Autumn

 September is the start of autumn. Unfortunately, I don't think the weather got the memo as it is still hot! Today's high was 33C but felt like 36C.  I guess that is a bit better than 36C feeling like 40C!!

I'll be glad when the temperature drops enough that I don't have to run air conditioners all the time!

Autumn in Japan is a chance to recover from "Natsu bate" summer fatigue.  The heat and humidity here are very oppressive, it's easy to get so tired just from doing daily activities. Maybe for a week or so, it's alright but after a few months, the feeling of being totally exhausted all the time sets in.  It's so hard to explain how it feels, no energy at all. Having air conditioning helps but that is such an unnatural cold that it's hard on the body as well. I love my air conditioners, without them I wouldn't be able to do anything at all but waking up with a dry throat every day is hard.

There are so many tasty treats at this time of year as well. Japanese pears are starting to appear in the supermarkets. I always associate them with September because they were a breakfast treat when the kids went back to school after the summer holidays!  Soon sweet potatoes and chestnuts will start to appear. I love sweet potatoes, just steamed, or in soups and stews.  In convenience stores, the niku man, steamed pork buns have started. I love pizza man, the same dough on the outside but the filling is pizza sauce and cheese, very addictive.

Pizza Man, my treat today! 

In spring we have the cherry blossoms, a map showing the best time to view them is published. In the autumn we have a map for the fall leaves.

This is from the internet showing the different times that the leaves are at there best.

Where we are is a bit late, usually about November. Even though this year is going to be very busy I hope to be able to go somewhere for a day just to enjoy nature. Where we are moving to is in the countryside, so we'll get a lot of nature there but having a day out might be a nice break!

Still packing, managed to fill three more boxes yesterday. I tackled a set of drawers that I knew would be difficult. A lot of clothes that I don't need but was hanging onto. Hannah was in the room, she would just say, throw it away. That helped a lot. A couple of T-shirts have gone into a bag to use for cleaning the windows! 

I need some more boxes, my walk-in closet is basically cleared out, maybe I can finish it tomorrow!  Then do more downstairs!  

Just two more months to go. Help!!!!