ume and play of sunlight

On the way to my harmonica class I took a detour
to watch Japanese apricots, ume-trees, at a farmer's.

The buds of ume-trees were beginning to open.
They were waiting for warmer days to come.
I took a deep breath watching ume-trees.

Around noon I came back to my apartment.
The sky was beautifully blue. How lovely!
I enjoyed the play of sunlight through the trees
of Tamagawa-josui.







( play of sunlight, Tamagawa-josui )

today's photos

The weatherman was right.
It was cloudy today as he forecast.

We have had very cold weather lately.
Are you all fine?

( from my apartment, this morning )


( new shoots )

family concert 2008

koharu learns the piano at a music studio JOY MUSIC.
Her brother also learns the drum at the same studio.
Today they joined JOY MUSIC Family Concert.

koharu composed a piece of music called 'Kura-yami'
all by herself.

First she played 'Kura-yami' on the piano.
Then she played 'Lovers Concerto' to her father's
saxophone.

koharu's brother played '15-no-yoru' by Yutaka Ozaki
on the drum.
Then he played 'Bags' Groove' on the trumpet.

He played the trumpet again with his parents
--his father's soprano sax and mother's alto sax.
They played a tune 'All Blues.'

I enjoyed listening to them
I enjoyed the family concert.



( kura-yami composed by koharu )


(koharu is writing her third piece of music.)

yesterday and today

Yesterday snow covered the ground in Tokyo.
Children were excited to see the white snow.

Some were scooping up the snow.
Others were knocking the snow from their shoes.

This morning the snow has melted away.
The sun shines bright.

I see white clouds in the blue sky.
Birds are singing in the trees.

The wind is now growing stronger.

(in front of my apartment, yesterday)


(today, on the way to the community center)


(Do you see a bird? )

pouch--karin's patchwork

One year has passed since I started learning
how to do patchwork.
I learn it once a month--two hours for each time.

It is still a hard work for me.
But I feel great pleasure when my patchwork is completed.

I've finished a lovely pouch today.

I will give this pouch to koharu, my granddaughter.
I am sure she will love it.