Every year I feel a bit under the weather in the plum season, when everything else seems to thrive (trees, mosquitoes) and the human body strives. This year we’re having a consecutive two-week rainy days. And still no sign of sunlight. People say they might grow gills anytime. I think I”ll be among the first ones.

That’s why I decided we should have a hot pot day. I needed to have some spicy foods to remind me that not everything tasted like sawdust. And why to choose a day if today is the day?

We ordered everything we needed from the online grocery store, which included the new sour and spicy hot pot base, veggies, lamb rolls, clams and Tofu. When the smell began to waft across the diner room, I finally found the sound of the rain dashing against the window not so annoying.

Now I am lying back in my sofa, full and satisfied. Time to call it a day.