Good morning 0607

 

Thankfully it is sunny today. According to the weather report rainy season will start from this weekend.

Constantly I have picked mulberries. It is difficult to take off their small stem, so we eat them together!  No problem.

 I finally took a kimono apart. A friend is going to change it into a casual dress. 

I took it apart, washed and ironed it.

A temple with lots of Japnese irises

 I made some Haiku using seasonal word "japanese iris". But I didn't see them directly with my eyes. So we went a temple to see them.

We could talk the monk of the temple. We really really enjoyed. He gave a bunch of Japanese iries.

lunch diary 0604

 

Last week we went out twice a little bit far away. Both of them were very nice places.

One of places was an old house. Without any historical information we went there. But we really enjoyed the nostalgic atomsphere.

Good morning 0603

 

In Kantou an Chuubu area they had heavy rain. Fortunately here I Tochigi, even it is in Kantou we had not so heavy rain. 

Well We don’t need to go out at night. So without any worry we stayed home. 

I soaked flowers of Dokudami I in alcohols to make tincture.

Many people consider Dokudami is weed. Actually I also struggle to weed Dokudami this season. They are easy to spread.

But they are also famous for medical Japanese herb. 

Dokudami petals being picked for tincture, one way of SDGs

Good morning 0602

It is raining. Yuki stays home. I am going to attend my haiku meeting.

Yesterday a music live house where Yuki used to perform there at night was reopen. The owner decided to open his restaurant even in the daytime as a cafe without live performance. So he has moved the near the station. Probably more businessmen will come to have lunch. On the first day a band did performance outside. It was a weekday, so unfortunately not so many people were there. But we could enjoy it.Two members of the band are Yuki’s friends.

 

Good morning 0601

 June has come. In this weekend it will be rainy season. 

Yuki’s ankle is not bad. He could play golf without problems yesterday. However today he is going not to go playing tennis to rest his ankle.

So, we will go shopping in the morning instead of my going to the gym. 

For ten days I haven’t my mother though I always wait for her calling  from 2:30 to 3:30.  It means she is all right. On the other hand I feel I don’t join her nursing. 

Short movie of mountain azeleas

 

How do you hear this sound? Zee-pyoru-roo?

We went to see mountain azeleas at Happou field. It took one and a half hour by car.

Did I walk a lot?

No. Because Yuki sprained his ankle, though today he has alreday gone to play golf.

Good morning 0530

 

Yuki sprained his ankle last Sunday playing tennis. Not so bad. Yesterday  it was Monday, so usually public tennis coats are closed, so he could rest his ankle. Though  he has applied a cold compress, he is all right. 

Today we are going out together to see azaleas on a small hill. Yuki chose not to go to play tennis to rest his ankle. Additionally he chose not to go to play tennis because he wants to go playing tomorrow.

However he told his tennis leader “I have to take my wife to see azaleas”

And unfortunately or fortunately I “can’t “ go to the gym either today.

I know I don’t like playing sports “very much”.

Good morning 0529

 

A Monday has started. 

We had chicken nuggets of KFC for our breakfast. (I won’t mention cholesterol) 

Yesterday it was 28th. 

2 can be pronounced “ni” in Japanese. And 8 can be pronounced “ha” in Japanese. Of course both numbers have other ways to be pronounced. 

So this time, 28 can be pronounced “ni ha”.

“Ni ha” is close to “ni wa”.

“Ni wa” has the same sound of “ni wa to  ri” , which means chicken. 

So yesterday a pack of fried chicken of KFC was on sale. We bought one. We left these nuggets for our breakfast.

That’s all.

Lunch diary 0527 short version

 

If you are interested in my haiku, please pause each photo. 

I use Clip App on my iPhone. It automatically edits the time each photo is on. 

Good morning 0526

 

Today I could put this breakfast photo.

I deleted lots of photos from this iPad and got enough capacity to work this app.

Today it is the day of Haiku meeting. Yesterday afternoon I was reconsidering my haiku which I show.

Probably I get suitable?strict? advice from the senior members today again. Anyway I will go. 

