Adventures in Japan

In July, I had the lucky opportunity to go back to Japan with my husband and sisters.

Flower of Unoma Koen

Did I do any writing? Not a bit! I used to mentally berate myself and feel worthless if I didn't meet an imaginary daily ink quota. This time, I let myself . . . enjoy . . . just being alive.

I ate tofu ice cream (best stuff ever!) and uni (sea urchin) sushi whenever I could, washed my hands in the cool cleansing waters of many sacred shrines, rode the Hakodate Ropeway over a glittering evening cityscape:

Traveled deep into Hokkaido to take a cruise on Lake Akan

 

 
All to see the mysterious Marimo ball!

 

Caught hordes of chanseys and other Pokemon in Sapporo at night

Oh, and very nearly perished from sheer exhaustion on the mountainous climb up to Yamadera Temple in Sendai!
 

Sure, I got sunburned, sweat rivulets in the super humidity, was glutened several times, not to mention suffered major jet lag from the time difference, but even with all the physical exhaustion I ended up ultimately feeling rejuvenated.

Now, I am tackling chapters of Iffy Magic with my audibook narrator, getting my novel A Fair Account of the Traitors Snow White and Rose Red ready for (hopefully) October publication, as well as working on waaaaay too many other writing projects.

Sometimes, I have to let go of my almighty lists and starry goals and precise measuring sticks. It is good to give yourself permission to be a human, with all the failures and wonder that entails.