three days in Niigata

This time I arrived at my home in Niigata
in the afternoon.

I wanted to be back before dark.

It was snowing but no snow lay on the ground.

I was afraid I would slip on the snowy ground,
so I had taken a pair of cleats with me.

I was glad I didn't have to use them.

As soon as I arrived at my home,
I sat before the altar(仏壇).

I said to my husband, "Hello, Darling! I'm home!"

The second day was a very fine day.
I opened all the windows and let in fresh air.

I cleaned my rooms.
I wiped the floor with a wet 雑巾.

I was surprised to find myself to be afraid
of going up and down the stairs of my own house.

Where has karin gone who used to go up and down
the stairs with her baby in her arms?

Our bedrooms were upstairs in those days.
Now I sleep downstairs.

Yes, karin has aged much since then.

-----------------

I talked a lot with my husband.

I enjoyed talking with my neighbors
and my good old friends.

Thank you so much, my neighbors and my friends!

(from Shinkansen)


(koharu's mother's elementary school)


I enjoyed walking to 寄居浜 with my friend—
through the pine forest.



（坂口安吾碑）


（寄居浜）

See you soon!

Tomorrow morning I'm going home, to Niigata.

My old house in Niigata is full of beautiful memories
of my time with my husband and daughter.

I cannot believe 38 years have passed
since my husband passed away.

I'm coming back where my husband is waiting for me.

See you soon!

(today's sky, near my apartment)

wild flowers

I had an official meeting at the community center
in the morning.

I left my apartment much earlier than usual.

I took a detour to walk along tamagawa-josui.

I was so happy to find wild flowers coming out
in the bush.

Thank you, little flowers! I’m so glad to see you.

blossoms of Ume at Yushima Tenjin

Yesterday was such a beautiful day that
I went out to see Ume at Yushima Tenjin.

I searched the Internet and found out Ume
is now in full bloom there.

As soon as I finished my home chores and
had an early lunch, I hurried to the nearest
station on the Seibu Line.

I took the 1pm train for Takadano-baba.
Then I went to Okachi-machi by the Yamanote Line.

Yushima Tenjin was about 10 minutes' walk from the station.

Many people were walking and I followed them.

Wow! What beautiful blossoms of Ume!















On the way back to Okachi-machi, I enjoyed strolling
through アメ横.

I bought a bag of 三陸カットわかめ by 955 yen.

I went back to Kokubunnji by way of the Chuo Line.

I had a very good time and walked 12040 in a day.

The Iron Lady

In the morning, I went to the community center
and did some work of printing with other members.

In the afternoon, I hurried to Tachikawa to see the film
The Iron Lady.

Now I’d like to know much more about Margaret Thatcher
herself.