Kentucky

Roo is learning a song to remember the 50 States of America in alphabetical order. Yesterday he asked "Mommy, is Kentucky (ke.n.ta.ki) a Japanese word? It sounds like a Japanese word". I couldn't help but chuckle as I explained that Kentucky is definitely NOT Japanese! A good guess, though.

Ryan on the Radio

Ryan is in Tokyo; a post move visit intended to help with the transition of work responsibilities. Despite being surrounded by boxes in an out of control home, and jealous that he has the chance to see friends and visit favorite places once again, I couldn't help but smile when I learned from our friend Mana san that Ryan was interviewed for a live radio show about American Halloween. The link is in Japanese, so here is the translated contents:

DJ Katsuki san says:

"My image of an American is Funky and Loud but Ryan-san was quiet and intelligent. For the children the fun part of Halloween is the costume. He used to be a batman and a knight with the costume that his mother made. His requested song was "I Need You" by Faith Hill & Tim McGraw. While the song was played I thought he said that the video of this song is also good with candles around. I checked the video and found out that my listening comprehension is not bad. BUT, I think I said the name of the program several times but after the show I was asked "What is the name of your program?".... "

Steadfast in his support of Faith and Tim, I think he deserves a "fan of the year award".

Meatless Monday

Meatless Monday is a non-profit initiative in association with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Heath. In an effort to raise awareness, the campaign aids to bring more mindfulness to food consumption habits. Besides benefiting your pocket book and your body, the big plus behind a meatless meal is environmental. Green efforts such as "bring your own bags" and "reduce, reuse, repurpose, recycle" are all good, but individuals can have an even greater impact by making an effort "to eat lower on the food chain". Personally, I've made the choice to not adopt a strictly vegetarian diet. But, I also don't think I need meat everyday. So, in the spirit of "mindful consumption", I"ll commit to a meatless Monday. Tonight's dinner, fried tofu with rice and spicy (shichimi togarishi) sesame dressing (and salad)!

The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is a wonderful classic children's books that tells a story of unconditional love by a very generous tree. In Roo's school work from the week, this came home:

Besides writing on the branches of the tree diagrams "What can a tree give us?", and "What can we give a tree?", Roo wrote a summary of his reaction to the book; " I was sad because the tree was only a stump. I would change the end because I wanted the tree to be big" . His sentiment, expressed simply, captures a typical emotion to the story's end.

Falling Acorn

You know Autumn is coming when an acorn drops from a tree through the open sun roof of your car onto the passenger seat while you're driving slowly through the neighborhood scouting home decorations. And on homes and businesses, decorations there are!

A collection of scarecrows surround the inviting entrance of this lovely home.

Some opt for a more ghoulish theme comprised of inflatables.

Roo and I agree we'd like this one better if the cat looked friendly.

This large pumpkin balloon crowns a garden store on main street. Can you guess what's on sale? Pumpkins, of course!

And beautiful mums and other fall foliage.

In an attempt to NOT fulfill the stereotype of a home renter (vs a home owner), I decided to do some fall beautification of our own home. Plus, Roo's been asking for decorations like the other homes. Today after school, he and I weeded, planted, and watered to create this:

More fond of "harvest" than "halloween", a metal crow and scarecrow have found a place in a bed of straw with mums and kale. Before October 31, the plump pumpkin will become a jack o' lantern.

Mitsuwa

Today a friend, who is also a former Tokyo expat, and I made our way to Mitsuwa in Edgewater, NJ. Forty five minutes from where we live, it's a relatively easy jaunt if you don't misinterpret the sat navi and get yourself locked into going through the Lincoln tunnel into NYC, as we did this morning. After an unexpected tour of the garmet district, we found ourselves at the entrance to Mitsuwa, a large marketplace full of all things Japanese. Greeted by a display of enoki and shimeji mushrooms, we shared excitement as we located familiar favorites of bottled sauces and spices. We both left with an array of basics for a washoku pantry. Despite sticker shock for some items, we deduced one added bonus of shopping Japanese in America; we could read the labels and finally understand what we had been eating the past three years. When our household shipment finally arrives, I'll be ready to cook up some nabe.