花の季節の到来に心和む日々

 

　４月のカレンダーに書いてある言葉がなるほど思ってます。それは「花あって安らぎ、愛あって人和む」です。これは現在の私の心境にぴったりです。画像は廊下の紫陽花と庭で膨らみつつある牡丹の蕾です。太陽を浴びつつ、これらに井戸水をたっぷり与えることで一日が始まり、誠に心安らぐ時です。それは花には明るくにこやかな表情があるからでしょう。

　２～３ヶ月に一度、埼玉県花園や前橋花木センターなどに行き植木を見て回っていると、時々、魅力ある花と運命のように出合い、惹き付けられてしまい、「家においで」と、心で叫んでしまいます。このため、私の庭にある植物の殆どは最初はそうして来たものばかりです。明るい表情と共に色彩が色とりどりで、ここが私の好きな音楽に共通してます。音楽の喜びは「透通った音色と和声の美しさ」と感じています。

　ところで、植物と人間は違います。植物の場合は、私が魅力を感じれば、比較的簡単に手に入ります。しかし、人間の場合、心から魅力を感じていても、「その地にしっかり根を張ってる」ので手に入れられません。もしかして時間をかけ、あるいは状況が変化すれば、チャンス到来はあると長い目で見ることが必要なのでしょう。「愛あって人和む」は人間の究極の喜びと感じてます。

Dear my friends who are fascinated with flowers, music and human

　The words written on the April calendar really resonate with my heart. It says "Flowers bring peace in our heart, love brings harmony to us." This perfectly describes my current situation. The picture shows hydrangeas in the hallway and peony buds swelling in the garden. My day begins with basking in the sun and giving plants plenty of well water, it's a truly peaceful time for me. Perhaps it's because flowers have such bright, cheerful expressions.

　Every two or three months, I visit the Saitama Prefectural Hanazono and the Maebashi Flower and Tree Center to look at plants. Sometimes, I encounter a captivating flower as if by fate, and I'm fascinated with it, calling out in heart, "Come my home!" Because of this, most of the plants in my garden initially came from this heart. Their bright expressions and vibrant colors are similar to my love of music. I feel that the joys of music is the "beauty of its clear, transparent tone and harmony."

　By the way, plants and humans are different in a sense. In the case of plants, if I am fascinated, I can acquire them relatively easily. However, in the case of humans, even if I feel genuinely attracted to her, I cannot possess her because she is "firmly rooted in her place." Perhaps it is necessary for me to take a long-term perspective, believing that an opportunity may arise if it takes a long time or if circumstances unexpectedly change in the future. I believe that "love brings harmony to people" is the ultimate joy for humanity.

　

広く読まれいる「広報高崎」を実感

　今日はお昼頃から車の調子維持を兼ね、汗を流しに「吉井牛伏ドリームセンター」へ行ってきました。今日は暑かったので、さっぱりしました。高崎市民は２００円で入浴できるので有難いです。

　帰りしなに受付の女性が「広報高崎４月号を見ましたよ。」と言ったので、嬉しい半面、恥ずかしくもありました。今後も、「あんしんセンター倉賀野」主催の行事に協力し、地域の人との交流を大切にします。来週の１６日には「くらカフェ」があり、楽しみです。

　Today, around lunchtime, I went to the Yoshii Ushibuse Dream Center to get some fresh bathing and also to keep my car's conditioning smoothly. It is a hot day today, so it is very refreshing. It's great that Takasaki residents can bathe there for only 200 yen.

　On my way out, the lady at the reception desk said, "I saw your article in the April issue of Takasaki City Newsletter," which made me happy, but also a little embarrassed. I will continue to cooperate with events organized by the Relief Center Kuragano and cherish my interactions with the local residents. I'm looking forward to the "Kura Cafe" meeting on the 16th next week.

