Woolie Springy Thingies

My poncho-wraps are perfect to throw over your shoulders while you view the Cherry blossoms. And the air smells so sweet these days! As sweet as lovely Caitlin who is pictured here. She is a nurse and is the person I would most like to meet if I were ever in need of care. Nurses are so wonderful!
I think they should be paid so much more than they make.

Seeing the spring blossoms emerge always take me back to my 10 years in Japan. The Japanese really go all out at Cherry blossom time but not always in the romantic way you might imagine. It is a huge, fun piss-up!! Tarps are spread out inder the prettiest trees by noon. The junior staff hang around all day waiting for the other company workers that will descend after 5:00. By 9:00 pm the parks are full to bursting with drunks! Some break the branches off the trees to take home. There is usually a crakin' fist fight and piles of styro garbage is strewn everywhere. And you thought that everyone sat under the trees writing poetry! Some do... bless them. At this time I reflect on the impermanence of beauty and the fragility of life. The blossoms burst forth but sometimes are quickly swept from the trees by the cold winter winds. Or are pulled from the braches and sent into the gutter by a late season rainfall. How beautiful! Blossoms in the gutter, where they are most needed to cover up the muck of winter. A lovely carpet of delicate petals to add great beauty to the ordinary!