The Tree is Gone

Another tree is gone. The gardeners came to give the neighbourhood's plants and shrubs their regular haircut. At the same time, they removed the 6-storey high tree outside my window. Overcrowded trees, rotten roots or is it because the tree is growing too tall to maintain? With the removal of the tree, the surrounding trees have a better chance of spreading their canopy? Mmmm.

Hideaway in one end of Harajuku

A treehouse in a quiet corner in Harajuku, Tokyo?

Last November, armed with a mobile phone captured map, we headed for some refreshment after shopping at Beams. 'Fashionista' R likes Beams very much. Situated just a stone throw away from Beams in the back alleys of Harajuku area and nestled amongst some homes and hair salons, we found our tree. Actually, we walked pass it. I found it only after I looked up.

Not Crop Circles but Paddy Art

I had lunch with my ex-colleagues and was talking about the different varieties of rice. Whether one likes brown rice, short-grain pearl rice, or thai fragrant rice? Organic or non-organic? Rice is still a main stable in my diet, even though I don't eat as much of it as before. But, now and then you will hear me retort 饭， 我 要吃饭! Not noodles or pasta. 饭! It's not possible to take the asian out of me. Rice to me is comfort food. I like brown rice for it's chewy texture and nutty flavour.

I came across this article about farmers who created beautiful paddy art in their yearly crops to bring more tourists to their village, Inakadate (northern Aomori Prefecture). Every year since 1993, the villagers have created pictures by using rice paddies as their canvas, living plants as their paint and brush. By using different varieties of rice, each with different foliage colours, they created large-scale paddy art. Before they made the switch to using computers, they did the planning and plotting manually. To me, these paddy art beat alien crop circles hands down.

Gardening can be whimsical too

Gardening can be whimsical too. Spotted while on holiday in Tokyo. Action figurines in planted containers. Expensive polar bears going for a walk. And inspiring shop in a basement.