47 Photos of Japan's Disaster....... Must See

Aerial view of the devastated area. Photo source.

Evacuees in Tokyo Japan. Photo source.

  

Link to 47 Photos of Japan's Disaster

I know that I 'm very late in writing this post....... but I still feel that it's important these photos be posted up in order to raise more awareness on this subject. This catastrophe is devastating and crippling the nation of Japan and its people. We must help them in any way we can. From what I've heard, inquiring at your local Red Cross Society is a good start.

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2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami (Japan)

A big earthquake followed with a deadly Tsunami has just rocked Japan, especially at Sendai, Honshu Island on March 11th 2011. The biggest earthquake, 8.9 magnitude, to hit Japan in 140 years struck Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that pounded the country's east coast and prompted advisories along Canada's West Coast.

Thanks to photo source: poptalk.info

Thanks to photo source: poptalk.info

Today, as I was going through my usual reads online, I found this blog that I must share with everyone ! It's practically a day by day account of what it's like to be there in Sendai and have to live through this horrendous ordeal. It's a personal story: the authors of this blog are truly living it........ I hope you will find it as fascinating and enlightening as I did. Go to blog Sendai-Honolulu Journal homepage. Here's a bit of background information on this blog:

" Scott and Yasue Schumaker moved from Japan to Hawaii in 1995. They and their son Ian, 14, live in Kapolei. In mid-January, Yasue unexpectedly returned to her childhood home in Sendai, Japan to care for her ailing mother. She was in Sendai when the devastating 9.0 earthquake struck. In this blog, Scott will share how all 3 family members are coping with the separation amid the chaos and misery of post-quake life in northern Japan. All times in this blog are HST. "

More Links:

Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

Monkey Brewster.

Google Earth Hits.

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My Clematis "Yukikomachi" Is Alive . . . . Sweet!

Last week, I was putzing around in the back garden weeding, staking plants and what-not, when I noticed this tender shoot. At first, I thought it was just another weed. Then, my gardener's instinct kicked in. NO WAY! Is that what I think it is? I couldn't believe my eyes. She's alive!
Last spring, I had ordered a much sought-after Japanese clematis from my favorite on-line supplier, Gardenimport.com. All was in good order when I received it in the mail. The packaging was very elaborate and the 2-stemmed plant was very well protected. There I was, all excited and already fantasizing what the blooms would look like. Two days after I planted it in the ground, a squirrel decided to dig it up. In the process, both miniscule stems were broken off. Needless to say, I was very upset. I sunk the root ball back in the ground and protected the planting area with nylon netting..... to keep those scoundrels away. I was hoping against all odds that maybe the roots would keep the plant going and perhaps, a stem might develop later in the summer. This poor plant had no leaves, nothing. I was desperate and I had to at least try that.

Then, weeks, months and seasons passed. Life went on and I had forgotten all about it.

It's quite incredible that the roots managed to keep the plant going all last summer and then having to brave the cold and snow of our past winter. And, it survived, coming back with 1 strong stem. Isn't Mother Nature wonderful!

I'm in no rush. This clematis can take all the time she needs to mature because the photo below shows what I have to look forward to. She's a keeper!

YUKIKOMACHI: white sepals with a pale lavender edge

Photo source: Gardenimport.com

Yukikomachi is the Japanese name.
Poetess of the Snow is its English name. (so zen....)
This clematis was hybridized by Chieko Kurasawa of Japan.

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The Tradition of O-hanami

During the Heian period in Japan (794-1185), aristocrats organized celebrations under the flowering cherry trees. This led to the tradition of o-hanami: contemplating (mi) the blossoms (hana). The custom spread over the centuries, becoming popular with people from all walks of life. Since Japanese cherry trees are not very hardy and seldom bloom in our Montreal climate, the Montreal Botanical Garden uses flowering crabapples to create a similar tranquil, romantic and zen atmosphere. Every May the Montreal Botanical Garden organizes a picnic that takes place in their Japanese Garden and Pavillon. It's a popular social event that many Montrealers welcome with open arms....... since it also marks the arrival of blue skies and warm "t-shirt & shorts" temperatures for the coming months. This year, DJ and I went with friends and it was very enjoyable. We roamed around the grounds ooo-ing and ahh-ing the magnificent flowering crabapple trees that were in full bloom. These blooms came in shades of pink to pale yellows to shimmering white! And, some were fragrant.



We picked a spot to enjoy the pre-ordered Bento box lunch. It was nice to relax, people watch and just soak in the atmosphere and enjoy the moment.

women in kimono dress

our friends, bill & wolfgang

All in all, we had a fabulous time. See you there next May.

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