Working on the riverbed

 They are digging the silt out of the riverbed and loading it onto a tractor truck.

This then carries it up a slope that they made from some of the silt and dumps it at road level. A power shovel finally loads it on trucks that carry it away. It is probably used as fill in other construction projects.

Pictures

 A very nice little waterfall, resulting from a canal coming from the rice paddies.

 A pretty little leaf.

Flowers along the riverside path.

Animals

 I was walking along this street. It has an interesting blend of old and new, personal homes, businesses and apartment buildings.

This dog seemed to be enjoying the sun. He moved while I was getting my camera set. When I first saw him, he was stretched out in the middle of the road. Although he had a rope, it was very long and gave him a lot of freedom of movement. All to often, dogs here are kept in small dog  houses with only a very short chain.

Back at the river, Mr and Mrs Duck were out for a swim.

Happy New Year

This year we did not go to a shrine. We were not sure which ones in the area had any event. Also we were very tired. We had friends visiting for two days. We met them in Fukuoka and then took them to airport when they left. That was the first time that I had gone to town two days in a row since before my operation. I must say, thought, that it was definitely worth it. I had a chance to see old friends and to met their daughter who is a wonderful three year old.

Yesterday, January 31, my wife and I visited her sister's home. That made the third day in a row that I was out. We spent the afternoon there. We brought them some special New Year's food and they returned the favor by giving us so of the food that they had prepared for the holiday. In the evening my wife and I watched TV, jumping around a lot because we could not find anything interesting. Actually we spent much of the time playing games on our computers. We ate the above boxed meal and then later had the traditional bowl of soba noodles. I stayed up until mid night which is way past my normal bedtime.

Today, our niece and her two daughters are coming to visit. The daughters are going to stay with us for a few days.