Kanpai

Photograph by Paul Whitton, Miyajima Torii
(as appeared in NationalGeographic.com) 



Well, it finally happened. After 77 days, we had a visitor from Japan! Beginning February 12th and stretching through the 19th, I logged 5 posts in an attempt to entice someone from Japan to this site. Yesterday, between 10 and 11 AM, (PST) he or she showed up. Arigatou! I would absolutely love it if you (provided you come back and see this) would comment on the circumstances that brought you to this website. (blog) And to the Jamaicans, Spaniards, and Chileans (see full list at the post; Wakarimasen 2-12-14) that came aboard shortly after those Japanese orientated posts, you are most welcome here. Just because you weren't the specific object of intention does not mean you aren't valued. Serendipitous events are always enjoyed and appreciated.

To some trivial matters: I have mentioned I have not retained rights to the domain name. So I doubt your continued access to the website proper after July 3rd. (the blog is a separate identity) I would encourage you to make copies of the other sections. (Home--Gift--Gratitude et al) The time might come when you would wish to review them. This also means there is little time left to purchase The Last Enchanted Forest in PDF. (which I believe superior to other options--you can make copies!)

The picture that appeared as you came on this post is "implanted" because of Gwenn Jones. I asked her if she would be so kind as to place the picture rather than you having to link to it. Wonderfully aesthetic, I find it a testimony to the whole effort of "bringing Japan on board." (I suppose I would have felt the same if Ireland hadn't been among the earliest visitors) The larger point is how appreciative I am of Gwenn. I've never met someone as gracious giving than Gwenn has been to me. You can read all about her at the 7-13-13 post.

Though I wish to leave it an "open parenthesis" as to posting after July 3rd, I am doubtful I would continue. After reconsideration, I believe the name of the site is too limiting. To the secularist the name is easily dismissed. (religious "pie-in-the-sky" crap) To Christians, once they see where I'm actually coming from, not at all what they had in mind. I believe it has left me with an exceptional audience who already know what it is I am sharing, but one so narrow and confined as to (seemingly) invalidate the effort. Of course we know better--all is a gift. And I am grateful if, for no other reason, we can revisit the quote from That Man is You: "Genuine confidence doesn't say; Oh, well, too bad this didn't work out but I am reconciled to the idea. Instead of that, it maintains, what seems a poor shot still hit the bulls-eye."