Yesterday, it was very cold for me. It was difficult for me to adjust to the sudden change of the temperature . I went to the gym to do exercise in the morning, and I organized my closet. Then the rest of the day I laid down in a bed (Futon) while listening to the radio. And sometimes I watched Amazon prime TV. It was the lazy day ( as usual).
Today it is cool early morning now, but according to the weather report it will be “hot” in the daytime.
Probably the summer heat has gone. I need to put away sleeveless shirts, and put more long-sleeved shirts in the drawer.
So what I do today is to organize my closet.
My rice bowl has had a chip in the edge. It is my favorite bowl, though it is not so expensive. But it is a handmade so I can’t get the same one. Fortunately the owner of Kraku cafe can “kintsugi” . It is his favorite hobby.
So I asked him to repair my bowl.
This time this Haiku is corrected.
Underwater flowers; water with fresh herbs in a plastic bottle
-->
Flowers underwater; tisane in a Pet bottle
"Underwater flowers" is a seasonal word for summer.
I asked him
Q "Suichu-ka" in Japanese is a seasonal word for summer. I like the word. This time I translated it as "underwater flower." During summer time I prefer to drink homemade herb water like that. The bottle looks cool. The taste is refreshing. The smell makes me relaxed. Instead of flowers, I soak fresh herb leaves into the plastic bottle, it looks like "underwater flowers", doesn't it? However I wonder if the word "underwater flower" is suitable or not to this Haiku.
Answer
yes, it is a very suitable topic for a summer hail.
Hmmmmm, a tisane is a water-based infusion of herbs, flowers, etc.
and a herbal infusion is a flower drink other than a true tea.
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"tisane" is a new word for me. So probably using tisane makes this Haiku clear; I enjoy drinking my homemade herbal water.
It is one point I wanted to express.
But, what I wanted to express more is, what a cool green of herb leaves in the water is, it makes me cool.
Drinking water during sports is now a usual thing against heat stroke. Of course it is important to express my ordinal herb water.
It is very difficult to say two things at the same time.
Monday
We had lunch at Gyu-Kaku restaurant. We went there the next day after our granddaughter left here. Our granddaughter and our daughter, please forgive us. It was costly during Obon vacation.
Tuesday
Green peppers, okra, and lots of summer vegetables has come. I stir-fried all of them with Tenjanmen paste. I added Japanese ginger "Myouga" picked up in the garden.
I sent local Japanese pears to my friends. This year they seemed to have a poor harvest.
Wednesday
My lunch was sweet at my friend's beauty salon on Wednesday.
We got Lawson' convenience store sweet. It seems the most popular this month. It is "a bun with soda and whipped cream" . It is said that the sweet can be produced by only convenience stores.
Thursday
Winter melon has come. Well, what do I do? I only know how to make a soup of it. It was muggy, the soup was hot, but it was okay. I also added Chinese vermicelli.
Friday
This time I got lots of eggplants. How I deal with them? There are many recipes. Anyway I fried them and added soy sauce based soup. The regular way is to deep-fry them and soak them into the soup.
I also make fish fries. Fall is coming. so it seems to get cooler than before.
Yesterday, before Yuki went to play tennis, we said to each other “sorry” at the same time. So we considered that we were even, and the quarreling was finished.
1. I organized a big planter which some herbs are growing, I am going to give it a young friend.
2. Yesterday’s mother was funny, and cheerful. She was all right, but she is often worried about invisible stranger or anxious listening to her own radio, which means it is not a real radio, only she can listen to it, so we call it her brain radio.
According to her, the the night before yesterday, she. Listened to my piano performance from her brain radio. She seemed to be very happy. When she listens to happy news or happy talk from her brain radio she is very happy.
3. Anyway our yesterday morning quarreling was solved. Two of us try to spend everyday peacefully.
We should thank to each other. Thanks Yuki.
About what?
Probably when you know, you might sound a tony thing.
Anyway today it has started with unpleasant feeling, unfortunately.
Though it doesn’t happen so much, I don’t know when it will be solved.
1. I got a hair cut at my friend’s beauty salon. I could talk with her having sweets.
2. Coincidentally I gave a neighbor a ride to some place. So we talked a lot in the car after long interval.
3. Yesterday a former student visited me. I was really happy. Though jus t for a week, during her summer vacation she takes my piano lessons. Thanks for this relationship.
In the morning I am going to get a hair cut at my friend’s beauty salon. I was going there in the afternoon (after going to the gym), I changed my schedule.
1. Finally I started walking exercise though it is a short time.
2. In Tochigi, Japanese pear season has started. I sent them to my friends. We are decreasing to present seasonal things to my friends and relatives little by little naturally like others. Anyway I have still two important friends who live far.
3. The blueberries in my garden has already finished. But, I can still get fresh blueberries from my friend. Thanks.
I translated this article.
