Beauty and History are Everywhere in Japan — Growing up in northern Virginia, my life revolved around my Catholic school and the Fort Myers’ Officers’ swimming pool. When I tired of swimming on long summer days, I would walk under big shady trees through the old section of Arlington National Cemetery. Each unique 19th century gravestone held such…

My journey with diastasis recti* was a long and uncomfortable one. To share my adventure, I have created this series of articles. Parts 1–11 can be found here. The story picks up in the hospital a few days after I underwent a 5-hour operation to repair the botched umbilical hernia…

Was all that sacrifice really worth it? — I recently read an article from a woman who claims she would regret having children for all the fun she would have to give up. That gave me pause to reflect. I do not regret motherhood I have made many mistakes in my life, but one thing I do not regret is having 8 children. …

A mighty warrior race disappeared from history — Many people have heard of the Ainu, the indigenous people of northern Honshu and Hokkaido, but very few know of the Hayato who lived in southern Kyushu. Yet strong Hayato warriors guarded emperors and played crucial roles on the front lines of battles. Who were the Hayato? Very little is written about the Hayato…

A former trading hub, Sakata holds hidden treasures — I’d long been curious to visit the city of Sakata on the coast of Yamagata prefecture in northern Japan. Although far removed from the big cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, in years gone by, this quiet city was once a prosperous and bustling trading hub that rivaled Sakai, Osaka’s…

English whalers’ demand for beef has dire consequences — My dear friend’s father, Ed, was an American officer involved in training Japanese pilots in the 1950s for the nascent Japanese Self-Defense Force. During his years in Japan, he became friends with the descendent of a well-placed samurai…

Kind nurses, minimal pain meds, and “support binder” — My journey with diastasis recti* was a long and uncomfortable one. To share my adventure, I have created this series of articles. Parts 1–10 can be found here. The previous part of this story closed with my discovery that I had been receiving no pain medication after my lengthy abdominal…

A Hidden Treasure on Sado Island, Japan — Up a narrow mountain road on the island of Sado, I came upon a remarkable shrine. If you’re not looking carefully, it’s easy to miss the small sign and narrow driveway that leads behind bushes and into a forested area overgrown with grass…

Waking up after a five-hour operation — My journey with diastasis recti* was a long and uncomfortable one. To share my adventure, I have created this series of articles. Parts 1–9 can be found here. Our story left off with the anesthesiologist putting me to sleep before an operation that was to correct a botched hernia-repair surgery…