１メートルの基準について考える

　庭では2本の八重桜が開花し始めました。上は父が約６０年前に植えたもので、左下のＳ字状のピンクは２年前に私が築山に植えた未だ幼木です。八重桜は一般の桜が終わる頃に咲き始め、ご覧のように優しさが伴ないます。その他、チューリップが咲いて、庭は春爛漫です。私も早朝からカメラマンとなり、腕の見せ所です。

　さて、今日は「メートル法公布記念日」です。私たちは一日の中で無意識のうちにメートル法でものを考え、それらは身長など、物の高さに始まり、幅、車の速度や、走行距離、山の高さ、目的地までの距離などをkmやメートルで言うことが普通になってます。しかし、昔、私の両親は尺や寸でいろいろ話してました。今でも、畳の大きさなどに、その名残があります。いつからかその言い方は姿を消し、今や私たちは自然にメートルで表現してます。

　ところで、１mとは何を基準にしているのでしょう。

　調べてみると、地球の赤道から北極までの子午線（経線）の長さの「１０００万分の１を１メートル」と定めています。このため、地球の外周が約４万キロメートルとキリがよいのは、１m自体が地球を基準にして決めたからです。

　今朝もこれから５００mを歩いて倉賀野上四公園で行われる「ラジオ体操会」に行きます。集まるや否や、皆さん、朝から楽しくおしゃべりで、恰も、口の体操から始まるようです。

Dear my friends who like chatting happily

　Two double-flowered cherry trees have begun to bloom in my garden. The top one was planted by my late father about 60 years ago, and the S-shaped pink one on the lower left is a young tree I planted on the artificial mound two years ago. Double-flowered cherry blossom begins to bloom around the time that regular cherry blossoms finish, and as you can see, they have a gentle beauty beyond expression. Tulips are also in bloom, so that the atmosphere is making the garden a veritable spring wonderland. I've been acting as a photographer since early morning, putting my skills to the test for Facebook.

　Now, today is "Metric System Promulgation Day." Throughout our day, we unconsciously think in terms of the metric system, from heights, widths, depth, to car speeds, distances traveled, mountain heights, and distances to our final destinations—all expressed in kilometers or meters. However, my parents used to talk in terms of shaku and sun (traditional Japanese units of measurement). Even now, it remains in things like tatami mat sizes and so on. At some point, that way of speaking disappeared, and now we naturally express things in meters.

　By the way, please tell me the basis for 1 meter?

　Upon my investigation, it turns out that one meter is defined as "one ten-millionth of the length of the meridian (longitude) from the Earth's equator to the North Pole." Therefore, the Earth's circumference is about 40,000 kilometers because the meter itself was defined based on the Earth.

　This morning, from now on I'm going to walk 500 meters to the "Radio Gymnastics Meeting" at kami-4th Park in Kuragano-town. As soon as everyone gathers, they start chatting happily, and it seems like the exercises will begin with mouth.

夕食前に倉賀野の鯉池一周ウォーキング

　今日は午後４時頃に家を出発し、いつもの鯉池一周コースをウォーキングしてきました。１時間３０分かかったので今日の距離は５Kほどでしょう。常にカメラを携帯し、今日も数枚撮りましたが、上の三色の芝桜は私の家の斜めすぐ前の広場で咲いてます。

　鯉池には推定２００羽程の鴨が泳いでおり、この鯉池が居心地が良いのでしょう。未だ、北帰行してません。

　私はその後、今日も「あつこさんの事務所」前を通過し、帰りは横町を通って知人宅に立ち寄ったり、九品寺で墓参りしたり、コースを変えてよく歩きました。空腹になったので、これからの夕食が美味しくなりそうです。

Dear my friends

　Today I left home around 4 PM and went for my usual walk around Carp Pond. It took me an hour and a half, so the distance was probably about 5 km. I always carry my camera with me for Facebook, and I took several pictures today. The three-colored moss pink is blooming in the square just diagonally across from my garden.

　There are an estimated 200 ducks swimming in Carp Pond, it seems they find here a comfortable place to live. They haven't migrated north yet.

　Afterward, I passed by "Atsuko's office" again today, and on my way back, I passed Yokomachi street, stopped by an acquaintance's house, then visited a grave at Kuhonji Temple. I walked a lot, due to changing my route. I'm hungry, so the taste of dinner tonight will be especially good, of course thinking of you.

