I feel cool breeze wafting from the window by my side as I write this post.
I also hear the thunder rolling after raining cats and dogs.
Only rain can soften the heat.
As season progresses into mid-summer, Hydrangeas are withering while Lotuses have come into bloom.
Lotuses grow in muddy water, stretch straight to the sunlight, and bloom graceful untainted by the mud.
In some Buddhist schools, it is thought that each stage of growth of Lotus symbolizes
each step to enlightenment.
In late June, we suffered the record swealtering heat wave for June since 1875.
Some of you would have suffered from heat wave, but people living in less humid places
wouldn't know how unberable and deadly the heat wave with high humidity can be.
Sweats don't dissipate and there's no escape except for air conditioning.
We were advised to use it despite calls for energy saving due to looming power shortage.
Toshodai-ji Temple
As you might know, our ex-PM Abe was shot to death during the election campaign yesterday.
It happeded right at the place I often walk by.
In my country, owing gun is extremely difficult and gun crime is very rare.
A man killed Abe with homemade gun not from political belief but personal grudge against a relitious cult.
To another NGO organization of it, Abe once sent a supporting video message.
which could have caused misunderstanding about his relation to it. (Added on July 13th)
I didn't agree with Abe for everything, but his dedication to the country and the world
for peace keeping is sorely missed (tears).
Nothing remanis the same.
The terrible heat wave doesn't last so long, but the frequency and intensity have increased.
There are appauling absurdity with no prospect of end.
I'll keep my fingers crossed; merky situation in all the different kinds and degrees end soon
through cooperation toward the light of the sun and no one lose humanity.
"An eye to an eye makes the whole world blind." (Mahatma Gandhi)
It's been raining on and off like usual early July and I could catch my breath
before tackling again with our usual notorious scorching and muggy midsummer.
It's time for me to slow down to enjoy the idleness of the season apart from this laptop.
See you in September, Friends!