I'm a Japanese housewife living in Japan. I'm in my 60's. I want to know daily lives in the world, so at first I'll tell my daily. What is your daily life?
Yesterday we went to the library, and we saw ginkgo nuts falling from the trees. Some people were picking them up with thick gloves, because the orange outer layer can cause a rash.
When I was in high school, the ginkgo tree-lined road from the front gate to the back gate was famous. At the autumn school festival, we students sold dried ginkgo nuts. We picked them up with their outer layer still on, buried them in the ground, and waited until it rotted. Then we dug them up, washed them, and dried them.
A new week has begun. The first mission is for me to visit the orthopedic doctor. The second is Yuki’s clinic visit to ease his side effects. The third, in the evening, is my dentist appointment. If I still have energy in the afternoon, I’d like to visit a library a little farther away, since the nearby one is closed today.
I’ll be leaving in an hour to join today’s sutra-copying session.
Thankfully, we got lots of persimmons from Yuki’s tennis mate. I’ll take some to share with the members. In the afternoon, Yuki will go to tennis practice with a different group from Saturday’s. He’ll also bring some persimmons for his mates. So, hopefully, we’ll be able to eat all the persimmons without wasting any.
Yesterday he was able to have his third chemotherapy session, so the first course is now finished. Whether he can start the second course next week without a break will be decided by a blood test on Friday. The good news is that his tumors are shrinking, but the bad news is that his white blood cell count is going down. Still, on the surface he looks fine and only has a little coughing.
I went to see my dentist yesterday evening because my chipped front tooth seemed to be getting worse again. About a year ago I had a bad fall and badly damaged that tooth. The doctor said it didn’t need to be pulled out, but unfortunately the root canal treatment hasn’t improved it as much as we hoped.
Yesterday Yuki bought sake, sweets, bread, and broiled miso-marinated black cod at Costco. It was our first time buying fish there other than salmon. Of course, we grilled it for dinner. There were five pieces, and they weren’t frozen. So we stopped by a friend’s house and offered to share some. They were happy to accept.
Today is our Costco day, which also means it’s my cognitive behavioral therapy day. While I see the doctor, Yuki goes shopping at Costco. I visit the doctor once a month. To be honest, we somehow managed to get through this past month.
Yuki’s illness and inheritance matters are still stressful. But the severe scorching summer, which was worse than we expected, brought us even more stress. Fortunately, it seems to be over now.
Yuki looks so happy to buy good-quality shochu (a kind of sake) at Costco Today.
Yesterday, a woman visited my home library. It was fun. At night, I joined a Zoom meeting with two other members, all of whom were family members of cancer patients. It was also fulfilling. Yuki went to his band practice. For dinner, he ate tsukemen (a type of ramen with the soup and noodles served separately) outside. He said, “I carefully ate tsukemen without slurping.”
It’s Tuesday and a national holiday, so Yuki has no tennis and I have no gym. Yesterday, the ban on eating noodles was lifted. The ENT doctor told Yuki he could eat carefully and little by little, but not to slurp—slurping noodles is such a Japanese way. So, we celebrated his birthday with ramen. As for me, I still feel heavy in my stomach this morning.
A new week has started. Today is our hospital day. We’ll visit ENT and radiology at the hospital, and then two clinics—one for me and one for Yuki. His radiation treatment is finished. His voice is still hoarse, but it’s getting better, and he aspirates less often now. If the ENT doctor approves, he might be able to eat noodles. To tell the truth, he has already started eating them little by little.
Today is also his birthday, so we might celebrate with lunch at a noodle shop.
Yesterday Yuki threw away more than ten pieces of clothing—underwear and worn-out tennis shirts. So my mission to let go of ten things a week was easily accomplished. And can you guess where we went after that? Yes, we went to a men’s clothing shop.
