Another pic from my son's wedding in Japan to show the difference in cultures.

Here are some exhausted runners coming up to the finish of today's Great East Anglian Run 10k course which starts and finishes at the market place. It takes place annually round the town centre which is closed off to traffic (meaning I am unable to exit the town by car for 3 hours, except in an emergency). Often a previous world class athlete participates and this year veteran Ron Hill is one of the 2000 entrants.

When I was visiting my sister-in-law, I fell in love with these little fellows. They're a little young to leave their mother just yet, but ClaraSue almost had a little playmate. They are Maltese.

Awww, they are so sweet!

This is Felicity.

These are the cards I got from Sue for Mother's Day for my Mom and three special neighbors.

Sorry for the poor photo quality, the photo was taken on my sister's camera phone.



Here they are one by one:
Card #1
Card #2.
Card #3.
Card #4.

The individual cards were laid against my Union Jack tea towel that I bought from my October 2007 trip to Derbyshire/London.

Those puppies are so sweet, and so is Felicity!

Here's Winston having a romp in the long grass in the back yard. It's getting cut tomorrow - really

I have enjoyed looking at all the photos over the last few months and felt guilty as I have not posted any. Decided to take some pics in the garden and ease my guilt.



While taking photos of my Arum lilies I realised there were bees inside them.

Here is a piece of carving from South China. It smells gorgeous, I think it is camphorwood. Anyway it is a birthday gift for my cousin. I was going to keep it for myself, but I do think she will like it.
Here's a detail in closeup.

Winston looks like he doesn't want to get his paws wet, Liz!

Apparently this is the time of year for fantastic roses, because they are all in bloom all over town. Here's a beautiful climbing one I saw the other day.

My Dafs have finally arrived

I've been keeping my fingers busy by embroidering a ruler

Jane, those embroideries could make a very nice income if you wanted to find an outlet to sell them for you, I'd certainly like a ruler like that on my desk.

Here's a modern taxi based on one from the 1930s. These are handbuilt and show how easy it is to make cars in any style although only the Japanese mass produce anything like that for their own country only.
*Update* This taxi is made by the British firm Asquith.

A little hazy, but this is the view at my sister-in-laws farm in Arkansas.

Lisa, that looks like it was taken in northern Arkansas, as the scenery is similar to where my grandparents live in southern Missouri. That part of both Missouri and Arkansas are beautiful...especially in October.

The Hodgson Water Mill at one time was owned and operated by my great-great-grandfather in the late 1800's (the 'G' is silent). It sits along Missouri State Highway 181 about six miles from Dora. The gift shop is open from around mid-May until early September.



Larger picture here.

I had just finished mowing the lawn today, when I spotted what appeared to be something furry, lying on the ledge of a boarded-up window near the roof of the building in the lot behind my neighbour's yard. Several zoom photos, plus confirmation from the neighbour, convinced me that it was a raccoon! He stayed very, very still but moved just often enough to allow me to get this photo.

What a strange place for a racoon to sleep! Love the mill Dave. Love all the Spring flowers - I am posting my Fall/Autumn flowers for you all.



Another Arum Lilly but this one is Green and White.

Unusual colouring of the lily lady1, I am used to seeing them all white.

I have been looking at this for the past few weeks and cannot decide whether it is a birds nest (must be seagull) or an attempt to disguise the satellite dish by the the owners of the house.

I've been away 're-enacting' the English Civil War for a few days. Great to see the variety and quality of photos posted while I was away. We were at Lulworth Castle in Dorset, and one of the re-enactment scenarios was a wedding (we don't just fight you know); these were some of the wedding guests.

This is one of the only Toyota Will Vi's in the whole of Britain. I was very lucky to get a photo of it.

All the photos are great lately!

Jane, I love your ruler.
Satguru, I've enjoyed your last 2 car photos - very unique, both of them.
Those outfits are fantastic, Picqero - it's clear the "actors" are really into the roles.
The raccoon is a riot, perched up on the window sill!
I love the bird's nest, Sue - somebody spent a lot of time making those sticks fit in the right spot!
Love the lily and the Arkansas countryside photos. Neat story about the mill, dg_dave.
Hope I didn't leave anyone out!

Here's the newest occupant at the barn - this is "Blue Boy". He'll make some tasty bacon and chops someday. (Apologies to any vegetarians out there.)

I was out walking in Phoenix the other day and came across a shop that works on classic cars. I thought this air-brush painting of The Godfather was pretty neat looking on the trunk of this car. Here's a larger view.

Ha! Very neat trunk, ClaraSue! I love it

Edited to add: Who is the white-haired character on the left supposed to be?