Cherry Blossoms

 According to the Japan Weather Association, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom where we live. Today is the start of the full bloom and the start of Hanami, cherry blossom viewing.

I haven't been to a hanami picnic in many years. When the kids were little, we would try to go somewhere with a picnic to see the cherry blossoms and enjoy a nice family time. Most years, we found it difficult to find a place to set up a picnic, and when we did, the time would sometimes be ruined by drunken elderly gentlemen!  After a few years, we gave up. My idea of sitting under the cherry trees, enjoying a quiet family time, versus the reality of having someone come up and yell at me, "Hello, hello," or just acting obnoxious because they were drunk, left me with a bad taste in my mouth for cherry blossom viewing. 

The last place we lived arranged a cherry blossom party every other year (until the pandemic). That was nice. The community leader would order obentos, and even if you couldn't attend, the obento would be delivered to you! We went a few times! It was a good chance to meet the neighbors!

For me, seeing the cherry blossoms means that it really is spring! 

This year we've had a few false starts to spring. A few days of lovely warm weather followed by winter temperatures again.  Today it's nice and warm, the high will be 24 °C, which is very warm for this time of year!  It's usually in the mid-teens!

I've been trying to get out in the garden, just pulling weeds and sweeping up dead leaves. I can't do much but at least 15 minutes everyday, it all helps! 

We have a few trees that are still blossoming. Not sure what, this is part of the learning curve!

beautiful camillias

Maybe azaleas, but I think it's too early!

Some other blossoms

being watched by the cats

The tape on the screen is to stop the cats from opening it. We will have to find a better way to fix this problem, but for now, it's alright!