lunch diary 1001

Monday

In the morning, We went downtown to do some errands, and had lunch outside. Coincidently a friend joined us.  I forgot to take the photo of our lunch.

A melon which is time to eat arrived. Each of us  ate 1/4 each luxuriously . The leftover was our  breakfast the next day.

Tuesday

I stir-fired meat and vegetables. The taste is by commercial sauce for grilled meat. I also made grated daikon radish.

I went to the gym and Yuki went to play tennis in the morning as usual. In the afternoon we were relaxing as usual. I bought the stored water for emergency online.

Wednesday

I often make Chinese-style marinated cucumber and chicken recently.

I bought  new lace curtains. Some old ones were disposed but the others were washed and replaced.

Thursday

It was hot and I felt a little sluggish. Each of us went to exercise, but I bought lunchboxes on the way home. We shared them with two of us.

After sorting out our shoes, we went to ABC Mart shoe store to buy new shoes for the fall. My old ones  already had holes in the soles.

Friday

After sorting out our shoes, we went to ABC Mart shoe store to buy new shoes for the fall. My old ones  already had holes in the soles.

There were so many. So after  I steamed them, wrapped them one by one and froze them. I ran out of frozen yuzu.

Tochigi national festival has started!

Tochigi national sports festival

Halloween month has come

 

We have no plan for Halloween. I enjoy my decoration on the shelf.  

troubleshooter 0926

 Dear troubleshooter

I can’t make friends due to the COVID-19 pandemic

I’m in my 80’s. I have no work. A few years ago I moved to an apartment which is easy to live for the elderly. My previous house was on the hill so it became inconvenient for me since my husband passed away, I became alone and older.

When I was living in the previous house, I was a member of a hobby circle, and had lots of friends. I had never felt lonely. I was going to join a new group after moving and make new friends. Actually I joined a Karaoke circle and started making friends. However due to the Covid-19 the circle naturally stopped meeting. My neighbors have already been in contact with each other tightly before I came. It seems difficult for me to join them smoothly as a new comer.

Recently most of the day I stay home alone, and I seldom talk to someone. I sometimes write letters to my old friends, or take a walk. I sometimes feel very lonely.

I don’t worry about my life economically and physically. So I have to live my life with gratitude. However I’m not satisfied with my life. How could I find the way to spend lively and fulfilling days?

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

At first I really respect you, because you haven’t lost your willingness to make friends. While you keep such willingness and do some action, you must get a good result sometime soon.

To make friends, the most important thing is to get information, and the next is some action. Unfortunately, we tend to keep distance even among neighbors due to the pandemic. But even in such situation we still have many chances to meet new people. The way to get information is basically newspaper, TV, HP, or local community newspaper. Probably your city publishes the local newspaper once a month. And usually the city government holds some programs to make community for the elderly, or counseling meeting. Such programs and meetings are very reasonable or free. Without hesitation you should take action.

I’m also in my 80’s. My first step to join a hobby club is to look for advertisement from the newspaper.

Additionally, let me say one thing. We are in our 80’s. We could easily fall over. We should watch out our step Please don’t forget it.

-------

I think it will become my problem. And not to have the problem, I need to keep some action.

Good morning 0929

 

Though from tonight I feel myself “close-fisted” and dislike such me, it is all right. That’s me. Sometimes I compare with someone in the same generation. 

On today’s news paper, an interesting recipe was introduced. I will try it. 

Good morning 0928

 Today, Yuki makes a contract with a company to buy a new car. The new car will come in three months. 

This time he decided to buy small suv type car. Changing a car is included in the schedule of our retirement life, though our saving decrease. Anyway in two years our pension will start.

Good morning 0927

 

We got a melon from a friend. We really enjoyed it.

Today it is a usual day. 

 In the morning I go to the gym and Yuki goes to play tennis.

In the afternoon, we have nothing special. I will wait for a call from my mother ( probably today it won’t come), then I practice the piano and enjoy reading.

I also put this sign in front of my house. “Open my library” I hope some neighbors drop by.

