Taka's back from Japan, but now I'll fly off for there from Tuesday, October 11th

Santa Cruz County...

October. Got "Indian Summer" and then a buncha rain. But now...PUMPKINS!!everywhere (thank you for the photos Julie!!!)

Everywhere except where I thought we had so many growing. There are these big green squash of sorts~ yes, I planted seeds from a sugar pumpkin a friend had grown last year, and this is what we got!

They do seem to be fine when treated/cooked like zucchini. Before the seeds get too big, get them before this big, for sure!

Julie and I walked down the road a ways, hunting for some wild periwinkle I'd dug up a little of one day bike riding. The tree and sunshine were wonders all around and along the road.

Miya and Yuya stayed one night on their way from L.A. to San Fran, and got to see Zen for an hour! After years...well, January 2007 to be exact. In New Jersey Yuya and Miya and family went to see Zen play for the Jr. NBA!!! four and a half years ago! Now Yuya has gone on to Japan, and Miya is back in Boston, and where we will meet next~ who knows~ but hopefully back here in Aptos... oh at least mama Lena?!

So, I was packing for another trip to Japan. And one certain spot to shop for our Japanese family and friends is, where else other than: TRADER JOE'S ! They open, as they were here, at 8 am~ after I'd dropped Taka off at work

But how about these, guys!

BRUSSEL SPROUTS! SO many STALKS of them!!!

And for only $2.99!!! I bought a stalk, it's taking a little while to eat all the brussel sprouts...but also I just planted some in our garden. I have no idea how they will grow, but...this big?! Nah~

From TJ's tho...this trip, just a few of the things: organic mayo, chocolate covered potato chips, apricots, capers, dried tomatos...and FLOUR! Whole Wheat Flour!! Yes, this time I'm taking ten pounds of flour in my carry on to Japan! Easier than going and having to order and wait from a company far away in Japan to send it to me~ oh, and cheaper.

But the other day I bought these potatoes from TJ's! They have great notes on their labels and it helped me know that THESE were the potatoes I needed for MASHED potatos!

(can you read what's on the bag? CUTE!)

Here, is a cup from a new-to-me "mexican" restaurant...I have to check the name of it again~ like the SUBWAY shops where you tell them how you want what you want and they throw it together for you in front of you. But this cup of theirs was cool! "H2O WATER AGUI" (agui's spanish for water)

and this pan just made me think of me....I didn't buy it~ under the price tag is says "cook"

DON'T LOOK FURTHER

IF YOU DON't want to see

how a nail falls off~

I have had to record this tho~ it's been a "first" for me/us to see the process of

a smashed finger losing it's nail.

Yes, it's mine....

and back about the middle of August, when I was about to slam shut the car door-

I tried to stop it, and my thumb got in the way~~

This on the left was when the nail started lifting off the skin, it seemed for sure that it was going to be-one of those- "losing nail" things. If you look closely enough, you can see about 1/4 of the nail on the right side is still fine and growing normally.

THEN, one day, the blood came out! OHHHH that's what the darkness was before!

So...October 1st I took this pic using a rubber band to hold my nail on. Cause when I was dishes (we don't have a dish washer) band aids and taping just get wet and I've been going through LOTS of band aids and tape. Then I tried using the rubber band and it worked!

Under the nail I can see-it's ugly. So, though I could cut it off, I'd still need to keep it covered.

I will have to post another pic one day soon- at the end of this...the nail has felt like cardboard almost. Strange sensations! Amazing how the body is working this!!!