Workshop - Floating Sense and Balance (3)

This was the first day’s (May 19) workshop “Floating Sense and Balance.” Everyone got the same materials, but used their own container. I always bring two different kinds of containers. I decide which one to use after seeing Sensei’s demonstration. I was delighted that I received a nice critique from the master instructor Reito Oizumi.

I didn’t attend May 20th’s workshop. For me to go Ikebana class or other events like this involves many family members! Because my husband needs someone to watch him and I need someone to drive me to the places. My children know how important it is for me to continue practicing my beloved Ikebana; it also helps me temporarily relieve my stress and depression from taking care of my husband!

The last one - Cherry Blossom (2)

This was the last piece of arrangement! It’s a big and beautiful piece of work! She looks young and very graceful! I like all of her arrangements, very impressive and well done!

Sogetsu Demonstrations by Master Instructor Reito Oizumi (1)

Ikebana International New York Chapter #7 on its 70th anniversary held a special meeting to celebrate on May 19-20, 2026 at the Opus Westchester, White Plains, New York. The chapter invited Ms. Reito Oizumi to present demonstrations and workshops. “She is an award winning practitioner and exhibits internationally. She approaches Ikebana as a deeply personal form of expression.”

Oizumi Sensei demonstrated ten pieces of arrangements: here were the nine arrangements. 

The DPW May Class Lessons - (1)

Our May class lessons were held on May 8, 2026, three subjects as usual. Thinking of all the materials I need for the class makes me really miss my old garden. I was glad the class would provide materials for us to use, a little bit challenging for me but I liked it this time. 

May class lessons: 1) - With Branches Only or A Two- Step Approach (for advanced students)

A two steps approach, the branches are featured in this
widely spreading horizontally composition 

Pink dogwood branch from my yard 

Straight Line (2)

The class provided horsetail for straight line material, I didn’t use it, I used forsythia instead. Unfortunately, I didn’t transplant the horsetail plant here, I have a lot of them in my old house garden! They are invasive plants.

My original design 

In class, Sensei changed the position of the
Aspidistra to the bottom 

Sensei’s demo using horsetail 

Focusing on the Uses of Water (3)

I used the big martini glass as a container of this subject. Showing the water is another means of expression! I salute all the mothers on Mother’s Day through this arrangement!  (cymbidium, white flower and Asparagus provided, my green vine is bittersweet)

Morning Dew Looks Like Diamonds

Dewdrops on the tree peony leaves sparkled like diamonds in the sun!  I am delighted that my two tree peonies I transplanted to my new garden last fall are well established.

The Charm of Shadow

My daughter mentioned before we moved here last fall. The big old dogwood tree in my backyard was magnificent, full of flowers last spring! But I don’t know what happened? The flowers are pretty sparse this time! Hopefully it will be magnificent again next year. 

Dogwood and Cala Lily 

Welcome to Spring

We had summer like weather last week, the temperature reached 80+degrees F! But all good things must come to an end. There is a Hakka saying “春天面時時變” (The weather in spring is unpredictable).  One thing for sure spring is here, no winter wind anymore!

Dogwood branch, Lily and Aspidistra 

April Class (3) - Keeping in Mind the View From Below or Using Various Locations

In my mind, I thought my arrangement would be placed on the Toko-no-ma (alcove). But Sensei asked me to put it up on ladder, and she said it worked, could view from below too.

In class 4/10/2026

Everyone placed their arrangement on the ladder,
so they can viewed from below  

Rearranged at home 4/11/2026

April Class (2) - Slanting Style Nageire (Variation No.4)

I cut a very nice piece of forsythia branch for this basic Slanting Style, composed of Shin and Hikae and omitting Soe. I trimmed a few tiny flowers, arranged in the perfect 45 degrees of shin, and placed Cala lily in 75 degrees of Soe. 

The DPW April Class (1) - Upright Style Moribana (Variation No.1)

The class lessons for April was only two weeks apart from March. The assignments were two basic styles and one free style (viewed from below). My preparation process was almost in a rush! Knowing the flower materials would be provided, all I needed looking for were the branches. I have plenty of forsythia in my yard, I have no other choice. 

Forsythia, mum and yarrow (4/10/2026)

Three Elements - Line, Mass and Color

In my imagination, the garden of my old house must be colorful this time of year! I really miss all the plants there. Flowers trees and bushes, Lantern Roses and Daffodils might be blooming now! A lot of plants which I planted there were used for Ikebana materials. But here in Rhinebeck my house has none of them but forsythia. Besides, weather here, everything blooming is three weeks later then Bucks County, PA. 

The carnation, mum and St. John’s-wort were left over from last class (3/23/2026). They are long lasting flowers. Here is the arrangement:

Arranged for my own pleasure using leftover flowers 

Our 58th Anniversary

Today (3/31/2026) is our 58th anniversary,  my daughter handed me a bouquet of red roses! And we went to Osaka Japanese restaurant to have dinner with family. It’s in downtown Rhinebeck only 5 minutes away from our house. Fortunately, my husband is still around with me and family! He’s worry free and healthy. (3/31/2026)

These days, besides living my real life, I sometimes find myself drifting back into the sweet memories of my husband’s love letters decades ago. It has been helping me to care for my husband more tenderly and patiently. At the same time, it has been comforting me while I am in a melancholy mood. As the spring weather gets brighter and warmer, my husband and I would like to enjoy the walking around the neighborhood more often! As the days pass by, hopefully I could gradually come out from depression. (4/2/2026)