Sorry it's been awhile. I've been dealing with health issues and spring has come and gone. I don't deal well with the heat. We did have three absolutely gorgeous days last week - cool with sunny blue skies. The third was perfect for the JASV annual meeting and potluck picnic at the Sand Bar park. As it was windy, it was a bit chilly in the shade for those who didn't have sweaters with them. Stepping out into the sun solved that problem. We enjoyed good company and had a variety of delicious food - Japanese and other.
The JASV is going to march in the Montpelier (Vermont's capital ) July 3rd parade. I do not know why they have changed the date of the holiday but they have. Some of us will wear yukata (cotton summer kimono) and we'll be carrying all sorts of Japanese things like koinobori (windsocks shaped like carp which are traditionally displayed on Boy's Day in Japan). Some will be carrying branches of plastic bamboo which represent the holiday Tanabata which takes place on the seventh day of the seventh month (July 7th). These are usually real bamboo branches decorated with colorful paper on which wishes are written. If anyone wants to join us, we'd love to have you. Just let us know.
In fact, I thought I'd posted the previous message but apparently I hadn't. The parade took place today. Well, officially, it was cancelled because of thunderstorms, but those groups who had already made it to the appointed starting areas (most after a grueling walk in the hot sun) decided we'd do our own parade as we marched back towards the high school parking lot. We had a good turnout of people for the JASV. We were the 46th group out of 82 participating.
I dressed like a Japanese rice farmer (which I have experienced first hand), and I dressed a UVM student, Zoe, in one of my yukata (summer kimono). She looked great as did Ricky in yukata. Toshi never made it into his judo clothes. One family from Bristol arrived all dressed in yukata and other Japanese clothing. I think a good time was had by all in spite of the cancellation. Afterwards, seven of us ate Japanese food in Montpelier. I think we'll all sleep well tonight. I don't look forward to putting everything away.
I'm off to bed and don't know if I have the energy to hold up my
The JASV is going to march in the Montpelier (Vermont's capital ) July 3rd parade. I do not know why they have changed the date of the holiday but they have. Some of us will wear yukata (cotton summer kimono) and we'll be carrying all sorts of Japanese things like koinobori (windsocks shaped like carp which are traditionally displayed on Boy's Day in Japan). Some will be carrying branches of plastic bamboo which represent the holiday Tanabata which takes place on the seventh day of the seventh month (July 7th). These are usually real bamboo branches decorated with colorful paper on which wishes are written. If anyone wants to join us, we'd love to have you. Just let us know.
In fact, I thought I'd posted the previous message but apparently I hadn't. The parade took place today. Well, officially, it was cancelled because of thunderstorms, but those groups who had already made it to the appointed starting areas (most after a grueling walk in the hot sun) decided we'd do our own parade as we marched back towards the high school parking lot. We had a good turnout of people for the JASV. We were the 46th group out of 82 participating.
I dressed like a Japanese rice farmer (which I have experienced first hand), and I dressed a UVM student, Zoe, in one of my yukata (summer kimono). She looked great as did Ricky in yukata. Toshi never made it into his judo clothes. One family from Bristol arrived all dressed in yukata and other Japanese clothing. I think a good time was had by all in spite of the cancellation. Afterwards, seven of us ate Japanese food in Montpelier. I think we'll all sleep well tonight. I don't look forward to putting everything away.
I'm off to bed and don't know if I have the energy to hold up my