The last day of September

Hi, everyone!

Sunflower, Magnolia, I expect you are enjoying good trips in Sendai, or Karuizawa by now. I hope other members also have a nice weekend.

Today is the last day of September, and I feel a soft, misty rain is just a gift from autumn. We will have sanma for tonight’s supper, which may be a symbol of the harvest season.

So, I have to prepare it now. I will talk to you tomorrow, good bye!

Autumn rain

Hi, everyone!

Azalea, how many brutal nations are there on our earth…Actually, there are a lot of miserable incidents on a newspaper every day, which would show us many victims, who have no names. They used to have their own names and lives, though. Sadly, I am gradually numbed them these days. I wonder what we should do for those…

Plum, I’m glad to hear that your arthritis is getting better now. And because I have no sisters but two brothers, I envy you and your sister. It’s wonderful to sympathize with each other, isn’t it?

Today it had been raining all day. I also like such autumn rain. Tomorrow is the last day of September, and the real autumn will come.

So, have a good holiday, good bye!

Recording diet

Hi, everyone!

Thank you again, Azalea.
In a sense, planning times might be happier than a traveling itself.
I’m enjoying throughout my guidebook of Gifu.

By the way, my family has just started ‘Recording diet,’ which is proposed by Toshio Okada, an author of ‘Itsumademo debuto omounayo.’ (What a strange title!) He is a popular writer of otaku, and miraculously lost 50 kilograms. (117→67) I was really interested in his success story, which depicted simple, but exciting method to lose one’s weight. At first, all we have to do is to record steadily our weights and daily meals everyday. Then we will also record our calorie intake. We don’t have to save our meal at this stage. He said, ’A diet is an enjoyable brain work, and the best investment for low risk, high return.’ It’s a charming phrase for me.

So, see you tomorrow, friends!

A trip to Gifu, again

Hi, everyone!

Magnolia, Azalea, thank you very much for your speedy reply about a trip to Gifu. Today, I got a guide-book for Gifu, and looked at Gujo hachiman. It’s a lovely, nostalgic old town, isn’t it! I like it, and will suggest it to my family. I am also fascinated with Kinkazan and cormorant fishing at Nagara river, which would end at October 15th. I greatly appreciate your nice plan. Thank you again.

By the way, I will tell you about the Tigers.
Yesterday they finally lost seven consecutive games, and as a result, also lost a chance for victory… I was really disappointed by that result, but it is a world of competition. We have to accept the situation.

So, see you tomorrow, bye!

A trip to Gihu

Hi, everyone!

I can find the clouds of autumn in the sky these days, and feel refreshing.
My family intends to go somewhere in Gihu next three consecutive holiday, but I can’t decide our goal. I’d like to go Shirakawago, where would take too long times. Takayama or Gero…? My family has never gone to Gihu, and so we are looking forward to our short trip. Do you have favorite destination in Gihu?

Yesterday was a deadline for essay junior(?) members. It was hard to finish my essay, but I’ve never have such a worthwhile job. Thank you very much.

'Gal mikoshi'

Hi, everyone!

Azalea, as I recall it, no woman ran with danjiri at Kishiwada city, just like in other festivals. It’ s also an example for nix women, isn’t it? But I remember a ‘gal mikoshi’ at tenjin matsuri, in Osaka, was parading along a shopping mall, where is called the longest mall in Japan. Those ‘gals’ are singled out from a large number of applicants by a contest. I don’t know it would exist now…

Magnolia, I’ve never read ‘joseino hinkaku’, but your introduction drew my attention.
I admire a woman who can tell a number of flower’s names.

Welcome to our blog, Champagne, and nice to see you.
I’m looking for meet you some day.
(Or, we have already met before?)

Thank you, everyone.
Good night, bye!

A Tofu restaurant

Hi, friends!

I can’t believe that September would be over soon. This late summer must cause stress to us terribly, and so my family went to a Tofu restaurant in the neighborhood today. There were many menus of all sorts of Tofu or soybean there, such as dengaku, yuba, and ganmodoki. All of them were mild and sweet taste, which could give us a little happiness. Since such delicious foods have begun to increase in Autumn, I like that season.

Actually, I don’t like cooking, but I admire a good cook. Recently I found an advertisement of an Italian cooking class in the neighborhood, which showed that home-cooked, tasty Italian cooking would be held once a month. It’s really fascinating for me…I cannot make up my mind about that, and I wonder if it will work. It’s better to have a look first, isn’t it?

