lunch diary 1229 Usual last last week of this year

Monday; We went to an apple orchard to  buy the last apple of the year. We also got a  lot of souvenirs. On the way home we had lunch at Chinese restaurant "Bamyan". Oh, "the robots are serving the food." "Should I  take it myself?"  When I  was thinking  that, a clerk came and served me. which one was correct?

Tuesday;  It's strange that I didn't know until now. I found a bottle "beef bowl sauce". It is produced by Ebara food company, so I thought probably it won't be spicy. It was  correct.  But what I made was “Pork bowl”. Well, the number of commercially available sources has increased. whatever. Later, I found out that there was also a sauce for "Pork Bowl", but for now, I use this as well.

Wednesday; we had "brand beef tong" in the freezer, which we bought last month. They were not as stiff as we thought. However, we forgot what Sendai beef tongue tasted like. So, as a lunch item, I'm not sure if it's expensive or reasonable as a brand.

Thursday, I am going to cook some  new year's dishes. So, I started preparing for them, so our lunch was "lunch box" Yuki bought at a nearby supermarket. From tomorrow, the number of people will increase, so the delicatessen will increase, but that's okay. Let's cut corners.

Anyway, the fact that "New Year's decorations" were made means that everyone, including my mother and mother-in-law, is doing well. It is really grateful, isn't it?

Good morning 1229

 

We have no plan, today. 

Probably we go to a nearby supermarket. We are going to spend today lazily. 

Yuki starts organizing his music score.

 I also start reviewing my book list. 

We have something to do. 

Good morning 1228

 

It is the last day fir Yuki to play tennis this year. I was going to go to the gym, but I decided to stay home today. One student comes. 

Today’s mission is to get full heaters with kerosene.

The eaters in my house are  portable, basically There is one in each room. Can you guess how many there are? Now there are two members in my house. Tomorrow it is the Kant day for kerosene to be delivered.  

Good morning 1227

 

Our house is changed into new year’s decoration. 

Kitchen fan is cleaned. Our winter cleaning is finished. 

Today it is a ten times point day at a nearby supermarket. I have to go and get some special ingredients for new year’s. 

Good morning 1226

 

Christmas week has gone. New Years vacation is just around the corner. I will change our decoration for the New Year.

 Though it is not sure, we will go to an apple orchard to get “bamboo” for the decoration today.

lunch diary 1225

Monday; They are frozen spring rolls. I deep-fried them a lot.  

We  bought them at a bargain price at "GYOUMU supermarket (mainly customers are shop owners) Also we did walking.

There was one winter rose blooming on the way, but there were rose fruits called "rose hips" around it. I thought that I wanted them but I didn't know the house owner. so I didn't ask. Anyway we walked enough on the day. So I spent the after reading books.

Tuesday; it is day of  half price day for frozen food at a local supermarket. This is "dumplings that don't need water, oil, or a lid" .(according to TV CM) Surprise. They are "Osho (king) gyoza- dumplings".  It was half price, so it was 210 yen. It was like a professional skill.  In front of the supermarket, there is a famous local gyoza shop, but on half-price days, Osho gyoza is more inexpensive..

Wednesday; it was cold. The forecast was supposed to be sunny. It was cold even for having pot-dish " nabeyaki" so I drank cocoa Will my cholesterol rise again? 

If tempura is added to nabeyaki, it will be gorgeous, but cooking tempura is troublesome. It's expensive to buy and troublesome. As long as we have green vegetables, isn't that enough? (I think) 

Additionally the new car came this evening. The previous car has been ridden 120,000 km. Say special thanks to the previous one, and say hello to the new one.

Thursday: It's raining, so my husband doesn't play tennis. I had Yuki drop off and pick me up to the gym. During the 30 minutes of machine training, he was finding side dishes at a nearby supermarket. The budget was 500 Yen... Surprisingly well done. He found two dishes with  red tags. Both husband and wife are now living well in their (our) retirement life. However, they were  all about carbohydrates. I also cooked rice with rice cooker...whatever.

Friday; it was  cold. I was not feeling well. So, our lunch was takeout "kalbi bowl". Recently a new shop opened, Yuki and like it. I like it. Actually, it's a little more expensive than a regular beef bowl restaurant. whatever. It's not a soft type, it's a crunchy type of ribs. It's very helpful to have a store where we can easily take out in the neighborhood.

