Morning of the World

19/07/2025

Coolness surprises. Somehow these iron trusses have quietly done their job for a hundred years since the Dutch built these train stations. Giving Steampunk H.G.Wells vibes. Some of my favorite kinds.

12/05/2025

Fun little adventure starts. Meeting my home boys in Hope Town Bahamas to board a big beautiful catamaran. Sailing, diving, spearfishing and maybe collecting a crustacean or two. My besties!!! So stoked!!!! 😊

04/05/2025

Sitting at a little cafe in Saigon. A shy Vietnamese couple came up to me and the hubby sez. " My wife thinks you're cool!" Wife laughing her head off. Made my month. Would suggest that your wife needs glasses my man. But decided time for a silly selfie. What the hells. 😆

29/04/2025

06/04/2025

Hollyhocks always bring back memories of my grandmother's sprawling farm, Linden Lane, in Western PA. They are persnickety to grow particularly in a less than ideal climate like Jacksonville Florida ( I tried!) or I would think here in Vietnam. So respect to this lovely gal's mad horticultural skillz. Crushing it. 😀

26/03/2025

A little Victor Horta with a hint of Antoni Gaudi in this unassuming mosaic table. I'm a pushover for blue and white so objectivity may be a little lacking.

07/03/2025

The yummiest sectional I ever sprawled upon. From Japanese design team manufactured in Vietnam, plush, raw, slubbed linen with feather stuffing. Color me "Cloud 9-ed"

25/02/2025

Kicked around "Guitar Street" in Saigon. Hey there feeling it's a shadow of it's former self. Did get to hang with Mr Anh, owner and luthier in residence at his company Puy Ngoc Guitars. He showed off a fun little travel guitar he had created, I banged on it for a bit and then he played through some beautiful tunes showcasing the instrument. Thinking about taking my trusty girl Lucy in to him for some TLC and an upgrade or two. Nice man.

20/02/2025

Popeye is looking way too pop eye. Ferry to Java.

21/01/2025

Words to live by. 😃

12/01/2025

Incredible day in Kyoto. Visited the Kyoto Shibori Museum and got to hang out with Mr Nobumasa Yoshioka, 3rd generation Shibori craftsman. His grandfather opened his first shop in 1939 and despite war time and financial hardship Mr Jizaemon gained broad renown and the family's products are still marketed under the Ziniq brand.

I showed pictures of my rudimentary work and far from being dismissive Yoshioka-san and staff were excited as I explained new non-traditional ways we had figured out how to do things, not having access to Japanese tools and materials. They made sure if I were to take up my craft in Japan that would not be an issue and sent me over to their supplier of all things Shibori. It was like walking into supply heaven. The fabric, the dyes especially the indigo from both Japan and India, specialty, needles, super strong cotton and flax thread, endless goodness.

Yoshioka-san also produced a copy of the book documenting The World Shibori Exhibition from Jakarta in 2013. He was super familiar with dye techniques from around the world and when in Indonesia purchased a Tjanting tool for applying the hot wax and all the other accoutrement.
Back in Japan he said it drove him crazy because it's cold and wax kept hardening, then he turned up the heat and the fumes drove him out of the house. 😆 Definitely a craft for warmer environs and open spaces.

Got a couple of books which are pure gold and promised to visit again.
Must say, I visited Kyoto during Sakura and it was so crowded I ran away as fast as I could. This time I found it beautiful, friendly and super classy, yet they let the likes of me walk around freely. Kind souls these Kyoto people. 😀