who's on first.....

June 19-23 Its Provo time........
I took off to Provo, Utah for a woodturners symposium with my friend Jack. It was really a great and new experience for me. There were turners from all over the world who were demonstrating their specialities in woodturning.
Four of my favorites are below:
Mark Scott from the UK
Allen Batty and his son both from the UK
and Richard Raffan from Australia.

Monday, June 11 After we bid a reluctant farewell to our Japanese sister city travelers, Carol and I hurried back home to gather things up, then we went to the hotel to pick up Michiko and Marasu.

We gave the tour of Old Temecula downtown and proceeded to our house. Michiko said this is the 4th house of ours that she knows- actually there were a few more (but you know how Carol loves to move!?). We had tea while showing off our new patio. We have a lot of bird feeders and humming bird feeders up, so we had plenty of entertainment. I never knew they don't have humming birds in Japan.

Next it was a leisurely drive through the wine country including a stop at Maurice Currie Winery for lunch at the Plantation House- again with a Hawaiian flare. We drove to our "old house in the country" and looked around, but George was out at the time. So we proceeded south to San Diego.

In the last two weeks, Michiko had traveled from Japan to NYC (to see her oldest son Jimmy, south to Miami, over to New Orleans, up to Seattle (where Marasu just received his Masters Degree in Architecture- and that's another story!), south to San Diego, and she is leaving tomorrow for San Franciso, then back to Seattle and finally back to Osaka, Japan.

NOW THAT"S WHAT I CALL TRAVELING!!!!

We went to the Salk Center at the Torrey Pines campus of UCSD. Here we viewed the architecture of Louie Kahn. He is one of John's favorite architects and John was "spaced out"!! It really was a striking building. John is next going to Switzerland for an architectural project.

Later, we had dinner at the Fish House in San Diego and were joined by Ami and Art. It was another great visit and we look forward to seeing the Sunagawas again in the future.

touch down

Sunday, June 10 Today Carol and I waved good bye to Akiko as she departed for Disneyland, then quickly changed for a drive to San Diego to pickup our good friend Michiko and her son Masaru (John). They ended up with a few flight problems, so by the time we got back to Temecula and checked them into the hotel, we had to dine at our famous, yet ever open, Denny's........

Sayonara, again.........

Monday, June 10- This morning we all met at the Lieberg's Law Office and saw our guests off. It was a great visit and a sad departure.......
All eyes weep the same.........

How we normally see Kozo!!

Disneyland

Sunday, June 10- Today Akiko went with Sarah Matley for a full day at Disneyland. It was perfect for Carol and I, because we then went to the San Diego Airport and picked up our dear friend Michiko and her son John. But that's another story I'll write after this.........

Up, Up and Away.....

Saturday, June 9 Today was a very early start and an uplifting day. Kozo, Akiko and Mariko took a hot air balloon ride over the Wine Country. It started at Wilson Creek Winery on a foggy morning......They bounced around under the clouds for a while, then broke through for a glorious flight.

After a few hours of past flight sleep, Carol, Akiko and I were off to a full day of Children's Matsuri. It was really successful!! Thanks, Keri and Susan.

But, no pics- I was too busy. Does anyone have a few representative pics of the CM to send me?

quack.......

Friday, June 8- After breakfast, Carol and I joined the tour which included the Duck Pond and Promenade Mall

We had a great lunch at Maurice Carrie Winery in the Plantation House. The evening consisted of prepping for the Matsuri.

a bad hair day?

will you be my mother?

are you talking to me!!

Temecula tours

Thur., June 7- Kozo had a Temecula tour for the group today and Carol and I caught up with them at Mary Phillips Senior Center. There we presented Candice, the supervisor, 6 ground golf clubs and balls. We enjoyed ground golf so much at Nakayama, we are hoping the seniors will take it up here (see March 19 [April 17]). The ground golf equipment was donated by Mr.Noma, who is the Chairman of the Nakayama GG Association.

Later we met for lunch at The Crepe Shop. Here are Akiko, Mariko and Jill.

That evening Akiko and Carol gave each other language lessons well into the night.

Peace Through People

Wed., June 6- Today we received Akiko, a 24 yr. old guest from Nakayama, who we hosted during her stay. Kozo and Yuko brought Akiko along with Mariko to tour and help out with our Children' Matsuri (festival). After their flight in from Japan and a tour of LA, they arrived in the evening but Carol had a retirement reception to go to and I had a meeting of all the host families for the Dutch, who will be coming this Oct. Somehow we got it all done and youth as it is, Akiko hung in there as late as she could. Here we are having breakfast on our new patio.

Tuesday, June 12- Kozo and Yuko arrived early and stopped over to explain how to do the "Yo-Yo" game.