Metori

In spring, pine has many spouts.
They will be taken off at the begining of May.
Pine restores it's cripsness by Metori.

Pine pollen bigins to circulating in the air for several days back.
Metori of this tree was done today a weeks earlier than usual.
Here shows a pine tree before metori (above) and after(below).

Kuro-roubai

Kuro-robai is also known as American-robai.
It's not so popular, but peaple surely like it when they see it for the first time.
Now it is arrenged in the vase on my desk.

Kotemari

The best season of Kotemari flowers are goint to end.
Many small fowers group together and become alike the japanese cotten-made "temari".
The name of kotemari is derived from the small cotton-made ball.

Iris

Irises begin to bloom.
The name of Iris comes from the Greek word for a rainbow.
With hundreds of varieties in several differnet colors and combinations, they are wonderful garden plants.

Mitateyama

Hisorshima castle of which castle tower is faintly visible in this picture was buld in 1589 by warring lord Teruoto Mori.
It is said that he stood at the top of Mt. Mitate where this pictrue was taken and finaly decided the location of the castle.
The name of Mt. mitate is said to be derived from his assesment at this place.

Lavender

Lavenders are swinging in spring wind.
Let's lie down on the ground and look lavenders against the sky.
They will make our minds sound.

Bamboo shoot

Dug and cooked bamboo shoots today for the first time of this year in the mounain behind my house.
Tasted them a week ago today by getting from an acquaintance.
Fleshly dug bamboo shoots are delicious.

Pea

Kunusaya-endo's foewers are now in their best.
Kinusaya peas are piked up and cooked while they are immature without seperating from their pods.
Peas should be picked just before cooking for their quality, especially sweetness.

Strawberry

Open-field strawberries are now begin to ripe.
Nothing pleased me more than tasting chemical free and full-sun stawberries.
They may be in season in a week.

Katabami

Thesedays, keeping weeds of the garden under control is my routine work.
This weed spreads widly in the garden wherever I go.
The name of this weed must be " katabami " from the web listed data of weeds.

Azalea

Today is the first day of my writing blog.
I am going to try up-loading the picture.
Now, Hirado azaleas are beginning to be full-bloom.