その昔、今日は船出の日

　４月１０日と言えば天皇皇后のご成婚記念日です。当時トロンボーンを吹いてた私は高崎市の本町～連雀町など目抜き道路から高崎駅までパレードに加わり演奏に参加しました。しかも、トロンボーンはスライドを伸ばす関係でパレードでは最前列です。曲は団伊玖磨作曲「祝典行進曲」。このため、この曲は青春時代の思い出の一曲になってます。また、その数年後の４月１０日は就職で羽田空港からカルカッタ日本人学校へ旅立った日でもあります。

　ところで、庭では今朝、牡丹の蕾がいくつも開花を始めてます。日中には花開くでしょう。玄関前なので皆様を歓迎するように咲きます。昨日１つをご覧に入れましたが、大きな花で見応えがあります。これはピンクですか、この他、紫と黄色も２～３日後には開花の気配です。お近くの方はぜひ、鑑賞にいらして下さい。駐車場とお茶は完備です。

　また、今日は先日に続いて歯科検診です。医師の話ではよく磨けているとのことで、今後も食後に磨き、カルシュームの摂取を日課とし、よい咀嚼に心掛けます。歯が健康であれば、消化器はもちろん、大切な「声の響き」をいつまでも若く保てるでしょう。

　一方、高崎市から「健康づくり受診券」が届いているので、こちらも近日中に受診します。私の関心は血液検査です。血液が教えてくれる情報を見逃さないことです。糖尿病、脳血管疾患、心疾患、延いては認知症予防のためにも「血液を健康に保つこと」が誠に重要です。人間の脳は甘いもの、脂っこいもの、塩辛いものを美味しいと感じるように出来てます。如何にしてこの観点から離脱し、日々の運動で空腹にして「何でも美味しい」と感ずるように心掛けます。

Dear my friends who are crazy about flower's blooming.

　April 10th is the anniversary of the Emperor and Empress's wedding. At the time, I was playing the trombone, and I participated in the parade which was performing along the main streets of Takasaki-City, from Motomachi to Renjakucho, all the way to Takasaki Station. Because of the trombone's slide, I was in the front row of the parade. The piece we played was "Celebration March" by famous composer Ikuma Dan. For this reason, this music holds a special place in my memories of my youth. A few years later, April 10th was also the day I left Haneda Airport for the Calcutta Japanese School in India to start my job.

　By the way, this morning, several peony buds began to bloom in the garden. They should open by midday. They're in front of the entrance, so they'll bloom to welcome you. I showed you one flower yesterday, it's a large flower and quite a good sight. This peony is pink, but there are also purple and yellow ones that look like they'll bloom in two or three days. If you're nearby, please come and admire them. Parking lot and tea are available.

　Also, today I plan to a dental checkup, following up on my previous one. The doctoress said I was brushing well, so I'll continue brushing after three meals, making calcium intake a daily routine, and focusing on proper chewing food. If my teeth are healthy, not only will my digestive system be healthy, but my voice, too, will stay youthful.

　Meanwhile, I received a "Health Promotion Examination Voucher" from Takasaki-City, so I'll check out in the near future. My interest lies in the blood test. It's important not to miss the information that my blood tells us. Maintaining healthy blood is crucial for preventing diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, heart disease, and even senile dementia. The human brain is tend to want sweet, fatty, and salty foods as it is delicious. I'll try to break free from this perspective and make myself hungry through daily exercise so that I can find everything delicious. Hunger is the best sauce.

楽しみな「いきいき健幸クラブ」が開かれる

 

　二度とない「今日という日を充実する」ため、起床後、庭に出て何か新たなことはないかと見回します。そしたら、ありました。玄関前で、今年初めて「牡丹」が一輪咲きました。ただ朝早いので眠たいのでしょう。未だ花弁がすべて開いてません。同様に高さ１mほどの「八重桜」の幼木が咲き始めました。Ｓ字状に幹をくねらせながらです。こちらは前の道からよく見える築山で咲き始めました。

　一方、空を見上げると月齢２２の「下弦の月」が真南に出ています。ぜひ拡大してご覧ください。クレーターの一つ一つがはっきり見えます。現在、この近くに人類がいるのです。このように自然環境は日々に新たで、「変化のないのは自分だけか」と思ってしまいます。しかし、今日、私には「ピアノ伴奏」という仕事があります。それは午前１０時より地区の人々が集まって行われる「いきいき健幸クラブ」です。この中で、健康体操したり、誰でも知ってる昔懐かしい歌を４曲歌います。また、マイムマイムを踊るため、こちらもピアノを弾きます。

　最初に、前奏か旋律の一部を弾いて曲名当てクイズです。内緒ですが、今日は珍しく昔の歌謡曲が１曲あります。それは、いしだあゆみの「ブルーライトヨコハマ」です。ただ、原曲はヘ長調なのですが、これでは一般の人は低過ぎて歌えないことから変ロ長調に移調して弾きます。いつも楽譜を見ないで弾くので、私も間違わないよう真剣に弾くことになり、この「緊張感は高齢期では必要なこと」と、自らに言い聞かせてます。

