Summer's exit...

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                                                      Summer is finally over!! Yes, as past posts have always brought out...it is my least favourite season. Now, it is over and the autumn I LOVE can start anytime! Leaves are falling and the cooler temps bear out that change. Still, this was a delightful season even with the heat we had, which was much better than last year's temps. Now...September ushers in hope!

                                                                 One of my favourite parts of summer is the Gardenless party in August, put on by my dear friends Naomi and David. Weather was perfect, the people awesome and the food/music wonderful! And four of us wore kilts, making it a first at a gathering for us! Damn, my hair is getting long!

   



The music from the Ian James Band and other great musicians was splendid as always! So thankful for all of my tribe of friends and family!






                                                          Other memorable events this summer: meeting friends for the first time that I had been corresponding with for years! There are so many I talk to and have been friends with . Met my friend Mel a few weeks ago and also shakuhachi pal, Perry Yung, as he came through Portland!

                                      This was something unplanned as I never make it back to New York City very often. In fact I haven't been back there since 2000 and stood in front of the World Trade Centers. So Perry coming out here for a vacation tour was delightful! He sold me my first real bamboo shakuhachi and then I acquired a longer 2.1 model a wee bit later. Eventually, I was able to secure Hideo, my most prized instrument of all and a member of my family.

                                     
 Hideo is on the right and my first shakuhachi, on the left

My summer plans on playing more Celtic flute never really materialized and while that is still in my future, I want to get back to shakuhachi very badly. So, starting today, now that summer is over and autumn (in my own mind) starts soon, it is the best time to do so. Books and sheet music are out and time to begin again!




No long range goals for other activities other than my photography business, shakuhachi and running/cycling.






Let my favourite time if year begin and bring rich rewards and experiences!!



                                 Namaste!!



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Final days of summer...

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                        August has finally arrived and the last gasps of this least loved season are almost here.
Although admittedly, this years summer has been one of the better in recent memory due to lower than expected heat indexes and trends. This has been delightful as everyone on the planet knows I hate the heat. yet I have made it out for runs and cycling tours in the higher 70's and not died. This is good. :-P

                        The next three weeks are going to be a bit less hectic and for this I am grateful as the last sixteen have been super busy! So many memories have been made and they are all good ones! Some photos from the past few moths follow and I fully intend on keeping this streak alive as we move in to the glorious and best season of the year: autumn.

Post party after the Vancouver Marathon and half in mid June! This was a fun one and turned out to be better than expected, coming off a month+ long injury.

 Pride in Portland was a hoot again this year and I can't wait for next year's events!!

Did some canning at Dena's brother James' place yesterday and had a blast! So much goodness in a small jar!! Been many years since doing this, in fact at least two decades. So the chance to do so again was very welcome.









Then there was the July 4th Reunion party in Clatskanie for Dena's Class of 1991. What a great time I had with everyone!!






                          What is different this summer in contrast to those past? Well, my hair is one thing. Damnation...it has gotten long! Nothing like the ladies around me have but it is past my neckline now and I'm simply loving it! Certainly is the longest it's ever been in my 49 years.  Here is a before and after set of photos:






This was taken on March 27, 2015...three days before I started my Bucket List goal of not cutting my hair for one full year. This is my brother Mitchell with me!

And now this is yours truly after sixteen months of growth and one very, very slight trim in May. There was perhaps a 1/4 inch to 1/2" taken off. but really, there have been no major cuts in 16 months. I really love this hair and didn't know it would be this curly. Planning on letting it go and seeing where it takes me in appearance . :-)








             Now it will be time to lay low during these last days of summer. Will blog again in early September and post what adventures have brightened my world!! Have a great August!

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