Well, tonight Yuki goes to a studio for his band practice.

So, today it is no alcohol day for him. Even after he comes back late he is not able to drink. It is our recent rule.

Good morning 0926

 

A new week has started.

Our elder daughter is now in Kumamoto. Her works are displayed at public contemporarily art museum Kumamoto

Unfortunately English site isn’t prepared yet. 

In the morning we are going to a bank, city hall, and some other places to do errands. Probably we have lunch outside.

In the afternoon I open my small private library, probably no one comes. I have to think, how I advertise my project. 

lunch diary 0924

Monday

I forgot to take a picture of our lunch on Monday. I went to the supermarket that was renewed with my neighbor's wife and got a bowl of cutlet.

In the afternoon I weeded. I put  my daughter's discarded work casually to enjoy ourselves. it is "Autumn Garden".

Tuesday

Both two of us are into to Sagamiya's tofu cuisine these days.

In the afternoon, we went to the city hall to finish some errands.

Wednesday

Suddenly, our elder daughter came home with a sandwich and roast beef of "KAWAMURA" restaurant  in Ginza. On the way to Gunma, she stopped by around Tochigi. It became  a great birthday of Yuki..

Thursday

Our elder daughter left at 5am. Last night, she said, "I haven't eaten bitter gourd this year,"  so I got it from my neighbor and cooked bitter gourd.

The leftover is our lunch. The other present which was arranged by our younger daughter has not arrived yet. Because it is so she..

Friday

We were  finally able to eat the limited edition "Tsukimi Pie". With just one hamburger, both the fat and saturated fatty acids of the day exceeded the standard values, but well, okay.

from private classroom to private library

 

Finally I changed the room. I also put away many books. Today a used book store come to take some books to my house. 

Good morning 0923

 

It is a holiday. And it is rainy.

Well, our missions of today are three.

1, going to a nearby temple to get some information about fall events.

2, going to a men’s casual and sports close shop which opens yesterday nearby. I thing it must be crowded.

3, going to a local “small” public hall, because they hold An small exhibition to introduce the history of Honda in Tochigi.

I have some coupons of Macdonald, if it is not crowded we will go through the drive-thru.

Good morning 0922

 Our elder daughter T left here at 5.  We have a usual morning, though we are sleepy.

Anyway today, in the morning we do usual things, like going tennis, and going to the gym

In the afternoon, we are going to a used book shop??  which recently opened, and deals with English picture books as art works. 

Good morning 0921

 

It is a very cold morning though it is still in September. “So” a heater is already working. 

Today unexpectedly our elder daughter comes and stay with us. 

Tomorrow she has work at the next prefecture, so she will leave here early morning tomorrow. On the way to go she decided to drop by here. 

In the afternoon, Yuki goes to see a doctor, I have work, but we are able to have dinner together.

Anyway I need to put a heater in her room instead of electrical fan.

Good morning 0920

 

Today unfortunately it is raining. So Yuki has no tennis. He will spend the day lazy. In the afternoon we might go to the city hall to check a document.

At 11:00 (Japan time) I open zoom, and read an English picture book together using this site.  This time I didn’t prepare my original video. I hope some attendance will be there. It automatically closes in 40 minutes.

If you are interested in it, please give a comment.

Good morning 0919

 

On our Japanese calendar it is a national holiday. 

“So ” retiree Yuki  has no work of tennis. 

He is going to go fishing . It is the last day to fish in some rivers.

Yesterday, I finally asked to pick my books up to a used book shop which mainly deals with English books. A driver will come this weekend. So I will organize my books more today.

Low birth rate in Japan

 A friend introduced this article.

Will Japanese people ‘cease to exist’?

The other day on Japanese news paper, this editorial column was introduced.

Give bold support to young generation for child-rearing

Some people take this issue seriously, and some people are optimistic saying decreasing the birth rate will stop someday, the others probably try to not to think about (including me).

However, according to the news paper, according to a questioner by the government, some tens percent of unmarried people between 18 and 34 don' want to marry permanently. The reason is having child takes lots of money and loss their own free time.

