今朝の冷え込みに負けず、咲く紫陽花

　今朝は晴れてますが、大分冷え込みました。これは放射冷却のためでしょう。群馬県のすぐ西隣の軽井沢では標高が約１０００mのため、気温が－４°と伝えられてます。しかし、今日の日中は気温が上がると予報されてます。このような時季は体調が崩れやすいです。お互いに健康管理に十分気をつけましょう。

　外気温は低くでも、室内では南側の廊下が一日中、陽が当たり、温室のようになってます。我が家では廊下の君子蘭はすでに咲き終わり、これから１１月までは外の日陰で育てます。植物は気温によって左右され、咲く時季が変わります。

　例えば、紫陽花は通常では６月に開花です。以前に父が庭で育ててた青い紫陽花は梅雨の頃の開花でした。しかし、今育ててる室内の二株の紫陽花はすでに満開で、ご覧の通りの色彩です。眺めていて寂しさ忘れさせます。お近くの方はぜひ鑑賞にいらして下さい。私のすることは土の表面が乾いたら水をたっぷり与えることです。

　ところで、昨日は倉賀野小学校でも新一年生の入学式が行われ、今朝からは独り立ちで登校することになります。登校途上も初めての道で何かと不安でしょうから、今朝の交通指導はとりわけ丁寧に声を掛けつつ、安全な歩き方や信号機のボタンの押し方など、また、朝は通学路でも車の往来が激しいことから、安全を期してしっかり見守りつつ指導したいと思います。　

Dear my friends who like a hydrangea

　It's sunny this morning, but quite chilly. This is likely due to radiative cooling, I guess. In Karuizawa, just west of Gumma Prefecture, the temperature is reported to be -4°C due to at the altitude of approximately 1000m above sea level. However, temperature is forecast to rise during the day. This season makes it easy to get sick. Let's take good care of our health in this season.

　Even though the outside temperature is low, the south-facing corridor in my house gets sunlight all day long, creating a greenhouse-like atmosphere. Therefore Kaffir lilies in the corridor have already finished blooming, and I'll be raising them outside in the shade until November. Plants are affected by temperature, so that their blooming seasons change accordingly.

　For example, as you see in the photo, hydrangea usually blooms in June. The blue hydrangea my late father used to raise in the garden bloomed during the rainy season, in June. However, the two hydrangeas I am currently raising indoors are already in full bloom, as you can see in her color. Looking at her makes me forget my daily loneliness. If you're nearby, please come and see her! My job is to water thoroughly when the surface of soil dries out.

　Not change the subject, but yesterday the entrance ceremony for the new first-graders was held at Kuragano Elementary School, therefore from this morning they will walk to school on their own. Since it will be a new route for them, they will likely feel anxious, so this morning's traffic guidance will be especially thorough. I will be speaking to them carefully, explaining how to walk safely and how to press the traffic light buttons. Also, since there is heavy car traffic on the school route in the morning, I will be keeping a close eye on them and providing guidance to ensure their safety.