A candy for the gaijin

It is spring!!! Today has been the warmest day yet, and it is glorious. From outside the staff room window, I can hear the chirping of small birds and the clang of bat against baseball. On my walk at lunch, for which I was ridiculously overdressed in black sweater and black tights, a man driving past slowed down, said "Konnichiwa", and opened his hand saying only, "ame, ame" (candy, candy.) It was a bizarre exchange, but I did enjoy the sweet butter candies that were his offering. I'm finished work in twenty minutes, and off to play tennis with G at the park. I always forget what an amazing awakening is spring!