　その他、今朝はちょっと嬉しいことがありました。アメリカのダウとナスダックが物凄い上昇です。停戦が２週間でなく、ずっと続くことを願ってます。これは日本政府はもちろん、世界の指導者の手腕に掛かってます。

Dear my Facebook friends who wish peace of the world

　To fulfill this once-in-a-lifetime today, I went out into the garden after waking up to look around for anything new. And there it was. A single pink peony, the first of this spring, had bloomed in front of the entrance. It was still early in the morning, so it must have been sleepy, I guess, the petals hadn't fully opened yet. Similarly, a young double-flowered cherry tree, about 1 meter tall, had begun to bloom, its trunk twisting in an S-shape, as you see. This cherry had just started blooming on the artificial mound, it is visible from the way in front of the garden.

　Meanwhile, looking up at the sky, a waning crescent moon, 22 days old, was directly south. Please zoom in and take a look. You can clearly see each craters. Humankind is currently living near here. The natural environment is constantly changing than we suppose, and I sometimes if I wonder I'm the only one who hasn't changed. However, today I have a job, that is piano accompaniment. It's for the "Lively Health Club," where people from the neighborhood gather starting at 10 a.m. We'll be doing health exercises and singing four familiar, nostalgic songs. I also play the piano for the Maim Maim folk dance.

　First, I play a prelude or part of the melody, and we have a quiz which everybody have to guess the song title. It's a secret, but today I have a rare old pop song. It's "Blue Light Yokohama" by Ayumi Ishida. However, the original is in F major, but, which is too low for most people to sing, so I transpose it to B-flat major. Since I usually play without sheet music, I have to play very seriously to avoid making mistakes, therefore, I tell myself that this "tension is necessary in old age."

　Also, something rather pleasant happened this morning. The Dow and Nasdaq in the US are soaring. I hope the ceasefire continues not just for two weeks, but indefinitely. This depends not only on the Japanese government, but also on the skills of world leaders.

　　

今朝の冷え込みに負けず、咲く紫陽花

　今朝は晴れてますが、大分冷え込みました。これは放射冷却のためでしょう。群馬県のすぐ西隣の軽井沢では標高が約１０００mのため、気温が－４°と伝えられてます。しかし、今日の日中は気温が上がると予報されてます。このような時季は体調が崩れやすいです。お互いに健康管理に十分気をつけましょう。

　外気温は低くでも、室内では南側の廊下が一日中、陽が当たり、温室のようになってます。我が家では廊下の君子蘭はすでに咲き終わり、これから１１月までは外の日陰で育てます。植物は気温によって左右され、咲く時季が変わります。

　例えば、紫陽花は通常では６月に開花です。以前に父が庭で育ててた青い紫陽花は梅雨の頃の開花でした。しかし、今育ててる室内の二株の紫陽花はすでに満開で、ご覧の通りの色彩です。眺めていて寂しさ忘れさせます。お近くの方はぜひ鑑賞にいらして下さい。私のすることは土の表面が乾いたら水をたっぷり与えることです。

　ところで、昨日は倉賀野小学校でも新一年生の入学式が行われ、今朝からは独り立ちで登校することになります。登校途上も初めての道で何かと不安でしょうから、今朝の交通指導はとりわけ丁寧に声を掛けつつ、安全な歩き方や信号機のボタンの押し方など、また、朝は通学路でも車の往来が激しいことから、安全を期してしっかり見守りつつ指導したいと思います。　

Dear my friends who like a hydrangea

　It's sunny this morning, but quite chilly. This is likely due to radiative cooling, I guess. In Karuizawa, just west of Gumma Prefecture, the temperature is reported to be -4°C due to at the altitude of approximately 1000m above sea level. However, temperature is forecast to rise during the day. This season makes it easy to get sick. Let's take good care of our health in this season.

　Even though the outside temperature is low, the south-facing corridor in my house gets sunlight all day long, creating a greenhouse-like atmosphere. Therefore Kaffir lilies in the corridor have already finished blooming, and I'll be raising them outside in the shade until November. Plants are affected by temperature, so that their blooming seasons change accordingly.

　For example, as you see in the photo, hydrangea usually blooms in June. The blue hydrangea my late father used to raise in the garden bloomed during the rainy season, in June. However, the two hydrangeas I am currently raising indoors are already in full bloom, as you can see in her color. Looking at her makes me forget my daily loneliness. If you're nearby, please come and see her! My job is to water thoroughly when the surface of soil dries out.

