 Two years ago, Kei and Hayato, students from Japan’s Hirosaki University, spent two weeks with us during their exchange visit at University of Maine Orono. Kei is back to visit for a couple of days, and he came bearing gifts for all his Maine friends. When he sorted them, our kitchen took on the air of a Japanese grocery. I tasted “natto” for the first time…and the last, I hope. Jonathan scarfed it right down – this pasty fermented bean stuff. He’s a better food adventurer than I. It’s been a while. I’d forgotten what a kick it is to have extended “family” from all over the globe. Kei walked in like it was home, petted the dogs, gave monstrous hugs, and hoped that I’d make a tuna casserole for dinner. We caught up. I drank the wine made from his grandmother’s vineyard. I taught him how to play cribbage. He watched Jonathan sew up my pinky finger on the kitchen counter. You know, the usual. Time to gather tuna casserole ingredients. I’ll try not to chop any more digits during food prep. My 60th year in 60,000 words Day 178: 182 words, TOTAL = 29,194; 30,806 remaining |
AuthorRobin Clifford Wood is a writer and writing teacher. She lives in central Maine with her husband and dogs, loves to be outdoors, and enjoys ever-expanding horizons through her grown children and their multi-species families. Archives
October 2021
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