Chrysanthemums

I love flowers.  

As I arrived at my Thursday school last week, I was greeted at the doorway by some of the most magnificent flowers I have ever beheld.  

These Japanese chrysanthemums stand almost shoulder height.  The diameter of the flowers is at least eight inches. 

I was delighted to find the chrysanthemums again this week had hardly atrophied at all.  Yet another reminder that I am living in a far different climate from my native lands next to Lake Superior.  Here we are in mid November and flowers are blooming all over the place. 

I miss the snow of my past winters…but when it comes time to leave these year-round flowers, I will miss them too.

flowers

One of the things I love about living in Japan is just how drastically different it is from northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.  Living here has been a fantastic learning experience.

There are so many things that are different.  One of the most evident is the difference in seasons.  Japan has four completely distinct seasons: a blazing hot summer, a beautiful cool autumn, a mildly cold winter, and a pleasantly warm spring. 

Minnesota and Wisconsin have two “real” seasons: Definitely cold, and possibly cold.   Spring doesn’t really start until late April when all the snow is finally gone.  Autumn is beautiful, but is always too short. Winter is long.  Summer is short.

Because of the vast climate difference, there is also a tremendous difference in the growing seasons.   In Minnesota and Wisconsin, the growing season is all too short.  In Saitama Japan, it is year round.  The crops changes of course, but something is always growing in the gardens.

What also amazes me are the flowers.  There is always some type of flower blooming like crazy.  Even in the dead of winter.  

 Gorgeous. 

Playing to Help

So I have a degree in music.  You would think that I might actually try to perform once in a while. 

But I don’t.  In fact, I avoid it. 

I am talking about solo piano performing here.  While in college, I never played an actual recital.  I did a lecture recital, which was great fun.  But I have never really loved performing solo.

So you might imagine my thrilled self when last month my Board of Education asked me to play for a charity concert.  It was for the earthquake victims and was the mayors idea.

How could I say no?

Fortunately I had plenty of practice time.  I also didn’t perform from memory.  That cut down on the nerves as well.

The performance was Saturday the 16th.  It went very well.  I was nervous, but I kept reminding myself that I was doing this to help people.  Which helped me.

It was a small concert, about 150-200 people came.  Including many of my students.  When I was done playing, one of my little tiny first grade boys walked up to me with a bouquet of flowers for me.  He was so cute!  Some of my adult English students also came with flowers for me.  

I was so surprised! And delighted.  I love flowers. 

I don’t know how much money was raised for the victims of the earthquake, but I certainly hope it was a success.  It felt really nice doing something to help.