Good morning 0525

 Unfortunately photos can’t be put on this blog from my “old” iPad.. Why? I know the other a message appeared ; new ISO is prepared to be installed. But this iPad seemed not to accept it because of lack of capacity. I am trying some things but I can’t. This iPad is over 10 years old. Little by little some apps doesn’t work because not to adjust to the old ISO. 

It might be a trouble of this blogger app.

Anyway normal days have come back. I will go to the gym. But I might stay home to face to this iPad. 

Good morning 0524

 

It is Wednesday. Last Wednesday I was almost in panic. We are relieved to finish our mission this weekend.  Today it is a garbage day for non-burnable garbage. We discarded lots of electrical small gadgets of Yuki’s mother. And —— though we were going to take some  tableware to a used shop, we didn’t. We discarded them. Oh, I took some branded tableware and keep them.

We have still some small? problems including brothers’ troubles, but anyway my mother in-law is always nursed by nursing home staff, which makes us relieved.

I think it is about time that my mother moves to a nursing home from home. I know my brother cares her very well. I am afraid he won’t talk with us (me and my youngest brother.)

Good morning 0523

 

It is raining. 

Today it is the garbage day for recycled things like bottles, cans, paper, plastic things, batteries and dangerous things like knives. Yesterday it was the garbage day for burnable things. 

Last week we took back lots of garbage from Tokyo in our car. Our car was full of garbage. We sorted  them. Tomorrow it is the garbage day for non-burnable things. Our mission will have finished tomorrow. 

This afternoon a friend will come here. 

Good morning 0522

 

Usual days have come back.

Today Yuki doesn’t have his tennis meeting (mission?). On Mondays public tennis coats are closed.

Today’s our mission is going to a nearby banks on foot. I will try to resume walking exercise.

Lunch diary 0521 short version movie

You might not see this movie directly on this site. I don’t know why.

The site is here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfOagxtaqNw

If you are interested in it, please check it.

Yuki's mother has moved to a new nursing home. Her new life has started. It seems to take a while for her to get used to the nursing home. At the previous nursing home she was independet, though she needed some help. This time she can ask anything to the staff pushing the button. But she doesn't get used to calling some one constantely.  She hesitates calling someone. In another way she should call somone when she wants to do something.

Anyway we hope she is getting used to the life there.

Good morning 0517

 

To tell the truth my brain is full of mothers’ problem now. I know that there is a little what I can do. Yesterday most all of the day I was calling with my daughter or my sister in-law. Both of them is directly caring or communicating with mothers. 

Anyway we are going to Tokyo from tomorrow two days in a row by car. Both trips are day trips. (I might not go there on the day after tomorrow).

Yuki spends playing tennis as usual. He is tough.

I know playing sports should be better. But I can’t. I will,spend at home lazily while preparing for tomorrow.

Good morning 0516

 

Good morning.  Finally it got warm. For these three days it was cold. According to the weather report it will get very hot tomorrow like summer. They say to be careful about heatstroke. 

It is really tough for me to adjust to the weather difference.

Today I will go to a supermarket which has a sale today, instead of going to the gym. Our freezers almost empty after “Golden week” vacation of the last week.

Rose pictures with English picture books

 Last week I visited to friends’ houses to see their rose gardens.

I made short version video using photos of their roses with my English picture books.

What made me surprised was that:

This time the garden of my friend's house was changed a lot. Of course the roses were beautiful. But I saw more vegetables like potatoes, MITSUBA leaves, beans, and other things, than roses. Usually I pick lots of roses there. But this time I picked lots of snow peas and got some seedles of green leaves.

Lunch diary short version 0513

 

Unfortunately it is not a good weather this weekend. Both of us are spending lazily at home. 

Good morning 0512

 

It is a very quiet morning as usual. We miss the nosiness of the last week. However for a while we don’t need it.

Some small problems about our mothers happen. Most of them are caused by their age and dementia.

It is the day of Haiku meeting. I am going to attend it, but I feel weighted down by their high level conversation. Of course all members are very kind to me, because I am a beginner and a kid of new stutend.

Good morning0511

 

Yesterday in the afternoon we visited a old man’s house who used to be a blueberry farmer. Now he opens his big garden as a rose garden. It is not business. In front of his house there is a small donating box to support his rose garden.  