Yesterday, Yuki was able to have his second chemotherapy session. Before that, we looked at his X-ray. The tumors hadn’t changed. In a good way, it means they stopped progressing. During the two weeks without treatment, they had been growing quickly. We hope this treatment can continue and start to take effect.
It feels cool today—in fact, a bit cold for me—so I’m wearing a long-sleeved shirt. We’ll leave home in an hour to go to the hospital. Yuki is going to have his second round of chemotherapy. Before that, we’ll see his doctor. We’re hoping the first round of treatment is starting to work.
Yesterday, I participated in an online meeting. The topics are... "Driving"
◆How do you feel about cars? What do you like and dislike about them?
Having our own car is very important in our daily life here in Tochigi. Without a car, it would be very difficult to manage daily activities. In fact, our whole society relies on cars and trucks—even in Tokyo. Without delivery trucks or garbage collection trucks and so on, daily life would not run smoothly. What I like about cars is their convenience.
But at the same time, they give off exhaust that causes global warming. These days, people talk a lot about electric cars, but honestly, I think it’s hard to imagine all cars becoming electric. In Japan, we always have the problem of not having enough electricity.
◆When did you get your first car? Can you describe it?
I had to get a car as soon as I moved to Tochigi in my twenties. My husband and I were both transferred here, though we worked for different companies. He came first, and after I explained the situation to my office, I was also transferred. Since I had already gotten my driver’s license when I was a university student, I was ready to start driving right away.
When we each bought our first cars, we didn’t have much money. My husband got a used car from one of his coworkers, who was a couple of years older and ready to buy a new one. I went to a nearby used-car shop and picked up a compact car. Maybe you don’t know this, but at that time cars used to have spike tires in winter.
◆When did you start driving?
I got my driver’s license as soon as I turned twenty, and I used to drive my friends’ cars sometimes.
◆What do you like to listen to when you are driving?
Nowadays, I like listening to the radio when I’m driving. I especially enjoy MIYA-raji, a local FM station where my freinds often appear.
◆Has your car ever broken down or had a flat tire? What did you do?
I’ve had a flat tire two or three times, but luckily my car could still make it to a gas station, so I never had to call JAF.
I also bumped my car into a utility pole once. Luckily, it made it home, and then I called my car dealer.
◆If you went on a road trip, where would you like to go?
I’d like to go to Hokkaido. When I was in my twenties, I drove around the southern part of Hokkaido. So if I went on a road trip now, I’d like to explore the northern part. Also, if I went by car from here, I would take a ferry from Niigata to Hokkaido. Or I might take the bullet train to Hokkaido and rent a car there.
About an hour ago, I got a message from my friend saying, “I just arrived.” She and I perform together at KARAKU café once a month. Right now, she’s in Aizu for an on-location shoot for a TV drama that will air next spring. She actually has a role—not just as an extra, even though it’s only one scene.
She left here at 4 a.m and drove there. We’re really looking forward to hearing her story about what happens in Aizu.
Yesterday finally I finished unpicking the kimono, and ironed it.. and I’m going to ask my friend to make something new out of it.
I bought a posture correction chair online, which can be set on my gaming chair. It’s funny because gaming chairs are supposed to support your posture, aren’t they? But in my case, it doesn’t seem to be enough.
Anyway, today I’m going to have a 35-minute personal training session, while Yuki is seeing the doctors at the clinic.
It is a national holiday called Respect for the Aged Day. In Japan, people aged 65 and over are considered elderly. So both of us are qualify. But most of our neighbors are over 75, so they don’t really count us as part of their elderly group.
We have no plans. We might just take it easy and go to the library.
by Yuki and this fried rice was cooked by Ah- chan (our grand daughter)
Yesterday, a friend came over for the first time in a while. We ended up chatting as if no time had passed, even though it’s been about three years. She’s a little younger than me, but we’re both in our 60s.
I showed her two little gadgets I bought recently, and she seemed really interested—maybe she’ll get them too. One is a mini bottle blender, perfect for making a quick smoothie for just one person. The other is a microwave grill gadget that makes it easy to cook fish for the two of us.