　Not change the subject, but yesterday the entrance ceremony for the new first-graders was held at Kuragano Elementary School, therefore from this morning they will walk to school on their own. Since it will be a new route for them, they will likely feel anxious, so this morning's traffic guidance will be especially thorough. I will be speaking to them carefully, explaining how to walk safely and how to press the traffic light buttons. Also, since there is heavy car traffic on the school route in the morning, I will be keeping a close eye on them and providing guidance to ensure their safety.

　　

不思議な縁

　午後はこれから喫茶「さんぽ道」へ行き、コーヒーでリラックスして来ます。しかし、その前に、車を駐車場に置かせてもらい、広大な東の方をウォーキングしてきます。

　実は、誠に仲の良かった友Ｔが眠る寺がここから歩いて１５分ほどの栗崎にあるので暫くぶりに墓参りしてから、喫茶に戻ります。

　不思議な縁です。この喫茶のママさんは高校時代にＴに教わっているのです。更に不思議なことは、私が小学生の頃、Ｔが眠るこの寺へは私の一番上の姉が嫁いだのです。すごく昔のことです。では行って参ります。

★喫茶「さんぽ道」には行きましたが、悪天候のため、ウォーキングと墓参りは後日行くことにしました。

　This afternoon, I'm going to the "Sampo michi" coffee shop to relax with a cup of hot coffee. However, before that, I'll park my car here and go for a walk in the vast eastern area.

　Actually, the temple where my very close friend Mr. Todokoro is buried, is about a 15-minute walk from here in Kurizaki-Village, so I'll visit his grave for the first time in a while. Then I will return to the coffee shop.

　It's a strange coincidence. The owner of this coffee shop was taught by T when she was in high school. Even stranger, when I was in elementary school, my eldest sister married into this temple where T is buried. That was a very long time ago. Well, I'm off now.

★I went to the "Sampo-michi" coffee shop, but due to bad weather in Gumma prefectire, I postponed my walk and visit to the grave of Mr. T to another day.

今日は世界保健デー・・・健康生活を重点に

　今日から４日間は朝の時間帯が忙しくなります。公園でのラジオ体操会に出席後、新学期が始まるので地元・倉賀野小児童の登校の交通安全、および不審者対策を兼ね、仲間の役員と黄色いユニフォームに身を包み、地区内を巡回します。帰宅してから朝食は自ら作ります。このため、お腹が空いて美味しく、好循環になるでしょう。

　たまたま、今日は世界保健デーです。世界保健機関（WHO）が毎年4月7日に定めている記念日で、世界の人々の健康課題への理解と行動を促す日です。現在、私は一人で生活してても健康であり、こんな有難いことはありません。健康は運命と考えず、日々の積み重ねであり、定期的に「適度な運動」、そして身体に良い「食品の選択」こそ健康への道と考える日々です。

　ところで、４月となり、庭では花の開花が真っ盛りです。それらは花桃、木蓮、チューリップであり、もうすぐ色とりどりの牡丹の蕾が膨らんできました。室内では温室のような廊下で、近日中に写真を掲げますが、紫陽花、シンビジウム、君子蘭、ゼラニュームなどが咲き、まるで花屋さんのようです。お近くの方はぜひ、鑑賞に歓談にいらして下さい。私一人ではもったいないです。

　何故、近年はこのように花の育成に力を入れ、花に囲また生活になったかは、好きな音楽に共通しているからでしょう。花の色とりどりの色彩は、いろんな楽器の音色に共通します。また、色の濃い薄いは音楽の強弱に共通し、思いのままなど躍動的な配色は音楽のテンポに共通すると感じてます。これからも花を育てつつ、ピアノ演奏も「いきいき健幸クラブ」での歌の伴奏など地区のために頑張りたいと思います。

Dear my friends who like health and music

　For the next four days, my mornings will be busy, because the new academic year starts today in Japan. After attending the radio gymnastics session in the park, I will patrol the area with fellow officers, dressed in yellow uniforms, to ensure traffic safety for the local Kuragano Elementary School students on their way to school and to deter suspicious individuals. I will make my own breakfast when I get home. This will make me hungry and the food tastes delicious, creating a positive cycle.

