The View from Above the Shop: Strike Days

The View from Above the Shop: Strike Days

The teachers in Ontario have had a few strike days recently, so I’ve had Caleb at home. I feel very fortunate that I’m in a position where Caleb can “come to work” with me very easily, although of course I also feel a lot of gratitude and admiration for teachers who are in our classrooms.

February 11, 2020 — wonderpens
A Visit to the AGO

A Visit to the AGO

While Caleb was off school for the holidays, we took the kids to visit the Art Gallery of Ontario, the AGO, which was a lovely, quiet sort of adventure, which is probably the only sort I can handle.
January 16, 2020 — wonderpens
Another Christmas Tree Adventure

Another Christmas Tree Adventure

I meant to post this sooner, i.e. before Christmas, but it is now actually the next year and here I am. But the new year is a time for resolutions and getting things done, so here I am, getting things done. Better late than never, says the library patron with a tab of late fines.

January 06, 2020 — wonderpens
Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin Patch

Once again, the fall has rolled around, the cold weather has descended, and with Naomi a bit older, we’ve made it to the pumpkin patch to pick a few gourds for Hallowe’en.

October 19, 2019 — wonderpens
Traveler’s Notebook Factories: Narita Airport and Tokyo Station

Traveler’s Notebook Factories: Narita Airport and Tokyo Station

In Tokyo, Japan, there are three Traveler’s Notebook Factories. The main Traveler’s Factory is located in a back alley in Nakameguro, a small district with many independent shops, studios and boutiques. We were fortunate enough to be able to visit and also meet with Iijima-san, the creator of the Traveler’s Notebook, and you can read more about that visit here.

October 10, 2019 — wonderpens
Visiting The Superior Labor, Part 2: Staying in the Observatory

Visiting The Superior Labor, Part 2: Staying in the Observatory

Welcome to Part 2 of our visit to The Superior Labor in Okayama. You can find Part 1 here. For some background information, since it’s been some time since our travel posts, this past summer, we visited Japan and Hong Kong. I had thought I was going to blog on the road, but couldn’t keep up—so here I am catching up.

September 12, 2019 — wonderpens
Update from Hong Kong

Update from Hong Kong

Still in Hong Kong! Summer is closing in on September, and we’re very much looking forward to returning back home, seeing the shops, seeing the animals. 
August 19, 2019 — wonderpens
Visiting The Superior Labor: Part 1

Visiting The Superior Labor: Part 1

Of course (of course!) it goes without saying that we could not visit Japan without trying to see if we could visit The Superior Labor in Okayama. The Superior Labor studio, factory, shop and family home are located in Okayama prefecture, about an hour’s flight outside Tokyo.

August 10, 2019 — wonderpens
Visiting Pilot Pens Fountain Pen Factory in Hiratsuka

Visiting Pilot Pens Fountain Pen Factory in Hiratsuka

As a small business owner, there’s sometimes a limited extent to which you want to demonstrate how the sausage is made. Do people really need to know that the lights in your pen display are held together with washi tape?* Is it really a good look to share that you found some shop display furniture on the side of the street and you had to guard it while you called someone from the team in the shop to come out and find you half a block away to help you carry it back? It could go either way.
August 01, 2019 — wonderpens
The Tsukiji Fish Market

The Tsukiji Fish Market

Anyone who knows anything at all about Japanese culture knows how important fish is. It’s no surprise, given that Japan is an island nation, that fish feature prominently in much of their cuisine, and sushi is, of course, both popular everywhere and incredibly delicious.

July 25, 2019 — wonderpens