Good morning 0131

 

It is the last day in January. I hope this severe cold weather will be end next month.

I  keep our household (or retirement life) accounts. As we expected our utility costs have gone up than last month. The price of electricity went up. More than that we used more kerosene.

An interesting thing is that  compared last January, our utility costs  were a little bit higher, not shied a big difference. Because I didn’t use lights , a heater, and an electric carpet in my class room. So I saved the utility costs. Well, considering more, the means of no showering big difference is that, the price of electricity went up.

Good morning 0130

 

A new Monday has started. It is sunny, though it is cold. Today in the morning we go to the department store . It is 30th today. Every 30th  a famous Japanese sweet in Kyushu area is sold there. We will buy one as a present to my friend as a way of congratulating her on her recent release from the hospital. Well, it might be excuse. Because i love it. So of course I will buy one for myself. We also have some errands downtown. So in the morning we are busy. “We”, yes, Yuki is with me. He doesn’t go playing tennis today.

My pension

 Finally from next month I will get my pension, though it is patial amount. In 2 years I can get full amount. 

The other day when I knew a piece of news in France, I was very surprised. It is said that; more than a million people marched in France on Thursday to protest pension reforms. President Emmanuel Macron is planning to extend the retirement age from 62 to 64. People say "why we need to work more”

I was really surprised.

Here in Japan, our government recommends for us to work more, and to try to get pension when people reach 70. "Let's work as long as you possible!"

Probably one reason is to delay payment of pension because of financial reason. Another reason is to keep enough labor force. And  another reason might be to keep healthy life expectancy having connection with society. 

Actually some people want to work as long as possible, even if they are not self-employed people. Until 20 or 15 years ago, it was a natural thing that when people (business men and women) reached 60, they retired. At that time, pension payment started when people reached 60. But now it is changed. Usually we can get full amount of pension when we reach 65. 

When Yuki decided to retire when he was 60, many people (including me) asked him why he wouldn’t extend his retirement age because he could remain at work, though payment style would change. 

Probably here in Japan some people think working is virtue. ( in my case, just I was worried about financial situation of our retirement life, because I am not independent financially.)

So the phrase “why we need to work more “ and their acts of marching made me surprised. 

Is it right that European people think labor is a sin ?

Of course if they have financial problems, they need to work. Or they are really eager to work, they continue their work without thinking about their salary.

It depends on people. So I was really surprised to know more than million people marched against expanding retirement age.

Additionally here in Japan, most people say my favorite phrase, it can’t be helped.

lunch diary 0128

Monday; it was a really cold day. But we had to go out to do errands. The two of us went to the mall at the station. So, though it wasn't ramen, we ate dumplings and came back. I often fried frozen dumplings at home,  but it's more delicious to have them "fried" at a restaurant. we were stuck at home in the afternoon.

Tuesday: In the morning, Yuki dropped me off and picked me up at a clinic which  I had booked a long time ago. So, we agreed to eat at a ramen shop called "Hanabishi" for our lunch. According to the forecast, this day was supposed to be "a very cold day", but it wasn't much cold. However, a promise is a promise, and we went to the  ramen shop that my husband wanted to visit. Of course, my husband was "thick TSUKEMEN".

Wednesday; It had snowed the night before and it wasn't "heavy", but my husband's tennis is off. For some reason, I  went to the gym for 30 minutes as usual. Because Yuki dropped me off and picked me up in front of the gym. I cooked  Chinese cabbage soup early morning. So we could  keep warm to have it for our lunch and dinner.

Thursday; the weather was fine, but the wind was cold. I mashed the pumpkin, put the egg in the middle like cocotte style. It had much volume. Somehow, I thought that I would be able to organize my kimono in the afternoon, but it was a little hectic. However, since I've put out the kimono, I could think" why don't we go to a department store to buy luxurious delicatessen"  It was a calm day for me.

Friday; I cooked chicken bowl.  I didn't wrap it with egg. It was a colder day than yesterday. Even though I went out in the morning and turned on the stove as soon as I got home, the temperature did not exceed 10 degrees. Oh, it's normal that when we wake up early morning , the heater shows 0 degrees at first. 0 degrees means negative. Because it can't show minus degree.

This is Yuki's "Thick TSUKEMEN".

In the youtube I show only my normal ramen.

Good morning 0127

 

Is it a cold day again? It is cloudy. 

Yesterday, my mom was panicking a little. She was living in the house she was born, and surrounded her relatives.  However my elder daughter didn’t understand what my mom was saying, though she didn’t deny. But my mom got angry saying why my elder daughter didn’t understand. 

