Cherry Blossoms 2025 ― 2025/04/03
Maizuru Park was very crowded even though it was a weekday.
To my surprise, most of the visitors looked very young (I know at my age, basically most people are younger than me) and probably many of them seemed to be the "inbound".
So flamboyant. Like an EXPO site or something.
In fact, until recently, this park was a rather deserted place. You wouldn't have thought that this park could be so popular. There used to be a lot of "blue tents" in which homeless people sheltered. I wonder where they have gone and if they are happy where they are now.
Meanwhile, I enjoyed the flower on my way to shopping,
and, as usual, from a local Mr. Donuts.
View from a Distance ― 2025/03/19
Eary-blossoming cherry blossoms and a donut. My first cherry blossom viewing this year.
Zoomed in...
A Week Has Past... ― 2025/03/18
A bunch of flowers I bought last week are still doing fine. Not a bad investment in these times of austerity time, eh?
Another Plum Viewing ― 2025/03/15
This year I seem to have been blessed with opportunities to appreciate plums.
After enjoying the blossoms in Mazuru Park,
I came across an exhibition of plum-themed paintings at a local museum.
Oh, and one more thing: on my way home from the museum, I picked up a pack of Umeboshi. I can enjoy last year's plums at home too.
Early Spring Flowers ― 2025/03/13
The other day, I went to Maizuru Park where plums were fully blossoming.
And lingering daffodils.
I seem to have been in time to appreciate the early spring flowers in the park. I already could smell the elegant scent of the flowers at the entrance to the park. Thank the gods that there were no food stalls selling punchy foods that would have overpowered the subtle natural fragrance.
Note: There is no cafe or kiosk on the castle ruin mound where the plum garden now stands. If you want to enjoy a mini picnic there, look for vending machines in the parking area, or if it is warmer, you can get nice(r) things at the Starbucks or the Royal Boathouse in Ohori Koen next to this park.
I brought a cookie (from Ginza West! a gift from my husband's friend) and a can of coffee (160yen).
1000yen Extravagance ― 2025/03/10
This morning, I went to a local florist to send my sister a flower arrangement in memory of her late father-in-law.
I hadn't been to a proper florist in literally years and was fascinated by the refreshing and flamboyant smell of fresh flowers. Then I found myself having a tiny bouquet made for myself. It felt quite luxurious to have someone engaged in choosing and arranging flowers just for myself.
I guess this is an impractical but pleasant way to spend around 1000 yen.
An Opening Act ― 2024/03/23
Just before the cherry blossoms, the violets have started to show their pretty flowers.
Signs of Spring ― 2024/02/12
Spring is actually approaching. I have found some evidence while I was taking a walk this morning.
Blooming daffodils.
And the hazy air. This image was not the result of camera shake, nor was it a mirage.
I don't know why; no yellow sand or PM2.5 or falling pollen were forecasted, but this morning the sky was yellowish and smoggy. Buildings in the distance looked blurry.
just in case:
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