2018 started badly with me having to call out an ambulance having all but broken myself in two. An experience that leaves me weak at the knees even now when I think about it. Just as I was emerging from the dark tunnel of that I got flu for the first time in my life. My Mum always said that every time I got sick I was always twice as bad as everyone else. In this case I would agree, that was rough. Thankfully I have good people around me and so business carried on largely as normal.
Now sitting here on our last day of work in 2018 I can only say I have been humbled by the simply inconceivable success we have had throughout the last year. YOUR support this year has been absolutely wonderful, humbling and incredible hard work all rolled into an amazing experience so from us all here at KB THANK YOU!
Part of my job is surrounding myself with amazing bonsai trees and yamadori. I know it’s tough but somebody has to do it. Loving trees the way I do I find it keeps my little life in perspective, being surrounded by yamadori often five or ten times my age and having beautiful bonsai trees that have had decades of skill and experience poured into them. The responsibility of having to be a faithful custodian of this little treasure chest of magic gets me up before dawn every day.
Even though I have some nice bonsai around me I have to say it’s still what I might call the crap that really floats my boat. There really is nothing I love more than a nasty stump that someone has discarded. I often manage to get these for little more than the price of the pots they occupy. On a buying trip last spring I was given this oak. The top of the tree had died and just a single shoot was sticking out of the base. Even at just a hundred quid, which was pretty much the cost of inbound transport, VAT and a drink for me nobody gave it a second glance. This week I got everyone working hard and so yesterday I slipped off into the workshop to have some fun with my little stump.
Have a great Christmas and a restful holiday and sincere thanks to everyone that made 2018 such a great year. I can hardly wait to open the lid on 2019 but before then I have some special bottles of scotch to drain and a couple of very special cigars to smoke.
Best wishes from everyone at Kaizen Bonsai!
G.
Wow This is a work of Art wish you could ship it to USA it would be sold now. Love how to did the big Trunk. Graham you are awesome man and I still think you should pack up and come to America. Your Bonsai Trees would be gone in three month after the pre-quarantine in the USA. Wish I could find a way to do a USA quarantine for Bonsai Trees.
The way things are going in the UK just now that might not be so far fetched and also my sister has been there for 25 years now. Maybe I could semi-retire to somewhere warm and desolate 😉
Happy Christmas – I hope you have a great one
Graham you have amazing foresight and talent. I did spent a day with you last year working on my English Oak which I thoroughly enjoyed. I wish you were not so far away otherwise I would be a regular student.
What ever did you do to nearly “break yourself in half?”
As a matter of interest how much is the Portuguese Oak now?
Tony
Wow excellent work on the oak Graham
really pleased you had a successful year .kaizen bonsai has really looked after me this year so carnt wait for 2019. have a great Christmas.
Regards Neil garforth
Thanks Neil, it’s been a pleasure. G.
I have seen all of your videos, Graham and I really cannot think of anyone who succeeds in turning stumps into magic as devoutly as you.
I’m sure I echo many thoughts by saying you and the Kaizen team are what keeps us keeping the faith.
Thanks to you all and have a nice break.
Merry Christmas Graham and Family: Maybe your Sister could try to get her Government permit to be a Pre-quarantine Nursery, that gives you a few years in UK. Then you can work on your permit to come to America then I could buy and help you on the Bonsai tree care. But I don’t know you well and maybe you don’t want a old horse like me (61 years old) to work with you. lol Graham I still can’t set up account to place a Order for Bonsai tools. God Bless and Take Care