Happy holiday!

 

They are this year’s small gift from me to my friends. They are cans for aroma. I stocked then. 

I just two candy in each one, and presented to my friends.

We spend quiet weekend. Happy holiday!

Good morning 1223

 

Yesterday, though it was very cold, I went to the gym. It was good.  Some members who come to the gym at the same in the same time as me were the last time to come this year.  We exchanged the phrase “have a great holiday”.

In the evening a neighbor came.

Well, today’s our mission is going to dentist in the evening. 

Good morning 1222

 

It is raining. According to the weather report it will stop in a few hours. It is not sure tennis court will be open or not yet. 

Whether I go to the gym is another thing. But raining makes me lazy. 

Yesterday a friend dropped by. She presented flower pots she arranged. Our entrance became really bright.

I baked cinnamon bread for her. 

Good morning 1221

 

Yesterday, the meeting or chatting with  just two members including me  was fun. In the afternoon, I also had another 40 minute chatting. 

How I can expand this’s activity?  Anyway it is important to going on. 

Today’s evening Yuki’s car will change into a new one. The new one is smaller than current car, but it is all right. The new one is close to a Jeep. 

My today’s mission is going to the gym. 

Good morning 1220

 

Yesterday we visited a shrine on a “small hill. For me it was like climbing a mountain. So I spent the rest of the day lazy. ( though I usually spend most of  the afternoon lazy.) additionally I did yoga stretching much longer than usual at night. 

Today I hold a zoom meeting of our picture book club. Anyway this meeting is continued. Now there are two regular members including me. 

Good morning 1219

 

A new week or Christmas week has started. 

For students, it is the last week to go t school this year. 

World Cup game finished. So, Yuki went to sleep agai after breakfast. Anyway he woke up, took out the garbage, had breakfast, and went to his room. 

Today we have no plan, though the last mission of cleaning kitchen is not done yet. 

We might visit a shrine nearby to refresh. 

lunch diary 1218

Monday;　I made three kinds of topping on the rice. Each of us put them as much as we wanted.　I thought there would be cooked some minced meat left, but all of them has gone.

It was a warmer afternoon than we expected, so Yuki changed the tires of the car to winter tires.　He doesn't play on snowy days, so we don't think we'll go out basically. but having winter tires make us relieved.　Anyway he could still replace them by himself. Of course it really helped our household budget.  

Additionally he bought "Happo-shu" which  is a kind of carbonated liquor. It usually looks and tastes like beer.

Tuesday: it was a rather cold day. I made Curry udon-noodle hotpot with lots of green onions. It made warm us up.　On this day, it was my performance day at café Karaku in the afternoon.　This time my friends story telling is all right to be open to the public.  

We are surrounded by Christmas atmosphere when we go to the store.　I am supposed to make  apple tarte tatin at home for our Christmas.

Wednesday; Sorry for the bad photo.　Stir-fried cabbage and beef with sweet soy sauce.　It was all right to change to winter tires, but one of the tires' center cap came off.　Yuki says, "It's an accessory, so it doesn't matter for running." But it bothers me.　However, it's not a new tire, so it seemed to get it so easily... Finally we  found a used one on the net.

Thursday;  I cooked  garland chrysanthemum. This year, the garland chrysanthemums seems to be a bountiful harvest, so thankfully, someone sometimes gives it to us.

In the afternoon, we walked to a new drug store that opened yesterday. Even though it was open yesterday, and in the middle of the day, there was a long line at the register. All items were 10% discount on all items, but at another shop it was the day of 10 times points, so we came back empty-handed. Anyway  this is the 4th drug store near my house. Why?

Friday I steamed mizuna with fish. It was the first time to cook fish for this week.

But, "It doesn't seem to be enough" ... "Meat at night". Yuki said. Well, what shall I cook at night? In the morning, I attended a "haiku meeting". This time, my haiku was also selected. "Keep plugging away　With  two rice  bowls  Christmas" .  We'll Spend Christmas as usual. New year meeting is waiting.

