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Category Archives: Around Abbotsford
Sakura at Fushimi Inari
To my left a distant cloud of pink catches my attention—a lone tree, magnificent for its startling solitude in the evergreen forest still dark with the last days of winter. Continue reading
Abbotsford Rescinds Offensiveness Policy idea
At the next council meeting the motion was withdrawn. Continue reading
Posted in Around Abbotsford
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Abbotsford’s proposed offensiveness policy is silly
Drafting a formal policy to block the use of city facilities for everything that could be considered “offensive” is dangerous. Where does it stop? As you state, there are numerous sports, musical acts, art works or books which might be considered “offensive” by some segments of society. Vetting them all is pointless. Continue reading
Second Sake-rice Harvest in Abbotsford
Artisan Sake Maker Masa Shiroki brings in the sake rice harvest 2012, Continue reading
Language Exchange
Walking toward Thunderbird Square outside City Hall the other evening, a few meters ahead I notice a man examining the sole of his shoe. Dog doo? I wonder. A woman waits beside him on a bicycle. As I come alongside them … Continue reading
Posted in Around Abbotsford
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High Summer Still
Today a brisk wind all day until mid-afternoon. Steady at 30 kilometers per hour with gusts to 40. Very fresh air before what they say will be another heat wave. I’m glad. Bring it on.
Posted in Around Abbotsford, This & That
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Osake Tasting at Restaurant 62
Sunday (April 15) Restaurant 62 offered a tasting of three Osake brand wines from Granville Island’s Artisan Sake Maker Masa Shiroki. This wine, a handmade product, is not to be confused with the harsh and hot stuff that comprises the … Continue reading
A Private Ohanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing)
I suppose the downpour which drowned it all in 2011 didn’t do much to spark enthusiasm among the planners. The “annual” Cherry Blossom Festival at Thunderbird Square in Abbotsford didn’t materialize this year. Not daunted by the absence of fellow revelers—quite … Continue reading
Abbotsford Rice Field: Year 2
Now as the growing season approaches,Shiroki’s optimistic that his dream to produce 100% Canadian jizake can come true on this field. Continue reading
A Corner of Japan in Canada
With Mt. Baker (whom I affectionately call Beka-san) presiding beyond the wall, the view–but for the different smell and absence of muscular pines–is not unlike being in Japan. But no, this is the first experimental sake-grade rice crop growing in … Continue reading