It’s time to cook. See you, good bye.

About a danjiri

Hi, everyone!

Azalea, has the season for delicious crab come yet? It seems that you love them, because last year, I heard your story of some travels with those. I also like it, especially kegani.

Cosmos, thank you for your explanation about ‘philogynist.’ I think of a kind of ‘nix women.’ It’s a car for women only. Is this a nice idea for us, isn’t this?

Plum, I enjoyed your story about a baby-sitter work. While I read them, I got to remembering my home tutoring for part-time. When I was a college student, I went to kishiwada city, Osaka, and taught some subjects for a junior high-school’s boy, who liked play with me. One day of September, his parents invited me to a famous festival in their region; danjiri matsuri. Do you know this? The danjiri means a portable shrine, which has some wheels. We walked along a shopping center for a while, and waited for it with many spectators. Then, it came…with unbelievable speed! Many men carrying the danjiri ran a street through in front of us. It was really amazing festival.

So, I will talk to you tomorrow.
Good bye, dear friends.

Sumo issue, again

Hi, everyone!

Sunflower, thank you for your detailed introduction of Sumo issue. ‘Nix women’ is really steeped in our society. I think many women regard them as quite natural, and don’t doubt about reasonableness at all. Actually, because of those difficulties, the more we try to learn those subjects, the less we will want to change them, as Plum mentioned before. There are long, long path in front of us.

Cosmos, I couldn’t find the word ‘phylogynist’ on my dictionary. I’d like to know it.

Thank you again for showing a summary of Jonathan’s meeting, Sunflower.
I enjoyed them, and to my regret, I can’t attend the next meeting for my work.

Plum, I greatly appreciate your message for informal English. I will follow a course of your plan.

So, I have to wash dishes…Good bye, see you.

About Christianity

Hi, everyone!

Dear friends, I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed discussion about Christianity.
It seems very meaningful for you, and I’m also interested in those issues.
I’m just reading now a part of Christianity in the book ‘Sophie’s world,’ but it is hard for me to understand. If given a chance, please let me know about them.

Alice, I feel respect for your eagerness to improve English, in spite of many works to do.
I was surprised when I looked at your blog, which have many, many difficult technical terms. You are a hard worker, aren’t you!

Plum, I found a feeling of familiarity to you, when I read your comment ‘life is hard.’
Even almighty Plum gave a sigh, it is unbelievable for me. But is it a life?
I just hope you will take a rest as soon as possible.

From tomorrow, a long holiday again.
Have a nice weekend, and see you!

Sumo issue

Hi, everyone!

Azalea, Sunflower, I'm interested in your Sumo issue.
I agree with Azalea's view that adopts pro-baseball as national sports.
I think Sumo are not overly popular in younger generation, because of its antiquity.
Young Japanese dislike such strict apprentice system. So, I feel pity for Asashoryu as a sort of victim.
By the way, they say a prohibition against women from stepping up into the ring is due to uncleanliness of women. It sounds strange, doesn't it? it's a men's selfish logic.

It has been humid day today...
I will go to bed early. See you tomorrow, good bye.

Thank you, everyone!

Hi, everyone!

Plum, I was really happy to hear your wonderful comment yesterday, and how nice your word, ‘happy three month birthday to us!’ was. Without your warm, emotional response, I also could not have this fantastic experience. And I’m pleased to read friend’s offers to continue this blog. I am proud to have been involved in this project.

By the way, I’m trying with my paper these days, and have many difficulties. I must improve my poor English more and more. As Peach mentioned, it is hard.

So, it's time to cook...
Good bye, see you!

We made it!

My dear friends…
We finally made it today!
It is just three months since we started this blog.
It was really hard for me to write it every day, but an important, rich experience I’ve never had before.
I just thank you from bottom of my heart, Plum and all of you!
If you don’t mind, I hope keep writing together.
Thank you very much.

Feminine Mystique

Hi, everyone!

Plum, I can’t imagine that you were going to Koshien ballpark. There is a sacred ground for fanatical fans, and I easily understand your fright of unbelievable excitement there.

Magnolia, I’ll express my appreciation for your comment in detail, and I respect your great self-control. If I were in your position, I couldn’t know what to do. So, let’s enjoy our joyful trip some day!

