Cherry Bonbon

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Mei-Shun enjoyed walking under 八重桜 in the best blossom and fresh green at 乙戸沼 Park. When she saw the “symbol tree” with light-pink flowers half open a week ago, others in brighter shade looked still sleepy. Or they had become senile she worried, yet it was proved to be wrong. After that she met Dr. M for a checkup in every half an year. One tooth was found in a poor condition, not caused by sweets.

Round, Round

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熱川バナナワニ園 have many greenhouses accommodating tropical fruits, flowers and the manatee boy of course. They knock Mei-Shun and Shin down with such lovely round shapes — that’s why they named him Mammal-kun. Not only for his species, mal means “round” in Japanese written 丸 or 円. Other examples include banana, coffee and papaya as well. Sorry to exclude you, star fruit, while we love your unique looks.

Godparents?

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Shin and Mei-Shun visited 熱川 yesterday to see the only Amazonian manatee kept in our country. Net news said he is around 50 years old, came to a botanical garden there in 1969 yet has no name so far. Oh, we cannot call such a cute creature? Voice of his fans lead to public soliciting of his nickname. We have to appear in person to cast our ballots? All right, we would love to.

Welcome Home

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Mei-Shun attended a funeral today with mom-in-law on behalf of Shin. Such a stormy weather made them feel more depressing. Soon after they came home, he emailed that he would do the same in an hour. You could not sleep at all in the plane? That might be because your late aunt wanted to let you know her start of a long journey. Oh, father of our baby elephant found in Thailand? Good for you, darling.

Correct or Wrong

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Regarding interpretation from Japanese to English, Mei-Shun feels somehow strange when devastating disasters are called with “great”. Examples include Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake(1995) and Great East Japan Earthquake(2011) which recently hit our country. On the other hand, she has seen a sign calling 牛久大仏 “Great Ushiku Buddha”. Do you kind followers think it necessary?

Let’s Go Out

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東山魁夷(=Higashi-yama Kai-i) is one of favorite artists for Shin, Mei-Shun and her late father. Since his works on fusuma, paper sliding door of 唐招提寺 are exhibited at a museum in Mito, they planned to drive there today expecting less crowd. Oh? you have a TV conference from noon? Hum, it is the first of four-day off for him. He would be allowed to do as likened, yet half tomorrow followed by none on Sunday.

Sweet Memory

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Mei-Shun loves 鳩サブレー. It is popular sablé made in 鎌倉, reminds her of high school days — she made an excursion to there with several classmates in the first grade. Thank you so much, Professor K. Mei-Shun worked at a research institute as his secretary years ago. Really a gentleman and ideal boss, he once gave her a translation job. It continues to date, supports her stage performance every year.

Simmered Delicacy

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Here is 治部椀=jibu-wan, simmered vegetables, duck meat and 簾麩=sudare-fu, wheat gluten cake shaped like a bamboo blind dressed with thick starchy sauce served in a soup bowl. This is one of favorite dishes for Shin and Mei-Shun at a restaurant in Shinagawa, while reminds the latter of a cooking book she bought in preparation for marriage. It featured 治部煮 among ABCs of Japanese cuisine.

 

Fluffy Sunlight

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Such a day is called 冬日和=fuyu-biyori, mom says. My favorite time in winter comes every morning: Aladdin wakes up to give out warm wind a minute before 5:00, while mom opens the cage door calling my name. Still dark outdoors, I check around my territory. Hi, Cymby, you look fine. But how freezing your realm is in stairs hall, hiss! Hunger suddenly caught me. Mom, breakfast please. By the way, I’ve not seen dad … is he all right? Coming back from the U.S. on Sunday? That’s terrific, purr.

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Waterfowls

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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?

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