Last year I was able to take my kids on a great trip to Japan -- it all happened spur of the moment: the tour was available, I could afford it, the kids wanted to go, and everyone could make it. In other words, the planets were aligned. We spent Easter week taking an all-inclusive tour with Japan Deluxe Tours, completely guided & BLD of the best Japanese food you can imagine. Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hakone, & Mt. Fuji were al
l part of this intensive trip. The weather cooperated, the cherry blossoms began their annual show, and the last day we braved the Japanese rail system on our own (complete with ticket-buying & connections) to travel about 1-1/2 hours from Osaka to Omi Hachiman, my dad's home town. I had visited there in 1965, and not a lot had changed. We walked into town to the old historic section, and rode the tram to a great overlook of the town and Lake Biwa. Spent 15 minutes talking to a man on the train who could've easily been a distant relative, each of us tr
ying out our limited linguistic skills on the other -- a true highlight! I hope Joe, Laurel, and Charlie enjoyed this as much as I did -- and I hope they know that just because they're adults now, I'll still invite them on fam
ily trips, and I hope they say YES! Lots more places still to see -- starting with Maui next month.
Haven't blogged in awhile -- one reason is because things are so busy at work since my boss passed away on Dec. 5th. Hard to imagine where all that energy goes when someone that dynamic is gone -- they say that energy is actually measurable, and that it's just a few ounces. But WHAT a few ounces it is!I've always enjoyed working with older men: first my dad, then Hal Simpson @ Simpson's Nursery, and then George Jaber. It was hard to see him become so frustrated with his physical self when his mind was still so sharp. I regret I didn't hug him goodbye the last time I saw him, I don't regret the fact that not long ago I told him how much I enjoyed spending time with him, and I'll always cherish him telling me he wished he was 30 years younger so he could go on a hike with me!Also passing in December was my old neighbor, Harvey Rydman, age 90. Harvey always had a twinkle in his eye, a spring in his step, and a project on the horizon, and never a mean thing to say about anyone. Can't do much better than that.Then last week, Mike Malloy's father passed away, age 80. I didn't know him, but if he was anything like Mike, then I know I'd have liked him.This all makes me realize anew how lucky my dad was to be working up to the moment he died -- as my cousin, Kay (now gone, too) told me, "If you could write your own ticket, that would be it." So true.
Last year I was able to take my kids on a great trip to Japan -- it all happened spur of the moment: the tour was available, I could afford it, the kids wanted to go, and everyone could make it. In other words, the planets were aligned. We spent Easter week taking an all-inclusive tour with Japan Deluxe Tours, completely guided & BLD of the best Japanese food you can imagine. Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hakone, & Mt. Fuji were al
l part of this intensive trip. The weather cooperated, the cherry blossoms began their annual show, and the last day we braved the Japanese rail system on our own (complete with ticket-buying & connections) to travel about 1-1/2 hours from Osaka to Omi Hachiman, my dad's home town. I had visited there in 1965, and not a lot had changed. We walked into town to the old historic section, and rode the tram to a great overlook of the town and Lake Biwa. Spent 15 minutes talking to a man on the train who could've easily been a distant relative, each of us tr
ying out our limited linguistic skills on the other -- a true highlight! I hope Joe, Laurel, and Charlie enjoyed this as much as I did -- and I hope they know that just because they're adults now, I'll still invite them on fam
ily trips, and I hope they say YES! Lots more places still to see -- starting with Maui next month.
