My teacher Natsume Soseki's granddaughter

"Wagahai wa nekodearu" Every Japanese growing up has heard this phrase, which means "I am a cat". It was written by a modern Japanese writer Natsume Soseki. It was one of the first modern literature written from an animal's point of view and this book and phrase

became a huge sensation. After moving to the U.S. I attended the University of Oregon where I met and studied under Mrs. Yoko McClain who turned out to be the granddaughter of Soseki. She was a gentle, small women, with a quick wit and small rimed glasses. She came to America as a Fulbright Scholar when she was young and ended up in Eugene, Oregon where she studied, taught, married and raised her family. Long after I graduated from the U of O we kept in touch and last year when I was in Eugene I went to visit her. We talked about many of my classmates she still kept in touch with and the lectures she had given. But of course she talked mostly about her grandson. I am so glad that I took the time to go see her then. Unfortunately she passed away in November of 2011. Mrs. McClain I will truly miss you....

New Years Day 2012

How did you spend your new year day? For me it started in a fog, literally...after arriving in Los Angeles late, I was looking for my hotel in a thick fog. I knew I was in the right area but just could not see the sign and I kept driving by. I finally had to call the hotel to see what landmarks were near by, but just then the fog parted just enough to see the hotel. When I drove up to the office to check in I heard fire crackers, and fire works going off. Happy New Year to me....

In the morning I woke up to a bright blue sky and could not resist the chance to head to the beach. When I saw the waves crashing and smelling the salty ocean air I knew that I was at the right place. I sat on the sandy beach bathed in a morning sun for what seemed like a long time. What a great way to start the new years....

Random Backyard Find

Few things I found today on my walk around my backyard.

Do you know why Hugh Hefner cancelled his wedding?

One thing for sure, I had nothing to do with it..... no nothing....

I am being sooooo tourist in this picture...

Weeding or Clicking

I have been enjoying gardening this summer. I have put in borders with bricks from our old fire place, transplanted some plants from the back yard to hopefully a better sunnier location, and lots of trimming, and weeding. But today while I was taking a wheel barrel full of weeds to our compost pile, I saw a beautiful butterfly fluttering in our bushes. As soon as I saw it, my photographer side took over. I ran into the house, got my camera, fixed the settings and started shooting away. Just as I thought I had taken enough photographs, another butterfly, this time black and blue showed up, and of course I had to stay and click away. What do you think? If anyone knows the name of these butterflies please let me know....

Very early Sunday morning myself and another budding photographer started our drive to Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Il about 1 1/2 hrs away. But our heads must of been still in a fuzz because we missed the turn off onto I-80. We did eventually make it to the state park, but with the recent rain the Illinois River has flooded the parking lot of the visitor center and the whole area was closed. So our plan to ask which is the best trail to take photographs of wild flowers failed..... Of course we had other plans ... just go on any trail that was open, and this is where we ended up.. St. Louis Canyon ..... Beautiful isn't it?

Got kissed by the fishes

It has been a while since I have last blogged, but I have been very busy with my family life and traveling. One of the place I traveled recently was Cozumel. It is an island off of Cancun Mexico in a Caribbean Sea and it is known for its great scuba dive spots. I do not scuba dive, but was rewarded with many colorful fishes just off the docks and beaches. I wanted to photograph these friendly fishes and I was throwing bread to gather them near me. I thought it would it be great to capture them feeding out of my hand. Great idea, but when the fish started biting my fingers trying to get to the bread, not so good idea. One actually bit down hard enough that I started bleeding in open water. I realized that it could be potentially dangerous as there are sharks that are known to swim in these waters.

The painful bite from a fish came out like it had kissed me, but don't be fooled by it, it really hurt....

Daffodil yellow colored tree

Among the old bare oak trees this daffodil yellow colored tree stood.  I did not know how or why it was there...but since it was Easter I almost expected Easter bunnies with pastel colored bows to be dancing about....

Spring wildflower -- Terrarium

When this wildflower Terrarium emerges in my back yard, I know that it is spring. Right now it is still very small, but it will grow to be about 8 inches tall and it will cover most of my back yard. Every year I fight with my hubby to make sure that he does not mow them down before they are totally done flowering. My hubby always loses.

Carpet of Daffodiles

Spring is nearly here and that we can expect to see the Daffodiles blooming soon. This photographed just received a Honorable Mention at the Mayslake Photography competition. Last year this image recieved 2nd place at the Union League of Chicago photography competition as well..... I do have a confession to make, this image was photographed using my Canon G9, small camera, not my Nikon DSLR. That just goes to show you that it does not matter what equipment you use, but the composition and the light of the day that makes the image...