We are expecting a monthly Blue Moon, the biggest in 2023 tonight. At the end of solar August, Mei-Shun feels summer would really be over; sunrise is getting later, sunset earlier, sunshine creeps into rooms more and more in daytime. She headed her horsey riding club for a class starts at 16 : 00. It is always nice to walk and trot with you, Ms. Last One.
We have 処暑=shosho, the 2nd of autumnal 二十四節気 today. It is said heat would soon be cooled down, while sultry air still stays around us. On the other hand, it gives Mei-Shun an impression that singing guys are not so many this year: almost none flew onto our screen windows. Preferring shady woods like the nearest shrine, they might already feel the next season.
We have 立秋=risshu, the 1st of autumnal 二十四節気 today. It seems quite real with a slight rainfall in early morning: cool wind strokes sleepy Mei-Shun’s cheeks. She got up at 4 : 00 to let Shin drive safely toward Haneda Airport — Osaka is waiting for him. He came back from the U. S. around 24 hours before, keeps working to get rid of jet lag mood. Is it right or wrong?
Oh, Mademoiselle Vert, you carry 4 bananas under flowers kept for a whole month. Real ones Mei-Shun purchased the other day were frozen to serve as a kind of ice cream. Kidding aside, it is preparation to remove them on the bottom while growing babies on the top. Such power to survive in a little pot is genuinely revered by mom, who is always ready to help you.
Sphygmomanometer? What a difficult name to call a medical apparatus! Mei-Shun uses it these days in early mornings. According to her mother, it is better to measure twice: when we are tense, shocking numbers often appear on the display. All the same at a hospital for checkup. She totally understands and follows above advice. If necessary, a photo of good results at home would be taken.
Solar May ends within today, expecting lunar one in the middle of next month. After rainy morning, Mei-Shun met a young postman at the porch, who handed mails and asked her if above image is a rose. Of course it is, yet such a question sounds quite weird. “My parents’ garden accommodates climbing roses only, I saw a bush for the first time”, he explained. So experience depends.
We have 八十八夜 today, meaning 88 days have passed since 立春=risshun, the 1st of 二十四節気. It is also the best timing to harvest 1st green tea leaves. Mei-Shun therefore means to drop in a shop before picking Shin up at the nearest station. The wife craves 雁金=karigane (green tea including leaf veins) and 玄米茶=genmai-cha (the same with puffed rice) using a discount ticket delivered to loyal customers.
We have 清明=sei-mei, the 5th of spring 二十四節気 today. Mei-Shun still coughs, yet managed to go out on Mr. Diamante toward her horsey riding club. Cherry trees covered with petals only are almost over, replaced by wilder breed. She prefers it to more artificial ones, enjoying young leaves and flowers at the same time. This place also accommodates white blossom to light pink.
We have 春分=shunbun, vernal equinox and the 4th of spring 二十四節気 today. Momo-chan, garden princess at Mei-Shun’s home, started to bloom last week. Thanks to warmer-than-usual temperature, she has already put on 80% of her kimono in bright pink. Please do not dance too fast, Your Highness. The later 100% follows, the more it would be appreciated.
Almost 2 months have passed since Princess Cymby opened her first flower. One night Mei-Shun approached her nose to these ladies, noticed them give gentle aroma like dandelion. She has wondered so far why they have tiny, lovely drops of syrup under petals and stalk crotches — normal for plants to call bees and butterflies aiming pollination. Great to know that you are able to make seeds.
meishunkikunoe 