仙台 えいごの教室

 

  After Will talked about his Big Bird day, I guess I have to talk about our birds on the Hirose River. Yes! Everybody’s favorite¹ — swans!!

 

 

　This year many came. My smartphone photo album has a photo of the first group of 4 swans dated² October, 19. After that, many swans flew to the river one group after another³.

 

　Now there are easily over 60 swans enjoying their life in our neighborhood. Often we can see close to 50 near the Hirose Bridge, another 10 or so between the Hirose Bridge and the Miyazawa Bridge, and 20 near our house, which is north of the Miyazawa Bridge. (They sometimes move around, so I’m not sure about the total number… )
 

 

  Every morning, from the window of my room I see those 20, including 3 gray kids³. They swim in the river peacefully⁴, sometimes cooing⁵, sometimes chasing each other. Or sometimes they are like a marshmallows⁶ — just a bunch of⁷ white stuff⁸ — with no necks floating in the river. lol. That means they are eating.

    

  In the late afternoon or in the evening, they just love to shout together for a while. Me and my students, kids to adults, always listen to them and laugh and say "SO CUTE!"

 

  Right now, I’m writing this blog in my room. I sometimes pause and look outside and watch them for a while. Recently I always stay up late preparing to file our taxes. I sometimes hear them cooing or splashing in the water in the dark. I can’t see them, but it’s fun to imagine what they are doing. They make my winter life fun!

 

 

p.s.  If you remember, there is one swan with a broken wing that stays here all the time. Last year, when the first swan came back by himself, they stayed together right away. Everybody thought maybe they were the family. Unfortunately, this year, our lonely swan doesn’t mingle⁹ and stays by himself… I always say "Gambatte. I’m always with you." when I see him, and I’m sure so does everybody¹⁰.