Good morning 1216

 It is not painful today as it was yesterday.  I didn’t go to any clinic. I did yoga longer than usual in the afternoon and at night.  Today I have a Haiku meeting. A weekend comes. YukiKs role of winter cleaning is almost finished. He added ‘scrubbing bathroom h shower his role. Then he bought some new scrubbing kits and detergent. By watching TV , he was really interested them. A kind of detergent was sold out, so he  got it online. “Scrubbing in December is his new hobby” he accepted this phrase. 

Anyway our last mission of winter cleaning is cleaning the  kitchen fan.

I

Good morning 1215

 

My lower-waist hurts. ( not lower-back) .

My regular acupuncturist is off, today. I might go osteopathic clinic to eat massage. 

Anyway it is cold today. 

Next Yuki’s  new car comes. “According to our schedule” our retirement savings was used.(decreased)

Quiet Christmas comes in a week, doesn’t it?

story telling "Christmas gifts" by TAKEHISA YUMEJI at cafe Karaku

Yesterday it was my performance day with my friend at Karaku.

She reads an classic Japanese story. Takehisa Yumeji is a very famous painter and a poetry. He also writes some novels.

Anyway I added subtitle translated in English by me.

And thanks Ms.J --- to allow to use your photos.

troubleshooter 1210

The following advice column might sound nothing special for foreigners whose native language is English. However the column written in English made me very surprised. Because the counselor expresses her love or affection to her husband very frankly and honestly. Probably she might had experienced very hard days before she married. 

-------------------------------------------------

 I want to keep distance from my mother and elder sister

　

My relationship with my mother who is in her 80’s and my elder sister is painful.

I’m in my 50’s. I’ve been nursing my husband for 10 years.

My mother has always been doting on my elder sister only. When it’s convenient for her, she asks a favor or says nasty things about our relatives to me.

 My elder sister lives near my house. When the three of us are together, she always butters her up, when she and I are together, she always says nasty things about my mother. And she always speaks in an authoritative tone to me.

My father passed away in his 50’s from cancer. At that time my mother was busy with her work, so I was in charge of nursing him.

After my father passed away, I lost my place in the house, left home and married my husband. He is a savior, he came to my rescue from my mother’s house. He is really gentle, so I don’t care nursing him.

Now I want to keep distance from my mother and elder sister, but instead give priority to my husband and live with him peacefully.　However my father willed “get along with your sister”. I sometimes feel sorry for my mother. What should I do?

The answer of an advisor who is a writer, is

------------------------

Life is not always calm, we have a tailwind, a head wind, or sometimes storm.

However you are really happy though you are nursing your husband who you love as your savior, aren’t you? You focus on your life and live calmly and quietly. You have done enough because you nursed your father as much as you could 

It is said that children who weren’t given enough love from their mothers tend to not be free because of being hung up on their mothers. You can’t go against your mother or your elder sister. You might be hung up on them.

However parents usually want their children who left their nest to be happy, even though they feel lonely. You believe it. You only tell your mother frankly “Sorry, Mom. Now my priority is my husband. I am nursing him. “

If you bear pain and push yourself too hard, nothing good will happen. It’s a good excuse to say that your priority is your husband. So you should keep distance from people who give you pain. Whatever they say, you hold your freedom of mind, and control your happiness by yourself. 

Good morning 1212

 

A new week has started.

Today we have some errands, so go out. 

Now, we are thinking , even though we have just finished breakfast, what  we will have lunch ‘outside’. 

Or, we might eat ‘takeout’ at home. 

Our usual days are always based on what we eat. 

lunch diary 1211

Monday;  Our eldest daughter came and stayed one night.  I forgot taking the photo of the  lunch picture at  "Gyukaku" which is a grilled meat restaurant." It was really nice service to serve  chocolate and hot green tea at the end. They gave us a relief. Recently, there are many "all-you-can-eat" menus at grilled meat restaurants , so we are grateful that they offer individual lunches at a reasonable price. I would like to keep the price unchanged, what do you think? 

My eldest daughter says that she may not come at end of the year, so we visited a shrine to thank for this year, and ask next year's peace and improvement.

Tuesday; we were supposed to have lunch separately, but each schedule changed so we got together. She wanted to eat heavily , so we went to a A long-established restaurant. The still offer at 880 yen for lunch. It is very  is attractive.

