from the corner of one eye

from the corner of one eye

watching the face painter paint

around her other eye

First Friday's Art Walk in June, people emerge like cicadas to swarm all over the town square, buzzing in a deafening chorus, ingesting juices, seeking mates, or at least company.

A girl gets a ride on a man's shoulders.

A gaggle of teenage girls drift towards a pod of teenage boys, check each other out, then drift apart.

Isn't anyone going to watch me hoola hoop?

A toddler dances to the music from the bandstand.

Where did my rubber duckies go?

No, he's not thirsty. That's just what pugs do, stick out their tongues and make snorting noises.

Oh dear, that selfie didn't turn out too good.

No, they're not chocolates. They're magic stones. Try one. See which one feels like it has the right vibes.

I'll stick to potato chips.

I'd rather have a toy airplane and a CD.

I can't remember where I put my glasses and my car keys.

The best fun of all when you're a little girl is climbing the big pine tree barefoot in a flowered dress with a long pink satin sash.

But for me, it's eating sushi and sashimi at Sushi Shokai with a friend.

under the neon

under the neon

Shaiko Sushi sign, black lacquer

plate glows pink blue green

On a Friday evening in January, Shaiko Sushi is packed with diners. Our small Midwestern town, population 9,500, offers a surprisingly wide range of ethnic restaurants, from  Mexican to Chinese, Indian, Thai, Middle Eastern and Japanese. Shaiko Sushi is the newest establishment, a hole-in-the-wall with a few tables and stools along the bar, where diners can watch a basketball game on the big screen TV. In the tiny kitchen the chef creates culinary works of art that are both exquisite and delicious, like this plate of makizushi. Even though it's way below freezing outside, a small vestibule keeps out the cold air, while the happy, laughing customers and delectable food warm the inside.