I hoped this picture will reach them after 50 years because I think by that time they know how precious to have time taking with friends.

In summer, I often find young people who appear to be traveling without having destiny. Some of them are having adventure. Some of them are exploring regionally different cultures. And, some people are just escaping from the reality. They seemed to be at a loss, but I hope this situation will turn to be a big chance for their happiness in the future.

It was a little hot and humid day with occasional light rains and sunshine. Along the lakeshore, the cold water was the natural air-conditioner and it would be the best place for a nap if there were some gentle breeze.

In the States, I think there're more social interactions between the young and the old than in Japan. Here, life is not influenced by the age, but by what they want to do or can do. When searching for a job, they don't write their age, sex, family construction on their resume and it's illegal for the employer to ask about them. This means one's capability isn't evaluated by such background. So, for example, they don't write "XX years old" after the person's name unlike in Japanese media. I think such culture provides the environment where people interact without caring about the age difference.

The woman standing at the restaurant's entrance is looking into the distance while folding these seemingly napkins and she doesn't seem to care about her surroundings. I guess she was indulging in her inner world. As a photographer, I prefer such natural face.

I've also done the job of taking orders in the past. But, if people looked at me in this way, my hands would shake and I couldn't even take notes, remember the order, and raise my head. And, this is why I took this shot.

When I tried to photograph this fashionable poodle, she started to make up by licking. But, I shot before she finished. Hee hee, sorry!

"This is in (on, to be exact) account of my loving you forever." How passionate and romantic! But, there's a sad story behind this tattoo. About 6 years ago, a woman living in San Francisco was living a happy life with her handsome and gentle boyfriend. One day, he returned to his home in Brazil for a while and after she sent him off, she found a typed short story on the refrigerator. And, on the corner she found the handwriting "This is on account of my loving you forever." But, soon she heard news that he died in a car accident. Then, she was in a great sadness and had his last words tattooed on her arm to swear her eternal love. Since newspapers introduced this story across the country, women started doing the same thing she did.

In this season, I can drive the east country roads that I cannot drive in the snowy winter. And, I wonder why I feel nostalgic when I find the traces of buildings in the endless hill country even if I don't know what they are. Is it because I remember my childhood watching the Western movies? Or is the piece still in my mind?

There, I often find the Barns of the frontier time in the late 19th century. Life has its ups and downs, no matter where we are.

About one hour drive in the freeway from Seattle will bring me to Roslyn, an old town that prospered for 80 years since the 1880s and it was helped by coal mining and railway construction. Even now, the town is preserved and it became the stage of "Northern Exposure", the popular TV drama series in 1990 to 1995. I really like the small town with a population of less than 1000 and became interested in living there even for a short period of time.

These containers for teas, cigarettes, and sweets must be made in between the 19th century to the early 20th century. These logos on the tin cans are interesting and that's why they become valuable antique items.

Although I'm not particularly interested in collecting old accessories, these shapes colors and drawing look unique and fresh now. And, it's fun to check the local antique shops. Physically, I'm an antique item, but it will be a long time before I look as tasty as them.