I think financial problem is the biggest reason. What I can say is I want not to widen the gap of economic. I know we have a wide variety of people. But I don't want to be divided into to parties. 

lunch diary 0917

Monday

In the morning each of us went to a different clinic.  My husband got caught in a health checkup and needed re-examination. When we  got home, we were tired. So we thought to go out  to eat something. But the medical expense for the two of us was higher than we thought. So we had "somen" nodal at home.　That's life.

Tuesday

I got plenty of eggplants at hand... Now, what should we do? I have also made pickles. I cooked Fried rice with eggplants which were cut roughly. I used them up.

Wednesday

Last night, I made pressed sushi with leftover rice. It's beautiful, and I'm proud of myself. I had a kind of homemade marone grace. I took my hat off to her.

Thursday

I cooked fried rice again. This time I put TOFU.  It's full of protein. In the morning, I went to a clinic. Although my cholesterol level is high, it seems to have finally calmed down and I don't need to take medicine.

Friday

Finally, the supermarket nearby is open for the first time in two weeks. It is renewal. I can walk, so it's very helpful. I bought "Opening commemorative sushi" there.. Well, isn't it good? It is said for 100-yen conveyor belt sushi will disappear. will sushi return to unattainable dish as stars?

Our performance at karaku cafe in September

This week my friend Ms. Ukai masako and I performed at Karaku cafe.

She introduced a essay.

 

I translated the story.

Advice column by Satou Aiko

Now she is 98 years old, and is still working as an author.

The famous book of Satou Aiko is "Is it happy to become 90 years old?"

Another famous book is "Useless advice columns". She published this book when she was 93 years old.

She says "as long as you set your mind to it, you can do anything."  This time I'll introduce an episode from this book.

I’m almost in my 30’s. I want to be a lady who is intelligent and well-educated.

I’m self-employed and not married yet.

I work as a writer on the web and magazines.

I have a lot of opportunity to meet older or higher ranking people.

When I meet them, I become embarrassed because of the lack of my education. I feel shallow.

So I can’t talk to them well.  I have attended workshops about communication sometimes, but they don’t seem to be effective to me. I don’t know what I should study. I want to have a wealth of topics, and to become intelligent. What should I do?

The author Satou Aiko answers.

What are you talking about?

You are a 29 year-old-lady, and you work as a writer on web and magazines.

Are you a comedian? Give me a break.

Why do you ask such thing to others? It is like you ask “where should I go” at the ticket counter of a station.

For the first time I want to know what kind of web or magazines you are involved and what contents you write.

You introduce you are a writer, so probably your work is to put together opinions of some people, or introduce information that people are interested in.

So whether you are willing or not, naturally you get more knowledge, and become well-educated, don't you?

Do you think being intelligent means having a big amount of knowledge and information? It’s not true.

There are many stupid people though they have attended lots of workshops.

Why are they stupid? They just put the knowledge or information on the surface and don’t digest them. Experience is necessary to digest them. Real intelligence is supported by experience. Attractive people are supported by such experience and knowledge.

For example when a friend reveals a severe concern to you, does he or she want the advice like “Friedrich Nietzsche says ---“? It doesn’t work.

That friend wants sincere comfort and for you to rack your brains and solve the problem together.

The person who can do it is an intelligent and well-educated person.

You don’t need to have a wealth of topics.

You listen sincerely and ask some questions. Give a big nod when you understand.

You just need to be good at listening.

While you are worried about what you should study to become intelligent, you cannot be

troubleshooter 0910

Unfortunately on troubleshooter of this week , my interested article wasn't chosen. So I tried to translate by myself.

Anyway I learned it seems to often happen to cut off between siblings.

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

I haven’t talked with my sister who lives in the same house for more than one year.

Dear troubleshooter

I’m in my 30’s. My sister who lives together is three years older than me and has emotional ups and downs. When she gets upset, she tends to talk less. Sometimes she didn’t talk with me for a while. But this time, she hasn’t talked with me for more than one year. It is the first time to last the situation.

