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A good friend of ours, besides being a friend, is also an amazing artist. Her name is Brenda Van Wagoner. Her husband, Marty, who is also a good friend of ours, is an amazing accountant. I was recently in Marty’s office, toking on some Tereré with him when I snapped a picture with my phone of this painting that Brenda did of the Great Wall of China:
 Great Wall of China by Brenda Van Wagoner In addition to the colors, technique and feeling she portrays, I really love the perspective she chose.
 Sadie and Chip
“No mind is thoroughly well-organized that is deficient in a sense of humor.”
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
“Careful. We don’t want to learn from this.”
- Bill Watterson, Creator of Calvin and Hobbes
I like this little story, related by Steve Armstrong as told to Jay Alevizon in the book, “Isshinryu Karate: The One Heart Method”
I will never forget Sensei’s last day in the United States, for it was pure Shimabuku, laid-back and lucky. We rose early, took a long walk, and headed for my dojo. During his farewell to my students, Sensei praised my men and told them to keep practicing “Good Ishingryu Karate.”
On the way to the airport we hit a traffic jam, and I began to worry about Sensei missing his plane. He seemed to find my concern amusing, saying with confidence, “It’s okay, Armstrong-san. We’ll have plenty of time.” I don’t know why, but I believed him. He did seem to have a special something that watched over him.
My eyes were wet when we rolled to the curb. I parked illegally and tried to hurry Sensei through the airport. He would have none of it. We walked at his leisurely island stride across the terminal. When we finally reached the boarding ramp, I noted that the plane was nine minutes overdue in departing. I told Sensei that fact, and he laughed, saying, “See, Armstrong-san, everything okay.”
We shook hands, and with great sadness I watched my unique friend board the plane.
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