Early Sakura Blooms

California had a particularly dry winter, which may account for early blooming of our local cherry trees.

For the past several years we have held a Tea Ceremony demonstration and Ohanami, or cherry blossom viewing, on the Old Town Gazebo in April. This year, however, it seems the trees will be finished with their blooms before we can organize that event. They're in full bloom now!

Don't wait. Take a stroll, grab a sandwich and have lunch under the trees now before they're finished blooming.

Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!

Demons out! Luck in!

In case you saw no Oni at which to throw your soybeans, here are some.

 

We didn't see any oni either, so that's good. Happy Setsubun!