——————-
I’m in my 60’s. I have an older sister. She is strong-willed. So she had controlled me since our childhood. I didn’t rebel against her, I had put up with her. Last year our mother passed away, finally I could express my accumulated frustrations to her. My sister had taken care of our mother for seven years since our father’s death. Our mother lived separately. She inherited enough fortune from our father, but my sister controlled her very strictly about her financial situation saying that “you have to save your money for your funeral”. I thought, my sister and I should pay for it instead of her. It’s a pity. Until our mother passed away, she had been worried about that. Our mother was very kind. She took care of her grandchildren, and did lots of things to my sister’s family. After her funeral we had a big quarrel, and since then she has broken off relations with me. The first death anniversary of our mother is just around the corner. I’m not sure if she had tried to contact me. But now I don’t want to get reconnected with her. On the other hand I am worried whether I should attend the anniversary if she contacts me.
Dear
Sisters or brothers cut off their relationship with one another because of nursing their aged parents or inheritance; we often hear such situation. There are some cases where each child holds the ceremony separately. Your worry is the same. About the first death anniversary of your mother, it is time to rethink about your relationship with your sister and relatives, since you seem to have no inheritance issues. You are very kind, because you worry about the ceremony and fuss over being contacted by your sister. You hesitate about asking her. I really understand you have your say about nursing your mother and inheritance. However, please understand your sister’s situation. She was in charge of the funeral, and she had a hard time and financial burden which no one noticed. I recommend you to write to her saying “may I go visit on the first death anniversary of our mother?” Though you don’t need to write unnecessary things, don’t forget to show your gratitude to her for nursing our mother and so on. If you don’t receive any reply, do a simple ceremony at your house, put your mother’s photo and flowers and take pictures.
It’s better not to pursue relentlessly and just go with the flow. I’m 20 years older than you. I want to add one essential thing about success of child rearing. It is that “after parents’ death, sisters and brothers should keep getting well along”
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Well, brother's trouble has happened to me --- so this article is very interesting.
Yuki has already left for fishing. In a few hours he will come back. Today we are going to go out for lunch.
In the afternoon, I have to arrange some pieces of music for nestill month performance at Karaku cafe.
1. Two of us discarded ten things an organized rooms.
2. Our elder daughter T’s individual art exhibition ha started since this weekend. It is hold a very little gallery in Tokyo. Luckily on the first day two works were sold.
3. My mother understands that for a while her granddaughter (our daughter T) is not able to visit her. So, she is trying to do some things by herself as much as she can. And my sister in-law helps my mother. I really thanks my sister in-law, and I am happy my mother has still some things to do by herself.
This time I translated an article of trouble shooter in Japan News. The article might be introduced on the latest newspaper , of course at that time it will be translated by professional translator.
This client and I are in the same generation. And I really understand her feeling.
I’m in my 60’s. I divorced in my 30’s. I have a son, he works abroad now, so I live alone.
I thought I had a lot of friends when I was young, but now I realize I’m wrong.
When my friends wanted to talk to me and sought advice, I always thought what I could do sincerely, and listened to them even if they made only complains for long hours.
However, these days, when I want them to listen to my worries, my friends stop listening to me and start their own stories. When I talk about my mother’s care or sudden death of my important partner, they change the subject smoothly while I’m still talking. I just want to hear something simple to calm myself, but I can’t get any kind words from them.
What is the point of our friendship? It seems I don’t have any friends to listen to me. I am so disappointed. I want some advice about how I should deal with my mind.
Dear
You are very kind, aren’t you? Because you would listen to others’ complaints a lot. There are not so many people like you. So I suppose that you were loved by many people and had lots of friends. However for this long period, your role has been settled as a person who listens to their story for them. And actually you had a room to accept their story.
Though it seems to be sad, now the friends who don’t listen to you can’t afford to accept you because they are busy with their lives. You might feel lonely to live alone, but you should make up your mind “I don’t need friends to fill my loneliness”. I think this decision is important.
You have to have a determination that “I have to live my life fully supported by myself. Please try to read books or listen to music you like or you are interested in, please try to travel by yourself, try to live freely by yourself without need for others. I’m sure you’ll meet someone somewhere while you are trying. You will probably get along well with other people. The friends you will meet later might become invaluable friends.
I translated an essay. This essay seems to be my story. My translation might not explain truly about what the writer wants to say. It is what I understand from the essay. If you feel something strange please tell me.
The photo is our Shaved ice machine.
It is raining. So luckily I have a chauffeur.
1 I did weeding. So a man said “that’s why it is raining today.” Well according to the weather report it is a rainy day. So the forecast is right. But in Japan it is said when. what we do something we seldom do, it always rains.
2 Our grand daughter said “I tidied up my desk and toy & material box” . She promised to do it before leaving here.
3 Thankfully without any troubles we could enjoy our Obon vacation.
Anyway Yuki goes playing tennis. I really thank yuki keeps in a good shape.
Today we decided to go to an electrical retail store to research a fridge. Our fridge seemed not to be good, though it still works.
