Usually, when Halloween passed and Thanksgiving came around, in my head, it’s already goodbye for this year, but I’m starting to feel a distance from everything. Well, I guess it’s becoming clearer that if I keep being conscious of the here and now, I’ll reach the end of my life sooner or later.
Weeksville Heritage CenterThe Wyckoff House MuseumVery Healthy Thanksgiving Dinner!Totchan and me. He is big boy now!
I visited to Judi’s art studio. Last year, I asked her to spread some of Orin’s ashes in her bee garden in Italy. She kindly agreed and spread them at the base of a pomegranate tree. This year, the area around the pomegranate tree was full of blooming with many flowers. She showed many nice photos! Bees are flying around, A garden of peace and love. Orin has gone somewhere (and maybe he’s returned to superconsciousness, not individuality anymore), but I’m sure he’s happy. That’s what I feel.
Bee Garden in Murano/Italy. photo by Judi Harvest At her studio. photo by Judi Harvest
October 25th is the 20th months of Orin’s death and his father’s biological birthday. I wonder if they’re getting along well? Also, I wonder if they’re being reborn as a family. In the evening, I went to a kalimba gathering and had a meaningful time. Also, on the 27th, I went to the opening of the WAH Center for the first time in a while. I dressed up a little like a Halloween costume.
M and L were opening a yard sale, sounded fun, so I went. It was a warm & sunny day, known as Indian Summer, with a clear blue sky and warm weather. The contrast with the fallen leaves on the street was a little otherworldly. Also, C had come to New York City, actually this is my first time to see her in 8 years (?!), There was no time or space, no past, no memories, just the encounter and joy of this here and now.
C said that she had a dream about Orin a few weeks ago. She woke up after chatting and hugging him. Orin lives in his friend’s world like this, even if it’s just a “dream world”. How grateful I am.
近所で有名なハロウィーンハウス：The famous Halloween house in the neighborhood
M-san came to visit with eel seaweed rolls, corn croquettes, and other things. When Orin was alive, he loved M-san’s cooking and would eat it all up in an instant. Since he was like that, of course we shared some foods with Orin first. When we glanced at the photo, Orin-chan was already full of smiles. No matter how you look at it, his face is flushed red and he is smiling?! Thank you very much, M-san. Gasshou/Rest in peace *I guess the monthly anniversary of his death came forward*
オリンちゃんの月命日に召し上がれ、ってスイーツ満載フォトが届いたよ。 有難う、Kさん！：I received a photo full of sweets to enjoy on the monthly anniversary of Orin-chan’s death. Thank you, K-san!
何て有り難きこと。見事な仏花をオリンにシェアして下さったSちゃん。これも大切なご縁なのですね：What a blessing. S-chan shared her beautiful flowers with Orin. This is also a precious spiritual connection. photo by S.T
Yuma-san requested that she needs to get a video of her performance that I made. I checked out this video for the first time in a while. Ah, how nostalgic! In particular, Orin’s piano soundtrack has been revived after seven years. No, let’s remove the concept of time and space. We are here now, experiencing the “Naka-Ima/just here & now” through video. metamorphosis vol. 2 <– click
I play with the tip of my thumb, barely at the base of my fingernail, and I’m not used to it, so I get blood every time I play the metal keys/tines. J shows me the tip of his finger, a “callus” (!) and tells me to make one. For the time being, I’ve decided to practice the basics and be able to play “Clair de Lune” (Debussy’s piano piece), “Kimi ga Yo” (Japanese national anthem), and, greedily, “Sunayama” (nursery song).
Bushkill Falls ← click. Also known as “Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania”, I had a very enjoyable experience with E-chan and D-chan who invited me to go. This is actually my first time so much enjoyed in the nature since I moved to NYC, I thoroughly enjoyed forest bathing and waterfall bathing. I’m very grateful to the two of them. Thank you very much. ＊All the waterfalls were not only beautiful but also I felt dignity.
I went to visit S-chan’s community garden in Harlem. I could feel the commitment of the garden members to the global environment. Like I (& Orin) was in Bisbee and Newberg, respect for the environment surrounding plants and making compost as a source of nutrients for plants are essential. I’m learning a lot of deep things that will help me with my own “tree funeral project.”
I had a pleasant chat with K.H-san, and decided to walk along the Chelsea High Line (a skyscraper garden in New York) for the first time in a while. There was greenery, greenery, flowers, plants and trees. Everyone was walking and laughing happily. That was good, everything was good.
My old friend G.J has now moved to a hospital in a rather faraway part of New Jersey, and we’re helping him tidy up his Jersey City studio and other things. Is 88 years old a normal age, an old age, an age of the earth, or an illusion? He’s still busy drawing in his hospital room.
ハーレムのガーデン：Harlem Gardenハイラインからの眺望：View from the High Lineハイライン：High Line
Due to a combination of circumstances, I decided not to participate in a certain film festival, instead, the video has been uploaded to YouTube for many years. “Shadows: Fumio Tanai”, This was inspired by the photographer’s concept of “Kageri (kageri means also Shadow/Shade) “.
Recently, I’ve started thinking about moving, and trying to get rid of movie files, huge amounts of photos, and scattered texts, but once I start looking through them, it’s hard to stop. And I forget immediately to stay HERE & NOW/ a time present, as if I’m drawn to memories of the past. . . However, the things I have made, planned, and left behind have not only faded and weathered, but they are now showing me hints and ideas. This was a surprising discovery for me.
Then, the time I stayed and were nostalgic suddenly turns into creative energy for the future.
I went to Saco’s music event for the first time in a while. The sound of spirit of her and everyone in the chorus permeated my whole body and soul, and I felt an irreplaceable and beautiful passage of time. That’s what resonance is all about. What a blessing.
Even when the flowers are in full bloom or it’s a boring day with rain, I continue to go out. Fridge art fair was a great success. You guys have been worked hard! THANK YOU. Yey, Shoko came back from Japan. This is my first time I took her massage therapy in a couple of months. Body Maintenance is essential because your physical condition is constantly changing. The golden rule is not to cool your body. We discussed about the daily dedication of Buddha’s teachings, the “Five Precepts(5 commandments)”. And I heard many interesting talk. I felt somehow I got my soul maintenance too.
This year as well as last year, I was participating in the Japan Day Parade. The old ventriloquist puppet (with me) was a big success. The weather was also great. The crowd on the street cheered us and it was a great success. Afterwards, I met up with my fellow at Strawberry Field. I’m grateful for my friends. It ended up being written like a memo.
