The farmers around Hario are very busy harvesting their rice most of the fields there is nothing but dirt but others have their rice hanging to dry, I love the farming here as I grew up on a farm it is neat to see a crop I'm not familiar with go from seed to Rice.One of the great things about Fall, other than the cool weather and falling leaves, is that it is rice harvest season. If you live in a rural area you might have seen this harvesting firsthand. Harvest time is a really exciting time. After a year of waiting, we can finally eat shinmai again!
Shinmai (新米 [しんまい]) quite literally means “new rice”. The Japanese harvest their rice in September and October, and a portion of that rice is sent to market right away. There’s something really special about shinmai. It’s soft, smells wonderful and has a hint of sweetness (after you cook it that is). It really is a step above “regular” rice. In the countryside it is quite common to receive new rice as a gift from your neighbors.
The role rice plays in national culture varies dramatically depending on where you are. Most Americans, for example, view rice as just another commodity available on supermarket shelves. But in Japan, o-kome, or "honorable rice," is much more than a commodity. In the Shinto religion, sake, rice cakes, and other rice products are the most sacred of offerings, and to a nation that must import most of its meat, fish, and fruit, rice is a symbol of independence. Indeed, as a matter of tradition, the Japanese government strictly prohibits the import of rice as long as local crops provide harvests bountiful enough to satisfy the national appetite
Rice being hung out in the sun to dry.
Kayleigh went trick or treating to 10 houses tonight, then came home and passed out candy for the other kids, she loved this part she even got really upset when we ran out of candy.
Pirate Kayleigh and Captain Jack
My girls
Get her Kayleigh
Rice being hung out in the sun to dry.
On our way up to the Mikan farm.
Kayleigh loved cutting her own Mikans off the trees
This is Autum trying to relax she was acting so weird it really started worrying me, Autum has always been the tough girl you can take shots and stitches without a moan or groan, this morning was completely different. She begged me to take her home which only made things worse for Mommy and she cried which Autum doesn't cry when in pain. I just held her and tried to comfort her but Autum is alot like her Daddy just wants to be left alone. The numbing of her toes were the worse they stuck her 4 times in each big toe then she couldn't feel anything and was back to her normal self. Afterwards we waited for the real Dr to come in the Corpsman lol and dress her toes, Autum and him made jokes and laughed. Was great getting the real Autum back I even sat on the chair with her as he bandaged her toes and cuddled with her for a few minutes.
Autum will be home for another day then back to school but no running for a week :)
Kayleigh all smiles.
