A tree growing up through the roof of a building and a 1920s style buggy (still in working condition by local standards) ~ these are the sights that make China special to American suburbanites such as myself.
Precious children also contribute to the joy that is China...
... as do exotic meals full of healthy goodness purchased daily from friendly street vendors.
Now, here is a sight not often seen. Most people in China seem to be good at not losing their clothes and linens despite hanging them at dangerous heights in this sometimes immensely windy city. The American, then, stands out for having her red and blue sheets (hey! where is the white one?!) dangling precariously by a single clothesline clip each from her 5th floor balcony. I, of course, cannot be too harsh on Mom for this one. After all, during her stay, she did both the dishes and my laundry just about every day. Even if I had lost my sheets to this kindness, it would have been worth the joy of having been pampered in such a way for a month. Thankfully, I did not have to suffer such a loss yet still enjoyed the pampering, so my luck works out well -- it reminds me of its presence by eliciting within my imagination the possibilities that are out there for bad luck, but then it ultimately proves itself to be quite spectacular.
A tree growing up through the roof of a building and a 1920s style buggy (still in working condition by local standards) ~ these are the sights that make China special to American suburbanites such as myself.
Precious children also contribute to the joy that is China...
... as do exotic meals full of healthy goodness purchased daily from friendly street vendors.
Now, here is a sight not often seen. Most people in China seem to be good at not losing their clothes and linens despite hanging them at dangerous heights in this sometimes immensely windy city. The American, then, stands out for having her red and blue sheets (hey! where is the white one?!) dangling precariously by a single clothesline clip each from her 5th floor balcony. I, of course, cannot be too harsh on Mom for this one. After all, during her stay, she did both the dishes and my laundry just about every day. Even if I had lost my sheets to this kindness, it would have been worth the joy of having been pampered in such a way for a month. Thankfully, I did not have to suffer such a loss yet still enjoyed the pampering, so my luck works out well -- it reminds me of its presence by eliciting within my imagination the possibilities that are out there for bad luck, but then it ultimately proves itself to be quite spectacular.
I am still amazed at the number of fruits and vegetables that were totally new to me. And so fresh and tasty. I did actually find almost identical apple-guava, labeled simply guava at the local Meijer. Somehow there were 5 at the bottom of the mango bin. The cumquats unfortunately were so dried out they looked like the little one left in the sun on the balcony that neither of us would eat.
ReplyDeleteI was inspired by the little gardens that seemed to grow in any usable space. I ordered "Midwest Home Fruit Production Guide" to see if I can coax something more useful than vines in my little garden.
We got the guide. So far the apple trees have been correctly trimmed for the first time in their 20 year history. Stress on "correctly". Nate would look...and look, trim a few branches. Look and think some more. It is very hard to correct 20 years of neglect and incorrect trimming and still follow the rules. It may take him a few years but I have complete trust that he will get them into shape.
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