The Nemo Socks

The Nemo Socks -- finished, and being worn happily -- thick wool socks in 80 degree weather. You gotta love knitting for someone who loves your knitting enough to wear thick wool socks on a hot day. Not only that, but each time they show up in his drawer, they are the socks he chooses.



Here in Tokyo it's Busy Busy Busy -- as the school year comes to an end there are many gatherings -- there are sayonara parties, there is late night dancing, there are birthday parties. People having "one last coffee together before summer," or "one last playdate," and the greeting is not, "Hi, how are you," but instead, "WHEN ARE YOU LEAVING FOR THE SUMMER?"

Yes, the Gaijin Summer is upon us. Tomorrow is the last day of school, and hoardes of foreigners will trek to Narita Airport and get on planes to go home for 2 months, escaping first rainy season, then the hot humidity of Tokyo.

The benefits of the rain are not many in my opinion, but here's my favorite:

This lovely hydrangea is one I planted myself. I love the hydrangeas in Japan -- the colors and varieties are amazing.