Travels July 11, 2016 Independence Day in Independence, Ore. The sleepy Oregon towns of Monmouth and Independence come alive over the Fourth of July holiday as they have every year since 1903.
Daily Life / Play July 7, 2015 Tanabata: The Evening of the Seventh It's Tanabata, the seventh day of the seventh month when star-crossed lover reunite and folks all over Japan head out for festival food and parades.
Daily Life / Eats / Play / Travels May 7, 2015 The Golden (Week) Rule Enjoying the Golden Week holidays with farmers markets, Oregon beer, phlox and hiking
Daily Life April 29, 2015 Shōwa Day It's the beginning of Golden Week in Japan, but this year's Showa Day holiday comes with a dose of controversy.
Daily Life January 28, 2015 Thirty-Something As of last weekend, I’m officially in the middle of my late 30s. And where better to spend a birthday
Daily Life January 13, 2015 Sunday Surprise A Sunday music performance turns into a special day with our neighbors.
Daily Life January 8, 2015 New Year: Daruma Festival and Koma Shrine Ringing in the New Year at Kawagoe's Daruma Festival and Hidaka's Koma Shrine.
Daily Life December 24, 2014 ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas I started thinking about “The Christmas Post” a few weeks ago, somewhere around the writing of Thanksgiving in Japan. I’ve even been kicking
Daily Life December 24, 2014 The Emperor’s Birthday The holiday spirit is alive and well in Japan, but not for the holiday you might be thinking about...
