Mount Rokko laughs

“山笑うYama warau/Mountain laughs” is spring kigo in haiku poems. 

It tells soft, bright air of spring mountains.

From late April to early May, Mount Rokko looks laughing
in verdure, soft colors, and the energy to be born into.  

Branches look purplish before budding of leaves.

“To laugh” is written 笑うor 咲う in Japanese.

咲く(to flower) was 笑う(to laugh) in ancient writing.

The whole mountain looks enveloped in peaceful laughters with laughing flowers here and there.

The tunnel of Exochorda racemosa.

When walking in fresher, sweeter air, you’ll find yourself smiling. 

The soft shades of green of tiny baby leaves.

The pink of peach, rhododendron, or azalea flowers reminds me 
of F’s tutu on her first ballet recital.

At the Hase-ike Pond, ripples make distorted pastel reflections 
of fresh maple leaves and azalea flowers surrounding the pond.

The pads of aqua plants have just emerged.

 The baby pads of water lilies are so lovely and serene with purplish hue.

They change colors to green by the time when the aqua plants bloom.

In summer, they spread across the water’s surface, filling it with colors and vibrancy.

The newly born pads of Nuphar japonicum are pink.
The glinting pads in the sun look like jewels of the pond.

コウホネ Nuphar japonicum

The branches of soft yellow Yamabuki, or Kerria japonica, are so slender 
that can be easily shaken by the winds.
Lovely to see them softly swaying in the breeze.

By the way, a darling, opening bud in my family, turned 4 on the 1st of May.

Having attended kindergarten only two weeks, 

Y seems to have developed greater self-control. 

He wants to try new experiences. 

Since last winter, he enjoyed helping his mother to make pizzas.

He makes small holes and pastes olive oil thinly on the dough prepared by his mom, 

and top the one with sausages, tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, and cheese
and the other with apple, ham, and cheese.

Here you are, homemade pizza is ready.

What made you smile or laugh recently?

Linked to Our World Tuesday