Mom-in-law is really good at growing plants. Mei-Shun recognized vines of watermelons behind Ms. Scarlet, took it a good challenge. On the other hand, Shin tried similar on the roof floor years before to make a fiasco. Difference between this mother and her son seems to come from how much they care for fruits and vegetables; she looks them after daily, he does only once a week.
We have 夏至=geshi, the 4th of summer 二十四節気 today. It means the longest daytime, while hardly recognized caused by 梅雨=tsuyu, our most rainy season. However, dry and windy weather allowed Mei-Shun to hang futon mats and laundry outdoors in the morning. Afternoon saw it get darker and cloudier, let her bring them in to find lady’s tresses bloomed a bit.
梅雨=tsuyu or rainy season started, a weather forecaster told Mei-Shun last night. Just one day before normal, on Shin’s birthday this year. It would be rather difficult for her to fix schedule outdoors, precisely regarding horsey riding. And to choose clothes as well — if tomorrow see temperature under 20 degrees Celsius, 3 serial days would give us April feeling so rare that experienced 20 years before.
Mei-Shun visited the nearest shrine this morning. Young rice paddies welcomed her who led the way weeks before when both 山櫻 and 染井吉野 cherry blossoms flourished in the garden. A pheasant guy was claiming his territory over watered green, yet never seen even in silhouette. Clear sunlight sometimes reached her hair with no cap. A bit itchy on thighs.
Mother of Mei-Shun still stays at 草津, where her eldest daughter and son-in-law kindly drove her to. Her younger daughter believes that beloved father always protects his widow wife, never worries about her sojourn there alone. Above is current image of ヤマツツジ in their garden, whom he could not enjoy since his wife found it several years before.
We have 立夏=rikka, the 1st of summer 二十四節気 today. Also Children’s Day, blue sky nicely covers fresh green here and there. Such a sight reminds Mei-Shun of tea called 八十八夜摘み新茶 she ordered, perhaps already available at the shop. However, she finished 知覧茶 purchased at the same place this morning, opened 嬉野茶 Shin brought home from Saga recently.
Here is a mug Mei-Shun met and fell in love with at her favorite tea shop nearby. It is just when 花水木=hana-mizuki flourish, relaxing our eyes by mild salmon pink and white. There are many of them along streets in Tsukuba, while 山法師=yama-hoshi in Tsuchiura. These two seem to be similar breed: the latter is included in the group of the former, yet white flowers only.
We have 穀雨=koku-u, the 6th and last of spring 二十四節気 today. Some of rice paddies around here in Ibaraki are already watered, perhaps waiting for neat lines of young green soon. Mei-Shun would like to walk along such a sight toward the nearest shrine, yet it seems a bit too cold to enjoy it. So Mademoiselle Vert, could you show your youngest sister instead?
Mei-Shun found this fruit in a box of foods delivered every week. One of them is so much in a right line that a cold paper bottle was put directly onto it. She was worried if they got injured frozen, yet seem all right. Their color reminds her of a crescent in recent early morning, lay on a bed of fluffy clouds. It was not clear enough to see such a charming sight today, while called 花曇り with cherry blossom here and there.
Mademoiselle Vert is growing in a flower stem again. On the other hand, Princess Cymby has grass buds only while 2 in bigger pot and 1 in smaller. Well, it might be too much for Mei-Shun to wish both petals in pale green and bright yellow. Anyway, she is really happy to know that all three are kept healthy. May those who gave them to her also be fit.
meishunkikunoe 