時に

Sometimes it's hard to know what to hope for. These plants have it easy. All they hope for is sunlight and water. It's very simple. While there is an appeal in that, the plants also don't experience the joy that people do when everything goes right.

It is night-time now. The hot day has come to rest under a dark sky and cool breeze. My fan is still running, the constant hum my only company this evening. The large tree outside my window has its full summer foliage now, so I cannot see the stars. But I know they are there.

April Tanka 1

Flitting through the leaves
Cardinals flutter with song
The scent of new life
On the wings of the season
A new nest in the branches

Springtime

Aren't they beautiful?

These are growing in a lovely walled rose garden in my city. Roses bloom so early here, it's wonderful. The entire city smells like flowers: azaleas, roses, violets, wisteria, so many different types.

It's been so warm for the past few weeks that we've left the windows open even at night. This must be the most beautiful time of the year for South Carolina, before deep summer sets in.

Everyone seems to be enjoying spring!

はじめ

A snapshot of my Now:

It is warm outside, with a soothing spring breeze that makes the new leaves of the tree outside my window clatter softly every so often. The air is filled with the chatter of many birds as the night draws closer. My cat relaxes half-asleep on the rug in the living room, ignoring them. I admire the blooming greenery visible from my kitchen table over a cup of tea, but my nose is teasing me with the smell of a juicy steak wafting over from my neighbor's yard on the breeze. I love this time between daylight and turning the lamp on.

Welcome to my days.