Castle Apples 🍎 Again

A corner of the castle grounds in my neighborhood is an apple orchard, open to local residents.
You can have a picnic, and during apple season, you can pick apples and take them home. How generous!
It's so laid-back that I'm tempted to offer unsolicited business plans, like an "Apple Orchard Admission Fee" or developing "Castle Apple Soft Serve Ice Cream."

Sometimes, elementary school closing ceremonies and such are held at the church next to the castle or in the castle gardens, and afterwards, everyone enjoys a picnic in the apple orchard before disbanding.
On the way home from their children's closing ceremonies, some people visit the graves of their grandparents, relatives, and other family members at the church.

A church built in the 1200s and a castle built in the 1600s, both deeply rooted in the community.
I imagine the role and existence of this church, and the lives of the people living in this region, have changed dramatically.
But perhaps, people still celebrate "Apple season has arrived!" and visit the graves of deceased family and friends to remember them, just as they always have.
Things that change and things that don't.
Even in the 1600s, someone must have burned their tongue tasting simmering apple jam, just like me.

Speaking of things that change and things that don't.
My second-year middle school son seemed to be puzzled.
He wondered why girls at school, after being close friends, would start speaking ill of each other behind their backs after a while. He found it strange.
I told him it varies from person to person and gender has nothing to do with it.
But I thought there might be some truth to it, so I suppressed my laughter.
What do you think? Statistically (what kind of statistics?), are girls' friendships really more fragile?
He has a best friend named Fabian, who he's been friends with since they were babies in diapers. They tell each other anything, even if their breath smells or their hairstyles are weird, and they forget about fights the next day. He says that will never change.

Why do adults pledge eternal love, only to break up?
He hasn't asked me that yet.
Even if he did, I wouldn't know the answer. Haha.

Well then, everyone, have a wonderful and energetic autumn 🍁🐦
Sweet potatoes, chestnuts, persimmons 🤤. Please enjoy Japan's delicious autumn too!