It might be the time to change it. It is nearly 20? Years old. I don’t remember when we bought it,—- even when our kids lived here or after they left.
1. I translate an essay half. I studied English harder than usual.
2. Last night I did yoga before going to bed. It brought me a good sleep.
3. Anyway Yuki is fine. So the life two of us is peaceful except quarreling or arguing.
Though it is a holiday today , Yuki goes playing tennis as usual.
I stay home all the day.
What will I do? Probably taking a nap. I fell dull because of this hotness. In the evening we will go to the library.
There is one thing I have to do. I have to do my English haiku homework. Oh, I almost forgot.
Think back yesterday
1 I could work: two students came. Talking with teenagers is fun.
2 I tried translating an essay. I felt my brain activate.
3 It seems not to have had trouble at daycare center of my mother. Thanks to people who cares her in Tokyo.
This month we could perform. One month passed very quickly .
Today I will translate the essay which was red yesterday.
It is today’s my task?.
Yesterday, I could go too Karaku. It was really hot, but I could.
There were regular customers and a family , they seemed to enjoy our performance. It made us happy.
And it was hot, so Yuki drove to and from . I was really relieved. Thanks Yuki.
Well, according today’s morning radio, to keep in good shape, every night or morning , it works to think over three things with positive comments : what you could, what you made happy, and what you thanked about.
This time, my Haikus got better score than last time.
A snail: Hanging up the phone from Mom --- it was gone
This Haiku bot "best haiku this month" in his class.
I often talked with my Mom through video phone. Unfortunately her dementia is proceeding. So she really likes talking things in the past. Her memory is really clear.
And I remember some of the things. So she seems happy to talk with me.
The next one is
Rainy season: An invisible cloud fogs my brain
My original is
Rainy season comes: invisible clouds appear in my brain.
There was one comment.
Covid-19 cause "brain fog" for some people.
Because of the weather I sometimes feel dizziness, when it occurs I think "invisible clouds appear".
And the next one was chose as most fun haiku this month
Changing clothing: if only my kneecaps were 50 again.
Another way suggested.
Changing clothes for the season: If I were 50 my kneecaps revealed.
Which one do you like prefer?
This time I asked the following thing.
Q How do I use ironical expression* In English or world Haiku ironical expression might nit be accepted. This time I wanted to express that in my 60's I was embarrassed to put on short pants because I didn't want to show my aged kneecaps.
A I attached a copy an ironical haiku from the July 1st Asahi newspaper.
Lonely winter ends
stop feeding pigeons old man
when the masks come off
There is also irony in the resurging of covid-19, just when we think we don't need to wear masks outdoors. Please enjoy wearing shorts outdoors! A little sunshine or the skin is good for the health and you'll be writing ironical expressions long past 100!
Yuki seems to strain a muscle in his back. So he is irritating. Anyway he will make an appointment to see the doctor at a osteopathic clinic.
Our annual family photo-book I made and ordered printing on the net arrived. Yuki looked at it . In next week it will be one year since our grand daughter came back to Japan.
I also made family video ( it is open for limited people until this weekend) . Of course Yuki watched it, but then Yuki focused on his music. This time he looked at the photos.
Since An-Chan was born I have continued making annal family photo-book. It was not so thick. But now we have seven and more photo books. I wonder until when ? I continue to make it.
Yesterday I had an interesting conversation at the gym.
A lady who looks around 65 years old said me “ you always look cheerful, it is a good thing to be young, is it?”
I said “ thanks , but probably we are in the same generation”.
She was surprised, she thought I was in the middle of 50’s.
Of course I was happy. But the conversation didn’t end.
I introduce a lady who is real in her50’s. Well, in two years she will be 60. When she knew me, she didn’t think I was younger than her.
So I said “ I think that when we see a woman who looks older than us , we don’t say “you look young”. Though she might be younger than us, usually we are right. ” additionally when we see an elderly who looks apparently much older than us, we say “you are really active and young.
Anyway for women, even when we are in our 50’s, 60’s 70’s and 80’s talking about age is sensitive and interesting topic. And sometimes it causes a big laugh.
In the morning I do some things, such as house errands, exercise at gym, and so on.
But after lunch I don’t do anything, just sit or doze. It is really tough to survive through this heat. Of course an air conditioner works in my room, but hallway, bathroom, and other rooms where there is no one , are very hot.
Taking it positive, I am allowed to do nothing. Because we are our spending retirement life.
Big log was enshrined. It was about 1.5meters, and the inside was hollowed out. Each of us go through and return through it. It is said to drive evil spirits out.
Today’s breakfast is full of home-grown things.
Blueberries are picked in my garden, ships-leaves are growing naturally in my garden, and cherry tomatoes are picked at the garden of our next door neighbor.
Our usual days have started, though we are caught by another’s corona pandemics again.
Anyway this morning, we are going to go out a little bit far, to visit a small shrine.
