The touch of a Japanese garden greets visitors to Peaks of Otter Lodge...
...and Sharp Top Mountain completes the magic.
The trail to the top of Sharp Top Mountain has some magic of its own.
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Monday, March 12, 2012
Abbott Lake from Peaks of Otter Lodge
The Japanese Bridge on the Lake Trail
The touch of a Japanese garden greets visitors to Peaks of Otter Lodge...
...and Sharp Top Mountain completes the magic.
The trail to the top of Sharp Top Mountain has some magic of its own.
The touch of a Japanese garden greets visitors to Peaks of Otter Lodge...
...and Sharp Top Mountain completes the magic.
The trail to the top of Sharp Top Mountain has some magic of its own.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Happy Hinamatsuri 雛祭り
Greetings for Japanese 'Girl's Day'
My cousin wished everybody "Happy Hinamatsuri" on her Facebook yesterday. Fitting, as my wife and I were spending some time at Sharp Top at Peaks of Otter. From Abbott Lake the mountain's symmetry is reminiscent of Fuji.
My cousin wished everybody "Happy Hinamatsuri" on her Facebook yesterday. Fitting, as my wife and I were spending some time at Sharp Top at Peaks of Otter. From Abbott Lake the mountain's symmetry is reminiscent of Fuji.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Virginia Woman Killed in Tsunami
After Quake She was Reuniting Parents and Children
Taylor Anderson
RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement today as the family of Chesterfield teacher Taylor Anderson was informed that her remains had been discovered in Japan following the earthquake and tsunami, making her the first American confirmed to have been killed in the natural disasters.
“It is with great sadness that we learned today of the tragic loss of Taylor Anderson, the selfless young teacher from Chesterfield County who has become the first American known to be killed in the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. We have watched the events unfold in Japan with heavy hearts and compassion for all of those who were impacted in this significant natural disaster. The discovery of Taylor’s body earlier today brings home to Central Virginia the emotions and impact of these terrible events that we have watched unfold on television. We have held out hope that this graduate of St. Catherine’s School and Randolph-Macon College would be found alive and well. And, we have prayed for her family during the difficult time of uncertainty since Taylor was last seen leaving the school where she taught English to Japanese students following the earthquake. Fittingly, she was last seen helping parents safely reunite with their children following the earthquake, an act which illustrates her dedication to her students and to the Japanese people she served. Today we join the Anderson family in mourning the loss of a wonderful young Virginian who personified the selflessness and sense of duty that Americans serving abroad have become known for. Our thoughts and prayers remain with Taylor’s family and friends during this difficult time. ”
Taylor Anderson
RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement today as the family of Chesterfield teacher Taylor Anderson was informed that her remains had been discovered in Japan following the earthquake and tsunami, making her the first American confirmed to have been killed in the natural disasters.
“It is with great sadness that we learned today of the tragic loss of Taylor Anderson, the selfless young teacher from Chesterfield County who has become the first American known to be killed in the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. We have watched the events unfold in Japan with heavy hearts and compassion for all of those who were impacted in this significant natural disaster. The discovery of Taylor’s body earlier today brings home to Central Virginia the emotions and impact of these terrible events that we have watched unfold on television. We have held out hope that this graduate of St. Catherine’s School and Randolph-Macon College would be found alive and well. And, we have prayed for her family during the difficult time of uncertainty since Taylor was last seen leaving the school where she taught English to Japanese students following the earthquake. Fittingly, she was last seen helping parents safely reunite with their children following the earthquake, an act which illustrates her dedication to her students and to the Japanese people she served. Today we join the Anderson family in mourning the loss of a wonderful young Virginian who personified the selflessness and sense of duty that Americans serving abroad have become known for. Our thoughts and prayers remain with Taylor’s family and friends during this difficult time. ”
Saturday, March 19, 2011
THYME Magazine
Citizen Journalism with a Better Flavor
Volume III, Issue XII
A (Very) Brief History of Resilience
Today our hearts go out to the Japanese people as they face a crisis of enormous proportions. History tells us of how the Japanese people have faced massive devastation before and created the 'Japanese Miracle' in the face of it.
It is interesting to note that the one nation on Earth to actually experience nuclear devastation uses nuclear energy to such a great extent that most of its power needs are supplied by reactors.
One must be careful to do honest assessments of the risks and dangers involved without falling prey to those who would exploit disasters to inhibit energy production. We need to improve our methods in deep water oil production and design better backup procedures for cooling nuclear facilities, but that does not mean we cannot use them at all.
In the wake of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the administration shut down ALL production. Governor McDonnell of Virginia speaks directly to such overreaction:
“Virginia’s efforts to become the energy capital of the East Coast include innovative, safe and affordable plans for investment in nuclear energy, coal, offshore exploration for oil and natural gas, and offshore wind energy development. It will only be through a combination of these energy sources that the nation will be able to meet its energy demands and curtail its dependence upon foreign oil. Our plans to develop Virginia’s offshore oil and natural gas supplies have been thwarted by the Obama administration’s failure to include drilling 50 miles off the coast of Virginia in the five-year lease plan. Once again, rising gas prices are hurting families and small businesses due to the shortsightedness of overzealous federal regulators.”
