Shin went on a business trip to the country of smile last week, took this car from a hotel to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. We see such flashy design on big trucks in Japan called デコトラ=deco-tra, meaning decorated trucks. It looks Thai people prefer to put it inward. And the driver served cacophony of 演歌=enka, Japanese country music for the shocked client.
Mei-Shun played “La chevaleresque” by F. Burgmϋler at a concert when she was an elementary school student. Translated into 貴婦人の乗馬 meaning “Lady’s Horseback Riding”, she dreamed of a graceful lady in long dress. However, such costume seems never suitable for the sport she currently enjoys. Well, thanks search engines, you are quick enough to let her know they have side saddles.
So it is March 1st on our older calendar. Mei-Shun walked to the nearest shrine in the morning to greet Gods and draw omikuji lots. They gave both Shin and his wife 末吉, a little lucky with advice to be cautious in health for the former while to harmful people for the latter. On the way to home, blue flowers including wisteria and iris surprised her in almost 70-80% blossom.
Mei-Shun’s mother taught her younger daughter the name of this lovely little flower; 叡山菫=eizan-sumire, violet blooms in highlands. Maybe taken from their habitat, survived on the edge of nearby woods. We admire Your Highness, pretty and courageous. And 定家葛=Teika-kazura follows to join her plant roster. It was named after the famous poet in Heian period (794-1185).
It seemed to Mei-Shun that 春一番=haru-ichiban, the first wind of spring roared around Kanto area yesterday. However, only Kansai was covered on this matter until last night while a weather forecast said it really was at noon today. Well, like the writer here who was named after it, springtime is so capricious that nobody can predict what and how she would do.
mom’s 馬酔木=ashibi
Mei-Shun visited her mother’s home today carrying a box of jellied and chocolate-coated apples made by a chocolaterie in Hino, Tokyo. They enclose leaflets with each product, quoting famous words on what human life is. Since mom opened her younger daughter’s 10-day-belated St. Valentine gift after lunch together, the latter found it accompanied by Dr. Pascal for the first time.
小正月=ko-shogatsu, older new year was mainly celebrated on January 15. Some area did from Jan. 14 to today calling it 女正月=onna-shogatsu, let women visit temples and shrines. They were too busy to pray there during year-end and new-year holidays. Since it meant to allow red foods as well, they must have been happy to eat お汁粉=o-shiruko or 羊羹=yooukan in their best kimono.
Here is kohlrabi Mei-Shun met for the first time. They say it means “cabbage and radish” in German, derives from B. oleracea. Its scent might come from the former while shape from the latter. Quite cute in looks, it gives crispy texture before fried. Scrambled with eggs, sweetness and refreshing hotness in a distant dance within your mouth. Easy to grow at home? Well, that sounds very nice.
We enjoy one of “Happy Mondays” today, set by a system started in 2000. It allows 3-day holidays including Saturday, Sunday and Monday. However, what would happen to most libraries and museums closed on Mondays? Mei-Shun wondered, searched and knew that they will be open on holidays including above, closed on such Tuesdays. Hmm, it depends on your profession what day is the happiest.
Ever happy to wait mom in sunlight.
Named きららの極み=kirara-no-kiwami, Extremely Shiny, they arrived into Mei-Shun’s arms. How pretty, and how tasty you are left in room temperature for three days! Growers recommend to have them immediately after delivery, yet she prefers softer mouthfeel. Interested in environmental difference, she put tags on each fruit to recognize time before stored in the refrigerator.
meishunkikunoe 