I love my life but...

everything is MOLDING!!! ok, i know Japan is wet. i know the moisture bucket, drawer packet, airing out routine. i have been through the molding shoes you forgot to wear for a few months, the small white spots on summer shirts you pull out after a long winter, but Kawamoto brings new meaning to mold...I was warned but I wasn't a believer...

when we moved in we were told to buy these pallet things for our closets, to protect from mold and keep air circulating. we have one closet in particular that is super mold stinky; unfortunately, it is also the only place to keep our bedding. every night i dread taking down the futons because it reeks. i have looked for mold and never found any...until i went to take the house photos today and while tidying up, placed something on one of the pallets in the stench closet...i looked close...and it was covered...

gross...i got on the phone quickly to a friend to ask just what you do when what is supposed to be protecting from mold, molds. we had to remove all the doors, clean everything out, wipe it down with water, then vinegar (not sushi vinegar since it contains sugar), and then leave a fan running. It smells slightly better now...

as I was moving things around, I started hunting...looking closely...bad idea. we found mold under both couches, infesting tatami and covering a bookshelf. this is NOT rainy season...and i vacuumed two days ago!

















the mold has left track marks on the bottom of the closet....oh the joys...i stood dismayed staring around my disheveled house, all closets emptied, furniture shifted everywhere...we are having thirteen house guests tomorrow for a 'thank you for helping us move' dinner. AHHH!! i have no time for this...i have a strict cooking schedule for today.

***hours later- ingredient shopping is done. today's cooking tasks almost checked off and the house is somewhat put back together. everything is moved out of the bottom of that closet. we will need to put everything outside in the sun someday, whenever the sun decides to return to Kawamoto (it's been awhile). we are also praying to our house kami shrine that this mold is not a year round guest. i just walked in to the kitchen to check on the brownies i have in the oven, only to be startled by two huge slugs crawling across the counter. where does it all come from????

but really could country life be any better??
p.s. here is this week's flowers-not so good, the balance of the top three is off but i am trying. it never looks quite like the teacher's when i do it at home. craig long ago went to bed...i think i will join him. night night, don't let the mukades bite.