After years of careful planning (aka procrastination), we cleared out a small area in the front yard for this project - "Shade House for Orchid". There are some serious considerations for this kind of project, other than Fung Shui and construction designs. For example, how much resources will be needed after the completion (translation: how many more Orchids, how much money, time and effort to maintain) and willingness to go for permitting process. So far, the project has been under budget (less than $200), on schedule (2 days of work), with no major accident (except digging/breaking into a electric conduit). Other than the shelving and misting system, I just need warmer night temperature.
It's a pleasure to be able to pull ones shirt off over head with BOTH hands.
In fact, it's the title of a recent book about nature. It happened that some orchids in the backyard are in boom lately. And here's what the title refers to: From some orchid's perspective, "All is fair in love and cross pollination". They will put on great effort into luring a male insect by undulating with striking colors in the breeze or mimicking the form and smell of female insect, even though one-third of these ancient flowers have no nectar to offer potential pollinators. If a bee encounters this kind of orchid, he will eventually have to leave hungry, nevertheless help spreading the pollen. So, If you've never thought of orchid as a lover, you may want to think again. Exquisite, exotic, elegant but deceiving.
But, who can resist?
"The Secret of Kells" is one of the most beautiful animation I had seen.
Irish poetic , like a dream, simply timeless. Again it proves - in my eyes, simple line drawing can be as powerful as 3D animation. I always prefer this - almost every frame is an Art kind of cartoon.
You must go where I cannot. Pangur Ban, Pangur Ban (name of the cat)
It’s a misty old world,and we are only in it for a short, sharp while.
Didn't you have dream like this before? Try to fight the beast with something ridiculous, like a piece of chalk, or a piece of chocolate. I just love it.
P.S. If you've netflix account, you can watch it online for no extra cost.
I found her while waiting for the appearance of river otters.
Anybody likes star fruits??
This reminded me of Rousseau's wild animal in the jungle, but this tiger doesn't look surprised at all.
Here's where we will camp and start the ride a week from today. No! it's not some chateau in Europe. This is the Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina.
Very excited to have the chance to ride the new (since 2008) Point Lookout Trail to see the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains.
If you're interested in all the details of this 7 days .... 450 plus miles on open roads, eight overnight towns and 1000+ cyclists, here's Cycle North Carolina fall ride website.
Jacob advanced to level 5 over the summer.
First try on his brand new rollerblades.
He loves the TV show "Wipeout".
He keeps telling me how much he likes his "NEW" Sony DC, also using functions I never know it had.
Here's a few shoots of the last soda fire in the end of May.
I chose to use a long lens to focus on the color and texture of the surface, instead of the form.
If you click on the image, it will give you a fairly large image and nice details.
When sodium carbonate interact with the slip on top of porcelain.
The interviewee on the radio said: .... heat up strontium and copper together, it gives turquoise color...... 
Another odd job, in the middle of nowhere. A camera and weather station in Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge recording mostly beach erosion, ran for more than 2 years with no incident, until the GSM-cell modem die.
As a non-technical support personnel, I got to wander around the wilderness.
It is not the first time, I encountered this kind of little creature.
But, it's the first time, I saw one play dead.
First time growing red potato.
One of the best moment, which only happens a few hours each time, a few times a year.
Roses are from the newly planted rose garden, but lychee are from friend's tree. It surprises me every time when someone said they don't like lychee, or not even willing to give it a try.
He was a little shy at the beginning, until we broke open the package of a granola bar, he came right toward ....... the breakfast.
After the ride, I decided Not to have "Bacon"...... at least for today.
Another routine is "Bacon (thick & crunchy) & Buttermilk Pancake (Arrowhead Mill) & mix berries" after 30 miles ride. Yum Yum!
Both Ellen and I adore porcelain soda fired works. We are attracted by its subtle, quiet quality of depth and beauty. At the same time, the deposit of soda and directional flashing is kind of like kiss by angel; unpredictable and unrepeatable.
This is our first test firing. We had mixed 5 different kind of slips and half dozen glazes. Most recipes from Gail Nichol's book and Sam Chung's handout. Loaded very loosely.
Instead of spraying soda solution, Justin taught us how to mix 50/50 soda ash with baking soda into soda paste.
Ellen putting 10 lbs of soda paste in around 2300F. Then the kiln is reduced cooling (fire down) to about 1800F before shut down. And it will be opened in 3 days. Stay tune.
Title of photo : "Album Cover of the Hasegawas" w/ out of town artists.
Name of the album : " Together, we ride"
One. Two. One two three...........
This year, instead of books, I indulged myself with a couple of very nice trimming tools from the conference. As the box describes; Sharp! The feeling is like handling sushi knife, instead of butter knife.
Bison (far right) is no question the best in the industry, costs 5 times as much as the Dolan (center). However, when your tool is sharper than you (or simply that I'm not very sharp), accident is waiting to happen. I paid a small extra price with my finger today. No biggie, just a small cut. 
We have heard his voice for a while, but never have the chance to see him. I believe Handsome lives in the mini pine jungle.
I believe this is the safest way to learn to fly; with the Flying master Jeff and a training cable. That way, he can take over and save the plane in an instant, which happened very often in the first try.
6 and a half feet wing span sailplane, only weight 30 oz - Radian
Right! Right!..... No, the other Right! Right. ;-P
Ned is the real brave one, who goes up again, again and again.... Today, he saved himself with his flying instinct during an equipment broke down.
