We have endured record snow fall in the northern Japanese city of Misawa this year with over 140 inches of snow blanketing us in a “big chill”. I, for one, am ready for the snow to end! I long to stroll the sands of my favorite beaches (Sand Dollar and Ship Wreck) and explore more of Mutsu Bay. Tomorrow is March 1st and while I know to expect snow to fall well into April, I still hope this last snowfall was it for 2021! And I wish upon my lucky sand dollars!
A 7.1 earthquake on Feb. 13, 2021. We were in Sendai for the weekend. Scary feeling to have the Earth shake you up like that!
I penned this poem back in the spring of 2020 while COVID-19 and the Pandemic invaded the world. I was in Salina, Kansas and a simple trip for food was a life-risking mission of necessity.
I truly love exploring the Tohoku Region of Northern Japan! This tori gate sits majestically in a rice field near Towada, Japan in Aomori Prefecture.
As I sat looking through photos on a snowy day here in Misawa, I came across photos from our trip to Scotland in 2019. This photo of a stone bridge near Cairngorms National Park is one of my favorites. We were just wandering around and once we were over the bridge Melissa looked back and said, “We have to stop and take picture. It is simply beautiful.” And she was right!
Cold snowy blizzard~ white blanket causing white out~ All remains silent. © 2021 Gregory Vessar. All Rights Reserved.
One of my favorite shots capturing Itsukushima Shrine tori gate from Miyajima Island in southern Japan. I took this photo during the summer of 2019. I miss traveling and moving about freely with little concern.
Not too long ago, I was mesmerized by the music documentary “Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart”. This film tells the story of the Brothers Gibb, also known as The Bee Gees. I’ve been a fan of the Bee Gees since I can remember. And now I have my Bee Gees Top Ten list!
The snow began to fall in Misawa, Japan…and it has not stopped! We are setting records for snowfall!
I could not think of a better top ten to end the year with than an Elvis Presley Top Ten! I’ve been an Elvis fan since the first time I heard “That’s All Right”. Elvis had it all from a big, generous heart to a big, golden voice.