　Incidentally, as you know, today is World Health Day. It's a day designated annually by the World Health Organization (WHO) on April 7th to encourage understanding and action regarding health issues worldwide. Currently, I am healthy even though I live alone, and I couldn't be more grateful. I don't consider health to be a matter of fate, but rather a result of daily habits. I believe that regular "moderate exercise" and "choosing healthy foods" are the keys to good health.

　By the way, with April here, the flowers in my garden are in full bloom. These include flowering peach, magnolia, and tulips, and soon the colorful peony buds will begin to swell. Indoors, there's a corridor that resembles a greenhouse, and I'll post photos soon. hydrangeas, cymbidiums, kaffir lily, geraniums, and other flowers are in bloom, just like a flower shop. If you're nearby, please come from NZ and enjoy the flowers and chat in English. It would be wasteful to see it myself only.

　The reason I've recently focused on cultivating flowers and living surrounded by them is probably because it is in common with my love of music. The diverse colors of flowers are similar to the timbres of various musical instruments. Also, the intensity of colors is similar to the dynamics of music, and the vibrant, lively colors are similar to the tempo of music. I'll continue cultivating flowers, and I also want to contribute to the community by playing the piano accompanying songs at the "Vivid Health Club."

The way of anti-constipation

　最近は「こんにゃく」をよく食べます。食べやすい大きさに切って擂ったニンニクをかけ、少々の醤油でとても美味しく感じます。朝の味噌汁の具として入れることもあります。酒のつまみとしても美味しいです。

　一方、庭に生ってる「金柑」は残り少なくなりましたが、ビタミンの補給として、昼食のデザートとして食べてます。

　

　結果的に、お腹の調子は嘘のように良いです。何と言っても「こんにゃく」は嘘のように安いです。

Dear my friends who are suffering from constipation.

　Lately, I've been eating a lot of konnjac what we call like a "Devil's tongue". I cut it into bite-sized pieces, add some grated garlic, and a little soy sauce, as a result, it tastes delicious. Sometimes I add it to my morning miso soup. It's also tasty as a snack with drinks.

　Meanwhile, the kumquats growing in my garden are dwindling now, but I'm eating them as a vitamin supplement as a dessert with lunch.

　As a result, my large intestine feels incredibly healthy. And best of all, konnjac is unbelievably cheap! This is the effective way of anti-constipation which I recommend you.

植物の色彩は変化し、社会は動き出す。

　庭の植物たちは日に日に新たな変化を見せてます。写真後方の枝垂れ梅はすでに花が散り、代わって新緑になりつつあります。これから本格的な光合成の季節に入り、新鮮な酸素を胸いっぱい吸える私は有難いです。樹木が大きいので今後はたくさんの梅の実を実らせます。収穫は６月で、私一人ではどうにも対処できないので、収穫した梅は昨年から梅ジュース用に喫茶にプレゼントしてます。

　写真中央はこの地に引っ越して来た前々回の東京オリンピックの１９６４年に、亡父が植えた木蓮のその子供です。一般的に花木の中で紫の花は少なく貴重です。このため、今後大きく育てます。おそらく、父もどこかでこのモクレンの色彩に感銘し、ぜひ庭に植えようとしたのでしょう。父はおよそ半世紀半前に他界しましたが、父の植えた植物は今でもあり、それらは金木犀、ツツジ、コデマリ、椿、合歓木、ユキヤナギ、そして、この木蓮など数種が今でも花を咲かせてます。

　ところで、地元倉賀野小も明日から新学期が始まり、地区役員による朝の交通指導が数日間、行なわれます。私も仲間と共に未来ある子供の安全と成長を期して、挨拶などの声掛け運動を中心に、新一年生や一人ぼっちで登校する児童を特に見守るつもりです。

　　

　このように書くと、一見「世のため人のため」と思われがちですが、実は、この仕事が私自身の「認知症を遅らせる」ために有効な手段と考えてます。今日も一日、身体をよく動かし、一つでも物を覚え、新たな発見を探します。

Dear my friends who began the new fiscal year.

　The plants in my garden are showing new changes day by day. The weeping plum tree in the background of the photo has already finished its blossoms and is now covered in fresh green leaves. Now that the season of photosynthesis is upon us, I'm grateful to be able to breathe in plenty of fresh oxygen in the garden. Because the tree is large, it will bear many plums in the coming months. The harvest will be in June, and since I can't handle it all by myself, I've been donating the harvested plums to a coffee shop for plum juice since last year.

