Summer features...

I went out to the center yesterday just to have a quiet moment at a cafe in one rainy day. I really enjoy the atmosphere created by the combination of rain drops and cafe's quiet time and space. I could focus on reading more than I do. It was a really nice start for the day yesterday. 

While passing through the shopping arcade later in Umeda district, I found a small exhibition of 風鈴 (Wind Chime), and tried to take some photos by my iPhone and DSLR camera. A lovely and fun photo session, but the results were not well. I really need to learn Photography from someone experienced, especially about the functions and effects of camera for the objects. 

Anyway, these Wind Chimes are one of Japanese traditional Summer features. When I recall my old childhood memories, I see a wind chime in my mind hung on the balcony of my grandma's house. It must have been a tiny iron wind chime. 

Though they make a very lovely sound, they are not appreciated by the modern society as much as it used to be. More people start considering it just as a noise. It is very pity even though it is said that the sounds purify the evils away...

Sounds are one of inevitable factors of nature and our life. How come we are losing a sense of hearing these lovely sounds...

An active seasonal rain front are covering Western Japan region right now causing heavy rain. Some disastrous mud slides and floods are being reported here and there. 

Fortunately, my region is located at the edge of the rain front, and don't have much rain right now. However who knows. The forecast shows that we expect constant rain for the next few days. We may be hit the most active rain clouds later... 

In many ways, we Japan go through the natural furies of Summer. Dreadful Summer heat and humidity, heavy rain, and typhoons. However we just need to cope with what the Mother Earth brings to us. Of course, not only for Summer, but also for other seasons; Spring, Autumn, and Winter. Good or Severe ones, that's what we receive from her as a mercy. 

It is 七夕 (Tanabata) today, and time to make upon stars. 

Masami