23 hours stay in Niigata

The day before yesterday I went back
to Niigata on urgent business.

I had asked to set up a tombstone of my own
in the coastal memorial park in Niigata.

It was completed a few days ago.
The necessary steps were all taken.

What a relief!

(pinewood near my house in Niigata)


(my rose, Elizabeth, in Niigata)

shocking news

When I was taking lunch with my grandchildren,
I heard a shocking news of T. Matsuoka, Ministry
of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries,
being found hanging in his apartment in Tokyo.

It was reported that he died around 2:00 p.m.

Why did he kill himself?

Was it because he was harshly criticized
by the opposition party?

Was it because he could not tell
what he'd like to---truth?

Was it because he was torn between truth and loyalty
to Prime minister Abe?

Whatever the reason is, he should not have committed
suicide. He should have lived and told us the truth
about his money scandals.

He should have taught our younger generatin that・・・
nothing is more important than "LIFE."

today's photos

The days are really getting longer.
It was still light at six in the evening.
I was walking at that time.

I walked looking up at the skies with white clouds.
On the way I saw flowers of chestnut trees.

(at 6:00p.m. today)


(at 6:36p.m. today)


(at 6:45p.m. today)


(flowers of kuri, at 6:04p.m. today)

go sketching with koharu

koharu and I went sketching in the neighborhood
after she came home from school.

koharu sketched some flowers and berries.
I sketched a scene in the park.
What a peaceful time!

( koharu sketching mulberries )


( mulberries )


( dokudami )


( clay bird and pizza made by koharu )

beautiful Sunday

I woke up at six this morning.
I listened to the radio in bed until seven o'clock.
Then I got up and opened the shutters of my room.
What a beautiful Sunday morning!

I immediately decided to go hiking.
I enjoyed climbing Mt. Takao.
Mt. Takao is the only mountain I can climb by myself.

I had lunch at momiji-dai in Oku-Takao.
My favorite cha-mise there was open!
I made an order for a bowl of nameko-miso-soup.
It was so delicious after walking a lot.

I was sorry that Mt. Fuji was hidden by clouds.
But・・・
I enjoyed the blue sky.
I enjoyed the white clouds.
I enjoyed the fresh green leaves.
I enjoyed talking with some hikers.
I enjoyed talking with a foreign family.

I was happy to enjoy ichigo-ichie,
just "a once-in-a-lifetime meeting."