We had a good afternoon.

Well! I should start going to the gym.

Good morning 0510

 

Yesterday it was my performance day.

 Regular customers came. We had a good time.

My mother in-law is going to move to another nursing  home in next week. Finally new home was ugh there are still some problems, anyway we could step forward. 

I good meaning and bad meaning both our mothers show how to age.

Good morning 0509

 

It is a little past 9am. Yuki has already gone playing tennis, it was earlier than usual. His usual days have come back. Today it is my performance day at Karaku cafe.

I have finished  morning weeding of one big basket. 

Thankfully it is warm today. Yesterday it was very cold. 

Anyway our simple days have started.

Good morning 0508

 

Monday has started. It is raining and cold. Yuki stays home. According to the weather forecast, it stops raining at noon. So Yuki will go fishing to a river nearby. A friend of mine will come in the afternoon. 

Two of us feel the last week very long. Probably it means We could spend a fulfilling and busy week thankfully.

We had three time meals at home. To save money, and to avoid crowded places. Actually it was difficult for five members to have lunch or dinner at restaurants without booking.

Instead of it we had tea time at cafe.  Were they crowded?

Yuki and I thought cafes were crowded than usual.

 But our daughters said “how lucky! We can have tea at “this cafe” even during holidays” Compared to Tokyo all cafes were not so crowded.  All of four thought that anyway this city is still active and alive. Some providence cities are in trouble of less population.

lunch diary 0507 short version

 

One week vacation has finished. Our usual days have come back.

Thankfully during this week we could spend with our daughters (and our grandchild) .

It reminded me old our family life with four members. And I am surprised how fine and powerful I was at that time.

lunch diary 0429 short version

 

Coincdently I got a bunch of flowers. I'm really happy.

Golden week vacation has come.  Thankfully we get busy. When our usual days come back, I'll udpate my blog.

Good morning 0428

 

What are these? Unfortunately today’s hot sandwiches got burnt. Today’s bread was baked by my HB. So the bread is included than our usual bread bought by a supermarket. 

Inside of the hot sandwiches is cutlet I cooked last night and sliced fresh spring onion.

It it’s the last weekday of this week . On Japanese calendar nig vacation will start for tomorrow.  

For two of us, this week end is normal .

Next week our family week will have started.

We will go to Tokyo to visit our mothers, and we Weill come back with our elder daughter. Then next next day our grand daughter will come.

Anyway today we spend a usual day.

I should go to the gym. Next two weeks I won’t be able to go to the gym probably.

Good morning 0427

 

A big curry bread! 

It is sunny. We do regular things. Yuki goes playing tennis. I should to the gym .

The rhubarb in my garden was was growing well until a few days ago. But I didn’t notice a worm 🐛 had lived. Two-thirds of leaves   were. Though I put it away, I don’t know the rhubarb will be good. 

A friend comes today with some small rhubarb seedlings. 

Good morning 0426

 

The inside of these hot sandwiches is chicken cutlet I cooked yesterday. It is raining but not so cold.

Yuki’s tennis was cancelled , Yuki will organize his room today. Or shall we go to a big supermarket to do walking exercise?

Good morning 0425

 

It is still “sunny”. According to the weather forecast it will rain in the second half of this week. 

Yesterday in the afternoon two of us and our neighbor senior couple went to see wisteria by Yuki’s car. Probably it was the first time to go out four of us. They are over 75 years old. When two of us moved here they would give us lots of advice. All of us are aged. They seemed very enjoy yesterday’s afternoon.

Good morning 0424

 

Monday has started.

Last night I talked with a friend who is older than me but in the same generation. She is (compared with me) not so good at IT gadget.

 Her smartphone didn’t work suddenly, so she went to a cell phone shop nearby yesterday. And in the same day she got “the latest” smartphone which is android. 

She said with a big sigh “look this smartphone has a camera with three lenses “. It means the latest . It means it is very expensive. And why she said with a big sigh is she had no choice.

We knew when we go to a official smartphone shop , usually they deal with only latest smart phones including Apple iPhone. If we don’t need to buy the latest in official shops, we need to access to the online official shop.

