Review: Cherry Blossoms, Sushi and Takarazuka – Seven Years in Japan

I love cherry blossoms, and I’ve always wanted to go to Japan! — YUR

MJ Reads

 Cherry Blossoms, Sushi and Takarazuka: Seven Years in Japan  by Jill Rutherford 

Published by Silverwood Press

RATING: 5 STARS

     Jill Rutherford’s memoir, Cherry Blossoms, Sushi and Takarazuka – Seven Years in Japan, takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of her experiences living in Japan. The idea of going to Japan began after Jill saw a short TV ad  about cultural oddities in the world. The Takarazuka Theater Company, an “over the top” Japanese all-female  group was the featured show. Jill loved the performance.  A few weeks later, her friend Jan spotted a newspaper ad about the upcoming shows of The Takazrazuka Theatre Company playing in London. Serendipity?  After seeing the Theatre group live, Jill was hooked on Takarazuka and this served as a catalyst for her to eventually cash in her life’s savings(!) to travel to Japan.

Jill persuades Jan to travel along with her and details their experiences of living in Japan as ESL instructors, stories of Japanese…

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Cryptoquote Spoiler – 04/27/15

Suess Landing at Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure theme park, Orlando, Florida (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“If you can see things out of whack, then you can see how things can be in whack.”   —   Theodor Seuss Geisel

(That’s kind of a reverse definition, but it works.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

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Jumble Spoiler – 04;27;15

English: Abandoned Hyundai Grace in Tomsk, Russia Русский: Брошенный микроавтобус Hyundai Grace в Томске (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Visual Description:  The price of security?

KEIRH  =  HIKER,  ATOLG  =  GLOAT,  RAFSIA  =  SAFARI,  BOMOAB  =  BAMBOO   —   Giving us:  KELTFRBAO

Clue/Question:  After carelessly puncturing all four tires, he would be – – –

A flat tire on a Mercury Villager van. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Answer:  FLAT BROKE

(Now, that’s a good stinky pun!  Have you ever noticed how many people say “broke” when the should be saying “broken”?  It’s really annoying.  I’m far from being the Grammar Police, but certain obvious offenses do irk me to no end.  Oh, well.  There were no new clue words today, but once again all the jumbles are coming up as new.  What up, Hoyty?  Anyway, none of them stumped me.  The answer letter layout was cryptic enough, but the whole set up made the answer fairly obvious . . . again.  Quality, but standard fare, cartoon.  It’s much more fun being snarky, folks!  That’s about it.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

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