This is the entrance hall of 伊豆榮梅川亭, Izuei-Umegawa-tei. They serve you delicious 鰻=unagi, baked eels and other Japanese cuisine. It reminds us of Shin’s father who passed away 16 years ago. He was a public servant for Tokyo Metropolitan Government, often contacted his son to dine there. Mei-Shun was always happy to hear his invitation, never interrupted their good communication. Dad-in-law kindly understood her thoughts, always handed Shin 2 cups of 餡蜜, an-mitsu sweets on his way home.
Ms. I, an instructor at Mei-Shun’s horse riding club, offered her a promotion to the upper class. She will take a test on Friday, feeling so happy. On the other hand, she might stumble in her diet. She knows reasons well — one is that her rule to weigh regularly has been broken. She has done it on Aug. 31, Sept. 2, 9, 10 and 12 so far. Then she tried tonight, an unbelievable amount jumped into her eyes. Now she must make a rectification.
To you, Mikan-chan. Mom wishes she could go anywhere with you — sorry to bring you up as a lonely girl. She had to leave you at home to visit her mother today, since it is the only day available for them to enjoy chatting on handmade ohagi sweets. Yes, your human grandma will go to 草津 again soon. Thank you so much for staying a good girl every time. Oh, you are turning around following a long, fluffy pole. Sweetest baby, it is your own lovely tail.
Autumn accounts for good moon seeing. 中秋=Chushu, the middle of this season, comes on September 15th. It is said to have a night of the best moon 名月=meigetsu, yet her shape would not always be in full round — two days later in 2016. Unity between name and reality will occur in 2021, one year after the Olympic Game held secondly in Tokyo. Regarding the moon, 松風=Matsu-kaze, heroine of 汐汲 dances a short story in moonlight. You never can catch it in water, that symbolizes her broken heart.
We had 鬘合わせ=katsura-awase, or 坪合わせ=tsubo-awase this afternoon. The latter involves stage settings and properties staffer, while ours means the former to make metal bases for wigs and to measure sizes for kimono costumes. A Japanese-style wig master gauges our head to fit a base like a cap first. Then he beats it with a wooden hammer to make the best curve on our cheeks. Finally, two metal belts will be arranged on our back of the head to support the biggest front part.
One year has passed since Shin brought his wife to the horse-riding club. At first, just seeing horseies satisfied her. Their kindness to let her ride on gave the happiest entertainment. Now getting used to it, she wants more: she would like to be friends with that beautiful animal. She has only admired them so far, allowed them to do as they like. However, it might not be the right attitude toward her partners. On an equal footing, a horse and a human being should combine with each other to create great performances.
Wild flowers seem to like autumn, not only spring. They make hordes next to walking courses of Mei-Shun around 乙戸沼 Pond while along rice paddies, making her eyes deeply pleased. Her mother taught her little daughter that blue ones below are called 露草=tsuyu-kusa. Or dayflower in English, their one-day life rings a bell for morning dew, it is said. Other names include 青花=ao-bana and 月草=tsuki-kusa, meaning blue flower and moon plant respectively.
It rains hard today. Mom makes one-piece sandwiches of futon mats on such a day, the best bed for me. She puts on a skirt from early morning, none of T-shirt and pants. Her cap and scarf, with whom she often leaves me alone for around an hour, are on the coat hanger. You are to sleep as well, just follow me. Purr, I’m so much satisfied with it. You want my photo, mom? It does not matter, I’m generous. Go ahead, and let me do as I like it.
Copyright © 2016 Mikan-chan All Rights Reserved.
Thank you so much, Mr. and Mrs. F. They are friendly owners of parking space we rent for guests. Tall and gray-haired Mr. F appears in person to bring summer gift to us, always greets touching his hat while small and gentle Mrs. F does for winter. Oh, please stop bowing so much. The former told Mei-Shun in June to give new rice, and really did today. Speaking of which, she found all rice harvested on walking way the other day. Does it mean she has used their private lane between paddies for free?
Mei-Shun goes ahead on diet little by little. She has continued walking and stretching exercise since April. It seems working well, giving her lower body skin moisture for example. Regarding weight, however, she lost a few with her regular eating. So she decided to refrain from sweet dessert as much as possible. She is so scared of gaining lost weight back that allows them once a week, expecting a little reward of effort to result in achievement in the long run.
meishunkikunoe 