So they called me. I knew some people my mom mentioned. So I could understand what she was saying, and while she was talking with me, she came back in Tokyo, and present time. She said “oh, I was in my dream”.  Then she  enjoyed snack time and went to bed again. 

At night I talked with my elder daughter on the video phone. 

Anyway, it was a long afternoon yesterday. 

Good morning 0126

 

It was really a cold day yesterday, wasn’t it? But in this area we didn’t have much snow. So Yuki drop me off and picked me up at the gym. When I was doing 30 minute exercise, he was at a supermarket and bought delicatessen for our lunch.

It seems to be sunny. For us it is a usual day. He goes to play tennis. I go to the gym again by myself. 

In the afternoon while  I open my “house library” I wait my mother’s call or read books. 

Good morning 0125

 

As the weather report said it is snowy. But not so much.

However Yuki’s tennis is cancelled. Does he give me a drive to the gym? I can’t decide whether I should go or not. Anyway my car “wears” winter tire. Yuki’s car doesn’t .

Good morning 0124

 

It is cloudy again. And it is colder than yesterday just as the weather report said. And I really know it because I have a slight headache. 

In the mornin I have to go to a clinic, then both of us are going to stay home. We hope it won’t snow. 

Than we expected, we haven’t  had snow yet. 

Additionally today’s lunch menu is already decided. After the clinic we go to ramen noodle restaurant. (Probably).

Good morning 0123

 

Monday has started. It is cloudy, and cold. According to the weather report, it will become much colder tomorrow. Anyway in the morning we are going to station mall to what? To buy Yuki’s favorite ramen noodle. 

Last ninth I talked with  my elder daughter on the phone for more than two weeks. We had a discussion? blaming? a quarrel? It means she really become an adult. On the other hand, I think I am getting older so, I want her ( and my younger daughter) to accept my selfish or frank emotion. Anyway yesterday discussion made me very tired and brought good sleep. 

lunch diary 0121

Monday; it was rainy. Both of us were at home. We were going to spend the day leisurely, but our iPhones were  replaced, and both of them were struggling to set them up. It should have been "easy"  because we had our own  backup, but we needed to  to reconfigure some things, which was quite difficult. When I told to my daughter, she said, "When you get older, I'll give you a cell phone with only three buttons."

Tuesday; we went to Karaku café. The owner's wife was hospitalized, but she was discharged safely. I was really glad. They keep running their café  "karaku". As long as "karaku" continues, my concert with my friend will continue. It is encouraging to have a place to perform.

Wednesday: I finally went to the gym  to do 30 minute exercise, and went to the library to pick up the reserved book. My turn was 50th. As soon as I got home, I started reading it. I know when I finish reading it, i have to return it as soon as possible, because  the next person should be waiting like me. Probably I will make a reservation for ′′ new published  book ′′ at the library again this year without buying it. 

Thursday: I had an examination at the hospital in the morning. The test results were good, so I made a "pork bowl" at home, even though I thought I wanted to eat  out "tonkatsu" (pork cutlet) to celebrate. But I cooked "pork bowl". Thinking about surging costs for food ----- It also saves money, but in fact, the condition of the stomach is not good enough. I'm a little stumped. Well, it can't be helped.

Friday: fried rice which was expanded the portion with lots of vegetables.  I also put burdock. We are not on a carbon diet.  I only wanted to  make the most of vegetables in the fridge. Thankfully, ′′ Chinese cabbage ′′ has been often presented.

Good morning 0120

 

Good morning. Yesterday I had cholesterol check. Though it is still high, but it gets lower than the highest level before. Do I exercise hard? Yes or no. Probably taking protein supplement works. 

Today I have Haiku meeting. I am the youngest member about age, and about haiku experience. So the members advise me a lot, though it is sometimes (often) strict.  But my friend says it is very important that you have someone who gives elder selfish Mieko strict and accurate advice. 

It is right. 

Additionally I already have such important friend who lives in America. I admire and love her (and her husband).

Good morning 0118

 

Yesterday, my group zoom meeting was fun. We read aloud watching this youtube. 

Then,Yuki and I went to Karaku cafe. Finally the wife of the owner was discharged. She was in hospital for 7 days, it was as scheduled. She looked fine.

So, next month my performance at Karaku cafe will be able to be held.

In the evening I dropped in on a senior female neighbor. She was looking for a small bag.  So I did it together. Luckily I found it. Can you guess where it was. It was hidden under the cushion on her chair.

Good morning 1117

 

Yesterday, 

A senior female neighbor came to return a book of my home library.  So, I asked A put her thought of the book. And getting her permission I recorded. And I made youtube work. It might be a good tool as advertisement of my home library, and record and history (exaggerated) of my home library. 

Though it is in Japanese, let me introduce it.

