Back in Guoxing

#2026-0911

I hadn't been to Guoxing, my hometown, for a very long time. This afternoon, while our grandson was at school, Jean and I suddenly thought of going somewhere for a walk. We had the same idea at once: Why not return to our Old House and see how it was doing?

So, we went back and had a look...

We also spent some time relaxing and enjoying ourselves at 妮珂森咖啡 (Guoshing Niksen Cafe)...

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相關文章 (See also)：

1)  The 92 Coffee     (2020)

2)  飛回昔日情懷（五言絕句詩一首）     (2011)

3)  老家的回憶（照片轉載）     (2012)

4)  A Dream (昨夜今晨夢)     (2021)

5)  The Source of Our Mountain Spring (探水源)     (2015)

A Pond That Stirred My Imagination

#2026-0910

Today, on the last day of the seventh lunar month, Jean and I returned to the place where her mother lives.

The last time we went there to visit her mother, she was at a folk-religion temple dedicated to 九天玄女 (the Dark Lady of the Nine Heavens*). The temple was celebrating a particular festival at the time, but neither of us was there to take part in it. Our purpose was simply to see and spend some time with her 96-year-old mother.

I remember taking some pictures of the pond in the front courtyard of the temple's main building. As you can see in the photos below, the pond has carp and turtles swimming in it, as well as a huge dragon sculpture that constantly sprays water from its mouth.

Perhaps those living creatures, together with the artistic shapes and colors around the pond, were the only things that could, for a few moments, stir my imagination. I hope you enjoy the pictures I share below.

Please note that the final picture was “re-created” by Gemini, based especially on the second-to-last image—the old photo of the pond that I placed immediately before it.

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* 註：九天玄女的英文通常直接音譯為 Jiutian Xuannü，意譯則可稱為 Mysterious Lady of the Nine Heavens 或 Dark Lady of the Nine Heavens。

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相關文章 (See also)：

1)  中秋活動 (之一)：Fireworks     (2021)

2)  中秋節 ~ Glove Puppetry     (2022)

3)  Countryside Views in Dajia Today     (2025)

4)  A Cute Pet: 大甲的歐巴     (2026)

Fiddle & Friends: The Happy Strings

#2026-0908

As we grow older, we accumulate more and more memories—beautiful ones, less remarkable ones, and some that gradually fade as time passes.

Perhaps that is one reason I treasure our little group of friends so much. Back in 2018, we started learning to play string instruments together, taking up a “new trick”—or perhaps a new skill—even in our later years. Our group has a beautiful, cheerful, and meaningful name: 快樂提琴手 (The Happy Strings).

Over the past year, however, we had to put our group practice on hold for various reasons. My wife and I spent almost a whole year in Hualien, until July 2026. Our teacher, who is also a former classmate and one of my best friends, was experiencing some physical difficulties and needed to take a break from teaching us in person for a while.

Fortunately, we now have hope for a fresh start. Look! Most of the group members have gathered for a happy, leisurely walk along the mountainside at Hou Shan Park (後山公園), followed by lunch together at Yilu (議蘆). It was wonderful to see everyone together again. We are all looking forward to resuming our regular practice sessions this November.

As for the English name of 快樂提琴手, I think “Fiddle & Friends: The Happy Strings” might be the best choice. Perhaps Fiddle & Friends tells people a little more clearly who we are: friends who have enjoyed learning and making music together for many years.

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相關文章 (See also)：

1)  《學琴首日》     (2018)

2)  My First Time Playing . . . in Public     (2020)

3)  Our Last String Lesson in the Year of the Tiger     (2023)

4)  樂琴手～月亮代表我的心     (2025)

5)  Seven Old Songs, One Unforgettable Musical Journey     (2026)