My sister was unable to go to school for a while when she was in junior high school. But she went to college, and got a national qualification. She works now. So my mother is proud that my sister overcame her experience of missing school. So my mother always prioritize how my sister feels than any members of my family.

A few years ago, when I introduced my boyfriend to my family, my sister got so upset. Since then there has been an unspoken rule not to talk about my boyfriend at home. Then I told my parents that my boyfriend passed a national qualification secretly. Since the next day my mother hasn’t talked with me.

I’m really tired of being concerned about my sister. I really understand the way my parents are concerned about how, so I can’t show my feeling. I’m really full of stress when I think about my parents nursing issue after I get married. What will happen to us? How do I deal with this family problem?

Advice

Dear Ms.E

Between sisters or brothers whose age is closer, they sometimes become rivals, and sometimes hate each other. I think for your sister you are considered as her rival to get good rating from your parents.

I advise you to be apart such a pointless conflict. 

You have a job, so living by yourself is one way to be apart. It is necessary to keep the distance mentally and practically.  You need not to be controlled by your sister’s emotion. 

You don’t have to think about your parents’ nursing issue. Because it is the long way off.

You should focus on what you can do now. It means you should become the person who is not controlled by current your sister.

What is important is not to be on age when your sister get upset. If you always stay composed seeing your sister, you are not afraid of anything about the future of you and your family.

Good morning 0914

 

Yuki went to a clinic and got tested. The result will come in one week. According to Yuki the doctor seems to be optimistic his health score saying because from the aging.  Yuki keeps in good health with physical strength but anyway he gets older.

Yesterday it was the day of  Karaku. Regular customers came to enjoy our performance. 

Today I will make some documents in the morning without going to the gym. Probably I will  do walking exercise in the evening instead of workout.

Good morning 0912

 

Monday has started.

Both of us are going to clinics. I go there to take regular medicine. Yuki goes to a clinic , it is the first time. Unfortunately His result of health check said that he needs to see a doctor and get some advice.

This weekend I organized a closet. And a big garbage bag was made. we’ve just taken out bags of garbage. 

Today , it is the day of taking out burnable garbage.

lunch diary 0911

Monday

We went to a new mall which has just opened. It is next to the station. We bought discounted hamburger steaks at the supermarket inside, and grilled them at home for lunch. 

Tuesday

We still get Moroheiya. The "Nira"  grasses in the garden are starting to bloom. Since they blooms at this time of year, I think they are  edible "Nira", but I don't feel like eating them because they are growing everywhere like usual weed.

Wednesday

Bitter gourd also arrives even in September. I cooked fried rice with Goya. Even in September, cucumbers, bitter melons, and other summer vegetables arrive from our friends.

Thursday

Disaster prevention day week? The expiration date of our stocked foods has not come yet, but  some of them are  until November. We have to eat our stocked preserved foods. Canned curry has already gone, so I bought a canned food set, though they are not curry this time. Come to think of it, recently we haven't seen "Inaba Curry".  I wonder if it's becoming difficult to produce it in Thailand?

Friday

I had some "errands"  at Karaku café, so I went there and had curry for my lunch. On that day, I went to a pear orchard and a friend's  house with figs and so so. At each place I  exchanged  some things,. At Karaku café, bitter gourd was replaced with cake.

Full moon 0910

 Last night it was full moon .  It is called “chusyu no meigetsu”. 

At some traditional Japanese sweet shops, special sweet dumpling is owls only on the day.

We went out to get them all th way. At the first shop, it was already sold out. We got them at the second shop.

 Coincidentally on the way home I found “Susuki” grass (pampas grass)

 in the field.so I didn’t need to buy them,

Japanese Pampas grass is offered as a way of inviting Gods and is also believed to have a role as a charm against evils. And, during the moon viewing, it is believed eating Otsukimi-Dango will provide health and happiness to us.

Good morning 0909

 

Two loaves of bread as come. Today it is thick sliced cheese toast. We know it is high calorie.

