Ferry vanishes into fog, a day at the beach....

Sand Mandalas

These are constructed over time. Sometimes minutes, sometimes days, sometimes weeks. 

They're photographed at each juncture and eventually scattered to begin anew. 

Such is life. 

No art is permanent. 

Life's nature is impermanence. 

This slowly becomes this...

Then this...

And...

Finally it became.....

Mums brighter in natural light today.

The mums have been cleaned, cut and rearranged, probably a last time.

Last of the mums for 2013

The cooler they're kept, the longer they stay. 

This one started out bright purple. 

It's finishing full with a lovely faded white center. 

The pastel yellows have finished from

Brighter yellow and mixes now with apricot and 

Lavender, gold and faded pink. 

Early season mums

Vancouver BC

From the sea wall 

A walk through the 

old forest in town

City lights at dusk

Of all the flowers, mums take 1st place

As far as I'm concerned they're by far the most amazing!

In these photos are some of the flowers I grow. And vases, pitchers, and sculptures I make. 

I've enjoyed creating so much in my life, and at last I've found mums again. These of the more 

High bred variety. 

I see why the Japanese have chosen it for their National Seal!

Addicted to Kiku

Everyday these beautiful cultivars become more interesting, hues brighten, then soften,

The lighting changes appearances. No wonder this

Chrysanthemum is the symbol of Japan royal family and of the country.

Im so grateful for my Japanese friends and their inspiration. And I miss Japan sorely and love the beautiful country it is.

And my friends as well. 

Saved from the freeze, these drops of sunshine.

Tonight it gets down to 27 degrees F

I've been cutting mums and buds to save. Here are a few. 

Mums

Mus still going strong, late bloomers, it's in 40's now, it just means they will last longer...

A "cheep" Chinese bird with my mums and handmade pitcher

Spiders mums with other varieties, and below Gnomes, which I will bonsai soon

Hope you'll come back to see.

 In todays world, beauty where we can create it, may be the best part of life.

Jet lag

Home to my own garden ...

Volcanoes from the flight at sunset great timing ! 

Three Sisters and St Helens?

? Mt Adma or Glacier Peak?

Seattle upon landing

Spirea changed color while I gone..

Mums in a very old pitcher with melon stripes from a Mediterranean island