November is the "New Year" for tea practitioners.
Everywhere, the opening of the hearth is being celebrated.
Tea (new tea) is placed into the tea pot, and the act of cutting the mouth of the tea pot takes place. This is known as the "mouth cutting tea ceremony," and it changes the setup of the tea room.
In order to provide warmth to the guests, the position of the tea kettle is altered.
At shrines, ceremonies like offering the first tea of the year to the gods are likely being conducted.
I have been taking a break from tea practice and tea ceremonies for a year due to ill health. Prioritizing physical activity to regain health in
both mind and body,
I have paused other hobbies, except for horse riding and breathing techniques.
Fortunately, last week in Mito, a horse-riding friend noted that I looked much healthier and seemed to be recovering.
I'll take things slowly without rushing.
Today, the weather is good, so driving on the Joban Expressway with White-kun seems pleasant.
To enjoy my drive with my favorite music, last night, I learned a bit about using music on my mobile phone from my eldest son.
This should help me avoid listening to nothing but ABBA songs on my way there and back.
Last week, the instructor taught me about the rhythm of the horse, specifically,
at which point to apply leg pressure during the horse's three-beat canter.
After thoroughly observing my riding, it was advised that for me,
applying leg pressure at the count of four in a rhythm of one, two, three, four, five, six is ideal.
Today is my second time, so I'm not sure if I can immediately master this rhythm, although I did well in mental training.
The effectiveness of this will be tested this afternoon...