Our elder daughter T sent some flyers and post cards of her exhibitions. “So” I go to cafe Karaku with them. Unfortunate around us, few people go to Tokyo. And no one go to Kagoshima. 

But some customers of cafe Karaku are interested in arts, and some of them work at he city art museum. So even though they don’t go to see her exhibition, they might advertise her exhibition to someone connected with arts.

Good morning 0908

 

According to the fortune-telling on today’s news paper good luck comes if I organize somewhere.

Coincidently yesterday I organized a small mobile shelves and I put out all things from it. And I was thinking I use the shelf effectively. So I will organize other closet using the empty mobile shelf.

Good morning 0907

 

Yuki has already left. He went to play golf. Typhoon didn’t hit this area, though it will rain in the evening according to the weather report. 

Last night it was a humid night. So I couldn’t sleep well. Do I take a nap in the morning or go to the gym? Anyway I can choose what I want to do. It is a good thing of my retirement life. 

For these two months(during children’s summer vacation) I had irregular lesson at night.  Thinking back, I was really active.  But now I also think it is all right to have nothing todo at night.

On today’s newspaper, fig spring rolls were introduced. I know a farmer who has a big fig trees. It is time to visit him.

Good morning 0906

 

Yesterday, I did walking exercise. Finally walking season has come back.

The results of our health check arrived. Unfortunately they were not so good. 

However about me it was as I had expected. It means the bad points were not found more except high HDL. I will see the doctor  with this result, though I don’t want take medicine.

Unfortunate there were some bad points on Yuki’s result. He needs to see a doctor to get some advice, or re-extermination. He is going to go to a clinic next week. 

Good morning 0905

 

Monday has started. It is cool. 

In the morning we are going to go to a new mall which opened in front of the station last week. 

Probably it will be a good walking exercise. 

We are not decided whether we eat lunch out or not.

lunch diary 0903

Monday

We went to see cosmos in the field. They were in full bloom.  Then we went to café Karku to have lunch. I had pilaf with Japanese plum and Shiso herb and my husband had meat sauce spaghetti.

Tuesday

I cooked rice vermicelli with plenty of mulukhiya. It got cooler all of a sudden.  I put away the sleeveless clothes in the closet, and put  sleeves more in it. I organized the closet. Unfortunately I could discard nothing.

Wednesday

I stir-fried left over all summer vegetables like bell peppers, green onions, okra with tenjamen paste. Anyway one-pan dish.  It was neither cold nor hot, but it was very humid. On the day the news constantly reported  a typhoon hitting Okinawa. Well, what would happen?

Thursday

I was going to cook  "kinpira gobou  (fried carrot & burdock)", but I changed them into fried rice with kinpira gobor.  It was pretty good. In the afternoon, it suddenly became hot, and For me it was a tough day.

Friday

A new refrigerator  finally comes. The old one sometimes became difficult to get cold enough, and we were worried  about what would happen, but it kept working well until today. I fried  frozen dumplings and reduced frozen items as much as possible.

Delivery came at night. So we had dinner earlier than usual and  cleaned the old fridge with gratitude, and waited for a new fridge.

I am also mourning the demise of Queen Elizabeth II.

 When I was a girl, I used to read the book about queen Elizabeth. 

For me the real queen was only her. 

People in Japan cherish ties with the Queen

My deepest sympathies.

Good morning 0901

 

September has started.  It was a really tough summer. I have to say the same phrase every year? The climate is changing every year. Can I adjust to it as I age?

Today I am going to hold a zoom meeting to see my haiku youtube. Thankfully a person shows interest to it, though it is not sure she will be able to participate in the zoom meeting. 

The meeting opens at 7pm (Japanese time) and 40 minutes later it automatically closes. Are you interested in it?

Good morning 0831

 

It is the last day in August, though most of school has already started.

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.

Good morning 0830

 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. 

Good morning 0829

Monday has started. It is the last week in August, and it will be the first week in September. When I get up  it is cool (or in my case it is cold). I hope the heat was of summer is finished. 