More importantly, the unwillingness of the administration to allow domestic energy production makes for a dangerous situation as America must depend on energy sources in unstable areas of the world and pay premium prices for them... putting our national security at risk.
This is not acceptable.
The Hiroshima Prefecture Hall of Industry was gutted by the nuclear explosion. Photo by Bob Kirchman.
Today a bustling city surrounds Hiroshima's Peace Park. Photo by Bob Kirchman.
Close to the turn of the Century a number of American cities burned to the ground. In 1904 the city of Baltimore burned to the ground. San Francisco's great earthquake and the Chicago fire are more well known, but the fact remains that great disasters have affected much of the world throughout history and America has seen her share too.
Hurricane Katrina is often compared to Camille. In 1969 Hurricane Camille came inland and poured torrents of rain upon Nelson County Virginia. This severe drenching caused entire mountainsides to move and many died in the massive mudslides.
Lovingston, the county seat, was cut off from the outside world by musdslides. VDOT had recently completed a four lane bypass of US 29 around Lovingston which was quickly turned into an airstrip for rescue and relief operations. Today US 29 has been rebuilt and Nelson County is a beautiful place to visit. One can still see the scars in the mountains from the great mudslides though.
After the great fire, Chicago rebuilt herself. The early Twentieth Century saw the 'Cities Beautiful' movement recreate the centers of our great metropolises.
Our prayers are with the Japanese people at this time. We pray for their courage, strength and determination as they write the next chapter in the story of human resilience.
Volume III, Issue XII
A (Very) Brief History of Resilience
Today our hearts go out to the Japanese people as they face a crisis of enormous proportions. History tells us of how the Japanese people have faced massive devastation before and created the 'Japanese Miracle' in the face of it.
It is interesting to note that the one nation on Earth to actually experience nuclear devastation uses nuclear energy to such a great extent that most of its power needs are supplied by reactors.
One must be careful to do honest assessments of the risks and dangers involved without falling prey to those who would exploit disasters to inhibit energy production. We need to improve our methods in deep water oil production and design better backup procedures for cooling nuclear facilities, but that does not mean we cannot use them at all.
In the wake of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the administration shut down ALL production. Governor McDonnell of Virginia speaks directly to such overreaction:
“Virginia’s efforts to become the energy capital of the East Coast include innovative, safe and affordable plans for investment in nuclear energy, coal, offshore exploration for oil and natural gas, and offshore wind energy development. It will only be through a combination of these energy sources that the nation will be able to meet its energy demands and curtail its dependence upon foreign oil. Our plans to develop Virginia’s offshore oil and natural gas supplies have been thwarted by the Obama administration’s failure to include drilling 50 miles off the coast of Virginia in the five-year lease plan. Once again, rising gas prices are hurting families and small businesses due to the shortsightedness of overzealous federal regulators.”
More importantly, the unwillingness of the administration to allow domestic energy production makes for a dangerous situation as America must depend on energy sources in unstable areas of the world and pay premium prices for them... putting our national security at risk.
This is not acceptable.
The Hiroshima Prefecture Hall of Industry was gutted by the nuclear explosion. Photo by Bob Kirchman.
Today a bustling city surrounds Hiroshima's Peace Park. Photo by Bob Kirchman.
Close to the turn of the Century a number of American cities burned to the ground. In 1904 the city of Baltimore burned to the ground. San Francisco's great earthquake and the Chicago fire are more well known, but the fact remains that great disasters have affected much of the world throughout history and America has seen her share too.
Hurricane Katrina is often compared to Camille. In 1969 Hurricane Camille came inland and poured torrents of rain upon Nelson County Virginia. This severe drenching caused entire mountainsides to move and many died in the massive mudslides.
Lovingston, the county seat, was cut off from the outside world by musdslides. VDOT had recently completed a four lane bypass of US 29 around Lovingston which was quickly turned into an airstrip for rescue and relief operations. Today US 29 has been rebuilt and Nelson County is a beautiful place to visit. One can still see the scars in the mountains from the great mudslides though.
After the great fire, Chicago rebuilt herself. The early Twentieth Century saw the 'Cities Beautiful' movement recreate the centers of our great metropolises.
Our prayers are with the Japanese people at this time. We pray for their courage, strength and determination as they write the next chapter in the story of human resilience.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Prayer for the People of Japan
Devastation in Northern Japan
Maple leaves open like an origami crane.
In my garden there are two Japanese maple trees. Every time I look upon them I think of the two wonderful visits to that land. Today I pray for the people of that beautiful land... as they struggle through this time of unthinkable devastation.
Last night I learned that a couple we know who lie near Narita is safe. They didn't even lose their power. Still, the news images of swaying buildings and destructive waves tells me that many lives have been devastated. Pray for the people of Japan.
Maple leaves open like an origami crane.
In my garden there are two Japanese maple trees. Every time I look upon them I think of the two wonderful visits to that land. Today I pray for the people of that beautiful land... as they struggle through this time of unthinkable devastation.
Last night I learned that a couple we know who lie near Narita is safe. They didn't even lose their power. Still, the news images of swaying buildings and destructive waves tells me that many lives have been devastated. Pray for the people of Japan.
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