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Monthly Archives: May 2024

WATCHING THE WONDERFUL “SHOGUN” HISTORICAL TV SERIES AND OUR LOVE OF JAPANESE CULTURE & ANTIQUES

One our very favorite TV shows in 2024 is “Shogun” on Hulu. It received a whopping 99 points by Rotten Tomatoes. It is based on James Clavell‘s historical novel, “Shogun”, which fictionalized key events and figures of 1600 Japan taking the Azuchi–Momoyama period…

BRINGING THE LENS IN CLOSER FOR A…DIFFERENT VIEW

A closer look at our world can yield so many wonders which are often missed. I became a seeker of beauty when I was a small boy collecting shells on a beach or searching for interesting rocks. Our daughters, Lisa & Stacy, have similar traits. Stacy displays these beautiful flourite…

KEKOA…WE MISS YOU!

Our beloved Kekoa died on May 1st, 2024. He was a son, brother, nephew, cousin, and uncle, and loved by many! He passed away on the eve of our departure for a family trip to the Big Island. He and my brother were going to stay with us in our…

BALI’S ANCIENT VILLAGE OF TENGANAN. EXOTIC WEAVINGS AND A ROOSTER NAMED…LADY GAGA.

Many years ago Marla and I visited an amazing village while touring in East Bali. The village is called Tenganan. The villagers are known as the “Bali Aga people” and are the original aboriginal inhabitants of Bali. They were living in Bali long before the ancestors…

FASHION & TRAGEDY, DRAMA & CONFLICT, …CHRISTIAN DIOR & HIS COURAGEOUS SISTER CATHERINE…COCO CHANEL’S DARK SIDE EXPOSED…REMEMBRANCES OF TEXTILE FASHION AND HEROIC RESISTANCE IN PARIS.

Watching “The New Look” on Disney+ was very entertaining, with superb direction and great actors! The fascinating story sent me down a rabbit hole wanting to learn more about the history of the characters and the times. France during the Nazi occupation, the fashion industry, and decorative textiles…

SICILY…AN ISLAND OF BRUTAL BEAUTY, CONFLICT, AND…FASCINATION.

Sicily is a island full of unique contrasts, conflicts, and interesting history. It was ruled by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantine Greeks, Arab Muslims, French Normans, Aragons, Spain, and then the Italians. And…recently actors and film crew from the TV show, “White Lotus Season 2.&#8221…