March 2025 – March is Back and so is St. Patrick’s Day!
In some places, there is still snow, Piled up by the side of the road, dirty and Grungy. White patches gleam on the distant hills, Just starting to turn green. And small segments Of snow linger in the faraway pines In spite of morning sunlight. But in the same moment, the crocuses Emerge, bluer than […]
February 2025 – February Again
You are a dancing child! You waltz And weave through twenty-eight Short days, and even you have no Notion which way you will turn. A leap to the east brings a crazy Quilt of snow; a pirouette to the west Releases the tulips’ red faces, brighter Than dawn, and with the wind, you Rush […]
January 2025 – The Wonders of Winter
Sudden Seeing Bright Jupiter and Winter’s full moon crown the sky And glisten on the sea. There is no dead of winter. Light lingers in the dim stars Crowding around Venus, Jupiter and the moon. The northern lights and comet Dust drift through the snow-heavy Pine boughs and glitter On the ice […]
December 2024 – Chocolate for Christmas
Bright sunlight follows Winter morning rain. Drops cling To the red ginger. The four weeks before Christmas are a joyful time of planning and anticipation for our holiday celebrations with family and friends. Not only do we participate in the flurry of decorating and shopping for the big occasion, but we also eagerly plan […]
November 2024 – Healthy Mocktails for the Holidays
In November, soft Rain comes to Honolulu With a huge rainbow. Every autumn, when November arrives, my first thought is Thanksgiving. I love this holiday because it is all about hospitality, good home cooking, friendship, family and most of all—gratitude! We all know the historic origins of the American Thanksgiving Holiday when the Wampanoag […]
October 2024 – Embracing Autumn: Cheese, Please!
Oleander Days Autumn calls from a distance As the oleanders still bloom That deep pink that makes us think That summer’s vestige might linger just a little longer. The oak leaves still sway in the warm air, Making shadow patterns on the pavement, And only the jay, shrill in every season, Invades […]
September 2024 – Anticipating Autumn: A Bird Lover’s Afternoon Tea
Bird Dance Unless we listen, we will never hear them calling, Tirelessly, from their deep, throbbing hearts. Robins perched in leafy oaks Sing an old song. Woodpeckers, their red Crests haloed in sunlight, Sound out their annunciation. The splendid jays, standing on fence posts, Lecture us in bolder notes than any teacher. Even […]
August 2024 – Tokyo: Trend and Tradition
Garments Early sunlight falls on crystal Like grace descending on a bride. The spider spreads her silver thread Over the clean pine, And golden finches adorn each branch. The cool currents of dawn’s breeze Waft, softer than a petal in an open palm, Lighter than the scent Of rosemary at August’s end. […]
July 2024 – Exploring Okinawa
My husband Wayne and I have always wanted to visit Okinawa. His father, Kiyoshi Higashi was stationed in Okinawa with U.S. Army Intelligence during the years that Wayne and I attended high school together, and Wayne has always wondered what his father’s life was like while we were experiencing the giddy ups and downs of […]
June 2024 – Oranges – The Magic Fruit
Summer’s River Summer’s River runs clear and lovelyOver pied pebbles,Through shallows where jeweled troutSleep in the sweet afternoon,Past reeds grown tall and generous,Where the red winged blackbird calls From the lush banks and glidesTo the highest watching place.Everything about the river Celebrates summer’s journey–The slow kind timeWhen bee-filled orange blossoms scent the air,When we long to hold a […]
