In spring it is the dawn...

Tama-Chan: After the excitement of the past few days, we hope you won't be too disappointed to get back to good old Tommy and me today. Actually, we have little new to report, and #1 has a bit of a treat in store for you later, so let's start with a picture of me in one of my favourite all-season spots: it's on top of a radiator so it's warm in winter and perfect for naps, but it's also by a window so it's much fun in the summer!

Tommy had a fun time yesterday afternoon because his three (girl!) friends Pie, Pam and Plume came to visit. Here he is with Pie after a vigorous game of tennis ball chasing:

As for the back room, #1 thinks that little Sei-Chan is getting more eager to meet us by the day. Every time she opens the door, the little one dives out at a gallop. Fortunately, there are TWO doors between them and us! Here she is with her newest toy:

And now for the treat... You were all enchanted by little Sei-Chan's name and the explanation of its origins, so #1 thought she would copy for you the very first "post" in Sei Shonagon's famous "Pillow Book." Imagine that this was written more than a thousand years ago at the other end of the world, and then look out at the nature around you...

"In spring it is the dawn that is most beautiful. As the light creeps over the hills, their outlines are dyed a faint red and wisps of purplish cloud trail over them.

In summer the nights. Not only when the moon shines, but on dark nights too, as the fireflies flit to and fro, and even when it rains, how beautiful it is!

In autumn the evenings, when the glittering sun sinks close to the edge of the hills and the crows fly back to their nests in threes and fours and twos; more charming still is a file of wild geese, like specks in the distant sky. When the sun has set, one's heart is moved by the sound of the wind and the hum of the insects.

In winter the early mornings. It is beautiful indeed when snow has fallen during the night, but splendid too when the ground is white with frost; or even when there is no snow or frost, but it is simply very cold and the attendants hurry from room to room stirring up the fires and bringing charcoal, how well this fits the season's mood! But as noon approaches and the cold wears off, no one bothers to keep the braziers alight, and soon nothing remains but piles of white ashes."

From The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon, translated by Ivan Morris (1967)