I asked "My rice was "just a little". " Although it is not in the picture, she had a horse mackerel set meal with soba. My husband had curry rice with "kakiage" deep-fried mixed vegetables soba.

After eating well, she  returned to Tokyo, saying, "I don't want to have dinner today." My husband had usual dinner.

Wednesday ; Our usual days came back. It's my specialty:  lettuce fried rice. At this time of year, I don't like fresh cold lettuce in salads. lettuce? No, this is a "Sancyu". When we have grilled meat, we eat meat wrapped with it.

A lot of apples also arrived, and I made an apple candle with the pointed leaves like fir leaves.

Thursday I cooked the famous "Fukaya green onion'' I used it up and served  as a bowl of green onion. I didn't know that "Fukaya green onion" itself became a season word for haiku. Because it is famous and expensive. Thanks to my friend who sent it.

On this day, I finally resumed walking exercise. I hope the warm days continue.

Friday, The lunch looks like the same of the yesterday's. But I used burdock. I also had green onions again.

I cooked a lot of  whole yuzu which were simmered with honey,  and they were  so good that I made them again for the second time.

I made a lot of beef, green onion, and burdock stew, so I thought  we had  enough for dinner. But Yuki said " I wanted something else"  so we went to "Matsunoya", which opened nearby recently and took out a piece of cutlet for "his" dinner.

an article of "Ms. Mieko's home library

 My project "Ms. Mieko's home library" was introduced on an article.

So I tried to translate it in English.

Ms. Mieko’s home library

A new “MIN TOSYO” private library has opened in Utsunomiya. 

The main collection of “Ms. Mieko’s home library” is English picture books.

Though she runs her English school, it will close next year. She was thinking about how to make her English picture book collection useful after she closes her school. She found the group of “MIN TOSYO”, and joined the group. Now Ms. H is a director of her library. (Well, she has a staff, who is her husband who retired recently.) 

About thirty years ago, she opened a piano school at home. Then her family joined a voluntary group and started to accept international students, then she also started her English school.

At that time foreign countries’ culture or events like Halloween, Easter and so on were not so popular. So she started to collect English picture books to introduce such culture or events easily with fun,

She also got the picture books which were translated in Japanese. She says it is really interesting how they are translated in Japanese. 

She says “I would like others to enjoy these books with ease and fun.” with a good smile. Now she is organizing her private library project little by little.

Some of her books are already out of print. Listening to her explanation of these books, feeling her affection for these books, and talking with her were very wonderful and very precious time for me. 

Ms. H also does voluntary reading of English picture books at Utsunomiya East library, though for a while it was stopped because of this coronavirus pandemic.

---------------------------

In Utsunomiya there is an official private library. "Official" means there library is registered on the list of MINTOSYO. My library isn't registered.

At the private library, they introduce some of my books.

Good morning 1208

 

It is sunny again. 

I will do exercise as much as I did yesrerday.

Yesterday, I did “too much” exercise. Going to the Gym in the morning and in the afternoon I did walking for longer distance than I thought. But it was over 6000 steps. 

The exercise seemed to be too much for me. The rest of the day I didn’t want to do anything. 

On the other hand I realized that my less physical power. This coldness is one reason. 

Anyway I have to train my self physically. 

Well, I wrote what I thought —- I don’t know what I will be a lie to do today. 

Good morning 1207

 

Usual days of two of us have started. Yuki has already left to play golf. Got these two days it was very cold. Today it seems to be sunny and warmer than yesterday. Lucky him!

I am going to go to the gym. 

Good morning 1206

 

A few minutes ago, my elder daughter left here. We had breakfast together. Yuki is still sleeping, because he was watching the soccer game for the midnight. Unfortunately Japan couldn’t win. 

Probably she won’t come this new year vacation. So we went to a shrine to say thank of this year, and pray for the next year yesterday. Though it was raining we had a good drive. Of course the driver was Yuki. 

Good morning 1205

 

A new week has started. It seems to be colder than yesterday. Yesterday I made this star-cereal bar and have a friend.

Today my elder daughter comes to update her driver’s license. So Yuki stays home without play tennis. We are going to eat out something outside. 

lunch diary 1203

Monday; It's a crabmeat omelet. But it's not real crabmeat. It's imitation crab called "Kanikam" . My husband saw "Kanikama Best 10" on TV and went to buy the imitation crab, but we couldn't find them.

