Apothecary Shed

Tokyo: Meiji Jingu

October 17, 2026

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One of the must see Shinto shrines in Japan, Meiji Jingu makes a good first day walk.

Through the gate straight off the silent subway.

Walking to the shrine (through the shrine). How very zen. Be the shrine. You are not the shrine.

Entering properly with respect.

The Divine Trees representing husband and wife. We had some fun with the Italians trading photos.

Listen

The priests process as we buy amulets.

A wedding (there is always a wedding).

The Inner Garden.

We stamped our papers.

And saw a heron…just like home, only more Japanese.

And a gardener…not much like home, unless you are me.

We started in the last cool of the morning. By the time we left, the temperature was in the mid 70s.

Tokyo Street Sign: All Systems Go

October 17, 2026

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A Visit to the Phillips with Romey

October 15, 2026

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The Phillips Collection. This place is full of good memories flowing into the now.

Romey on the stairs.

Impromptu Art at the Mill

October 15, 2026

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The Mill itself, transformed into a gallery of sorts.

Our favorite local artist Meg Caldwell.

Cheap banana knockoff

The latest acquisition to the art pile. This one is by Don Black, who is in his 90s now.

Gilbey Visits Virginia (and Blandy Experimental Farm)

October 15, 2026

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Gilbey’s owner Tom spent some of his teenage years (in the 1950s) on Bland Experimental Farm while his dad was the Director. Tom is Rhine’s dad.

Gilbey is not so sure about Virginia.

Tom and Mary Jane at dinner.

Tom, early in the morning.

A visit to Blandy.

Tom and his dad.

On the way home, we stopped in on the last day of Art at the Mill.

Really Tall River Daisies

October 15, 2026

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Clearing Trees for Solar

October 15, 2026

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Infrastructure for a solar array on the barn roof has been in place for a decade. But there were some nice trees causing too much shade. We decided now is the time to take those trees down. We (or rather JC) are removing a maple in the paddock, and a stand of three smallish trees behind the apothecary shed (namesake alert). We’re also having any overhanging black walnut limbs removed to control the risk of walnut bombs.

It was not an easy decision, especially since solar will not really be cost effective that fast for us. But we are committed to generating our share of power.

This will be step one of three. Step two is installing a battery (there is no reason to do that now since we will never be generating more power than we are consuming with the barn array…and Rappahannock does not allow energy arbitrage on rates yet). Step three more panels, likely on the house or maybe a ground array. Who knows when those phases will kick in.

Before.