We said each other it has got a difficult word for the senior citizens who are not so good at IT skill.

Lunch diary 0422 short version

This week we had lunch outside twice. 

A friend of mine visited me , so I served good Japanese sweets to celebrate her leaving hospital.

Yuki went to Tokyo by Shinkansen. It was the first time in the last year to go there by train.

Well, well, we need to tighten the purse strings. 

Good morning 0421

 Last night Yuki came back without any trouble. He came back. By bus not taxi from the station. It means he caught the last bus, not he last “Shinkansen”. He said “I saved money not to take red-eye taxi (with extra fee).

A new nursing center for Yuki’s mother I has not decided yet. She took nursing care level check again. From this situation we realized again that  our life plan is unstable. 

Good morning 0420

 

Today Yuki is going to join a meeting in the evening and have dinner in Tokyo.

He goes there by train. It has passed more than three years since  train last time. 

When he was a businessman he went there by “Shinkansen”. Today he goes there by local train and comes back here by “Shinkansen” . Oncourse to save money. 

I hope he won’t miss the last Shinkansen and he won’t fall asleep and miss his stop. 

Actually he did it sometimes. 

Good morning 0419

 Yesterday, it was cold. But I had a good sweet time with my friend. 

Yesterday’s cold temperature makes me so I am thinking whether I go to the gym or not. (Yesterday I went to the gym)

Today Yuki has no schedule. It means probably he will go “shopping”. If I go with him, we might have lunch outside. I am thinking this month home budget.

Good morning 0418

 

Yuki goes out in a few minutes to play golf. According to his schedule, he was going to already go out. 

In the afternoon a friend of mine will come. She left the hospital last week.  So she and I will spend lazy afternoon here. Another friend might come. 

In the morning I will go to the gym, and on the way home I will buy some delicious Japanese sweets for three of us. 

Good morning 0417

 

Monday has started. We go downtown to do some errands. 

In our residential area, we make a neighborhood association. It is separated into small groups. We belong to Group 15. 

The leader is changed every year by turn. This year a senior lady who lives along became the leader of our group. The main thing for leader to do is to organize circular boards. This time we are the last person to see them, after seeing them we have to return them to her.

Actually I am worried about her situation recently. So it is a good excuse to see her without appointment. On the other hand we are surprised she took the role. She could refuse the role because of her age. 

lunch diary 0415 short version

 

I made short version video again. It is short. So if you are intereseted in my HAIKU, please pause the video while you are watching.

The music is composed by Yuki.

troubleshotter 0414

It is raining, today. Both of us are staying home. Yesterday's advise colum was interesting. (in English version it is called troubleshooter )

I tried to translate it in English.

I’m in my 20’s. Is it strange that I don’t have any dream?

Advice seeker

I’m in my 20’s and a part-timer. My cousin who is 8 years older than me said that I’m strange because I don’t have any dream. Then I feel gloomy and her saying is my stress.

My cousin is a daughter of my mother’s elder brother. When we were young, our relationship was bad. Since our grandmother died, we have talked friendly. 

The other day when we talked together, she asked me if I had a dream. I said “no”. She said “it is strange you don’t have any dream. You should have what you want, or an aim. Put yourself together”. I felt like being lectured by her.

I know I tend to be realistic. Reality is more important for me than dream. I’m doing my best to focus on today and tomorrow. I can’t afford to make time to think about my dream and future.

Is it strange that I don’t have any dream?

Adviser Mr.Ogawa (a philsopher)

“Do people need to live with having a dream?” The answer depends on people. I think there are three ways for people to live depending on which time they focus on ; past, current or future. 

The first one is to focus on their past. If you have really good experiences, it might be all right. But if you regret your past, I don’t recommend to live focusing on your past.

The second one is to focus on their future. In this case you need to have dream. Because you live and make an effort for your dream.

The third one is to face the present and live now. In this case you don’t need to have dream. Because you can live this moment without thinking your future. 

I know, people who enjoy the moment are different from people who live hardly at the moment. But German philosopher Martin Heidegger, in 20 centuries said that all three ways are proper way to live for people.

