all the grasshoppers, slugs, and beautiful little red milkweed beetles. This morning after dropping Yumiko off at school, I drove over and had the time of my life searching and finding all kinds of things. Here are a few photos from today's catch.

The Fly's Tongue

O.K. Dear Readers. Now bear with me on this one. Today as Ken was out at a meeting and Yumiko was at school, I traveled the short distance to my favorite pond to see if I might find an interesting bug before it gets too cold. I slogged around the wet grass and lo and behold there was a big old fly sitting on a leaf. I carefully set up my tripod right in front of his little face and looked through the view finder. At first I wasn't sure what I was seeing, but as I looked more closely I could see this little guy sticking his tongue out at me and then bringing it back in again. Well, I just had to capture this on film - or is it pixels?

Take a look from top to bottom. (Click on the photo to get a real good view.) The first photo is the fly in profile in the spotlight- no tongue per se. Then the rest are front views with his tongue slowly coming out and then back in again.

How's that for your National Geographic lesson of the day?

Manjiro

Today was the Japanese School Play. That means every class of the 16 different classes at Yumiko's Japanese school puts on a 15 to 20 minute play - one after another. Yumiko's class was the 15th. I sat through every one from Kindergarden 1 to Adult 3 and am still alive. Actually it was loads of fun and all the kids were FABULOUS. Here are a few shots from Yumiko's play - Manjiro - About a Japanese boy who was blown out to sea in a fishing boat in 1840 and rescued by the an American whaling ship (called The John Howland). Manjiro was taken to the United States and given a good education before returning to Japan. Yumiko was one of Manjiro's teachers. Here are a few photos from the play.

We're Back!!

It was a great trip to Tokyo for Ken and for me. Ken got to his high school reunion and saw friends he had not seen in more than 40 years. I got there a week later and reunited with all of Ken's good family. Yumiko stayed home and kept the home fires burning. I made a visit back to Arisugawa Park and saw all the fishermen. (Still too shy to say hello, but glad to see they were still fishing.) On Sunday, we got together one more time with Ken's best friends from high school. They have all made a commitment to come visit us here in St. Davids next year. I better start cleaning now.

Quick Trip to Japan

Ken has been in Tokyo for the last week and I am leaving tomorrow morning to join him. We will be back home in St. Davids next Tuesday. Hopefully when we come home we will have a few good stories to tell. Talk to you then.