　The tree in the center of the photo is a descendant of the magnolia tree which my late father planted in 1964, the year of the Tokyo Olympics, when we moved to this area. Purple flowers are generally rare among flowering trees, so that this tree is precious. Therefore, I plan to raise it large. Perhaps my father was also impressed by the color of this magnolia and wanted to plant it in the garden. My father passed away about half a century ago, but the plants he planted are still there, and several species, including fragrant olive, azaleas, spirea, camellias, silk tree, kodemari spirea, and this magnolia, are still in bloom.

　Not change the subject, but the new school term will begon tomorrow at Kuragano Elementary School, and for several days, district officers will be conducting morning traffic guidance. Together with my colleagues, I intend to focus on ensuring the safety and growth of these promising children, primarily through greetings and verbal encouragement, and paying special attention to the new first-graders and those walking to school alone.

While this might seem like "doing for the good of society and others," I actually consider that this work is an effective way to "delay the onset of senile dementia" in my own life. Today, I will move my body well as usual, try to memorize English new words at least several words, and look for new discoveries.

今日は二十四節気の「清明」です。

　今日は二十四節気の「清明」です。平素私たちは宇宙に浮き、公転してる地球の表面で生活してることを意識せず、自分を取り巻く人間社会の中にいて、概して、身近な周囲のことに気を取られ生活してます。私もその一人です。でも、四季折々に開花する花が次々に変化したり、見える星が東から西へ日々少しずつ移動してることにより、私たちを載せた地球は反時計回りに公転してることが実感できます。

　ところで、「清明」の日を迎えた今日、私たちを載せた地球は太陽系を囲む「黄道十二星座」のうち、どの星座の方向に来ているでしょうか。

　ご存じの通り、「黄道十二星座」とは占いなどで使われてる十二の星座です。私たちは自分の星座名を知っていても「実際に誕生日にその星座は見られません。」その理由は、誕生日に自分の星座は太陽の背景に位置しているからです。つまり、日中に出ているのです。例えば、今日４月５日に生まれた人の星座は「牡羊座」です。今日の「牡羊座」は太陽の背景に位置しています。２ヶ月ほどすれば、日の出直前に東の空に低く見えます。または、半年後には深夜に真南に見られます。

　本題です。「清明」を迎えた今日の地球は「黄道十二星座」のうち、どの星座の方向に来ているかは深夜０時に真南に来ている星座です。それは太陽の背景にある前述の「牡羊座」とは１８０°反対の位置にある「乙女座」の方向に私たちの地球は来ています。

Dear my friends as earthling

　Today is "Seimei" one of the 24 solar terms. Normally, we live on the surface of the Earth which is floating and revolving in space, without being consciously aware of this fact for us. Actually, we are immersed in the human society that surrounds us, and generally preoccupied with our immediate surroundings. I am one of those people. However, the blooming flowers are changing with each season, and the visible stars are changing from east to west, allow us to truly feel that the Earth, carrying us, revolves counterclockwise.

　By the way, which of the twelve zodiac constellations has our Earth currently arrived on this day of "Seimei"?

　As you know, the twelve zodiac constellations are used in astrology and divination. Even if we know our own zodiac constellation, "we cannot actually see that constellation on our birthday." This is because our zodiac constellation is located behind the sun on our birthday. In other words, it is invisible during the daytime. For example, the zodiac constellation of someone born today, April 5th, is "Aries." Today, Aries is located behind the sun. But in about two months, it will be visible low in the eastern sky shortly before sunrise. Alternatively, in six months, it will be visible directly due south at midnight.

　Now, to the main point. Today, as it is "Seimei", the direction of the Earth is towards the constellation that is due south at midnight. This is the direction of Virgo, which is 180° opposite to the aforementioned Aries, which is behind the sun.

夕食が美味しくなることを期して！

  夕食【軽く一杯を含める】が美味しくなるために、これから家の前の道を１０往復歩きます。いつものように一往復【１００m】歩いたら、塀の上の石を隣に動かします。小石が端から端まで到達すると１０００mです。

　気をつけることは1、鼻呼吸で歩く、2、ストライドを2ｃｍほど広げ、手を自然に振る。3、姿勢は下を向かず、前方を見る。では歩いてきます。時々、人の顔を思い出しつつ。

Dear my friends

　To make dinner (including a light drink) taste better, I'm going to walk back and forth ten times along the way in front of my garden. As usual, after I walk each round trip (100m), I'll move a small pebble on top of the wall to the next side. When the pebble reaches from left to right, I reach 1000m.