I baked a butter cake in my home bakery for her. I’ve also started using the dried fruit I soaked in brandy—it gave the cake a really nice flavor.
It’s a cool morning today. I’m wearing a three-quarter sleeve shirt, while Yuki’s in a regular T-shirt.Yuki has started chemotherapy again. He’ll take it once a week as long as there aren’t any issues.
Funny thing is, this is the same medicine he first took. After that, he changed medicines three times. (Probably). Since then, he’s switched drugs three times. The sad part is that there aren’t any newer options left.
Anyway, his treatment is underway, and that’s a relief.
Finally, it’s Friday. We’re hoping Yuki will be able to start his chemotherapy today.
Yesterday morning, I went to the gym for the first time in three months. These days I usually go in the evenings, but not very often. Mostly I’ve been busy—either going with Yuki to the hospital or visiting my own clinic. Another reason is that I just haven’t felt like chatting with my gym friends. I don’t talk about Yuki’s situation with them, except for one friend. There’s also one woman who knows because we happened to meet at the hospital. Her husband had the same illness, but sadly, he passed away last year.
Sometimes I feel like I’m being a bit of a drama queen and get depressed. But yesterday, I was able to chat calmly with some of my gym friends.
Yesterday we had eel for lunch at a special price, since it was the restaurant’s third anniversary. Well, the discount was just 200 yen. But we’re kind of timid. Yuki chose the 2,000 yen eel box (discounted from 2,200), while stingy Mieko chose the 1,400 yen eel box (discounted from 1,600).
We usually spend about 1,000 yen on lunch, so this was kind of a special treat before Yuki starts his chemotherapy. Eel is usually really expensive in Japan.
When we were inside the restaurant it was pouring rain, but luckily by the time we finished lunch, the sky had cleared. On the way home we stopped by a shrine and prayed for a calm life.
Yesterday, I played at KARAKU café. The place was full, even the regular customers came. Playing the piano is always fun, and I also enjoyed dressing up a little.
My partner, who read a short essay, will be on TV next spring! Just one scene, but it’s in a really popular NHK drama. We’re so excited about it.
Yuki also joined his band practice. He talked about jazz chords with the members and looked really satisfied.
For both of us, yesterday was a refreshing day. This afternoon, I have some online meetings. Yuki is planning to go to the radon hot springs & sauna, which is about an hour’s drive from here.
Yesterday, I had a bit of heatstroke, and an IV drip at a clinic nearby. The doctor asked me, “Did you do anything outside?” Of course, my answer was “no.” He’s my family doctor, so he knows my habits well.
To tell the truth, this was the second time. I think my heatstroke happens when the humidity is high.
I got well today. Today it is my performance day at KARAKU cafe.
Yuki had a bad dream last night. He said, “I know it can’t be helped, but I feel anxious about starting treatment this week.” Sometimes he shows his worries. He’ll need to go to the hospital once a week for a chemotherapy IV. In a way, seeing the doctor every week makes me feel relieved, since the doctor will always be checking on his condition. But at the same time, it’s a burden for Yuki. The trip takes a long time, and on IV days he might feel dull for the rest of the day.
A new week has started. It’s Yuki’s final day of radiation treatment. His chemotherapy will begin on Friday.
This Wednesday, a certain eel restaurant nearby will be offering lunch at a special price. I wonder if we’ll be able to go. It’s a weekday, but it will probably be crowded.
Yesterday, I reviewed the canned foods we have stocked for disasters. Some of them were getting close to the expiration dates, so I separated them. We have started eating them little by little as side dishes, and we are happy that they add variety to our dining table.
Unfortunately, a few had already expired, so I had to discard them.
I also checked our gas canisters. The manufacturing date was written on the bottom. Do you know they can be stored usually? It says they should be used within seven years.
