INVITATION

When I bought the Christmas cactus a few years ago, it was only fist size. It keeps growing over the years. Now there are two plants spreading out and the green clay pot is no longer large enough to hold them. Every year in January or February, they give a few flowers, not too many, not overly crowded, just a few to light up the room. The buds were bright purple and but when they bloomed, the color turned to scarlet.

A beautiful sunny day. I walked by the Ice Lake. Ducks were gliding on the water. Many geese too, were there grazing the grass. The moon was up in the clear blue sky. Next week is the Lantern Festival, on the 15th day of the New Year. It marks the end of the Spring Festival celebration. Traditionally we eat rice dumplings, and hang a lantern by the door. It is the day to go to temples, burn incenses to get blessings from gods. Children will go outside after dark, each holding a lighted lantern, to see whose is the most beautiful one. A tent city was set up in front the library building. We went to see what was inside. We found modern lanterns. Not a big site inside but some of the lanterns are quite lovely.