Unforgettable sight (apologies to Steven H.)

OK. Steven H. just posted an excellent painting on his flickr site he titles "Unforgettable Stroll".

This reminded me of when 5-7 years ago, my friend, Mariko, moved to Alaska from Japan, one day she walked over to my house through the woods.

Well, it was a rainy early spring day, she was then new to the country so I walked to meet her part way.

Subsequently I see her strolling through the forest with her umbrella balanced cross her shoulder! -A sight not at all uncommon in Japan but highly unusual here. Umbrellas just don't work well as one tries to weave their way through the trees in the Alaskan bush. Seeing someone with a gun across their shoulder, that's normal here. Seeing someone with an umbrella in the bush, I've never ever seen before or since!

Thanks for reminding me, Steve!!

Soft pastel on 12" X 12" colored stock.