SUMMER LOTUS

29/9/26 one minute poetry

Marcus’ cat

Midas is unlike the Midas of Old

We love him more than any gold

He loves to watch the world go by 

Outside may be a hazy sky

He loves the hooman in the house

As he prowls around unannounced

He loves to loaf beside you

Or next to a window with a view 

What’s so amazing is his might 

Of this feline who is burning bright

With spectacular spots and distinct stripes

An M on his head, Oh What a Sight!

17/9/26 ( Trip to Hokkaido 18/7 to 27/8/26)

We are all different human beings, it is rare to find some one who may look like and behave like us. That is because we are from different countries, cultural backgrounds, and upbringing so no two persons are alike.

That’s where the conflict lies and that’s where you either resolve the conflict or go separate ways.

A trip with a good friend of many decades put us to the test.

We had two lovely trips to China, on a guided tour, organized by her as she has been to China 30 x. . Everything went well, with minor hiccups over food due to my fussiness.

The recent trip to Hokkaido was different. Japan is my playground of 40 years and I feel her map is on the back of my hand.

My friend wanted to drive, I wanted to use mostly their trains which are highly efficient and modern.

It’s human nature to feel uncomfortable, being out of my comfort zone to drive in Japan. Hokkaido is a vast landscape.

My intention was to use trains then move around with the local transport.

However, my friend had astutely planned the trip and we were going to explore out of the beaten tracks. Since she had done all the research, I decided to do it her way with the agreement that we would take some trains to relax as being a co- driver would tax my mind.

The train journey from Sapporo to Furano was smooth and fast. On arrival, we rented a car. Over the next few days, I could see the convenience in using the car to drive to the flower fields where we could stop at will. There was much time saved getting to the sunflower fields and also the lavender fields.

Sunflowers track the sun in Furano

Lavender in full bloom at Tomita farm

The availability of a car also allows us to go straight to view the famous road of Furano— called the Roller Coaster road, a 4.5 km of undulating hills that rise and dip, offering grand views of the Tokachi mountain range.

This pix did not catch the actual dramatic slopes  of the jet coaster road but it can be seen from another perspective.

Thanks to the boundless curiosity of my avid driver friend, we went to view the ‘lonely Christmas tree’ in Biei, best accessed by a car.

We bought some of the best rice sake here

The sake brewery was exquisite with its selections and free samplings.

It was refreshing to dine at the famous eatery Kunimare where they served fresh seafood in a ship’s interior.

On route to Furano, the season of blooms still greeted us along the roads.

The next day, my ardent friend had planned a 3 hour drive to Kushiro, 226 km from Furano. 

Oh no, more look out to do for ongoing cars to ensure safety. However, my  driver friend was as steady as a rock.

The drive on Hokkaido highway was limited mostly to 60 km/ hour so one can imagine the endless green landscapes we were blessed with. We broke journey halfway at Ikeda wine castle, a research Institute where they age wines and produce the famous Tokachi wines.

Announcements blared from the speakers in the streets, maybe to soothe the people’s loneliness in a sparsely populated town. Quaint shops lined the streets and the food was fabulous.

Old world charm of Kushiro streets

The next day, she said we would drive for 2 1/2 hours to Rausu to eat Hokkaido crabs. 

This time she used the car gps only. She saw the rationale. Another quiet town with miles and miles of the Japanese sea. 

My friend, being a foodie then drove to Rausu market place  and we had the best Hokkaido crabs for an unbeatable price.

The next day, she said we would drive for 2 1/2 hours to Rausu to eat Hokkaido crabs. 

This time she used the car gps only. She saw the rationale. Another quiet town with miles and miles of the Japanese sea. 

My friend, being a foodie then drove to Rausu market place  and we had the best Hokkaido crabs for an unbeatable price.

From the deck of the market place, it was a spectacular sight to behold the seabirds lining the coastline of Rausu

Back to Kushiro, we made it to the marshlands of Kushiro City Tancho Crane National park an hour before it closed to view the Japanese red crowned cranes.

These cranes are designated as a Japanese Special Natural Monument and considered as an endangered species.

The next day, we took the train that I wanted all along to go back to Sapporo. Ah, my beloved Japan train, and the ride was smooth as velvet.

Sapporo would remain my territory to bring her around for underground shopping. We had our little couple disputes now and then over silly things.

However, we kept silent after a few outbursts and let time heal. It’s important to keep silent and not detract from your goal of enjoying a beautiful trip!

Overall, it was a very good trip and I thanked her with a lunch treat. She treated me to a Sushi lesson in Sapporo taught by an enterprising young lady who had sushi training, worked at a sushi restaurant and now has become an instructor.

We had a great time. Sushi is healthy food, easy to made for busy people on the go.

We have acquired the skill of folding and holding the ingredients together in sushi making which was an art.

….conversation with a kitten

What are your thinking, Squeaks

If only you can speak

Your countenance says it all

Don’t ignore my gentle calls

I am precious in your eyes

That nobody can deny

I am irresistible to your touch

Not to cuddle me is just too much

25/5/2026. 2 min read

Tonight, I am exceptionally happy. Not because I have struck lottery,

Not because I have completed my ‘To do List’,

Not because another vacation is on the horizon.

Just a simple happening.

I did my monkey bars successfully

Where I could swing from one bar to another skipping one in between and arrived at the end of it.

Having been away for two trips, I was out of practice for almost 3 weeks.

When I came back, I went straight for the monkey bars at the fitness corner but felt stumped.

By uncertainty

By doubt

By fear

For many nights,I went back to the monkey bars and stood on the threshold and managed only the single bars in succession. Not the full swing where I could skip bars.

I was dejected that I have lost the pizazz, the momentum and courage that have imbued me over the last two years’ practice.

Tonight I have decided to be  different. There were no excuses. It was not rainy, the grounds were not slippery and the monkey bars beckoned.

I stood on the foothold, told myself that I must and could regain my love for this challenge. It’s about self belief. It’s about grit. It’s about dare.

I went forward to grab one bar then swing forward to grab the third one with my other hand and so on. I reached the end. Back to the Old times!

I was elated to reinstate my familiarity with the monkey bars again! Happier than any exclusive gift for this was a present I gave myself.

I got off and went back to the horizontal bars and did three more times. Yes, I see myself doing this even as I head into my seventies.

Exhilaration burst forth, I have overcome. Flying forward weightless, with intense focus and flushed by an adrenaline rush .

Empowerment was the result.