As you know, I keep up my habit of discarding ten things once a week. This time, I let go of some old bottles of liqueur.
I did it again this week.
Additionally, I bought a bag of dried fruits online. To use up a bottle which is left, I plan to soak the fruits in it.
Yesterday I finished my fifth personal training session. Starting next week, I’ll go once a week, and I plan to continue for at least three months.
Yesterday I also enjoyed drawing. It means ‘accept what happens and let go of feelings
It’s sunny today, and Yuki goes to play tennis. He hasn’t gone for a while. He doesn’t play as hard as before, but I’m sure he enjoys chatting with his tennis friends, even though his voice is still hoarse
It’s raining today. Yuki is having his fourth radiation treatment. Although he doesn’t seem to have any side effects, his hoarse voice and strained vocal cords don’t seem to be recovering. He ate grilled beef yesterday, cutting it with scissors. He can’t eat noodles now, but at least he can still enjoy some of his favorite foods.
I’m going to a personal training session. At home, I also do some exercises for my back and hip joints. Once they get injured, it’s difficult to recover.
Anyway, it’s the last weekday. A typhoon is on its way and should pass by Saturday morning.
Yesterday I could join an English conversation meeting on Zoom.
The topics are... "Insects"
◆Which insects help people and how?
The first insect that came to mind was the honeybee. They carry pollen from flower to flower. Thanks to them, fruits, vegetables, and other crops can grow.
When I came here, I met some beekeepers. Before that, I didn’t even know beekeeping was an occupation. Beekeepers sell their bees, especially to strawberry farmers. As you know, this area is famous for strawberries.
◆Have you ever been stung by a bee or a wasp?
Luckily, I haven’t. But in the garden, I sometimes find beehives. As soon as I find them while they’re still small, I remove them.
Nowadays, when kids are bitten by mosquitoes, the bites often swell badly, and some kids even have to see a doctor. The places where they are bitten are usually covered with a bandage. I think people, especially kids with allergies or atopic conditions, tend to swell up more easily.
◆What would happen if there were no insects in the world?
If there were no insects, our Earth would disappear, because without them we couldn’t maintain the ecosystem.
On the other hand, one specific issue we have to face is how to stop the decrease in domestic insects and the increase in foreign insects. Global warming is also one of the causes of this issue. This is a serious problem for maintaining and improving our agriculture.
Yesterday I was really surprised. Lemmon tree leaves in a big pot in our sunroom were shrunk. I forgot watering only yesterday. I hope the tree won’t die.
Yuki’s treatment has started. We were relieved. However I am exhausted. It’s funny.
I know this phrase; “ how do you know it is a bad thing. That’s just the way it is.”
However, it is difficult to reach the state.
I will join in English conversation meeting on Zoom, if I can come back in time.
From today Yuki’s radiation treatment has started.
We hope his hoarse voice, and his voice cords muscle will be recovered.
While he is taking radiation treatment, I am going to take 30 minute personal training at the gym.
Today it seems to be a scorching day, too. The weather for these two years completely is different from before.
However luckily our shiso leaves in the garden is fine. They grow thick. So we make easily healthy smoothie, with homemade yogurt, banana, and shiso leaves.
September has started. On the calendar autumn has also started. However it is still hot.
In one and a half hour we will leave home for the hospital.
We see an ENT doctor, then radiologist to plan his radiation treatment. After that we go to a clinic to get shot to reduce his side effect as usual. Probably we will have lunch outside or buy lunchboxes.
In the evening I go to an orthopedic doctor. Probably we will buy lunchboxes.
I give up cooking at home. But I constantly make vegetable smoothies for Yuki and me. So I co stately use a knife and a cutting board .
I use shiso leaves growing I our garden effectively.
My husband Yuki and I live in a regional city. Our retirement life has state since 2020. Though Something good, exciting, worried or bad often happens, we try to focus the current situation and spend enjoyable days while living offf our savings little by little carefully.
