You know it’s spring when the plum blossoms come out. On Monday, I went past the shrine near my house and saw a tree with beautiful white blossoms. You know it’s spring when you see a lot of high school students walking toward a university one morning. They are on their way to take entrance exams. You know it’s spring when people no longer wear heavy down jackets. Temperatures have been in the mid-10s these days, and people are starting to wear shirts and light jackets. You know it’s spring when baseball is in the news again. In Nagoya, we hear a lot about the Chunichi Dragons and their pre-season games almost every day. (114 words) You can send me a comment or your own story at jaremaga@gmail.com

The SheBelieves Cup is held in the U.S. in February or March every year. Each year, four women’s national teams play against each other. The teams this year came from the U.S., Japan, Colombia, and Australia. Nadeshiko Japan got 4 goals against Australia and 4 goals against Colombia. Their defense was excellent, too. They only gave up 1 goal in those two games. Then, in their last game, they faced the top-ranked U.S. Momiki Yuka got the first goal, but the U.S. team tied the score. Then, in the second half, Koga Toko got another goal, and Nadeshiko Japan won the game and the tournament. It was only the second time that Japan has beaten the U.S. team. Congratulations, Nadeshiko Japan! (121 words) You can send me a comment or your own story at jaremaga@gmail.com

Today is “hinamatsuri.” It is also known as the Dolls’ Festival or Girls’ Festival. Families buy special dolls for their daughters, and they display them until March 3. Girls usually don’t play with these dolls because they are expensive. The princess is dressed in “junihitoe,” a kimono with many layers. She sits next to the prince who is also dressed in a fancy kimono. They say that you should put the dolls away right after the Dolls’ Festival. If you don’t, your daughters will not be able to get married. Many families stop bringing out the dolls after their daughters grow up, but my wife still does it. We look at the dolls, and they bring back memories of our daughters when they were little. (125 words) You can send me a comment or your own story at jaremaga@gmail.com

If you want to borrow a paper book, you have to go to the library. These days, however, you can borrow e-books from your own home. I went online and borrowed an e-book in January. I chose “Demon Copperhead,” a story about a boy who has a very hard life growing up in the countryside. It was moving and full of surprises, but I’m a slow reader. I was only halfway through the book the day before it was due. If it were a paper book, I could finish it and take it back late, but this was an e-book. I had to finish it on time! I stayed up until 3 a.m. the night before and I finally finished it! I’m glad I did! When I checked my tablet the next day, the book had disappeared.  (137 words) You can send me a comment or your own story at jaremaga@gmail.com