In late March, we travelled to Japan with our friend Linda Holiday, who is the chief instructor at Aikido of Santa Cruz. We flew in to Osaka, rented a car and drove to Tanabe. The next day, after visiting O Sensei’s grave (founder of Aikido), we drove through the Kumano mountains to the coastal city of Shingu. The main goal of our trip was to visit one of our Aikido teachers, Motomichi Anno, 8th Dan. In addition to Aikido practice, we enjoyed trips to several local temples and shrines, plus a day trip to an onsen (traditional Japanese hot springs bath). As good fortune would have it, our trip coincided with the annual arrival of cherry blossoms (sakura). As we travelled through the countryside, we saw them beginning to appear along the rivers, on hillsides, fields, and parks. Rural Japan is gorgeous; with the sakura, it is spectacular!
After 5 days in Shingu, we drove back to Tanabe, where Linda presented a copy of her book, Journey to the Heart of Aikido, to the city’s mayor. From Osaka, we took the train to Kyoto where we spent 3 days visiting the city’s beautiful temples, shrines, and parks. Our second day in Kyoto dawned to clear, sunny skies, and we were treated to a magnificent explosion of cherry blossoms as we walked along the “Philosopher’s Walk” and through the Gion District. More Japan trip pictures and comments on our Flickr page.
Once again, many of our weekends throughout the year involved attending and/or teaching at various Aikido seminars. The first weekend of May we hosted the 6th Aiki Horizons seminar, featuring 9 high-ranking instructors, including Danielle and myself. Later in May we were among the instructors at the 33rd Mt. Baldy retreat. In June, Danielle was invited as guest instructor at the Aikido Summer Retreat at Feather River College. Danielle also taught a class at the Aikido of Santa Cruz Summer Retreat in July, and a one day seminar in December at Aikido Central Coast, San Luis Obispo.
The highlight of June - perhaps the year - was the arrival of our 3rd grandchild, Brennan Thomas. Like his 3 year old sister, KaraLeigh, he was born at his parent's home, with just Colin and Jaclyn’s mom, Cheri, for assistance.

If hands are to babies, what paws are to puppies, we immediately could see that he is going to be a big boy! And at age 6 months he is already wearing clothing sized for 1.5 year olds.