First, I notice that both Kazumi and Reiji have mentioned that this is the hot season in your town. It is the same here in Virginia---usually. However, this summer has been unusually cool. We have had very few days when the temperature got up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Usually it is over 90 much of the time during July and August. This summer has been very pleasant with the temperature mostly in the seventies and eighties. We may yet get some really hot weather, but we are already in mid-August and normally September is pretty nice. And October is the best month of the year here.

Reiji, you mentioned that the frist American you actually met was a member of a military band. My brother was in one of the US Navy bands and he, too, visited Japan in 1954 on one of their official tours. He says he was in Yokosuka and Tokyo as well as several other places. He was here early in June when we celebrated my birthday with a sort of family picnic, and he was telling us all about the various places he had visited and the people he had met. He felt it was one of the best experiences of his life.

Reiko, you mentioned a recent typhoon. We, too, get such severe storms which we call hurricanes. This is about the time of year we usually hear of them, but so far there hasn't been one due to come ashore in the states.

Kazumi, you mentioned a special type of doll, "jokeshi doll" that is made in your area. Maybe you could describe what they look like, and how large they are. I'd be very interested.

Matsumi, yes we do have a way of wishing on stars here. It has to be the first star that appears on an evening, and we say, "Star light, star bright, I wish I may I wish I might have the wish I wish tonight" and then we make a wish. And, sometimes they come true, but the sometimes they would come true without the wish--but it's sort of fun to do the wishing anyway.

I've probably written more than enough for this letter. Looking forward to hearing from all of you again.

Jean Lockwood