In the afternoon, we went to my friend who has large field, and got some vegetables. How do I cook them?

Tuesday; Misuji ( top blade) steak.  We could get them on sale at a supermarket. But enough. I sautéed leaves of radish quickly. The green color shines as garnish. I haven't used the carrots my friend gave yet. Anyway I froze the fresh leaves. I hear that it will be flakey naturally and a substitute for parsley.

Wednesday; The expiration date of preserved rice is coming soon. This week, we are going to eat up them all. 

A lot of persimmons have suddenly arrived, and I tried to used them up cooking for  jam, dried persimmons, and so on.

Thursday; We got lot of Shungiku, garland chrysanthemum. I cooked them lavishly.

I also had a lot of cinnamon, so  in the afternoon I baked cinnamon bread with HB. It smelled good in our house. Well, some people are not good at it.

Friday; This is Tasai. My image is that Tasai suits to beef. I bought some beef. In the old days, we think that it was only served at Chinese restaurants. We are happy that we can enjoy various things now.

Good morning 1202

 

Japan won. Yuki got up early to watch the live game. I was not going to do it. But —- I am sleepy now.

Yuki said “ I got up very early naturally, it was miracle, so this miracle brought victory to Japan”. I think a lot of Japanese people said the same thing.

I baked cinnamon bread with HB. Today’s breakfast is fruit, fruit, and fruit. 

Apple, persimmon jam, and yuzu citron &carrto jam.

P.S about yesterday's peanuts article, my friend shared this site. Thanks.

Good morning 1201

 

December has come. 

Though probably we will spend our days as usual, we feel busy. 

We share roasted peanuts to our friends. Here in Japan (or Utsunomiua) it is not so easy to get uncooked peanuts. And I think fresh roasted peanuts are tasty. Actually our friends seemed to be happy.

Well, we hear “be careful! If you eat too much peanuts, you have a nosebleed!”

Have you heard of it?

P.S my friend shared this site. Thanks.

Good morning 1130

 

Yesterday, Yuki’s friend presented a lot of persimmons. Some of them are almost mature. I made persimmon jam, and some of them are dried after peeling, the others are stocked in he fridge after wrapping each of them. 

For these two days I cooked a lot. Today, I will go to the gym. My usual day has started. 

Good morning 1129

 

Yesterday afternoon I was cooking or experimenting. 

I knew, we can roast fresh peanuts with oven. 

I make peanuts butter, and peanuts bar with marshmallow.

I am going to visit some friends house to share the peanuts in the morning instead of going to do,exercise.

Good morning 1128

 

A new week has started. 

Yesterday we visited our friend’s house who are land owners and own big rice and vegetable fields. 

I got lots of fresh peanuts, Yuzu citrons, and so on. I like getting vegetables and at that moment, I feel bit excitement like how I deal with them. I think it is. For me it is like an experiment.

Their house is so big that we don’t understand the amount of vegetables. 

Now our sunroom is fulled with their gift. This week I will struggle with them. Yuki says “it is your hobby, you have to become away of it”. Well I just won’t waste them. 

lunch diary 1126

Monday: Our lunch  was  baked thick fried tofu with meat miso paste, and natto. We got enough protein. The sun came out after 10:00 A.M. So, I was getting better, but I  spent the day lazily and leisurely while reading books.

Will it finally cold winter come?

Tuesday;  Last night, we had "Ankake" yakisoba noodle. we had the leftover. If course I added vegetables more.  It seems to get cold again tomorrow.

In the afternoon, we went to Gyomu Super for "shopping", which sells lots of things at reasonable price.

Wednesday;  It's a cold rainy day. So, my husband has no plans. We went all the way to next city "Yuki"  to buy special soy sauce. It's about a 40 minute drive one way. I was snuggling up in the car.

On the way home, my husband ate "spicy" mabo tofu at his favorite Chinese restaurant. I had Yulin chicken. Which one has more calories?

Thursday;  I forgot to take a photo of the lunch.  I cooked a bowl of fried cutlet using frozen cutlets. It's yuzu citron season. we had homemade yuzu jam. I know the process is very troublesome, and putting the jam in a bottle, wrapping it, must be more troublesome. Thank you.

