1st BBQ of the summer

After coming home from Aomori and taking a long nap, I went to my shuji class.  I usually go on Thursdays, but since I will be missing next week, I am making up for it today.  I was originally just going to practice writing words I've done before, but I asked to practice writing とんぼ, which is tombo or dragonfly because there were so many of them when I got home!

Afterward, my friend came to pick me up, so I could help in the garden/field and she also invited me to stay for the barbecue with her family afterward!  So first, we went to the store to pick up a few things.  All I did today was harvest vegetables.  She said it helps her out a lot and I guess it is a lot of work, but I feel like I had too much fun.

The bad news is that the monkeys beat us to our potatoes.  The potatoes were still tiny, too, so it was kind of sad.  Even though the monkeys can be extremely annoying, I still think they're cute and now I can tell people that monkeys ate my potatoes!  How funny.

The barbecue was delicious and playing with firecrackers with my friend's grandchildren was fun as well.  What a great first day of summer vacation!

much needed summer essentials

there are so many dragonflies EVERYWHERE. like actually too many.

my friend took me to the local meat shop, so now i feel like i can finally go by myself...
we went near closing so the selection is small plus you can order ahead!

okra buds

okra flower and baby okra

the flower dies and becomes a little hat haha

pea flower

shishito pepper

bell peppers

pepper flowers

!!!!

kabocha and eggplant 

ruined by monkeys!

my potatoes!!!!

this is called 線香花火 (senkou hanabi), which is a type of firecracker!
senko means incense stick
what happens is a small ball forms at the end of it, and you have to be careful so that it doesn't drop, once it drops the firecracker is done. people like to see whose can last the longest!

the senko hanabi sparkles like this

my haul!