2013/11/27
Yesterday it was such a lovely day
that I could not stay indoors.
I called YI-san, my friend, and we decided
to walk along Tamagawa-josui.
YI-san came to my apartment by bicycle.
We went to Kiheibashi and started to walk
along Tamagawa-josui.
What agreeable weather!
Warm sunlight shone through the trees.




We walked and walked until we came
to the train station Tamagawa josui,
where we took a bus for Tachikawa Station.
We had lunch at a restaurant in Tachikawa Isetan.
A glass of wine made me so happy.

After lunch we beautiful autumn colors
sitting on the bench near the Tachikawa gate
of Showa Kinen Park.

We came back by train on the Chuo Line.
We enjoyed walking and talking to the full.
Thank you for a nice day, YI-san!
I walked 22502 steps yesterday.
2013/11/25
The 26th Amaryllis Annual Autumn Concert
was held at 府中の森芸術劇場 ウイーンホール
last night.

My daughter and her husband (koharu's parents)
have been its members for about 20 years.
There used to be many members in this band
when my daughter became a member---
more than 50 members or so, I suppose.
Most of them were company employees.
Some left Tokyo due to transfer and others left
Tokyo due to marriage or family affairs.
15 members performed on the stage last night.
The quintet--- koharu’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Miya
and Mr. Matsu---played “Stardust”
and 「さくらのうた〜FIVE」on the saxophone.

koharu and I enjoyed the concert so much.
koharu was listening to their music taking notes.

She is always a severe music critic.
2013/11/21
Mrs. HK lives near my apartment house.
She lived in Kyushu but her husband passed away so suddenly
several years ago and she came back to her parents in Tokyo.
We soon became good friends.
She is much younger than I.
Now her parents are both getting old and she is taking care
of them at home.
When her parents go to nursing home for day-care services,
we often meet and have lunch at DOUTOR nearby.
Today we met and had a light lunch at Saizeriya nearby.
Oh, when did I come to Saizeria last?
We had gratin(グラタン)for 499 yen and some drinks
188 yen each. What an inexpensive lunch!

We talked and talked for an hour and a half.
Yes, chatting or laughing
really makes us happy.
(on the way back to my apartment)

2013/11/17
My daughter’s family celebrated my 71st birthday
at their home.
How thoughtful of you all!
I saw a full moon on the way back to my apartment.
How brightly the moon was shining!

2013/11/16
What a beautiful day!
It's not cold at all--yes, a balmy autumn afternoon.
We are still in autumn, though we’ve had
so many cold days as in winter.
Today's agreeable weather makes me happy.
But when I think of all the difficulties they are facing
in Philippines, my heart aches and sinks.
The big and powerful typhoon No.30, a week ago,
caused such a destructive damage to them.
A lot of people are even now at a loss what to do
for lack of water and food.
I wish the international teams will help them
as soon as possible.
I pray they will somehow survive all those difficulties.
2013/11/12
My friend in Niigata just sent me a box of chrysanthemums.

This chrysanthemum is called 「かきのもと」 in Niigata.
I've heard it is called もってのほか in Yamagata.
We usually say that we arrange or grow chrysanthemums
but not that we eat chrysanthemums.
But these purple chrysanthemums are good to eat.
「かきのもと」 is delicious! I like it.
Oh, don't say, "How cruel of you, karin!"
2013/11/10
Yesterday we, Friday English Circle members,
enjoyed English with 10 children in the lower grades.
We were asked to play with little children in English
by the director of the Kominkan.
It was our first English volunteering.
Three boys and seven girls who were 6-8
years old came to play with us in English.
Five mothers and two fathers came with them.
We met in a room in the Kominkan.
We planned to play with those children using English.
They knew nothing of English –except one child.
We taught them English.
This is our first ‘English Volunteering.’
We did as follows:
=============================================
(1)
Good morning. How are you?
I’m fine, thank you. And you?
I’m fine too.
(2) ABCs, song
(3) SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY, song
(4) Learning English Words (using 26 pictures we drew)
(5) What’s this? (using 26 pictures we drew)
(6) I can walk. (run, swim, jump, dance)
They walked, ran, jumped, danced and took the form of
breaststroke, saying “I can ~.”
(7) A Game of Picture cards.(かるたとり)
(using 26 pictures we drew)
==============================================
The children were all so cheerful.
They looked interested in English.
They were excited.
They looked happy.
And we were happy too.
It’s Ok if they don’t remember any English words.
It’s important they had a good time using English.
