Kicking Around on a Nice Day

Yeah, that's about it, just out kicking around. One man, one camera seeing what there is to be seen.

Healthy life style.

Did you ever feel like you were walking in circles?

Maybe you are walking in circles.

It can happen.

Did you ever think about retirement? I do. What does one do when one no longer has to get up and go to work?

Perhaps pursuing that healthy life style that somehow eluded you because of the pressures and stress of work.

Or, maybe getting out and walking the dog.

If one is into dogs (I'm not).

Ah! Now here's a great way to spend a retirement day.

Decisions, decisions, only time will tell.

Anyway, back to seeing what one will see; like a cart full of kids.

Looks like we're back to thinking about the fulfilling days of retirement. Sitting on a park bench watching the world go by; or other retirees go by.

Retirement would be a chance to stop and smell the roses.

Go on a group tour.

Another activity would be meeting with old friends and talking about the good old days. Friends are important.

If one planned well financially, going to a nice restaurant for lunch would be a welcome treat.

When I retire I think I'll park my cell phone on the kitchen table...

And, go out and buy some fresh fruit.

Never to young to start planning for the future.

Because once you reach retirement age there's no going back and doing it over.

One will have to live the life that one prepared for.

It could make the difference between riding in style or waiting for the bus.

It's funny, the things one thinks about while kicking around on a nice day.

Thanks for stopping by!
Mike

Zen & Persimmons in Yamanashi

Last Sunday we decided to go to Yamanashi Prefecture to buy some Persimmons. I also wanted to visit to Temples to see the autumn leaves in a peaceful environment. Here's how the day went.

It was a windy day. As we passed by lake Yamanakako I was quite surprised to see waves on the normally placid lake.

Once we crossed over the mountains and entered Yamanashi Prefecture the wind died down and the day became very pleasant. Our first stop was at Erinji Temple. As we traversed the long tree lined entrance to the Temple I could feel all stress and tension slipping off me and turning to dust on the wayside.

The temple grounds are peacefully at home with mother nature.

It wouldn't be a temple without stone lanterns.

One of the temple residents gave me the eye.

Near by Erinji Temple is a fruit farm the specializes in Persimmons.

Picked from the tree and peeled.

Then hung up to dry.

There were so many hung up to dry that it created a kind of Persimmon curtain.

Next up was a visit to the Zen Temple Kougakuji.

This temple is also enveloped in the beauty of mother nature.

The first temple we visited was quite popular and had many visitors while we were there. Where as with Kougakuji Temple we had the whole place to ourselves.

Meet the Buddha. 

After enjoying the peace and quiet of the temple grounds for about half an hour some other visitors arrived.

Taking one last look we departed and pointed our car toward Lake Kawaguchiko.

Lake Kawaguchiko is nice to visit anytime of the year, but especially so in the autumn. Emi is j-walking to take a look at the lake shore.

While I wonder around aimlessly taking pictures of the Fall leaves.

It was a spectacular day and now it was time to head home.

Thanks for stopping by!
Mike