Howie Hayman

A story about an international couple raising and home educating three young boys on a small island in Japan, half living in buses, engaged in organic, self-sufficient farming in the middle of a mountain forest while dealing with climate, cultural, and personal challenges. These pages are about pretty much anything and everything all guided by our family motto, Taking Chances, Making Changes, Being Happy. Thank you very much for joining us on our ongoing crazy adventure.
Rice Processing

- We received a huge bag of recently harvested, unprocessed rice from our good friend Miharasan this week. Today we took the bag to a small automated rice processing store close to home. The bag weighed about 30 kilograms and about 25 kilograms after processing. The entire process took about 15 minutes and cost 400 yen, approximately 4 U.S. dollars.

Picture - Small rice processing store close to our home.

Picture - Rice Processing Store - Rice processing store from the street.
Picture - Rice Processing Store - Rice processing store entrance.
Picture - Rice Processing Store - Unprocessed bag of harvested rice.
Picture - Rice Processing Store - Processed bag of rice ready for eating.
Space Center Beach Fun

- We decided to enjoy the beach today while visiting family was in the Space Center looking at the exhibits. Another beautiful day and incredible beach

Picture - Us hanging out together at the Tanegashima Space Center Beach.

Picture - Tanegashima Space Center Beach - Us hanging out together picture 1.
Picture - Tanegashima Space Center Beach - Us hanging out together picture 1.
Picture - Tanegashima Space Center Beach - Us hanging out together picture 1.
Picture - Tanegashima Space Center Beach - Us hanging out together picture 1.
Family and Friends

- Wifeys mom and her sister and two kids came to visit us from Nara this week to play around on the beaches. Our very close friends Toshiosan and his wife joined us for a nice BBQ at our home.

Picture - Family from Nara was visiting this week and we made a nice BBQ with our close friends from the island.

Picture - Home - Us relaxing at home with family and friends picture 1.
Picture - Home - Us relaxing at home with family and friends picture 2.
Toys From Beach Garbage

- We decided to spend the afternoon at the river flowing through Ueho beach close to our home. Our boys found a bit of useful beach garbage and made some nice to toys to play with.

Picture - Our boys showing off their toys made from beach garbage.

Picture - Ueho Beach - Our boys showing off their toys.
Picture - Ueho Beach - Our boys playing with their toys.
Beautiful Rainbow

- Today went up north to see the family off as they returned home from their island vacation. On the drive home we saw this beautiful rainbow off the west coast.

Picture - A full rainbow picture off the west coast of the island.

Picture - West Coast - Full rainbow picture from the street.
Picture - West Coast - Close up rainbow picture.
Picture - West Coast - Full rainbow picture from up on a hill.
Picture - West Coast - The end of the rainbow hitting a freighter.
Picture - West Coast - The end of the rainbow hitting a freighter close up.
Rocket Festival

- Today we went to the annual Rocket Festival in Minamitane Town. The end of the festival had the usual fantastic fireworks and laser show. We ran into a few friends and drank together before returning home.

Picture - Us hanging out at the rocket festival.

Picture - Minamitane Town Rocket Festival - Us hanging out together picture 1.
Picture - Minamitane Town Rocket Festival - Us hanging out together picture 2.
Picture - Minamitane Town Rocket Festival - Us hanging out together picture 3.
Picture - Minamitane Town Rocket Festival - Us hanging out together picture 4.
Picture - Minamitane Town Rocket Festival - Fireworks and laser show picture 1.
Picture - Minamitane Town Rocket Festival - Fireworks and laser show picture 2.
Picture - Minamitane Town Rocket Festival - Fireworks and laser show picture 3.
Picture - Minamitane Town Rocket Festival - Fireworks and laser show picture 4.
Picture - Minamitane Town Rocket Festival - Fireworks and laser show picture 5.
Picture - Minamitane Town Rocket Festival - Fireworks and laser show picture 6.
Picture - Minamitane Town Rocket Festival - Fireworks and laser show picture 7.
Picture - Minamitane Town Rocket Festival - Fireworks and laser show picture 8.
Picture - Minamitane Town Rocket Festival - Fireworks and laser show picture 9.
Picture - Minamitane Town Rocket Festival - Fireworks and laser show picture 10.
Picture - Minamitane Town Rocket Festival - Fireworks and laser show picture 11.
Home Farming and Gardening

- Decided to take a bunch of pictures from around our property to show some of the cool stuff we are doing before Typhoon Krosa arrives a couple of days from now.

Picture - A few bitter melon (goya) vines, and kiwi fruit vines,  bordering the entrance of our home.

Picture - Home - Bitter melon (goya) vines used for hill weed control.
Picture - Home - Banana trees used for hill weed control, shade, and a tropical atmosphere.
Picture - Home - Bitter melon (goya) vines used for covering a huge tree.
Picture - Home - Bitter melon (goya) vines used for covering a sand pit and play area.
Picture - Home - Bitter melon (goya) vines used for shade and privacy.
Picture - Home - Banana trees used for shade, and a tropical atmosphere.
Picture - Home - Pink banana tree producing a flower.
Picture - Home - Bitter melon (goya) vines used for bordering the entrance of a home.
Picture - Home - Banana trees used for shade, and a tropical atmosphere in the yard.
Picture - Home - Banana trees producing flowers and fruit.
Picture - Home - A nice harvest of bitter melon (goya) from the yard.