Hi, darling. Great to see you again, not just hearing from you. And greater luck fell on Mei-Shun today: she saw a couple of pheasant for the first time, just next to our club field. Guys look conspicuous with their red masks these days to find nice girls. The latter have pretty eyes yet too chic in brown polka-dot coats compared to the former. They were relaxed during lessons, while ran away when Mei-Shun got off a horsey.
Mei-Shun thought she lost it. Following below is her omikuji drew weeks ago at the nearest shrine, came out of upper pocket of her backpack:
The 36th Lucky. For those who see this sacred lot, it would be in a shape to end once prior to resume. Therefore, their wish would come true while better if not being in a hurry. Give honest prayer to the God, consider well before doing, and brilliant delight would be gained.
And she met that incredible carpet there again — under cherry trees.
When Mei-Shun walked out of a short tunnel between rice paddy, she found a tree full of white flowers shining on the green hill which accommodates the nearest shrine. It is magnolia, still in buds. Since she started walking exercise from the end of April last year, it has not been recognized so far. She is so happy to see the roster of sacred guardians augmented again.
It is today, while Mei-Shun’s best party was held 2 years ago at the hospital she stayed. After operation, she started to eat from soup and fruit juice. As was rice porridge with 七分粥, 70% grain seen on the 5th day for lunch served with a tiny bag of ひなあられ=hina-arare, sugar-coated puffed rice. It is one of special sweets for March 3rd celebration, worked as a warm reminder of normal life. A lovely card was attached saying “we wish your prompt recovery.”
Our nearest shrine has a lot of plants including beautiful bloomers. One of them is plum or ume, found in pale pink and white. Mei-Shun walked to there this morning after weeks — that might be why her omikuji was 凶=kyo, the worst luck. Oh, please forgive her, St. 摩利支天=mari-shiten. Her oath to resume good diet and exercise is solid. On the way to home, another ume in rose pink attracted her eyes. As soon as she stepped into the porch, wind started to blow harder. Thanks to his kind protection?
Mei-Shun drove mom-in-law to one of major shrines in Japan 八坂神社=yasaka-jinja whose headquarters is located in Kyoto. It is called 祇園さん as well, since the famous Gion Festival is hosted by them. Our nearest branch of 八坂神社 was late dad-in-law’s favorite. He used to buy something at a food stand along a path to the shrine to warm up our hands during midnight queuing for hours. 17 years later, we quietly spend 30 minutes in sunshine to worship.
It has started from today while winter vacation in solar calendar. As the best day to make a wish, Mei-Shun walked to the nearest shrine. Interested in her wish? Health, of course. 2016 has only three days left, she has not yet reached the goal — perhaps one and a half (or two!) bags of sugar stay all over her body. Without moonlight, with sacred protection of 大吉=the luckiest omikuji, she would pull her socks up and resume necessary efforts.
Shin and Mei-Shun walked to their nearest shrine. Omikuji for the latter is as follows:
第七番 末吉 The 7th The Least Lucky
このみくじにあう人は 例えば舟に乗って 順風を待つ人のようで 月の光も曇り 山高くして車も行きにくい相と云える しかし神明を信じ 心の誠を尽くすならば やがて順風来り 月も輝きを増してくる
For those who see this sacred lot, it is like waiting for wind aboard a boat with moonlight deterred by clouds, mountains too high to go across by car. Belief in the Goddess Amaterasu and honesty would let them go ahead with good breeze and bright moon.
He looks so lonely. His countless number of family members are already involved in their last job to make up bright yellow carpet under the father tree, getting browned day by day. When he is blown away, what would happen? Fortunately, that story by Mr. O. Henry does not reflect Mei-Shun’s family; it seems they have nobody to leave soon. Autumn 2016 would have gone away completely, won’t it? Well, it was bizarre one. Snow in November, yellow maple leaves, etc.
風流堂=furyu-do, based in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture is on Mei-Shun’s favorite Japanese sweets shop list. When their products were available at the nearest department store, she used to visit there to buy seasonal gifts; 御中元=o-chugen in summer, 御歳暮=o-seibo in winter. However, as informed that the store will be closed soon, she started internet shopping. 風流堂 is so kind to send her a handwritten letter and a little gift attached to ordered goods.
meishunkikunoe 