Fog might cover throughout the Japanese Archipelago this morning. It was adventurous to drive in such a circumstance. Today is the last of lunar January, with 啓蟄 (=keichitsu, the third of 24 seasonal terms meaning the day animals come out of hibernation) on Saturday, and the temperature reached 20 degrees Celsius in the afternoon. Oh, little dandelion, it is too soon for you to bloom, isn’t it?
Mei-Shun visited a beauty salon in Shinagawa. She enjoyed many plum trees in blossom along Joban Line. And on the way to the saloon, bright pink color jumped into her eyes — it is 河津桜=kawazu-sakura, a cherry breed which blooms in early spring. After the haircut, she met with Shin at a hotel which accommodates one of their favorite Japanese cuisine restaurant.
春一番, the first spring storm blew in Kanto area on Sunday. A plum tree in the “backyard” began to bloom little by little. You cannot see it from anywhere but our balcony. What a nice privilege we have!
Mikan-chan has black dirt on her inner corner of both eyes while her mom is a bit troubled on inner side of eyelids these days. It has been heard that women who spend long time together tend to be similar in their biological cycles. We might be so — yet except you, Tora-chan, who lives a wild life outdoors.
This winter is called a warm one, had a summer day in December, mild new-year days while the recent week to see heavy snow. It suddenly gets hot and cold: such an extreme choice the weather makes. It is never easy for us to get rid of catching cold. Why don’t we wish 立春, risshun =the first day of spring set on 4th next month, to really mean?
It is so difficult to keep cut flowers fresh. Our “Yellow Card” started to brown in petals — just 10 days have passed since we cut them. They had looked bright in a pot 3 times as long as they were in a vase. That shows us remarkable power of their mother stock. And it is the reason why we must remove flowery branches within a month to assure her longevity.
The weather forecaster says that it has heavily snowed in Kansai and Kyushu areas. Master Mei-Shu flew to Tokushima, Shikoku last Thursday. It has seemed that she might be a 雨女, ame-onna=a woman to whom rainfalls always follow, since heavy rain often troubles her hometown when she visits there. This time, it turned to snow while 雪女, yuki-onnna has all different meaning.
Would you enjoy another version of our “Yellow Card”? Since the eldest flowers began to brown, Mei-Shun searched how to keep a pot of cymbidium healthy. It is better to cut blooming branches after one month, they say. Oh, it has been a bit too long for you to stay here, darling, so sorry. Your twin sisters still look bright enough, please feel safe.
It is freezing today. Our Aladdin stove works full from early in the morning to become short of fuel soon. After driving Shin to the station, Mei-Shun started working at the desk. When she looked up, white, fine icy pieces were found falling from the sky! Quiet rain has turned into the first snow of this winter, so subtle that immediately melt on the ground.
This is Christmas arrangement from Shin. It looked quite chic in color first, yet big red buds set in the center have opened little by little to give all different impression. What a great job!
meishunkikunoe 