Our thoughts are with you.  Stay safe.

It's finally starting to get to be nice weather here. We have has a cold wet winter this year.

The Japanese Magnolias (Tulip trees) are just starting to bud. I love watching them every year.

Well, hey there lady. How are things going in your part of the world? It ought to be getting close to cherry blossum time.

Hi Antsu,

How are things going.

Hey Antsu,

Me too. I love Summer. I would rather it be 100 degrees than anything below 70. Summer is way too short (even here in the South - where it last 3/4 of the year).

Hi Antsu,

Saw you on line and just wanted to stop by and say "hi". I hope you are having a glorious Summer.

Oddly enough, I did something that resembled cooking.

Actually pretty good.

Combine
White meat chicken
Poppy seed dressing and equal amount of mayonnaise
Red grapes (sliced)
Roasted Pecans
A touch of curry or any other spice to taste.


Serve on croissants.

Yummy and easy. You can't mess up.

Now I'm jealous.

Take care.

Funny thing is I only accidentally found it. I was looking for somthing to rival Buffalo Rock Ginger ale. It is much more of a soft drink with a bite.

Kombucha is completely different but good also.

Hey Antsu,

I've never had mugi cha. I brought KB some kombucha to try today.

The variety that I have been drinking is not very sweet. It sort of has a vinegar type taste. That doesn't really describe it though. The ginger is very strong in the one that I like. And you have to be careful that you don't accidentally shake it even after it is half empty.

Antsu,

I had Kombucha and a whole container of blackberries for lunch today. I keep meaning to tell you about having accidentally stumbling upon Kombucha. I am drinking a variety that is infused with Ginger. (I bought it because I thought it was a Ginger ale that a friend was telling me about). I don't know if you have ever had Buffalo Rock gingerale when you lived in Florida. We used to bring it back like it was contraband when we traveled to Alabama. If you have had Buffalo Rock, you will understand that I was disappointed when I first tried Kombucha. I drank a little and put it in the fridge. When I drank some more a few days later, it sort of grew on me. Now I can't get enough. I like that you really can't consume it fast. You have to slow down and really experience the flavor. The combination of it with blackberries is indescribable. Simple and complex at the same time.

Antsu,

What I find so amazing is that so many people that I have not met have been able to bring light and bliss into my life, sometimes during what would have otherwise been a very dark time.

I've been trying to remind myself to be "mindful" and live in the moment. After all that is all we have. Joy can be found in such simple things when you let the noise go. The noise will always find its way back in, we just have to keep reaching for the peaceful silence.

I enjoyed the Haiku and all of the inspiration that you bring to others around you.

If you make it here by early Summer, we'll have to go blackberry picking at a farm I visit every year. The bushes are thornless and they have blueberries too.

Antsu,

The world can never be a better place unless people open their minds and their hearts.

Sometimes we need to just sit back and watch those peacocks and see that in the grand scheme of things all that they are doing is strutting. Sometimes it looks like they are doing something else, but I believe they rarely accomplish anything. So what's the harm in letting them parade around. With that in mind, I'll try to be more entertained than annoyed.

Here is a Haiku that I wrote today:

Motherhood is brief
Love released eternally
taught in fleeting time

It is almost comical how unusual this is for me. I've never even paid attention to Haikus, but I'm actually enjoying it and some other writing as well.

Antsu,

I'm just barely trying my hand at Haiku. Here is one of my first attempts:

Cherry blossoms float
pink happiness clouds dancing
eyes and heart behold.

Antsu,

I had dinner this evening with two friends that have both been to Japan. They both said that it was the most wonderful place that they have ever been. They said that the people in Japan are the friendliest they have met. Thanks for sharing your corner of the world with us. Also keep letting people know how we are viewed by the rest of the world. Some won't care, but your messages do get through to others.

I've enjoyed getting to know you and even if we never meet in person, I enjoy having met you as a friend.

Hi Anstsu,

I just left a comment on sesport's page and noticed your post.

It reminded me of my visit to DC about 10 years ago. The cherry blossoms are beautiful. I don't think I will ever look at one in the future and not remember your comment about pink snow. What a vivid description you paint.

It is beautiful here as well. The Japanese magnolias have already bloomed but I always look at them in awe. I call them butterfly magnolias. The flowers look like pink lotus flowers to me (or butterflies). I love the regular magnolias as well, but the pink ones bloom with such a striking spectacle each year.

Hi Antsu,
She can't wait to meet you. Man, you killing me with that food. Goodness that look's so good, I can almost taste that cajun corn.

Cherry blossoms! Thanks for sharing that pic. The closest we have here would be pink dogwoods, but I don't think we have any place where an avenue is line with them.

Have a good week! sesport :0)

Hi Antsu,
I'm doing great, thanks for asking. How are you doing? I showed my wife Godzilla kitty, she just laughed. She loves your moniker.