Good morning 0116

 

Monday has started. It is rainy. Both of us have no plan, except going to a mail office. Checkout day of books we borrowed at the library is coming. Probably today it is a reading day.

The baked cream cheese cake with Japanese pear which I baked the other day was tasty, so I might bake the one with apple, though I need to go to a nearby supermarket to by cream cheese. 

lunch diary 1114

Monday; we had a steamed meat bun and a steamed sweet red beans bun. I was surprised that the calorie  of  them  was 600 kcal. We went to the library and wandered around. Finally, we visited a local shrine nearby. 

Tuesday; As long as you add plenty of bonito flakes, "yaki-udon" fried Udon noodle won't go wrong. It was a  windy day, according to the weather forecast. My husband went to play tennis in good spirits, but I ended up staying at home. 

Wednesday; My gastroscopy examine ended successfully, though I have a  chronic gastritis. But it didn't go wrong. We had blanch at KOMEDA café. Though they still served Morning set. It was not enough, so around 2 o'clock,  we had simmered vegetable as a snack? or as a late lunch.

Thursday; Well, there were various reasons --no, there was nothing special. Anyway we went tout look for my husband's at-home clothes. In the end, we decided to eat outside... at a curry shop for the first time in a long time. "Nan" (Indian bread)  was delicious.  For the time being, Yuki got a new at-home clothes  in which  it is all right to go to  a nearby convenience store. 

Friday; Also yaki udon. I bought three packs of Udon, because the price was reasonable. Anyway I was able to spend them without wasting them. This time, the taste is like  grilled meat, so the yaki-udon had a full of volume. The leftover was served as appetizer for dinner. In the evening, a friend came over and ate "shiruko" (sweet red beans soup)  with  Kagamimochi (New Year's rice cake) together.

Yuki's at-home clothes

This winter seems to be colder than last year.

This winter Yuki and I are also trying to find the common ground about Yuki's at-home clothes.

You might think --- what does it mean?

You must think people put on what they want to. Of course if the place to go has some dress code, you should follow it. If you don't, you will be in trouble.

So today's story is a nonsense story.

Well, when Yuki was a business man, he had four types of clothes ; for business trip, for usual business  (he didn't need to wear a suit at the office, so he used to wear a polo shirt and UNIQUELO pants), sports wear (for tennis, and for golf), and  pajamas. (Clothes for special occasions is a whole other story.)  

He was barely at home in day time. So when he was at home he wore pajamas.

Now, he stays home, though in the morning he plays tennis. He is also a homemaker now like me. So he has lots of things to do at home or in our residential area before going to play tennis.

Here in Japan, we should take out garbage on collection days to our residential collection garbage area. He has started doing it. And he thought it was not good to go there in pajamas.

So he realized he needed to change the clothes from pajamas to at-home clothes Since then he has looked for suitable and relaxed "at-home clothes".

Well, in summer we don't have any problems. Because mainly he wears T-shirts and half pants even when he plays tennis.  (Additionally T-shirts and half pants which are worn out are downgraded eventually into at-home clothes and then into pajamas.)  

At first he wanted upgraded pajamas which didn't look like pajamas. But it was difficult for him to find what he wanted.

Next he started looking for relaxed? loose or wide? at-home clothes like sweat suits or track suits. But for me they looked too sloppy and they looked like just pajamas. He also seemed to think so. 

This is because at the garbage collection area, he often sees neighbors. And senior male neighbors don't wear such sweat suits or track suits. (They usually wear shirts and pants even in early morning.)

So, last winter anyway we managed to find his "at-home clothes" which are all right to wear when taking out garbage.

Then he thought he wanted to go to the nearby convenience store in his "at-home clothes." There he sees more of his acquittances. It means his at-home clothes needed to be upgraded.

We finally realized the important point is "width".  Wide type looks like pajamas. Skinny type looks fashionable but not comfortable at home.

Then we found one brand in a home center at a reasonable price. Of course we bought two. So he can wear the second in turn when the other one is in laundry. 

From the top, they are pants for tennis, pants for home and going out nearby, then pajamas.

Good morning 0113

 

Yesterday it was busier than usual. As scheduled I went to the gym and did stretch yoga at home as soon as I got home. Nowadays I don’t nay stretch exercise at the gym, instead of it I do at home seeing a yoga youtube. 

Then , suddenly we decided to go out for shopping, because Yuki suddenly decided to up grade his “home wear”. 

Later let me talk (write) about “our” Yuki’s home ware problem. You must think you put on what you want to. It is right. I put on what  I want to. Yuki puts on what he wants to when he plays tennis . However———.

As soon as we got home, I had a call from my mom. 

