A different kind of spring appreciation

A lot of folks (myself included) love spring because of all the beautiful flowers that bloom during this season. Something else I appreciate during spring is the process of rice planting, which usually starts in these parts around May.

Before living in Japan -- and honestly, not until I lived in Niigata -- I had never really considered much about the rice planting process. Here though, I've been able to see it in great detail, since there are fields right at the end of our street. I have to imagine that the local farmers are grateful for the technology changes that have happened over the decades, since the process of sowing rice by hand is not easy.

Our area often has spring events where the local university students can try it, and if you've ever given it a go you'll understand how rice planting machines really are a godsend. Trudging through muddy fields and constantly bending over to plant each individual seedling is back breaking work, and I tried it in my 30s. I can't imagine how it would be for farmers in their 60s and 70s to be planting fields upon fields by hand.

So today, one thing I'm grateful for in spring is the advent of rice planting machines, and the fact that they've made the farming process a lot easier for people in our local community and beyond. 

Humble rice planting machines might not look like much, but I sure do appreciate that they make people's lives easier!