![\"\"](\"http:\/\/persimmon-dreams.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/181225_ice_tree_summit_2_600.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
We were looking for a White Christmas.<\/p>\n
So we Hearty Hikers drove up through Utogi to the Aozasa Mountain trailhead. By “White Christmas,” what we were thinking was 10 cm of snow.\u00a0 Or so. To walk in. We like walking in the snow.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/persimmon-dreams.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/181225_ice_limbs_1_600.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
But there wasn’t any snow, not on the ground, anyway.\u00a0 In the trees, though, was an odd sort of wind-blown, “toothbrush” snow—and a lot of ice, too.<\/p>\n
It was gorgeous.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/persimmon-dreams.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/181225_cypress_fronds_600.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
All is one.<\/p>\n
We. Truth. Hope.<\/p>\n
That’s what I felt walking along the Aozasa ridge today.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/persimmon-dreams.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/181225_ice_limbs_4_450.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
At Shizuoka University, I’m involved with an international club, YASHIO, that gives our Japanese students a chance to speak English, our students from all over the world a chance to speak Japanese, and everybody a chance to meet people from everywhere and share themselves and their cultures.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/persimmon-dreams.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/181225_ice_limbs_blue_3_600.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Everybody involved with YASHIO makes me incredibly happy. And when I see people from all over the world together, I feel just what I felt today.<\/p>\n
We. Truth. Hope. All is one.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/persimmon-dreams.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/181225_ice_twigs_600.jpg\")
Wind-blown, “toothbrush” snow.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/persimmon-dreams.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/181225_fuji_belly_600.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Mt. Fuji, this day, only showing a sliver of his belly.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/persimmon-dreams.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/181225_icy_trail_450.jpg\")
Through the icy trail tunnels.
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/persimmon-dreams.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/181225_ice_limbs_5_600.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
You may have never heard of NDuaDuo, but they like YASHIO a lot, too.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/persimmon-dreams.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/181225_ice_limbs_mountain_2_600.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
NDuaDuo is a po po f(aux)k music group.<\/p>\n
You may not have ever heard of po po f(aux)k music, either. Let’s just say, though, for the moment, that it’s a non-commercial style of music.<\/p>\n
And what we can tell you about NDuaduo is they only sing what’s in their hearts.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/persimmon-dreams.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/181225_ice_limbs_grey_1_600.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
A few years ago, they wrote a song, “We,” to sing at an international Christmas party.
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/persimmon-dreams.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/181225_ice_limbs_2_600.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Recently they recorded a\u00a0very\u00a0<\/em>po-po-f(aux)k version of it—and they’ve asked me to share it with you now. If it’s not your cup of tea, well, then it’s not, but they say that if you like it, if it suits the way you like to think about Christmas, then they’re happy for you to share it with whomever you like.<\/p>\n Wishing you all a very happy holiday season.<\/p>\n Hugs from all of us here at Persimmon Dreams.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/persimmon-dreams.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/181225_ice_limbs_blue_2_600.jpg\")
<\/p>\n