The purpose of the trip was to do some repair work to our family grave because usually our quick visits don't allow for more than a bit of leaf raking or weed pulling. This time Tetsu spent about three days of 4 or 5 hours each day, scrubbing, weeding, even making adjustments to the head stone. He said that the grave has shifted over time and so he ended up removing all the old gravel, removing the flower pedestal block, hammering the white marble slab in front back an inch or so and then replacing the flower block. He said he even checked inside the grave (you can do that in Japan) and sure enough, our two urns are placed side by side. He then laid out bricks that he had bought (colorful you note! He loves color) and then spread some new gravel. He was very proud of his efforts and said he had been given advice on moving the stone from a workman that was nearby laying the foundation for a new grave. Satisfaction!
As Tetsu spent three days at this cemetery he also enjoyed taking pictures of the scenery from the hillside. Mt. Iwate is the pride of Morioka and he so many pictures of it from different angles.
He also played around with his camera a bit and took pictures of the sky with the creative mode on his camera.
Tetsu didn't spend his whole time at the cemetery and he checked out his old elementary school, his high school and a long ago date spot of ours. He also visited his two friends making a surprise appearance at the houses but refusing to go inside (social distancing) and thus the visits could only last as long as he and his friends could stand the cold.
I'm glad Tetsu had fun and that he is back home safely again. Next trip I guess I'll go with him... insisting on taking the highway though!
The last two pictures are just beautiful! Sounds like Tetsu had a great trip!
ReplyDeleteSuch incredible beauty; I know he was able to soak in the peace and solitude that this trip was able to provide for him, that's evident in his photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely images of the area. The care of the grave is so wonderful. Sad to say in Norway, perpetual care is not the name of the game. In Norway after 20 years, grave stones are removed and the grave is used for someone else. Of course, the family can pay for another 20 years instead until there is no family to do so. It is a terribly strange way to do things the way I see it. I was shocked when I learned of it when we were there. Even the beautiful old church yard on the little island where Kjell grew up is managed this way. It was a good thing we were there to take pictures, because most of those graves are gone now!
ReplyDeleteHis pictures were lovely. I love your mountain. I can see taking lots of pictures.
ReplyDeleteCatching the. Birds in flight was fantastic.
Jean from Memphis
Wonderful photographs. So glad Tetsu accomplished everything he wanted and traveled the way that suited him. I'm with you on the logic but husbands are all originals (my logic often escaped my husband too).
ReplyDeleteStunning photography, I especially love the tree photos. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYes, those last two photos are stunning. I like the one of your family grave site as well. Glad Tetsu enjoyed his trip.
ReplyDeleteTetsu's photographs are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love reading about his care of the gravesides. Such care...
I love the pictures. I often weigh the balance between taking a highway, with all the tolls and going the long way, wasting gas sitting at lights. Sometimes the amount in my purse and the level of gas in the tank makes the decision for me ... I'll go there by highway and take the slow way home.
ReplyDelete