Rabbits on My Mind

An old journal reminds me that January 1 of the past year was a morning of cold but fine weather in Tokyo. One year later a similar description could be applied to Florida, maybe a little warmer but another dazzling New Year’s Day.

To all those who have been faithful readers and friends—including those sometime readers as well, I thank you for the support and wish you a year’s allotment of contentment and realized dreams.

Here are two new year cards, past and present wishing all a Happy New Year. The card at the top is 2011, the year of the rabbit. Just below HAPPY NEW YEAR at the top of the card are qualities associated in myth and symbolism with rabbits.

The card at the bottom is another rabbit, this one from some years back, and includes a short poem. The three lines in the center are from top to bottom, right to left:

Fuyu zare ya

usagi no wataru

yamakage ni

The English is something like: In winter’s chill, the rabbit hops across a mountain cove

Studying Japanese calligraphy, scratching down inadequate haiku poems and sitting with an old grandmother who struggled with her student’s attempts at ink painting. Such were the days in 1987.