Called 山下紅=yamashita-beni, they are so beautiful both in taste and appearance that Mei-Shun cannot wait until she meet them at the beginning of winter. Mikan-chan, here are mini-moms you are named after. You are clever enough to know that, greet them peacefully while normal cats do not like them. One of Mei-Shun’s cat fancier friends loves oranges so much. However, he has to go to another room for this dessert since his boy always get angry at it and hit dad by paws.
Halloween might come only for the latter to Mei-Shun. She receives many kind of sweets from family and friends, caught in a big dilemma between appetite and wellness these days. As for her stage performance next week, she has planned to lose a weight in preparation. But oh, how superb this cookie tastes! Eat less while keeping your diet balanced. Walk and workout for 30 minutes respectively, dance a whole score of 汐汲 once a day. Yes, she must put it into practice.
乙戸沼 Park now
Mei-Shun, her mother and elder sister met with each other today finally: They enjoyed an okonomi-yaki party after almost a whole year. They had gathered for celebrating mother’s birthday in early summer, before Shin and Mei-Shun made visit to her in 草津 one of their happy regular excursions. The only problem of this idea is that Mei-Shun lacks a chance to see her sister. Mother worried about it, offered her younger and freer daughter to arrange a lunch at her home.
This date is special for Shin and Mei-Shun. They’ve made it a rule to dine out dressed-up, yet share a slight cold this year. It means for her to play double roles of hostess and nurse at home — too big a responsibility. All right, she told to herself. “You were able to see a doctor, prescribed with medicine while he could not but help himself by commercially available one. Why don’t you feel happy to serve him all day long?” Yes, she does, seeing him satisfied with beef steak, chiffon cake and good sleep.
Dragonfly Kiss!
Mei-Shun went out with Shin in the morning to visit a beauty salon in Shinagawa. With advice by her designated hairdresser, she got a curling treatment. More than 20 years have passed since she had it last time — amazing progress in technology. Thank you, Mr. H. She then met Shin again at a Japanese restaurant which serve them delicacies full of autumnal scent. Her excursion was successfully closed in Asakusa to buy 草履=zouri, Japanese sandal for 汐汲 performance.
A sampling day to see Dr. A, gives Mei-Shun waiting time of 2 weeks in minimum to know good result. Her hospital accommodates many big trees including gingko, some of which are female with branches full of fruits in this season. Oh, let’s not park under them. Air is quite smelly around, caused by ones already fell on the ground. She cordially wishes it would symbolize tasty nuts only, not such a horrible outcome.
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.
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.
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?
It makes us feel real beginning of autumn to see golden rice harvest. However, attacked by extraordinary summer typhoons, some of rice ears lean to the ground, looked disappointed this year. Mei-Shun sympathized with them walking along. Now it is over by half: she found them dried on 稲木=inagi or inaki, bamboo hangers constructed on rice paddies after harvest. Bundled ears are spread under sunlight for longer shelflife and better taste.
meishunkikunoe 