March Flying Carpet 2020

In March

The Flying Carpet

"Sheltered in Place"

and finished the 

Islands and Coastlines

2019 Japan travel Journal

Please unpack it with me

Packets containing temple stamps

and place stamps

and drawings

and postcards

and a box containing 

Uchiko Candles

Naoshima shells

Next we unwrap the furoshiki

and find an accordion fold book

of photos, quotes, and writings

here are a few pages...

and a book 

of folded memorabilia

and a jumble of gratitude

to everyone

who was a part of

this extraordinary journey

February Flying Carpet 2020

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you

Oaxaca Balloon Ladies

The Balloon Yentas strike again...

How full and luscious!

Hand blown glass balloons 

in Venice

The Flying Carpet 

is nine years old this month!
You can go back 

through all the years
if you choose.

Thank you for flying with me.

January Flying Carpet 2020

In January
The Flying Carpet
wished for 20/20 vision

Janus…
In Greek Mythology
the two faced God
of passageways
 

and transitions

looks to the past
 

and to the present…

So whether your  path 

is full speed ahead

Or somewhat circuitous

Or every which way

The Flying Carpet wishes you
a year of fulfillment.

Dedicated to:
Theo Raven ...

looking to the past

and  Zoe and Dylan ...

looking to the future

December Flying Carpet 2019

In December

the Flying Carpet

hovered over

the dream of japan...

 

The dream 

of the floating prayers

 

 

The dream 

of the mysterious access

 

 

The dream 

of the twilight port
 

 

The dream 

of the captive bicycles

 

 

The dream 

of the technicolor mountain

 

 

The dream 

of the disappearing woman

 

 

The dream 

of the seeker of rust

 

 

The dream 

of the Uchiko confluence
 

 

The dream 

of the reflected garden

 

 

The dream 

of the myriad anchors

 

 

The dream 

of the Naoshima spiderweb

 

 

The dream 

of the primordial dawn 

 

 

The dream 

of the Ando geometry

 

 

The dream 

of the return home

 

 

November Flying Carpet 2019

In November
The Flying Carpet
honors the remarkable people
encountered in Japan

 

 

The Shirakawa Maiko of Kyoto

 

 

Andy Bender, Our Fearless Leader
demonstrating his train door maneuver
that saved the day
 

 

The Onomichi Taiko Drummers

 

 

The Caped Avenger in Onomichi
(Photo by Susan Dierker)
 

 

Chikuho Mimura-san
Kunisaki Bamboo Artist

 

 

Okazaki Papermaker 

 

 

Uchiko Candle Maker 

of the Mori family

 

 

Hisao Takechi-san
Uchiko Basket Artist 

 

 

Kiyo Yamada-san
Uchiko Silk Screen Artist 

and Designer
 

Kakuo Kaji-san
Tokushima indigo workshop 

leader at Buaiso

 

 

Furoshiki Dyers par excellence
at Buaiso
 

 

Victoria Bojangles
on the ferry 

between Beppu and Uno
 

 

The Flying Carpet
a shadow of her former self
on Naoshima
 

Special thanks to Nancy,
Steve and Andy
and to all the amazing artists
and the best travelers ever