Paul, Masako and I were invited by Paul's old "buddy," Hughie and Mary couple who live in Grass Valley. When Paul had been working as a firefighter in Tahoe, Hughie was one of his colleagues.They has kept in touch for more than 25years.
Paul and Masako visited Hughie's house last month after a couple of decades, then they were so impressed to see Hughie's "ideal" retire life. Masako was especially touched to see Mary's works of quilts in which she has been involved. Mary favors Japanese culture very much and she also makes "Japanese style garden" in their house. Hearing those stories a month ago, I couldn't wait going there to meet them.
We left Berkeley around 11:30am, went thoght Sacrament, and finally arrived at their huge estate. Their house was in the quiet woods, and its area was 3acres!!
One hourse, two donkeys, a dog and a cat welcomed us.
Hughie made this house for himself! Unbelievable!
Friendly donkeys welcomed us. They have their own "play ground."
Japanese Garden made by Mary.
There are a lot of stuff with Japanese taste here and there. We were so curious where she got them. A 20 year-old gold carp was in the pond.
Japanese taste arranged bath room is also so cute! Even though she has never been to Japan, she has much more sense of Japanese beauty than Japanese.
This is one of the Mary's works, the quilt tapestry.
She uses the different cloths of Japanes Kimono. It's so beautiful and also great idea.
This is Mary's work space. She has a lot of books about Japanese "Sashiko (embroidery)" and Japanese quilt design.
She also likes indigo dyeing. I wish someday she would visit my home town because my home town is famous for "indigo."
(from left) Paul, Mary, Hughie, Masako
Hughie and Mary are very "rare" American couple who have been with fifty years!!
Mary said, "I don't know why we have been able to be with such a log time."
Mary recommended Masako and I see another Japanese garden which one of her neighbors, Tom made.
When we went to Tom's backyard and appreciated his Japanese garden, soon Tom came back home and invited us to come in his house.
How impressive! He decorates an old "Obi (Japanese belt)" and "Hagoita (Japanese girls badminton)."
Americans seem to define "Japanese style" such as this. For me, it looks like "new year."
On the way back home, we found a beautiful maple tree before it turns red.
I brought Kimono and encouraged Mary to wear it.
This is the old Kimono called "Bin-gata (batik)" which I liked to wear in my twenties.
Mary was so excited to wear Kimono like a little girl.
She said, "My sixty-four-year is really exciting --going to Germany by myself and my first Kimono experience in my life!"
After finishing raising three children, now they are enjoying their own life their own way.
Hughie said, "Here is my homestead."
"Homestead" means a kind of his own "utopia."
"Mary wanted to have a horse and now she got it, and I got the cabin I wanted. This is definitely my homestead."
Unlike busy life in Bay Area, I discovered the different American life here in Grass Valley.
Thank you so much!!
Paul and Masako visited Hughie's house last month after a couple of decades, then they were so impressed to see Hughie's "ideal" retire life. Masako was especially touched to see Mary's works of quilts in which she has been involved. Mary favors Japanese culture very much and she also makes "Japanese style garden" in their house. Hearing those stories a month ago, I couldn't wait going there to meet them.
We left Berkeley around 11:30am, went thoght Sacrament, and finally arrived at their huge estate. Their house was in the quiet woods, and its area was 3acres!!
One hourse, two donkeys, a dog and a cat welcomed us.
Hughie made this house for himself! Unbelievable!
Friendly donkeys welcomed us. They have their own "play ground."
Japanese Garden made by Mary.
There are a lot of stuff with Japanese taste here and there. We were so curious where she got them. A 20 year-old gold carp was in the pond.
Japanese taste arranged bath room is also so cute! Even though she has never been to Japan, she has much more sense of Japanese beauty than Japanese.
This is one of the Mary's works, the quilt tapestry.
She uses the different cloths of Japanes Kimono. It's so beautiful and also great idea.
This is Mary's work space. She has a lot of books about Japanese "Sashiko (embroidery)" and Japanese quilt design.
She also likes indigo dyeing. I wish someday she would visit my home town because my home town is famous for "indigo."
(from left) Paul, Mary, Hughie, Masako
Hughie and Mary are very "rare" American couple who have been with fifty years!!
Mary said, "I don't know why we have been able to be with such a log time."
Mary recommended Masako and I see another Japanese garden which one of her neighbors, Tom made.
When we went to Tom's backyard and appreciated his Japanese garden, soon Tom came back home and invited us to come in his house.
How impressive! He decorates an old "Obi (Japanese belt)" and "Hagoita (Japanese girls badminton)."
Americans seem to define "Japanese style" such as this. For me, it looks like "new year."
On the way back home, we found a beautiful maple tree before it turns red.
I brought Kimono and encouraged Mary to wear it.
This is the old Kimono called "Bin-gata (batik)" which I liked to wear in my twenties.
Mary was so excited to wear Kimono like a little girl.
She said, "My sixty-four-year is really exciting --going to Germany by myself and my first Kimono experience in my life!"
After finishing raising three children, now they are enjoying their own life their own way.
Hughie said, "Here is my homestead."
"Homestead" means a kind of his own "utopia."
"Mary wanted to have a horse and now she got it, and I got the cabin I wanted. This is definitely my homestead."
Unlike busy life in Bay Area, I discovered the different American life here in Grass Valley.
Thank you so much!!