So, people who live hardly at the moment like you, I'd say it's not necessarily necessary to have dream. You don’t care such a thing. You will be fulfilled with your current life and enjoy your usual days more.

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

Well, I think nowadays, the number ofpeople who don't have a (big) dream is increasing, because of this unstable world.

So it is all right to do the best every day.

Thinking about myself, I have been a negative or conservative person since I was a high school student. (Before it, I don't remeber because I was too young)

And thking about my current situation, we don't know what happnes tomorrow (to be more specific, when we visit our mothers to care), so we do the best what we can do today.

Well, today's our mission is "spending lazy". Additionally I did my weekend mission "10 things discarding".

Good morning 0414

Though my cholesterol value is still high, but it hasn’t changed for more than one year. So I don’t take any medicine. And thankfully “arteriosclerosis” doesn’t get worse.

The doctor told me “anyway walking”. As you know I am not good at sports.And I don’t like outside activities very much. I am not a healthy nut, though I take some supplements.However, I try to conk it Inume walking exercise and going to the gym as much as possible.

I saw an interesting column of my favorite “troubleshooter” . 

Is it a way of thinking of Japanese senior people?  Coincidentally the advice seeker lives in the same prefecture with me,

 My Grandson Lets His Girlfriend Stay Overnight at Our House I’m a woman in my 70s. I’m not working and living in a two-family home for five years with my husband, my son’s couple in their 40s and my grandchildren. My 19-year-old grandson started having his girlfriend from the same vocational school stay at our house. My son and his wife gave permission, and at first I welcomed the girlfriend, but then she said she would stay one more night because her classes were cancelled the next day. When I asked her if her parents would worry about her, she said they were fine with it. The second time my grandson brought her was unannounced. I know I am in a different generation from them and have old-fashioned ideas. But, when I asked the girlfriend if she has told her parents that she would stay at her male friend’s house, my son interrupted and shouted, “What an old-fashioned way of thinking!” It then became an argument. I’m not happy with the situation especially when thinking of the influence on my other grandchildren. Later, I told my grandson, “I’m sorry for saying a strange thing,” and “Don’t you think your priority is to study hard and get a qualification, as long as you are still depending on your parents?” He only said, “I understood.” How should I look at the situation?

— I, Tochigi Prefecture

 "Dear Ms. I: You know that the age of adulthood in Japan was lowered from 20 to 18 last April, right? Now, 19-year-olds can make various contracts without the consent of their parents. They also have the right to vote. Your grandson is already an adult. Since his girlfriend tells you that there is no problem, don’t you think your grandson and his girlfriend are in a much more secure relationship than staying out overnight in an unknown place without their families’ knowledge? Your son and his wife are OK with it, probably because they like their son’s girlfriend. But, that doesn’t mean that you have to accept the situation. You are right in your opinion that your grandchildren should study as long as they are still dependent. It is not surprising for an older generation to feel uncomfortable to see that a couple stay overnight together before marriage. You have lived by your own ethics. You don’t have to force yourself to bridge the generation gap, and for your grandchildren, having a family member who doesn’t understand them will serve as an opportunity to take a look at their own relationship with their partners. You don’t have to be an understanding grandmother. You don’t have to apologize. One day, your grandchildren will understand that some people worry about them because they care about them, and that is how you show your love as their grandmother. 

 HazukiSaisho

Good morning 0412

 

Yesterday , it was my performance day with my friend. Fortunately most of tables are occupied by audience. I thought I got  used to communicating others. But it seems wrong.  Last night I didn’t sleep well because I was excited. I seem to get used to being alone or with a few people after corona pandemic.

Today’s my mission is going to the game and walking.

Tomorrow I have to take blood check at hospital.

Good morning 0411

 

Today it is the day of Karaku, my performance day.

After the last Karaku day versus things (mainly about my mother in-law) happened. It seemed long for me to pass one month. 

Little by little I put away my winter clothes in a storage box in the closet. My goal about my clothes is not to do it. So I try to do less my clothes, but it is difficult. 

Good morning 0410

 

A Monday has started. Yuki got up very early and is still watching golf masters. After it finishes he is going fishing. 

