They say rainy season has gone from Kanto area. Mei-Shun is wondering if it really has, because a slight shower made a lot of dots on futon mats she hung outdoors this morning. Cicadas began to sing anyway, one of whose baby clothes was found at her horsey riding club yesterday. It might foretell that she would be able to dance for the first time of the week with Mr. Loki.
nature
Sweet Silk
StandardMei-Shun is fairly fond of 合歓木. They normally bloom in rainy season, quite delayed this year. On the other hand, plants look like knowing how to survive much more than we do. With no drop from sky, humidity and temperature might let them open flowers to gain seeds. Such wisdom allows her to see pretty pink, enjoy photo session after dancing a bit on a horsey guy.
3 plus 3 is 6
StandardWe have 芒種=boshu, the 3rd of summer 二十四節気 today. 11th flower of Mademoiselle Vert opened in early morning sunshine, greeted Mei-Shun and Mikan-chan. Are you ready to say お誕生日おめでとう, happy birthday to dad with 12th on the other branch tomorrow? They heard from mom that 3 calyxes and 3 petals make up each of you.
Pretty Power
StandardMademoiselle Vert, a messenger of the loveliest Mikan-chan, was found loosening a bud on one wing, another on the other this morning by Mei-Shun. How cute they are; still smaller than 6 elder sisters, looking like green birdie eggs! She put them on verandah floor for natural shower in the morning. Strong wind followed around noon, let them in for a photo session.
Pink Paws
StandardWe have 小満=shoman, the 2nd of summer 二十四節気 today. They say はしり梅雨, forerunner rainy season is often seen in western part of our country, while eastern area Mei-Shun’s family live had such a phenomenon. Heavy rain continued from early morning made horsey riding field rice paddy, with no harvest expected. That might be why Mr. Loki danced just a few steps.
Amicable April
StandardMei-Shun safely let Mademoiselle Vert and Princess Cymby go outdoors last week. Her instruction book for orchids recommends to do so, after night temperature is kept above 12 degrees Celsius. 2024 February and March seemed like exchanged with each other; the coldest former had a few 夏日= days above 25C, the warmer latter did several 冬日= below 0C.
Graceful Green
StandardOur backyard gingko started to give lovely little shells. Mademoiselle Vert seems to grow two flower buds, makes Mei-Shun feel really happy — she took them for leaves only, expected no blossom this spring. Hi honey, would you kindly bring Mikan-chan back on petals like her emerald eyes? Your friends outdoors are covered by young colors, shining in light sunshine today.
Snowy Sakura
StandardWe have lunar 桃の節句 or March 3rd today. Mei-Shun went out for shopping to prepare a small dinner, walked to the nearest shrine from a nearer-by supermarket car park. Cherry blossoms have already passed their full stages, while lovely petals were falling onto the ground. She caught one on her palm, felt happy and drew an omikuji lot. No. 8 大吉=dai-kichi, the luckiest has come!
Mother Minds
StandardWe have 清明=sei-mei, the 5th of spring 二十四節気 today. It is said to mean various flowers fill the ground, while Momo-chan puts on a bright pink kimono for only 10 days per year. Maybe as mentioned before, she descends from Mei-Shun’s grandma of mother’s side, grown into such a beauty by mom-in-law. It is great to see the latter found well by her daughters in our garden.
Japanese Culture@holiday
StandardVernal equinox lets Mei-Shun know day time has become longer, yet 2024 sees it too dark. Clear in the morning, allowed her to hang futon mats outdoors. More and more clouds covered blue sky, with a slight rainfall in the afternoon. Momo-chan, our garden princess gave 1st flower in 2. Sunset had 7 : 3 gray and orange, the former might bring a short storm.