Ok - so we have been on a cruise, 26 days along Alaska, across the North Pacific, and down to three days in Japan.  So the days and dates have not always matched up - we went through 10 time zones and crossed the international date line, which all confused the phone and the computer.  And there was no Sept 24.  (We had made reservations for one of the specialty restaurants for the 23rd, and then for the 25th, thinking we would have an "ordinary" day on the 24th.  Surprise!)

Some explanations -

+the "large pond, old pine trees, and the carp and koi" - we were at a landscape garden (   ) and as we walked around here were 2-3 couples getting wedding pictures taken - the guy in a black robe and the bride in a bright flowered/figured kimono.  They were really striking among all the locals and the tourists.  Then in the pond here was a bunch of carp (dark gray) and 2 or 3 bright orange koi.  (Actually I'm not sure if there is a difference between carp and koi.)"

+then "buffet of life" - they had set out this "taste of Japan buffet on the pool deck, and it was more food and people milling around than we even wanted to think about.   We ate in the restaurant, but it did get me thinking about all the different experiences of life that we wander through.

 

Wanted to do a "taxi ride from the airport" one to balance Sept 9, but that turned into the moon last night.  We'll see.

 

And an evening prayer for today - 

 

Dear Lord -

As evening comes, my heart is troubled.

How lonely lie so many cities that once were grand.

The thought of my afflictions and homelessness,

is wormwood and gall,

  (and even more so the afflictions and homelessness of others,

   I mean I am pretty healthy and I have a place to stay tonight and food to eat).

But as the full moon of October rises over all,

this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases,

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

I will remember this and sleep in your care tonight,

ready to greet the morning with hope and joy.