By the way, I also made yuzu-flavored sweet miso paste.

Friday; tofu fried rice. It is also called kasamashi fried rice it means tofu expand the portion,  or healthy fried rice.

It was a very productive day, with a haiku meeting in the morning and watching my friend's  hula performance in the afternoon.

Good morning 1125

 

Today’s toast is burnt. It can’t be helped. 

Yesterday, a neighbor came and borrowed a book which is a Japanese book.  It is not an English picture book, but I was really happy that my home library works.

Today, I have haiku meeting at our local community center. In the afternoon I go to see hula group performance because my friend performs.

So, probably today’s dinner will be delicatessen.

Good morning 1124

 

It is sunny. Yuki looks very happy, because Japanese soccer team won, though I went to bed as usual. 

Yesterday, we changed our schedule, and did about one hour drive. We went to a soy sauce firm to buy ‘special soy sauce and vinegar, though I can’t tell what is special. 

Anyway the soy sauce and vinegar is used at some famous hotel in Tokyo, and the owner sell them at really reasonable price to the customer who come there directly. 

Good morning 1123

 

It is raining, and cold. It is a holiday. So, we stay home, though in the evening two students come. 

We? Or I was going to clean some windows as a part of winter cleaning, but, won’t because of this weather. 

Yuki has already started watching recorded soccer game. 

I ——- will watch a movie of amazon prime , after “doing house errands”. Probably it is my habit to sweep roomies with broom. I think it is all right to skip everyday sweeping and doin laundry.

Yesterday, my friend sent me some nice photos. One of them was a organized drawer. 

I was influenced, and opened the drawers of the kitchen shelf. Though they were not well-organized, they were not so bad. Unfortunately I was not able to discard any things. It means the thing I keep are used constantly. 

Good morning 1122

 

Last night, we changed our schedule. We celebrate our friends i day earlier birthday. I didn’t prepare anything, so we ordered some  delivery meals, and I wuicklynbaked apple cake.

It was a good night. 

According to my plan, I was going to bake apple tart for her today. 

So today’s  y plan is going to the gym.

Good morning 1121

 

A new week has started. Yuki has already left for playing golf. Last night we had heavy rain. But it stopped. Probably the grass at the playground is wet, but anyway it becomes sunny (it is still cloudy)

Before raining I felt tat wire pressure suddenly got lower. Because I had bad headache. So I spent lazy evening. Yuki cooked udon noodle for our dinner. The rest is our breakfast. 

I will spend lazily today, too.

lunch diary 1119

Monday; Two of us went to the supermarkets in the station mall. We walked there to  search for our each favorite food.

Yuki looked for branded ramen noodle, including MAZESOBA, TSUKEMEN, etc. Of course they are expensive.

That's why? or we had not enough time to have lunch at a restaurant. So we had soba noodle at "Standing Eating Soba Stand". There are seats, though. Simple Wakame-sea weed  soba is "460 yen", huh? I thought it would be expensive, so we ordered Soba with Kakiage tempura  for 560 yen.

The reason is kind of strange, but that's okay.

Tuesday:  Eating out again? The fried oyster lunch has finally started at a hotel restaurant that is our favorite restaurant. It was rainy, so Yuki  had no tennis practice. It means he was free.  Moreover, they serve 800 yen lunch at the hotel. 

By the way, yesterday, we just washed the car for 100 yen at a gas station. 

Wednesday; It's a vegetable-focused lunch. In the morning, Yuki went to play tennis, I went to the gym to do exercise. In the afternoon each of us spent the rest of the day in working, reading and studying.

Thursday  I got  a large amount of fresh Mizuna leaves. I cooked them at once. The fish are hidden below. When gifts comes, they come a lot at once. I also got ginkgo nuts. I put them  in a paper envelope and cooked in the microwave. If you hear popping sounds as many as you put in, it's all roasted.

Friday I deep fried frozen cutlet instead of buying delicatessen. There are 2 pieces left. It's not enough for our dinner, so I reserved them to cook cutlet sandwich for tomorrow morning. 

The weekend is approaching with a haze remaining. whatever.

Trouble shooter 1111

 There was an interesting advice column on the news paper. I translated it. 

 

——————

How should I nurse my mother in her 80’s?