I will go to the gym with belated Easter eggs,

Yesterday we went to a city art museum, there I saw a friend. Probably it has passed three years since we saw the last.  Talking with her at the entrance hall of the museum was more fun and longer than appreciating the works. Our husband was waiting for us patiently and quietly outside or in the car. 

She will visit me sooner to talk the rest of her story. 

Lunch diary 0408 short version

 30 second video!

I changed the decorations of the entrance shelf. “Golden week holiday” including “holiday of children’s day comes in May.

trouble shooter 0403

 I tried to translate advice colum I was interested in.

Advice seeker; 

I have never been number one in anything that I have done

I’m in my 20’s. I have never been number one in anything that I have done

What I mean is to be selected by people who are not personally related to me.  Or I can say someone shows me special affection, or an authority nominates and praises me directly, or get special approval from people around me. 

I tend to think that I am disliked because I am not number one. I can’t get any reward for my affection or efforts, I get late replies, and I don’t get any praise.

I get along well with my family. I might be greedy and selfish because I want to be loved by more people not only by them. However I'm upset by my own uselessness because I am not number one in anything I do.

Adviser Mr.Ogawa (an philosopher)

You seem to worry that you have never been number one. You also said being number one is to be selected by other people. What you really need is to accept yourself, not to be number one or to be selected by other people.

Axel Honneth who is a philosopher in Germany uses the word “approval” about what you say. “Approval” is not to be accepted by others, but to accept yourself. Evaluation from others is only material to get approval from ourselves. 

So, if you are satisfied with yourself, you don’t need to care what others think. It is the same story with “which came first the egg, or the hen?”  If you can’t accept yourself while you are not accepted by others, you never get “approval”.

So, if you can’t do it, might as well accept yourself first. Consequently, other people naturally accept who you if you have confidence. It is clear which is easier, accept yourself or be accepted by others. Either way you will be number one, so you should choose the easier way. When you accept yourself, I think you won’t care whether you are number one or not.

Good morning 0407

Yesterday we could see a high school brass band  and parade downtown. This Saturday it is “kannbutsuea” which is a day of Buddha’s birthday. To celebrate the day the parade with some Buddhist kindergarten kids seemed to be done. This brass band is famous for their high level. They have won the first prize sometimes in Japan high school brass band contest. Actually they were cool.

 Today I will attend my haiku club meeting. One month has passed sine I attended before. For the period we often went to Tokyo mainly to visit my mother in-law. Though her situation isn’t settled, I hope she will be able to spend stable days.

Good morning 0406

 

It’s Thursday. It is a little “cold” today. Yesterday I went to chiropractic clinic, and my waist is getting better. In the afternoon we are going to a bank downtown. Since Yuki retired, three and a half of years have passed. It is time to reconsider our retire budget. 

Well, I will go doing only 15 minute exercise (and chatting) to the gym in the morning.

Good morning 0405

 

I forgot to take today’s breakfast photo. These days I have a new  morning errand. Picking up some pansies in the garden and put them into this big vase. I enjoy spring! I don’t know whether Yuki notices it. 

Little by little our usual routine is coming back. Thankfully little by little my pollen allergy is going away. 

However yesterday I twisted my left waist and it still hurts. I will go to chiropractic clinic nearby.

Good morning 0404

 Yesterday’s mission was finished without any trouble. Though some troubles have continued, we should keep our life. Anyway today I (should) go to the gym. Next week I will have to take blood check of every three month. I think these days I eat much meat and sweets than usual. I hope my cholesterol value won’t be up. 

Good morning 0403

 

Today I am going to visit office to close my school officially “in a suit”.

It has been a long time to put on a suit. I sometimes attended. workplace training in a suit. But because of corona pandemic such training and meeting are done by net.

Thankfully I seem to keep my figure like three years before, so I can still put on the same suit. (Or, I cannot buy a new suit.)

lunch diary 0401 short version

 

I made short version video in English. only 23 minutes.

Oh, sorry, I added the last picture of Japanese version.

The script is

"Hello!"

a shower of cherry blossoms; a small girl scooping and hopping