Alice, you have really a large circle of friends, do you? The Iguacu Falls…!
It’s fantastic plan.

Today, I found an unforgettable passage in ‘Feminine Mystique.’ Let me introduce it:

The problem was dismissed by telling the housewife she doesn’t realize how lucky she is---her own boss, no time clock, no junior executive gunning for her job. What if she isn’t happy---does she think men are happy in this world? Does she really, secretly, still want to be a man? Doesn’t she know yet how lucky she is to be a woman?

The passage in Japanese was a great shock to me before, and now they make me happy to discover something special.
So, it’s time to wash dishes. Good bye, dear friends!

Professional baseball

Hi, everyone!

I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed climbing mountain and apple field, Azalea.
As Magnolia said, it makes me feel envy.
I suppose your husband is a nature lover, isn’t he? ( Of course, you too.)

Magnolia, how did you decide your manifesto?
I’m sorry if you had already showed it before to us.

By the way, a pennant race at professional baseball is getting excited these days.
Because I’m a fan of Tigers, as I said before, I can’t help leaving TV while the program is going. The enthusiasm of the match came through on the TV screen, especially at Koshien. But I’ve never been there for Tigers and I eager to go there to cheer them up next season. If Tigers win the victory, everything will be fine at my home!

So, see you, tomorrow, good bye!

Wider vocabulary

Hi, everyone!

It seems just exciting that five members of us took part in Jonathan’s discussion, and I think really difficult for me to give my opinion about such serious subjects. I need much wider vocabulary. Anyway, I was surprised by Sunflower’s comment that there are only one percent Christians in Japan. I heard more than 30 percent in Korea. Why is it so small?

I finished today ‘Nobuko’ by Yuriko Miyamoto. Though it was wrote at the Taisho period, I could felt empathy with her emotions. In this book, being confined to their home, she struggled for her own freedom, finally divorced her husband, and found pleasure in writing her works. It is very valuable to me. Thank you for your advice, Plum.
I will mention later about ‘The Yellow Wallpaper,’ and I’m ready to read ‘The Feminine Mystique.’ I have read it in Japanese on the recommendation of a friend of mine.

I’m happy to read your comments every day, and they really make me feel relieved.
I’m looking forward to meet all of you, dear friends!

Good bye, see you tomorrow.

Welcome back, Plum!

It’s the long-awaited day today.
We are looking forward to seeing you, Plum!
It was surprising for me that you went to a meeting at the next day you came back,
and I was concerned about your condition. It is too hot at Nagoya, isn’t it?

Thanks to our blog, as Cosmos mentioned, I really enjoyed active discussions with all of you every day, even beyond big sea. In spite of my poor, childish English, I just kept writing. And I will keep writing with you from now on. Thank you very much!

Sunflower, thank you for your information about CCEA. Actually, I have known your group a little bit, because I once happened to see you at Will- Aichi while working. It’s fantastic that many people can exchange their culture beyond a human race. You have many energetic activities, don’t you!

From tomorrow, it will start three consecutive holidays.
I hope you will enjoy autumn recess.
Good night, and see you!

The long nights

Hi, everyone!
These days it becomes cool a little at night, doesn’t it?
I hope all of you will be all right.

In the long nights of autumn, I just feel like reading a good book with which I could dream another world.
While I learned part of Engels’s work, I was really burdened with many philosophies, from Greek myths, the Bible, to an opera. I have no idea of them!
So now, I try to read ‘ Sophie’s world,’ a best seller book of more than ten years ago,
which had been left on my bookshelf. It is pretty nice for me. The author of this book is a Norwegian. I wonder his philosophy was nurtured by the beautiful nature.

It will be time to cook. Everyday, cook and cook.
So, see you tomorrow, good bye!

A shock wave

Hi, everyone!

Azalea, I didn’t remember the colors of the rainbow I saw yesterday, but may be seven colors.
Is it different in other countries?
It sounds beautiful that some rainbows appear in same time in Hawaii.

Sunflower, It’s fantastic that you had a good time with modern English rakugo.
It reminds me of Shijaku Katsura, who was popular rakugo-ka.
Where did you enjoy them last week? I’ve never heard even Japanese live rakugo,
and so I’d like to enjoy it some day.

