Summer magic

Last Wednesday afternoon, I went to Osaka-Ya. Mom and I started coming here about 20 years ago, when it was across the street from its current location in a much smaller storefront. I remember the snow cone line snaking around the block on hot summer days. Most of the time, we would get the Kintoki, a perfect confection of sweet ice, sweet azuki beans, and green tea powder. I still remember the sadness I felt when I wanted a snow cone on a Monday, and I remembered the stern sign: "No snow cone on Monday".

Osaka-Ya is now open and serving snow cones on Mondays, but I don't venture over as often as I'd like. I made it over only once last summer. That afternoon, I called mom to see if she wanted to join me. She was working at Southside Pool at the time, only a half mile or so away. She wasn't able to come, but told me later she often visited the shop before or after work.



Last Wednesday marked the first afternoon where it was hot enough to want a snow cone, but cool enough that I wouldn't over heat while eating the snow cone outside the shop. I went over after running an errand, and got an extra small watermelon snow cone. I don't venture above the small size when eating alone, as the snow cones are enormous.

Next time, I will get the Kintoki, which mom and I both love.