Mei-Shun walked to the nearest shrine as usual. She heard a pheasant guy call his partner on the way, for the first time of this year. How nice to see you again! … oh, not really because she could not catch him in sight. They are so good at hide-and-seek games, make us human beings ever losers. No problem, you kindly tell us that we are in the middle of spring with 啓蟄=keichitsu, the third of spring 二十四節気 yesterday.
Here you are, mom, on behalf of dad. Mei-Shun’s mother has a chronic dizziness. Meeting once a month is their fixed rule, with latest visit planned on February 14th. However, a symptom interrupted and forced them to postpone the appointment. Well, you have learned how to treat yourself, look fine today. That makes your younger daughter feel relieved and happy. Let’s talk about the cute bird the latter saw the other day.
As written last year, Mei-Shun was born in a leap year. Just one day longer than usual, does it do something on her character? For example, she tends to be 5 minutes late for any appointment. This is of course an awful breach of manner, yet one idea went through her head. Each day has 24 hours, which counts for 288 times of 5 minutes. Has she already consumed this “given” time? Or when she eats all up, would she be released from such a curse?
Dr. A was quick enough this time. She used to give Mei-Shun “Yes” phone calls on weekends, passing several days after 2 weeks of sample examination. Well, anyway, it is highly appreciated by the ex-inpatient. Oh, our last princess finally started to open her green-yellow dress which would turn brighter as she makes a curtsy in full bloom. Such graceful figure reminds Mei-Shun of the eldest one who kindly greeted her in buds 2 years ago, just before her operation.
Our “backyard” plum or ume has started to bloom little by little. White ones come earlier than pink, yet both buds in the same red, shining in sunlight. You can enjoy many of them along a lane to our horse riding club, patched with rice paddy. Mei-Shun’s partner today was 英二=Ei-ji, lovely chestnut-brown boy rarely named in Chinese characters. Why these boys and guys, including you, like to make fun of her by chewing saddle buffers or her riding vest?
She seems to have started blooming procedure just after one of her elder sisters moved away. Now it is warm and windless today, all different from these serial two days. Thank you so much for kind patience, Your Highness, a little more of it would be vastly appreciated. Sunlight would serve you soon in the balcony. A weather forecast says that it might rain, or even snow tomorrow. Have you already used to 三寒四温? Three freezing days before four mild ones Japanese spring has.
Mei-Shun asked injured princess to move. Since calla lilies in Shin’s birthday gift drooped, she removed them to make a new throne. Could you please have a seat here? Oh, you look happy accompanied by white knights.
They say cymbidium needs to be divided and planted into new pots in a few years. After blooming, leaf buds start to grow in around April, season of cherry blossom. That doesn’t mean now, darling, who opened yesterday.
Actually, Mei-Shun saw the second on 14th for just a moment. She found it started at just 9:00 this time. According to the weather forecast, it should have been a rainfall around here — maybe because we have 大寒=daikan, the 6th of winter while the last of 二十四節気 today. The coldest season in an year means that we have only to endure it for 2 weeks. With lunar New Year’s Eve next week, shall we enjoy this frostiness wrapped in thick coats, long boots and furs?
Mei-Shun visited 乙戸沼 Park — long time no see. Winter mornings are too cold and dark to be there after driving Shin to the nearest station, so she has used to walk to the nearest shrine since around 大雪, the third of winter 二十四節気. Amazingly beautiful it is. A flock of wild ducks play on the pond with white dots of swans. Yuri-kamome or Larus ridibundus, great to see you here. It looks like grey herons rest on each fountain nozzle, or are you cormorants?
She is blooming. How pretty her first bud is! We have been worried about her health since she was found hurt. Thanks to warmth, all buds left have shown their faces within today. Actually, Mei-Shun failed to move her into bigger pot: she stays in her first place. So severe an environment for these grown-up roots, has not nourished them enough. It is why some leaves turned into yellow, as they are called in flowers. Your highness, please keep patient a little more.
meishunkikunoe 