I’m in my 60’s and a housewife. I want some advice about my mother. I live with my husband and my mother’s house is 100 km away. She is in her late 80’s and lives alone. But my elder brother’s house is next to hers. She is getting weak in her legs and back. So she calls me every day and asks me to come and help her.

I married my husband 30 years ago. We used to live with his parents. I nursed my mother in-law who was bedridden, and I also nursed my father in-law who got dementia. My husband is alcoholic because of his hard job. His relatives said “you came here to nurse your parents in-law”. So I nursed them until the end mostly by myself.

My elder brother got in a bike accident, and he is on a wheelchair since then. His wife thought that he got the accident because his mother asked him to do errands. So she hates my mother. They have broken off relations with my mother since then.

I’m suffering from depression, and hip joint disease due to nursing my parents-in-law. So I can’t nurse my mother. My husband says “your elder brother and his wife should nurse her”. What should I do? My mother told me she doesn’t want to live in a nursing home.

------------------------------------------------

The phrase “you came here to nurse your parents in-law” is too bad. It is an insensitive. They consider you just for house errands and nursing. They don’t treat you as a person. They ignore your personality. It is a really tough life, isn’t it? You do very well under such situation.

Now, you go to hospital because of your depression and your disease. You also support your husband who also needs to go to the hospital. You need to prioritize your health.

You should choose your way to live. Whatever choice you make, there might be something you will regret.

But you should make your own decision. If you are not being clear about your situation toward your mother, it is not good for her. Although you feel like it’s giving your mother the cold shoulder, you should honestly tell “I can’t nurse you”.

The key point is your elder brother and his wife. How about writing a letter to him? You should tell him correctly and concisely your situation; “I’m sick, I can’t nurse our mother and I won’t be able to nurse her in the future”. And ask him to contact to the local welfare office for elderly nursing.

After you finish doing that, you should forget about everything. I hope you will pursue your own happy life.

Good morning 1117

 

It is sunny again. 

In the afternoon I open my library, while waiting video phone from my mother. 

I hope someone drop by.

I know more advertisement is needed. However—— I am not so positive. 

“Deeds, not words”

“Life won’t wait”

And

“Go with the flow” . It’s me. 

Good morning 1116

 

It is sunny, but it is cold. Winter has come. 

Today for two of us it is a usual day. 

Yuki goes playing tennis, I am going to go to the gym. 

Today I have piano lessons. But one of them has coronavirus unfortunately. She is fine. Now she doesn’t have fever. She just stays home. 

“Staying home” is only the way to hear the illness. Whenever someone catches coronavirus, I am worried about my daughter  and grand daughter. 

Good morning 1116

 

It is raining. According to the weather report it is the first time in a month. Really? 

Anyway Yuki stays home today. 

I have a zoom meeting in the morning and at night. 

Well, yesterday we walked more about 7000 steps through going to some super markets, mainly for  seeking Yuki’s favorite noodle. 

I know cooking these noodles is cheaper than eating them at noodle shops.  But all of them are organized by famous noodle shops, so as a bag of noodle for come  it is “expensive” I think.

Good morning 1114

 Autumn festival at tour community center was finished. A new Monday has started. Today after doing errands we are going to some supermarkets to find out Yuki’s favorite ramen noodle. It is a kind of hobby tour. 

I have started to clean windows little by little . Yuki’s role is cleaning them upstairs, I don’t know when he starts. I want him to start it before I start complaining. Until five years ago, we did cleaning the windows in a day as winter cleaning. But we understood it became overload with our shoulders. Since then we do winter cleaning little by little  when November comes. 

lunch diary 1112

Monday

We went to the forest park to see the autumn leaves and ate out. The French restaurant we went is our favorite and. Since it opened we have been there some times. This visit was the first time in a half of year. It is all right to have a luxury lunch, isn't it?  I forgot to take the photo of the main dish.  The appetizer is burdock soup, I'll try to make it at home.

Tuesday

I used up a Japanese radish and a carrot to cut thinly. Fish is hidden under them. I steamed fish and vegetable. I know Grated daikon radish would be suit to this fish. But it is the easiest way to cook for me. In the afternoon, I performed with my friend at Karaku café. I update a youtube "Karaku  Epilogue in November" Than I expected many people visited and watched it. Thank you.

