Mei-Shun feels grateful to see one on the top of backyard camphor tree. It was really by chance for her to catch the flowers of bluish violet into eyes, thorough a wide oriel window in the living room with a wooden bench attached inside. She sat on it chatting with her mother by phone, looked up the sky to keep hung futon mats dry. Now is the time to hang up and bring them in.
Mei-Shun found a fluffy ball of dandelion seed in the eastern veranda. She loves such a strong plant who lives a short, pretty life on narrow soil. Please, honey, come back to see her again next year. Another finding indoors was at the foot of Mademoiselle Vert. It looks all different from little leaf buds grew on her top. Are you going up or down, while to … bloom?
Your cousins in similar blossom, on one bank of nearby rice paddy
Growing day by day
Our “backyard” plum trees are in 80% blossom right now. It is interesting for Mei-Shun that their shade all depends. Many of the strongest pink are seen in classical gardens, while weeping ones tend to put on pale tones. Above one is not in tears, whose petals have a pinch of violet. Oops, it has just started raining. Please do not make sudden resonance with this context.
So 2020 is, since we are in 子=ne, mouse of Chinese zodiac or 干支=eto. Others are 辰=tatsu, dragon and申=saru, monkey years come in every 4 years. Mei-Shun was born in the latter, lucky to have one more day at the end of this month. And one of the most interesting matters for her is that above three animals are small-large-medium in size respectively.
Newly on the table
Following below is a new teapot Mei-Shun purchased at her favorite shop. Its handle is put like a teacup, 90 degrees less angle compared to normal 180 toward spout. That makes it compact enough to save shelf space, while never allows her to pour by right hand only. She cannot but support the bottom by left hand covered with an oven mitten. Please keep safe such a thin arm, honey.
Or an ear?
Necklace finally bloomed. Mei-Shun was very happy when saw one flower in a pot, happier as others follow in a few days. Since several buds were grown outdoors, she let them join indoor friends. On the other hand, 豆苗 or pea seedlings came to her kitchen for the first time. According to an explanation, second harvest would be available in a few weeks. How do you feel in this package of Cobb salad?
Here is a young 蝋梅=robai, chimonanthus praecox tree Mei-Shun brought from her mother’s garden. It took three years to be ready to bloom perhaps, like Momo-chan did. The former her late father loved, while the latter mother does missing her own mother. Since the cymbidium Ms. Yellow Card pods bring no shade of flower this winter, it would be your turn, 金ちゃん or Mr. Gold, named right now.
Hello darling, a baby leaf of Mademoiselle Vert. So sorry for keeping you thirsty during Shin and Mei-Shun’s trip. It has been rainy, yet too cold to let you stay on the balcony. And oh, regarding outdoors, the wife found one of green necklace pots have several buds. Would you show those white, little flowers soon? Since weather forecasts say it would be freezing tonight, she is happy to let you in.
Hi, little lizard, great to see you. Geckos often visit Mei-Shun indoors, while you stay outdoors. The former tend to come friendly into her sight, yet the latter rush below grasses when she greets you in the garden. Do you feel cooler there? And oh, lady beetle, it was you who sounded weird between a shutter and a window. So sorry for leaving you, who looks exhausted. Would you like some watermelon?
She might prefer climbing to eating.
He, le chat aux yeux d’or, comes from 友部 Service Area on 常磐 Highway. When Shin and Mei-Shun dropped in there returning from 水戸, they were lucky enough to encounter stalls of pottery. Many pretty bowls for natto, fermented soybeans, were featured this time. After scrutinizing every shop, they decided to bring him home. Please help Shin to diet, darling.
meishunkikunoe 