Then I did 30-minute walking exercise. As soon as I got home, I got a call from a friend, saying that she was heading for me. 

She came and we shared “oshiruko” because the day of yesterday it was “kagamibiraki.

 Kagami Biraki" is the event of eating "Kagami Mochi" at the end of the New Year.

Good morning 0112

 

I had a gastroscopy yesterday.  The result was not so bad, though I have still a gastritis. 

Today it is warmer than yesterday.   Will go to the gym, and I also will walking exercise.

The doctor said, “it is all right to lie down when you are tired even though it is from mental problem, but if it is too much, your physical power lower more. “

Sometimes I think why I became such a woman who doesn’t like exercise, and sports. And I don’t know since when I didn’t  like sports very much. I have a memory that when I was a child I always play outside. 

Good morning 0110

 

Today it is a collection day of the recyclables. It is the first time in this year. We took out lots of beer cans. For Yuki it was a good excuse to drink beer, well to tell the truth it is not beer, it is “low-priced beer-like beverage”to stay with our younger daughter. And for younger daughter it was a good excuse to drink. Both of them drink. On the other hand our elder daughter doesn’t drink. 

Additionally we also took out lots of milk cartons. They are also recyclables. Because our granddaughter were staying with us.

Good morning 0109

 

Monday has started. Though it is a holiday, for us it is a usual Monday.  We are going to the library.

This morning we still saw almost full moon. The first full moon day was the day before yesterday. We forgot to see it. 

Our New Year's Vacation

The first day of this year

We could see the first sunrise  from the upstairs, though just I opened the shutters as usual.  We saw the first sunrise again this year. And 2023 has started. 

To tell the truth for us it seems to be difficult to catch up the  big changes. However, we would like to live our days gently  like a willow, without resisting needlessly, without worrying about small things.

New Year's feast

I made what I like for New Year's feast . For some reason, I like "KOROMAME" which is boiled "hard" . The " Kinton"(sweet potatoes' paste)  should also be “not sweet”, though I bought sweet boiled chestnuts. However, I also want something that looks "presentable". So I bought a Western-style "Osechi". How long can we afford to get this luxury? It depends on how many people are gathering.

Visiting shrines

There is "Gamou Shrine". It is the god of learning, and there is a pillar that can pass through pencils. If you pass a pencil through quickly on the hole in it,   you can complete your studies without difficulty. Candidates passed through their pencil with the name of the school they were taking the exam on.

We "climbed" to a shrine on the mountain (just a hill) . My right knee is not so good. So I have supporter on it. As of now, my husband is fine, he doesn't have  tennis elbows. I would like to continue walking well so that my knee does not get worse. 

We've also offer money to  the "husband and wife cedar". Anyway,  our life consists on two of us. Both of us, want to spend our time in good health, while shoring up our shortcomings each other. Our days tend to blame each shortcomings.  It might be good we can say what we think without hesitating. But  we're getting more impatient....

At café KARAKU

We had a little coffee break.  This is our familiar coffee shop. We visited there  saying hello. The master is over 75 years old, this year. His wife is also over 70. We want them  to continue this café  as long as possible without retiring. Price of various things is increasing. The master seems to be thinking about the offer price.

Having lunch outside

A branch restaurant  called "Kandon" has opened nearby. A kind of beef bowl restaurant? I thought so, but it's a little different. Meat is grilled on the spot. It's a little more expensive than a beef bowl restaurant, but it's more affordable than a yakiniku restaurant. They have some female customers. I'm one of them, and yes, I really like it. I will do my best again this year, having meet. I have a gastro camera next week...is it okay?

Good morning 0105

 

It is a usual morning. I am gong to the gym today. In the afternoon I will open my home library. A lady might come. 

While our daughter and grand child stayed with us, as soon as I woke up, I had to think three menu plus snack of the day. And without thinking I always set the timer of rice cooker. Now there are only two members, I don’t need to do it. My brain is really lazy. Now, I am thinking do I need to set the timer of rice cooker?

2023 has started

 

2023 has started. I continue trying to improve my English. 

Our granddaughter went back yesterday. our usual day gas started. Yuki goes playing tennis. I was going to go to the gym, I organize the rooms in the morning. In the evening some students come. 

Actually I had got a cold without fever and sore throat, so I had had a COVID test by myself with kit before our grand daughter and our younger daughter came. It was negative. Yuki said “ ax usual their coming gives you stress so you feel bad “. Probably it was right.

And, our daughter came with running nose. we were scared, but we were relieved. We thought “Here in Utsunomiya, there are four together, so we are manage to do spend days.”  We could spend new year’s vacation without any trouble. Our daughter came back healthy.