Christmas Tree!

     Yesterday, after Yuta returned from school, finished his homework, and before dinner was ready, we went to D2 (a store similar to Lowes) and bought all that we needed for an American style Christmas tree.  I had thought that we would not be able to pull the season together because of all the differences between American and Japanese culture, but now I see it can be done.

     I am not accustomed to a Holiday season where I can go outside the house and pick an orange to eat (What did you say? The ground is frozen solid in New York?).  We even have a Kumquat tree that is about ripe, that I can pick from any time I want to (What did you say? Kumquats are expensive in New York?). The persimmons are all collected off of the several trees and in the house ready to eat (Don't know what a persimmon is? Neither did I until I saw them growing in the yard.).  You have already seen all the flowering trees and plants around the farm (What did you say? The only flowers in New York are the ones for sale?)  I miss my winter coat, the fleece I wear here is much less massive and I need the reassuring weight of a real wool coat.  It just doesn't get cold enough in Japan to require it.  I miss driving in the snow and ice of New York, there is never any black ice here to "liven things up" with a little loss of friction.  The frequent drivers on their cell phones are just no substitute for black ice.  I think I will go outside and pick an orange now. . .