Love, Japan

1. Rain coming down slantwise and tropical against my face.
2. Lion-like winds blowing the palm trees against the window.
3. Dog trainer on his way home from work taking the time to compliment me on Delilah's excellent light-rail etiquette.
4. Salami and cheese sandwich finally!
5. Talking to Kerry today just to touch in: I am so grateful to have her presence in my life; it's been 40 years this year. Our relationship was built on the idea of transience (our dads' jobs in a foreign country) and seeming whim of the universe (that one overlapping year, never to be repeated) , and yet year after year she is the person I can most count on to feel at home with. I love you, Kerry.