By the way, today, a shock wave passed throughout the country…
Prime Minister Sinzo Abe announced his stepping down from office.
I can’t understand why now, and must watch some TV programs tonight.
It must confuse the political situation for the present.

So, see you tomorrow, good bye.

Huge twin rainbows

Hi, everyone!

Cosmos, I also enjoyed Masai’s story.
As Magnolia said, it’s rather difficult to understand each other even in same human races. But it sounds nice that Magnolia would become stronger than before.
As for my husband, his mother is a typical Japanese good wife, and she always follow after her husband or son. She never talk back to them. (or, may be forced to do so.)
So, my husband often says to me, ‘You talk so big! ’
It was a sort of home environment, but just nonsense for me.

By the way, I luckily saw huge, twin rainbows yesterday.
Those formed for a long time at the evening sky in which the sun was loathe to set,
and the scene was really fantastic!
Did anybody see it?

So, it’s time to cook.
Good bye, and see you tomorrow.

About PTA

Hi, everyone!

Cosmos, I'm interested with the story of ' Masai's lover,' and also with Plum's question
about it, that asked if a character would not a woman.

As for such gender issues, now I have some question about PTA activities of my kids' school, in which I became a staff this year.
First of all, the president of PTA is always a man, and some women who can support him are called ' Representatives of mothers'. (Isn't it strange?)
Many real works of PTA will be managed by mothers like as me, and on a conference, HE will lecture us for a long time. We have to be quiet, and give thanks to HIM at such a public area.
I'd like to ask a question of it to PTA members soon.
It may be good chance for me to think of these things deeply.

By the way, it will soon be the time of our 'paper,' and I'm really concern about it.
So, how about you?

Good bye, dear friends!

About takoyaki

Hi, everyone!

When I read all your comments these days, I really became confused with them,
which had a variety of place, and time.
But it doesn't mean bad thing, just fascinating for me, like as a high-quality novel.
Only being here, and feeling everywhere in the world.

Plum, I'm glad to hear your favorite things about Australia.
It's so wonderful for me to imagine some sweet fruits and blue sky there.
Some day I'd like to visit there and enjoy them.

Last night, we enjoyed takoyaki with a machine for exclusive use, takoyaki-ki.
Do you have this machine?
It is so popular in Osaka, and many family use it to eat takoyaki.
There are a shop in Osaka that sell takoyaki with even chocolate in it.
(it sounds strange)
When I read Plum' s comment about Ulala-san's crepe, I remembered those.
I'm sorry if my imagination might be rather poor.

It is still blowing hot, and so it's not easy to have tight sleep at night.
Relax and go easy, good night, dear friends!

About Australia

Hi, everyone!

Plum, did Ulala-san enjoy her memorial dinner yesterday?
Today I watched some news about APEC at Sydney on TV,
and it reminded me of your comment.
You could greatly help your grandchild to be born, and your daughter to enjoy her birthday.
It's wonderful for children that their mothers are in good health and support them.

Since I have never been Australia, I don't know about her real attractiveness.
The Blue Mountain sounds nice, and I can imagine beautiful nature of it to some extent.
If you give some charms or favorite things on Australia, what is it?
I will be happy to hear it from you.

Magnolia, I'm happy to hear that you visited onsen in Nagano.
It might be enjoyable to go onsen with friends, might'n it?
The season is turning to autumn.
We are looking forward to meet autumn wind...

So, see you, and good night!

A change of season

Hi, everyone!

Plum, I'm sorry for your hand's serious pain.
But it's good that your tablet and gel worked well for you and, massage!
I think you had too many works...
Actually, yesterday my husband suddenly got a sharp lower-back pain.(gikkuri-goshi)
Since he drives a car on business every day, and has little excise, it's not surprising for me.
Now he needs some 'rest cure.'( from 'The yellow wall paper'...)

Come to weekend, I really feel relaxed.
Because we can staying up late at night, and oversleeping at tomorrow morning.
It's my fun to sleep well at such a change of season.

So, have a nice weekend, my friends.
Good bye!

Go to a movie 2

Hi, everyone!

Magnolia, I also have good impression with Naomi Kawase.
The day before yesterday, she came to the festival in order to attend press conference.
She was a taller lady than I had expected, and had eyes that convey a strong sense of purpose.
I wanted to see her movie 'Mogari no mori' and listen to her talk about it, but that ticket was sold out at once.
Those movie tickets go on sale during the middle of July every year, and so anyone who wants to go, especially to popular one, have to buy them before summer vacation.

