good-by, Ling Ling

According to today's TV news,
the giant panda Ling Ling at Ueno Zoo
died early this morning.

He was 22 years and 7 months old.
He came to Japan from China in November in 1992.

Were you happy in Japan, Ling Ling?
I hope you will say "Yes."
We all loved you so much.

I saw you last year-- on November 4.
You looked so calm.
Were you feeling ill then?

Thank you very much, Ling Ling.
I bid a final adieu to you, Ling Ling.

(last November when I visited Ueno Zoo)

koinobori, carp streamers

Yesterday on the way home from school,
koharu and I saw carp streamers hoisted outdoors.

We got excited and shouted with joy
when those colorful carp streamers flutter
in the spring breeze.

koharu had a slight headache in the evening.
koharu seemed to have caught cold.

I'm afraid koharu is a little tired in mind and body.

to Mt. Takao (2)

(lovely flowers I saw today)

to Mt. Takao (1)

There are many hiking trails leading to the top of Mt. Takao.

Today Ms. Y and I started JR Takao Station at 8:30.

We walked through the town, then along the Asakawa River
which we call the Azusagawa River in Takao.
(The Azusa-gawa River is in Kami-kochi, you know.)

We arrived at Kasumi-dai at 11:00.

Then we walked 2nd and 3rd trails.
We reached the top of Mt. Takao a little after noon.

Unfortunately, the rain began to fall when we were eating lunch.
We hurried down the mountain to Kasumi-dai and caught a cable car.

I enjoyed the murmur of the Asakawa River.
I felt as if I were in Kami-kochi.

I enjoyed lovely flowers.
I enjoyed the bright or light green colors of grass, plants, trees etc.

I walked 22039 steps today.

to Niigata City and Tochio, my native town (3)

(April 20, Sunday)

In Tochio, I enjoyed walking around the town.
I happened to come to Tochio Art Museum.

I bought a ticket for the art museum and
enjoyed a doctor's wonderful paintings.

He is 96 years old--still a doctor as well as a painter!
Again I remembered the poem YOUTH.

Youth is not a time of life---it is a state of mind

Late at night I came back to my apartment in Tokyo.

(my native town Tochio)