Wednesday

I boiled  gyoza. It was not enoufh for us, so after this, I steamed the sweet bean paste buns. But these days, I feel my body heavy. So is it all right to eat sweet dumplings? Anyway, I did walking exercise in the afternoon. I walked longer than usual, and my right knee started to hurt. It is bad, even now it has been hurt.

Thursday I grilled fish.  I also put plenty of steamed garland chrysanthemums. On this day, in the evening, I was interviewed about " My Home Library" from "Private library group". I open my home library without advertisement except my HP.  I'm thinking about how to operate it from now on.

Friday 

I made fried rice with tofu. Or I added tofu to increase the amount instead of rice. Good taste, good health.

 This week, an autumn festival is hold at the nearby community center. The exhibition has already started, and my haiku is also on display. So we went to see it in this afternoon. I walked home from the public hall. Yuki drove the car.

troubleshooter 1108

Some reports of this week's advice column were interesting. So I tried to translate them.

One of them is like that.

--advice seeker--

I always expect something in return

I’m in my 60’s. I have a full-time job, and I still have fun doing my work. I like cooking. Before the pandemic started, I used to hold home parties. But when I do something voluntarily I always expect something in return. Then when I notice that, I feel guilty. I hate myself for that.

I seem to live my life too fast. I want to live my life slowly, calmly, but I can’t. What should I do? I tell myself to be a good wife, a good mother and a good grandmother. On the other hand I also tell myself there is no need to become such person.

How do I spend my life calmly in the next 10 or 20 years?  I envy the elderly people who are in their 80’s and still lively. But I can’t imagine myself in my 80’s. 

Please give me some advice about how to live my senior life

--adviser--

You always give your 100 percent, aren’t you?  You go hard.  So you might feel anxious whether you can continue your power even in your 80’s. Probably you are pacing too fast, and running out of breath. So you need take a rest. Please imagine a full marathon. There are at least 8 water stations. Thinking of our long life, it is important to relax and treat ourselves to something as a reward, like going to hot springs, having tasty dishes and so on. In my case, I take Thai massage once a month to refresh myself.

And the wonderful point is you can look at yourself objectively and honestly saying “I always expect something in return”. 

Looking at people around me who are in their 70’s, 80’s or 90’s, some people are really lively. The common factor is they don’t seek anything in return. They simply become happy when they see people around them happy. The lively elderly people get lots of nutrition from others’ smile.

This era is known as the 100-year-old period. People who are in their 60’s are junior. So you make up your mind not to expect something in return, and live your life training your mind. Your senior life has just started.

----

Actually, I'm also in my early 60's, so I'm still junior. So Should live my life training my mind. 

Good morning 1111

 

Today’s breakfast is fruit-series. Japanese pear, banana & yogurt, and apple cake.

Yesterday, suddenly a group came to see my home-library. 

I got a call in the morning, so I baked apple cake. In the evening they came and we talked for more than 2 hours. It was really fun time. 

Today Yuki and I are going to the community center nearby. There fall festival is going to be hold this weekend. And exhibits have already displayed since yesterday. One of them is my haiku. We will walk there. 

Good morning 1110

 

Well, it is sunny. 

I am going to go to the gym, in the morning and walking exercise in the afternoon. 

Yesterday, I also did the both thing. And in a positive saying “ I was able to do it” . On the other hand in a negative saying “ I did exercise too much at once”.

If I continue it, I will recover my physical power. 

Yesterday I walked more than 6000 steps. 

More steps, the name steps, or less steps? I am thinking. (Including no steps)

Good morning 1109

 

Yuki has left for playing golf. It is sunny. 

Today I will go to the gym in the morning, and two girls come to take my piano lessons. 

Yesterday’s my performance at Karaku was satisfying. 

I had a good time at Karaku cafe with coffee & cake. 

Of course we enjoyed lunar eclipse.

This photo is taken by Yuki.

Good morning 1108

 

Today it is my performing day at Karaku.

Yesterday we really enjoyed walking exercise in a forest park. Some senior people enjoy walking, so every time we saw we said “hello “ each other. 

Then we had lunch outside at our favorite restaurant. 

Today I have a good tea time.

Luckily I have luxurious three days in a row. 

Tonight  it is a total lunar eclipse, will we be able to see it?

J