Cosmos, it is interesting that you met a girl married with the Masai.
How did you feel about the movie today??

Azalea, I also enjoyed 'Night in the museum' on DVD, and I love funny Robin Williams!

It's fantastic that we can exchange our opinion about favorite movies, isn't it?
The most recently I was impressed is 'Bushi no ichibun' on DVD, in which Takuya Kimura played cool samurai.

So, see you, dear friends.

Go to a movie

Hi, everyone!

I'm glad to hear your warm comments about my fatigue,
and last nignt, long sleeping with my kids made me feel better.

Plum, you will have many house-works and business-works after coming back Japan.
I hope it will be cool in Nagoya at that time.
Please take care of you.

Cosmos, I heard that some movie tickets were already sold out,
and it may be better to check the site before you go there.
I like watching DVD at my house, but also love going movie theater, and watching them at big screen with my friends and many audience.
When I recall some movies, I can remember some friends with them.

A big tyhoon will come soon, and I feel disagreeably warm breeze.
I hope it will not hit here directly.

So, I will talk to you tomorrow, good bye!

Aichi women's film festival

Hi, friends!

Sunflower, thank you so much for your question about my schedule.
Since I have works on Friday and school's events on Wednesday,
I can't join you. Please arrange it as you like, and I don't mind.

Alice, it is wonderful that you expressed our blog as a tapestry.
You are a poet, aren't you!

Magnolia, it's fantastic that you had movie gathering with class members of Bev-sensei.
The theme of 'Mississippi' is charming for me.
I hope young lovers will be happy.

Today I went to work after about 1 and half months' absence.
I enjoyed so many vacations that I really took pains to manage my works.
At my office, Aichi women's film festival will be held from tomorrow, and so there were
many people making careful preparations.
I saw movie director Naomi Kawase, who won the Cannes grand prix this year!
It is excellent that many female directors play a such lively part.
I'd like to go movies here, but I am little tired now.(natsubate)

So, I hope you keep well, dear friends!
Good bye.

An emergency training

Hi, everyone!


Today, I went to my kids' school for emergency training in the heat of late summer.
On the supposition that the Tokai great earthquake happens, we had to receive our kids.
The principal said that only an intraplate earthquake can be foreseen,
and if the prediction is announced, we must come to school as soon as possible.
I heard that such prediction will be done from October, but is it really possible?
I'm afraid of my panic with that announce.


Sunflower, thank you for your preparing for the meeting.
I really want to join you, but I can't for some works.
If possible, could I write about his homeworks later?
I think the meeting will be so meaningful.

So, good bye, and see you!

The last day

Hi, everyone!

Peach, I was pleased to see you and hear your comment about a trip to Guam.
It's very exciting to do snorkeling, or go shopping with your family.
Do you like the southern lands?
I like their atomosphere of freedom, but I've never visited to Guam or Saipan, and so I envy you.

Plum, thanks to you, we have learned some feminist theory articles.
When I read them, I was always impressed by their passion and efforts.
I think I wish I had studied them earlier, such as in my school days.
But it's never too late, and it will be time to learn for me.

Today is the last day of my kids' long summer vacation, and they feel so gloomy now.
From tomorrow I'll get my free time. It's fantastic.

So, see you tomorrow, dear friends!

About favorite writers

Hi, everyone!

Plum, I'm also happy to hear that you could watch DVD,
holding Yujin-kun on your lap!
I've not read Kazuo Ishiguro's novels, but I have his 'When we were orphans,'
which was given at a library.
I'll try it someday.
(I read The mother by Pearl Buck, but I can't remember the details of it...)

It is very fantastic that we can read about one's favorite writers, isn't it?
I also like Miyuki Miyabe, especially her crime novels.
As for crime novels, my favorite writer is Natsuo Kirino.
Her works always depict frightening and disgusting crimes,
but I can't stop reading those to the end.
The reason why is, I think, that she is richly talented female writer to picture the innermost feelings of women, who might exist anywhere in the world.
My first Kirino was 'Yawarakana hoho', which got the Naoki Prize.

Today is the first of September, and I'm waiting for meeting all of you.
So, see you later, dear friends.