Yesterday I cooked curry. It seems too much, our stomach still feels heavy. So today’s breakfast is too simple.

correction of my Haiku

 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.

-------

"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.

lunch diary 0827

 

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.

Good morning 0826

 

We had breakfast peacefully today.

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. 

Good morning 0825

 

We are quarreling, now he is in his room. 

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.

Good morning 0824

 

Yuki has already left for playing golf. According to his schedule after golf he is going to the osteopathic clinic to care his body. 

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.

troubleshooter 0818

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”

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

Well, brother's trouble has happened to me --- so this article is very interesting.

Good morning 0822

 

Monday has started. It is sunny, probably it will get hot at noon, but it seems to be cooler than last week. 

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. 

lunch diary 0820

This diary is for these two weeks. I skipped Obon vacation.

Two Mondays ago

 We went to a Docomo phone shop to apply for Mina point service, which is supported by our government.　People who have iPhone of the latest model can download by their iPhone. Because they have the feature of reading ID cards. Unfortunately our iPhones don't have the feature. So We went to the shop to get a support from them. In the end, we realized that they won't be able to do it in our case. This service is supported by our government so the clerks at the shop inquired to an official government center for us. For them it seemed to be the first case not to do it. We were not irritated because  they served us tea in an air conditioned room and we had a good time. It was a nice way to escape from the the heat.

Two Tuesdays ago

I sautéed Jew's mallow and sausages  for lunch. I also made the grilled eggplants to eat later for our dinner, but two of us ended up eating them all.

Two Wednesdays ago

This time This is sautéed green pepper and chicken. We pruned and trimmed  the trees of our garden, while counting 100 times. You might ask what does it mean? Of course our ideal goal is to organize the garden, but the important thing is to do weeding action 100 times, and to try trimming 100 branches are important. So we did it while counting 100 times.

Two Thursdays ago

Myoga　(Japanese ginger)  began to appear in our garden.. When I hear stir-fired myoga  with butter and soy sauce is delicious... . So I made it. it was actually delicious, but the taste was "Myouga" ,  it's because probably I saved butter too much? 

Obon vacation 

Fireworks set off .  It was  for the first time in three years. We could see them enough from a window in our house. We watched them calmly. This day it was the first day of our grand daughter's and our daughter's stay here.

Wednesday

Well now, Obon vacation  is over, and our usual week has started . It's getting cooler, and I have start weeding while counting 100 in the morning again.

Thursday

It was raining, and my husband drove me to the Carvs gym. While I was doing exercise, my husband looked for and bought delicatessen within the budget of 500 yen for two of us.

Friday

My husband's got the 4th Pfizer vaccination. He doesn't seem to have any side effects.

As for me, I'll think about it. I might get one  after I get the results of the health checkup. Some people say that there might be a shortage of Pfizer in this city in a month.  what should I do?

troubleshooter 0817

 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.

Dear troubleshooter

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.

An essay 0818

 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.

The shaved ice machine which we used to use   by Kazue-Ohira 

 I tidied up a shelf which had been on my mind.  I had wanted to do it for three years. The shelf is at the entrance hall, and it is very big. I have stored a sewing kit, stacks of old newspaper, daily things, some bins for making jam or pickles, and other seasonal things and so on. 

 There was one thing I really wanted to discard. It was an old type shaved ice machine with a character mark our kids used to like. The machine is very simple, made from plastic, but it is very big. So it takes a lot of space. I don’t remember when was the last time I used it. 

Whenever I open the shelf, the first one I see is the machine. I always think that I won’t probably use it, so I should give it to someone. But I close the shelf saying “it doesn’t matter, next time”. When I married, I got flower-shaped glass bowls for shaved ice as a wedding gift. It was with message that when you have kids, please use the bowls with your kids. 

The time came earlier than I expected. And the time not to use them also came earlier than I expected. In summer we have many more delicious things and anyway it is troublesome to shave ice even using the machine. We have to turn the handle by ourselves. However, every time I tried to discard it, the smile of our kids got back to me. While they were waiting for us to finish shaving, they rested their cheeks on their hands, put their elbows on the table, and watched the machine. The machine was making shaved ice like light snow little by little. It made them very happy. This scenario is still very clear and has not fainted from my memory. 

