2008/11/30
I got up a little late this morning.
Wow! It was such a lovely day!
I decided to go to Kawaguchi-ko at once.
I wanted to see that glorious mountain--Mt. Fuji.
I left my apartment at 9:00, hurried to the nearest
station and changed trains at Kokubunji,Takao and Otsuki.
It was after noon when I arrived at Kawaguchi-ko Station.
First I took a ropeway named Mt. Kachi Kachi Ropeway
and went to a hill with a wonderful view of Mt. Fuji.
After that I went to Fuji Lakeside Hotel
and enjoyed some cake and tea watching Kawaguchi-ko.
I had a blissfully happy day.
2008/11/28
It seemed to have rained steadily all night long.
Early this morning I saw some pools
when I was going to the community center.
I do love to look at skies, trees, or flowers
reflected in the pool.
I feel as if I were stepping into another world
while looking into the pool.
2008/11/25
koharu has a hamster as a pet.
The she-hamster was born in August.
koharu bought it last month, in October
and named her Kan-na from Kan-na-zuki.
koharu must have studied hard about hamsters.
She knows anything about her hamster.
koharu had no school today.
koharu and I spent a happy day, drawing pictures,
playing badminton, playing the piano and talking a lot.
koharu did her exercise in arithmetic and I read
Chicken Soup.
koharu was learning about "square measure."
I told her not to ask me any questions about arithmetic.
koharu and I had pizza for lunch.
koharu had a good appetite.
koharu is really growing.
2008/11/22
koharu had school today though it is Saturday.
She will have no school on Tuesday.
Today koharu's family had a birthday party for me.
On the birthday cake were two candles of the number 6.
Yes, I am 66.
The number 66 reminds me of US Route 66.
How I wished to visit America and travel
from LA to Chicago on Route 66!
It has been one of my dreams since my school days.
I have never been to America.
Am I strong enough to drive from LA to Chicago?
I'm afraid I'm not.
( hanamizuki I saw today )
2008/11/20
Yesterday I enjoyed walking in the mountain--
Shiroyama and Takao.
All the leaves were changing colors into autumn tints
of red and gold.
It was really the best day for hiking.
I walked 25168 steps.
(kobotoke-touge, on the way to Shiroyama)
(Shiroyama)
(on the way to Takao)
2008/11/18
The day before yesterday koharu and I enjoyed
a Sunday afternoon concert---
the Amaryllis Annual Autumn Concert.
koharu's parents played the saxophone on the stage--
her father the soprano saxophone,
mother the alto saxophone.
The concert went well.
It was a success.
koharu and I enjoyed the concert a lot.
After the concert koharu and I went
to an Italian restaurant
and had spaghetti for supper.
koharu's parents were busy after the concert
and came home late at night.
koharu was excited that I decided to stay
the night at her room.
Yesterday was my birthday
but every member of koharu's family was busy.
So they are going to celebrate my birthday
on Saturday, they say.
By the way, today I enjoyed Koga-melody on TV.
I like his melody very much.
My favorite songs by Koga Masao are "kageo-shitaite,"
"yunomachi-ereji" and "kanashii-sake."
How about you? Do you like Koga-melody?
--today's photos--
(the grass by the roadside)
(kodaira-danchi)
2008/11/15
Turnips I know are white vegetables.
Do you know a purple and white turnip?
I was surprised to find one at a farmer's market.
I bought them for 100 yen.
"They are called ayame-yuki-kabu," said the farmer to me.
"This is the first year I planted them," he added.
I lightly salted them down.
How delicious!
(today's tamagawa-josui---in front of my apartment)