Happy visit to the hospital again for Mei-Shun. Please, Dr. A, take her gratefulness. They have many gingko trees in parking area. That tasty nuts fell on the ground, before pressed under tyres maybe. Such a pity … mottainai. They should be picked up and soaked in water or covered with soil for a while. Not to be stigmatized with that odor.
Punishment?
StandardSuddenly, a big noise hit our ears. And understood in a second — laundry has been blown down. Today’s gust comes from Typhoon Choi-Wan, traveling on the Pacific Ocean to reach Hokkaido soon. Mei-Shun loves hanging futon mats and laundry outside to dry in sunlight, even with 50% or more percentage of rainfall. All the more on clearer, windy days. She deserves it.
100th Ohagi
StandardThank you so much, mom. It is the best sweet for us, Mei-Shun and her older sister. Since her anko is rather sweet, we need to control quantity of it for coating a rice ball. Sometimes ohage (=bald ball!) appears in our hands. Well, no problem; tastiness is the most important. You say so, dad?
Sits Alone
StandardShowa Horse
StandardMei-Shun took a lesson on Seika, 30 years old, might be the oldest boy in this club. Horses age roughly 4 times faster than human beings, yet he never looks a senile 120-year-old. So we take him as a gentleman around 80 with graying hair, leading a halcyon, healthy life. By the way, people born in the Showa era (1926-89) are called Showa-jin (=man) these days, like Jomon (14,000-300 B.C.)-jin or Yayoi (300 B.C.-250 A.D.)-jin!
Tsubo-Awase
StandardMeaning a preparation for a stage, it is also called katsura (=wig) awase (=fitting). Contracted staffs start arranging items for respective dancers. Those who are in charge of wigs take the longest time to make metal bases from scratch. Kimono fitters are in close contact with small properties shops, so Mei-Shun asked them to lend her the spear two weeks before performance.
Lemon Lover
StandardHorses Again
StandardDr. Y’s diagnosis was remarkably correct. Dyshidrosis symptom has 95% disappeared after a week, taking all medicines he prescribed. Left 5% is at the bottom of both palms, thumbs and several fingers. Mei-Shun resumed piano lesson, stretching exercise including push-ups from last night and — horseback riding today.
Happy Piano
StandardThanks, Mr. O. His sudden phonecall reminded us of it. Yes, our duty to let Ms. Piano have tuning once a year. Her “doctor” visited us with a big, heavy bag as usual. It was just when he finished her up that Mei-Shun remembered a slight trouble; the damper for one of D keys did not work well. However, he took just a few words before he opened the lid to show her the fixed part. Applause to this real piano master.
Supermoon!
StandardWe have it tonight. It is clear, the best condition to have a little party at home. Yesterday enjoyed the harvest moon, so two consecutive days of beauty in the sky, round-shape sweets on the table. It comes only once this year, compared to three times last year — very rare phenomena.



