Rice, Rain, Hanako and Shoko

Today was rice planting day for Toshiko and Kiyoshi. They have been waiting for water to come down from higher in the mountains, through other rice fields, to cover their own. They spent 3 hours this morning planting their rice by hand. The farmers who have more land have machinery to do the work.

Kiyoshi was up at 6am to put the string lines across the water, to guide the planting. That is how I understand it, but I wasn’t there.

Not long before they finished, it began to rain. Now, at 7pm, it is still raining. 

After lunch, they were both very tired and had a good nap. On waking, we had coffee, and their neighbour Hanako joined us. It is 14 years since I first met Hanako. 

Shoko phoned to ask that we call on her on the way back to my house, as she had some food gifts for us. Oh goodness, Shoko is so very kind and generous. Her gifts to me were some healthy “cakes” she had made herself. They contain ingredients such as okara (what remains after making tofu), banana, organic carob, poppy and sunflower seeds. She is an expert and professional cook. 

Thank you, Shoko. One day, I hope you will come to my house. 

ありがとう。いつか私のいえにきてください。