Artist Honda Takeshi, my former neighbor in Tono (Japan), recently visited some mutual friends of ours there and took these photos to send to me. What a surprise, what a treat. Shige was an absolute guardian angel of mine while I lived in Tono and roped her husband Umakichi into a supporting role. I owe both an endless debt of gratitude. For almost all of their long marriage, they have led a self-sustaining way of life. I miss them--and a couple of other friends there--dearly.