Even though they started to notice that probably this summer we wouldn’t use the machine, they always used to ask “This is the year. Let’s make shaved-ice” with shining eyes. The machine with the character might have had some magic power to have a dream even though it might not come true. It took time to make shaved ice turning the handle by ourselves. However thinking back, while we were waiting for it, we must have had been excited. And it was fun to pour the syrup on a mountain of shave-ice.  They could pour as much as they liked. As soon as the top of the ice mountain started going down, they would say “Oh no! The mountain broke”. 

Now I realize that such a usual scenario used to be our family summer festival. Such time never return. It was a long time ago. It is a very important and lovely memory. So I don’t want to let go of the machine, I still keep it. I said to my husband “Since I have kept it for a long time, I would rather keep it until our kids get married”. My husband laughingly asked “when would it happen?” I think it would not be so far. It is the fate of family.

Good morning 0818

 

We had Obon vacation. Our grand daughter and our daughter were staying with us for a while. And now we have already spent usual days. So today I am going to go to the gym. 

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. 

Good morning 0812

 

I want to complain about this weather—— but it can’t be helped.

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.

Good morning 0811

 

Yukihiko back muscle seems all right. 

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.  

Good morning 0810

 

Yesterday it was the day of Karaku.

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. 

correction of my Haiku

 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!

 

Good morning 0808

 

It seems to be a hot this week. The weather report also forecasted it. 

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.

lunch diary 0807

Monday

It's been a long time since we drove a little far though only in the morning. We went to Takao Shrine in Omuro and had soba noodle for lunch on the way home.

Soba noodle in Omuro is its specialty, but surprisingly, there was a tempura of steamed sweet dumplings of BUHEI, which is also its specialty.

Tuesday

I made grilled curry with Zucchini and the other leftover vegetables tasted by garam masala. Garam masala is available at any supermarkets. It got one regular kind of spice. 

Wednesday

Stir-fried vegetables with bean sprouts. A regular one-pan dish for our lunch. It was hot, so the two of us stayed at home in the afternoon. That's fine . It's a retirement life.

Thursday

An eggplant arrived from the next door neighbor. Well, what do I deal with? Anyway I stirred it as sausage I stocked.

In the afternoon a book I reserved returned to the library, so We went to the library to pick it up and on the way home we did glossary shopping at a supermarket．

Friday

Finally, tomorrow is the medical annual  health check. It must be  too late to try to lower your cholesterol by eating fish...

In the evening, we went to the  dentist, and without special reasons  we were busy.

I showed some people our phot album of this year. Some people say that "Yuki changed, and Mieko doesn't change".

Yuki stopped dying his hair, so his hair is white. It might be the reason why he looked so different. BUT let me say one thing. Since he retired, he changed his outfit even at home. When he worked, he wore or prefer business shirts, plain shirts, or plain polo shirts. But now he prefers patterned shirts. so he often buys his out fit. Finally this year he stopped because now he has enough amount of shirts. Our elder daughter said with laughing "you are flashy or fashionable!" On the other hand I haven't buy new outfits for a long time!!!!! And my biggest trouble is a wrinkle between eyebrows.

Good morning 0805

 

It was a cool morning. So I made hot cherry tomato soup. We thought it would be a cool dual. But it seems not. Suddenly the temperature is increasing.

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. 

Good morning 0804

 

The weather report information is right. It is cooler than yesterday, though it is humid. This humidity  brings headache to me. 

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. 

Good morning 0803

 

According t the weather report until today very hot day of around 38 Celsius degree continues. It means tomorrow it we’ll be under 35 Celsius degree. And the last hot day Yuki is already out. Now he is heading for golf ground. 

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.  

Good morning 0802

 

Yesterday, we went to a shrine. It was more interesting and bigger than we expected.

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.

Good morning 0801

 

A noisy, delightful and busy week was finished. August has come.

 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.