Eat, drink or perfume my undies?

January 1, 2026January 1, 2026JT Twissel 44 Comments

This year for Christmas my son sent us a package from Japan which contained:

It feels a little squishy but has no smell. I googled and Kakiyashu is a restaurant which specializes in fine ($$$$) cuts of beef. So perhaps it’s a fancy beef bar?

There was also a nice note from my son telling me how happy he is to be in Japan and if I’d like to come visit, he kindly supplied a map:

I googled the town where they live and it is along 438 which is the dark blue line slicing across this part of the island of Shikoku. I assume 438 is a highway or perhaps a toll road. But … it could be a river.

The town they live in is near the big pink tree. That should make finding their town a breeze, right? (unless the tree falls down or isn’t in blossom)

By the way, a Nazi symbol on a Japanese map indicates a Buddhist temple. After WWII the Japanese government considered removing the symbol but it has existed and had meaning long before the Third Reich and will long after. It would be like removing the cross from a church because of the actions of unprincipled televangelists or immoral politicians (and you know who I’m talking about.)

Above is a legend to help my husband and I along on our drive. I imagine the smiley face indicates places were you can find food, lodging and gas … and be happy!

If I had to guess:

The little house probably marks a rest stop (with bathrooms hopefully)
The lotus leaf, perhaps an area full of lotus ponds?
The flower symbols … gardens?
And the maple leaf … forests?

Think I’m even close?

Included was also a map of the public transportation system in case we chicken out and decide not to drive. Hum, since we would be driving on the wrong side of the road in a country where we can’t read the signs and don’t speak the language, I would say …. at the very least …. we will be using public transportation. More likely, we will need full-time babysitting and hand-holding. Particularly considering our experience in England a few years back.

I really don’t know what to make of it. Do you?

The final gift in the package was this bag of something.

It’s a very pretty bag. I may never open it which is probably the best course of action since I have no idea what it contains.

It smells like cedar trees so perhaps it’s not meant to be steeped in hot water and sipped like tea. Perhaps it’s potpourri meant to sweeten your underwear drawer. What do you think?

Take heart everyone … 2026 is here. It comes with no promises and a hell of a lot of baggage. How it will end is anyone’s guess but no one knows. We’re all in the dark together with only kind hearts and patience to see us through.

In the land called Hanalei #Kauai

October 15, 2025JT Twissel 27 Comments

There are places on this earth whose beauty is impossible to capture in photographs. I’ve been told by an Indian friend that no place on earth could possibly compare to Kashmir. I’m sure that’s true but I doubt I’ll ever get there. My two places would be Hanalei on the northern tip of Kaua’i and Yosemite Valley. Neeta didn’t have a second place. It was hands down the Kashmir and no place else. How about you?

Presenting … a small slice of Hanalei

Before you reach the town, stop at the Nourish Cafe – a grass shack selling mostly smoothies and other healthy snacks. It’s at the end of a dead end road, hard to find but when you see the view, I think you’ll agree, worth the trouble.

Hanalei Valley – where kayaks can cruise up and down the river in a jungle like setting.

Hanalei Bay. Watching the shadows shift as the clouds passed over the mountains was like listening to a symphony.

Hanalei Beach and Pier – the sand wasn’t nearly as nice as Lumaha’i but the waters were a lot friendlier and the views – wow!

Rarely a day goes by without at least a bit of rain but when the weather is 81 degrees, who cares!

Of course, I did my share of cloud surfing.

The boy preferred the Hanalei River where he caught and released all kinds of fish.

I have no idea what kind of tree this once was but there’s a forest of her kind near the river.

If you’re lucky, you may get a peak at one of the many waterfalls.

I will admit, the town of Hanalei has gotten more touristy than it was the last time I was here. The bars are noisy and less quaint. Especially at this time of year. The Hawaiians really love Halloween.

Yikes! I do believe it’s possible to overdo things. Perhaps the crew had a few too many Mai Tais before the decorating began!

Next time: To the Lighthouse!

The Ninth Month

September 1, 2025JT Twissel 13 Comments

The flowering plant featured this month on the Wasabi calendar is the Akebia Quinata or the Chocolate Vine, a native of Japan, China and Korea whose fruit is harvested in late August and September.

Akebia grows on hedges, slopes and hills and is similar to the Dragonfruit. The rind of the fruit is used in vegetable and meat dishes and the pulp is considered a sweet delicacy but don’t eat the seeds. They are bitter and nasty. As its name implies, it has a chocolatey aroma.

However some plant guides warn that Akebia is an invasive species.

In September there are two national holidays in Japan: September 15th, Respect for the Aged and September 23 Autumnal Equinox Day. Being in the “aged” category myself, I think we deserve more than one day a year to be respected, don’t you? Thus saying, I would probably hide in my house on a Respect for the Aged day rather than be pointed out to young children:

“Look! There’s an Aged who can still walk!
Smile for the Aged, children!
Clap for the Aged!
Let’s take the Aged’s wrinkly old hand and walk the Aged through town for everyone to see!”

Yikes!

Autumnal Equinox Day marks the first official day of fall and is yet another time set aside for the Japanese to honor their ancestors. However, visiting a graveyard in late September could be deadly (no pun intended). The bulbs of the Red Spider Lily are planted in graveyards because they contain an alkaloid toxic to animals and so the graves beneath them are not disturbed. Even humans are wise to avoid the touch of the Red Spider Lily, aka Flower of Death.

And guess when these death plants blossom?

Happy September everyone! Beware the Red Spider Lily!

Requiem for a Tree

August 6, 2025JT Twissel 20 Comments

Once the view from the ridge above my house. To the right is a group of pine trees, as of tonight – after six long days of chainsaws and limb grinding – gone. All gone. Sliced and diced and thrown into the wood chipper.

The granddaddy of the tree family was visible from my deck. When I heard the chainsaws and realized what was up, I ran out to get a shot before the sawing began. Unfortunately the rising sun made a good shot impossible.

I know logically that if a tree that size fell it could cause great damage and so it had to go. Slowly and carefully as there are houses nearby. Six days it took and for six days I listened. I could have gone elsewhere but I felt I must stay and mourn it’s passing.

When it comes to trees, I guess you could say I’m a wee bit fay, as the Irish would say.

For thirty years I’d watched hawks perch on top of this tree, surveying the whole valley for prey or just taking in the view. They mounted no defense for fear of the chainsaws, the ropes, and the men shouting and whistling as they worked.

All in Spanish, such a lively language for a grim task. But I had to admire their bravery and skill.

Sawing and grinding until …

The final surrender; only the skeleton remained. Not a dignified ending, my friend, but you will be remembered.

Sunrise Sandy Beach

October 18, 2024JT Twissel 21 Comments

Hawaii is a five hour flight from San Francisco and across two time zones which can be rough on early risers. On the first morning of my visit, I awoke at 4:00 am local time and in the dark. There being no coffee in the house and no nearby coffee shop open before 7:00 am, I forced myself back to sleep and missed the sunrise. My daughter had a dizzying schedule of activities planned and so I didn’t get another opportunity to catch a sunrise until Saturday morning.

Sunrise Sandy Beach. Once up, the sun was much too bright to look at directly.

Sandy Beach is a rocky point on the southeast end of Oahu. People do surf and body board here but it’s not advised. Too much broken bone, as the Hawaiians say.

I actually enjoyed the pre-sunrise show more.

I think my favorite shot is the last one. It would have been more dramatic if I climbed out onto the rocks, knelt down and caught the water smashing against the beach at the same time. Not happening folks. Not without coffee (and a new knee).

If you ever make it to Sandy Beach, keep an eye out for this guy. He supposedly lives there.