The turkeys really miss Scott. He provided some excellent leadership to this confused and unruly bunch.
We ended October with Michael & Tiff traveling to Tokyo and Valerie traveling to Indianapolis while Rex & Amira held down the fort.
I have always wanted to visit Japan. I just love the culture there. It's so unique. So, Michael had said that when he got a job there, someday, he would take me along. Well, that day came along in October and off I went. Michael was working the Auto Show for Nissan. Here he is at the Nissan Crossing:
And here we are with Godzilla!
When I first arrived, Michael was busy at work for a few days. But he greeted me in the hotel lobby the night I arrived and took me out to dinner. I was still buzzing from the adrenaline of landing in a country where I didn't speak the language but was able to find my way from the airport to the train to the metro to the hotel all by myself. Real life puzzles!
Surprisingly, our first night was not sushi. But it was, perhaps, the most tender beef ever and attractively plated.
Our first hotel room had a view from the 12th floor that I very much enjoyed. But our second hotel had a view of a different part of the city from the 23rd floor.
Views, views, views! We stomped around the city for days ... visiting the fish market - Michael says of this photo taken here, Japanese version of "bobbing for apples".
Meet the fish, eat the fish!
We also visited a Samurai Museum, Shinto Shrine, Owl cafe and a hedgehog/bunny cafe. These are definitely not experiences I would get in Chico.
Next time I go back I would love to visit some rural parts of Japan.
They visited a popcorn factory, a marshmallow factory and kissed the bricks at the Indianapolis Speedway. She also turned 16 while she was gone and was treated to some extra special attention from her friends.
Valerie arrived home an hour or so before Michael and I did on the 29th. Her grandma took her off to a piano recital that night while Michael and I collapsed into a deep sleep. The next night we were able to celebrate Valerie turning 16 and her grandpa, Alligator, turning, well, a bit more than 16.
On the 31st we had our annual pot-luck, costume party. It's great to have all the neighbors over and see friends that have managed to elude us since last year. Very few people got my costume (Frida Kahlo). I thought for sure the mono-brow would have been a hint.
Our friend, Casey, brought frogs' legs again. And for anyone who wanted to say that they tasted like chicken, well, he brought chicken as well. The whole thing was garnished with climbing roses from their garden. What an exotic treat.
Of course there was the, "Gee, we have all this left over dry ice ... what are we going to do?" We ended up with pumpkins blown to smithereens all over the back yard. As usual.
Just after Halloween Michael was back on a plane to Brooklyn for a week. How his body copes with the constant jet lag, I'll never know.
Although the weather has turned cooler and a bit more damp, the yard continues to produce some flowers. (Haven't had that first frost yet). So, I've made up some bouquets for the house.
And because I love to surround myself with color, I got a fresh paint job myself. Mermaid hair.
While Michael was gone we had a special guest, Josie, the neighbor's dog, stay with us while her family traveled. She was excellent company, as always. We love to have well behaved fur friends come visit. It was like having one more kid on the couch.
Mr. Whiskers took the couch sitting to a competitive level with the dog. I have to say, he looks super comfortable, if a bit annoyed.
On Monday, 6 November, Josie's person, Madelyn, came to pick her up and take her home. I was standing at the front door, with my ever-present bird on my head, talking to Madelyn and saying good-bye to Josie. Suddenly, without warning, Ramon flew off my head and right out the front door.
Now, he'd been known to fly out the door to land on my head. But he had never flown off my head into the great beyond before. It was as if he had the taste of freedom on his last adventure and maybe yearned for some more excitement in the wild. Sadly, we have not been able to find him. And I do not think I can count on a second miracle. This time we have to say good-bye to our little buddy, wherever he is. It is with heavy heart that I say good-bye to my little friend. He is greatly missed.
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