Tanabata

Today is Tanabata, a celestial summer holiday celebrating the mythical Orihime and Hikoboshi.  The story goes that Orihime (the star Vega) was the daughter of the sky god.  She was a weaver and wove beautiful fabric.  One day she met Hikoboshi,(the star Altair) a cow herd.  They fell madly in love, and began to spend all of their time together.  They were so distracted by each other that they began neglecting their work, angering Orihime's father.  As punishment he created a mighty river to separate them (the Milky Way).  Orihime was devastated, and after much weeping her father finally relented, allowing the lovers to meet on the 7th day of the 7th month each year.

A Tanabata Tree

To celebrate, people also make wishes, writing them on colorful strips of paper and hanging them from bamboo branches.  Raku's building has a Tanabata tree, so we each made wishes this week.

My wish - that my sister can come visit

Speaking of my sister, July 7 is not only Tanabata, it's her birthday.  Happy Birthday Julie!  And speaking of birthdays, check out this hilarious birthday card I just received.

You Feta Have A Gouda Birthday!