Thursday Doors…Japanese doors

Thursday Doors is back after a Christmas break and since I’m still conducting you through the Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, Illinois, I thought it only appropriate that we find some doors there. So without further ado…

I wouldn’t mind having a gate/door like this one if I had a garden. I really like the use of so much wood in Japanese buildings and other structures.

I would love to have seen what was on the other side of these wooden doors but alas, no such luck. However, there was so much to see I didn’t mind too much. Domo arigatou for taking time to stop by today. (That’s the way to say thank you in Japanese between friends or co-workers and I think all of you qualify, so I won’t be more formal. 🙂 Enjoy your Thursday.

We continue to wander in the garden

As we strolled through Anderson Japanese Garden in Rockford, Illinois, we heard a regular bump which, when we got closer, came from this water installation. As the water filled up the bottom “pipe”, the pipe dipped down, hitting the stone, making the noise. The regular clunking grew monotonous rather quickly. It looked pretty though.

Let’s move on and enjoy some fall color in yellow/gold. These memories of early November are especially appreciated as we had an unusual day of rain yesterday, although the rain in the dry Southwest was greatly appreciated!

More color with a sculpture in the background.

A gentle Oriental reflection.

Finally a little closer for some browns, blue-greys, and lovely lines.

Monday walk…into a calm 2023

We started our new year with, of all things, rain, rain, and more rain. After church we’d planned to do some weeding but that obviously didn’t happen. Did some reading, have beef stew in the crockpot, watching some football (American). A relaxing start to 2023.

Continuing our walk through Anderson Japanese Gardens will also give you a sense of peace as it did to me when my friend and I walked there in early November. Even the bridges were attractive as well as functional, something I’d like to see in more necessary items.

There were also beautiful views from this bridge.

We were not alone, although this creature maintained a stony silence while we were nearby.

I love this sort of path, one that invites, even lures you to walk farther. I would think children would love to jump from stone to stone.

In the best “Karate Kid” tradition, “Breathe in, breathe out” and welcome the new year in calmly. And if you still write checks, don’t forget to write “2023!” 🙂

Jo’s Monday Walk…1.2.23

Shapely beauty

Nature is front and center in a Japanese garden but not wild, untended nature. It’s carefully curated to appear entirely natural.

I call this sort of shape a Dr. Seuss tree as that’s what it reminds me of. 🙂

The boat on the lake adds so much to the look of the whole.

More red berries…

…and a fuzzy bud.

Don’t you feel more relaxed even though these are only photos? Serenity is key in this sort of garden.

Take it as red

I can’t believe that during all the years we lived in Naperville, Illinois I never visited Anderson Japanese Gardens in nearby Rockford. When my friend and I made this our destination one day during my recent visit, I realized what I’d been missing! Visitors are asked to silence phones and voices to enjoy the sounds of nature. The sound of water (when not pouring into your basement or running somewhere it shouldn’t) is a peaceful sound as in this fountain with paper cups nearby.

The bright red of the Japanese maple took away my breath with its vibrant beauty.

Hawthorne, I believe.

More water.

Water and color, a wonder-filled combination.

What I saw while walking…quintessential autumn

Walking Squares…11.23.22

Wordless Wednesday