　I make it a rule that 1. Breathe through nose. 2. Widen the stride by about 2 cm. Swing arms naturally. 3. Maintain good posture, looking straight ahead, not down. Okay, I'm going for a walk now. Please forgive me that I remember the face of sweetheart in heart from time to time.

今朝も朝から楽しい交流

　現役時代を振り返えり、良かったことを思い出すことは、たまにはあります。しかし、過ぎ去ったことはさて置き、それより「今をどうしたらより充実して生活できるか」について考える日々です。年齢を重ねてることから、先ず「肉体的に無理しない」こと。また、精神面で「不要な気を遣わず」という基盤に立って、新たな事に挑戦と発見です。

　最近力を入れてる点は、時々触れてますが、近隣の方々との交流です。特に、催し物で知り合いができると嬉しいです。その点、2週間後に予定されてる「バス旅行」は今から楽しみです。毎日の生活でも可能な限り、出会った新たな方に私から声を掛けるようにしてます。もしかして、一人暮らし故、寂しいのかもしれません。このため、どちらかというと、女性との会話が多く、概して笑いが伴ないます。その点、今朝のラジオ体操会場でも笑いが伴ない、楽しい会話は朝から心が満ちます。

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN6tcdiqELk...

　ところで、反対に、現役時代を振り返り申し訳ありませんが、何と言っても、高崎市の群馬音楽センターや、前橋市の市民文化会館で吹奏楽の指揮を毎年してたことは心に残ります。学生時代やインド時代に習った指揮法が役に立ち、指揮をしてるとき自分らしいと思いました。一方、普通授業でも富高や前高ではギターを４０台用意し、一般の生徒にギターの授業を行い、アルページョによる歌の伴奏法や「愛のロマンス」、別名「禁じられた遊び」を全員が弾けるようにしたことは意味があったと心に残っています。

Dear my friends who like listening to guitar music

  I occasionally reflect on my active days and remember the good times. However, putting the past aside, recently I spend my days thinking about "how I can live a more fulfilling life now." As I get older, the first thing is to "avoid physical strain." Also, mentally, I'm building on the foundation of "not worrying unnecessarily," and then challenging myself with new things and making discoveries.

 Recently, something I've been focusing on, as I've mentioned occasionally on Facebook, is interacting with my neighbors. I'm especially happy when I make new acquaintances at some events. In that respect, I'm really looking forward to the "Bus trip" scheduled for two weeks from now. In my daily life, I try to initiate conversations with new people I meet whenever possible. Perhaps it's because I live alone and get lonely. Because of this, I tend to have more conversations with ladies. They're generally filled with laughter. In that respect, even at this morning's radio gymnastics session held at the park, there was laughter, and enjoyable conversation filled my heart from the start of the day.

  On the other hand, I apologize for looking back on my active career, what I remember most fondly is conducting the brass band every year at the Gumma Music Center in Takasaki City and the Civic Hall in Maebashi City. The conducting techniques I learned during my student days and in India by Jewish conductor Mr. Bernard Jacob of Calcutta Symphony Orchestra came in handy, and I felt like I was being myself when I was conducting. On the other hand, I also remember that it was meaningful that I prepared 40 guitars for regular classes at Tomioka High School and Maebashi High School, and taught guitar to the general students, so that everyone could learn how to accompany songs with arpeggio and play "Romance d'Amour".

  　

高齢者の必須科目・・・日々仕事があり、目標があること、そして発見

　倉賀野町には「桜木町」という地名があります。町名の由来と想われる桜並木が今見頃です。ここは私のお気に入りウォーキングコースの一つで、昨日も長閑な景色を堪能しました。ここには広い「鯉池」があり、その北側と東側一帯は美の饗宴です。水面ではロシアへ未だ向わない鴨たちが桜を眺めつつ、スイスイ泳いでる光景が見られます。写真をそれぞれ拡大してご覧ください。

　桜はいかにも日本的な光景です。ところが、この池は江戸時代に起こった「天明の飢饉」を今に伝えてます。１７８３年に大噴火した浅間山は、５０Kmも離れたこの辺一帯にも多くの火山灰を降らせ、農業に大打撃を与えました。私の庭も３０cmも掘ると当時の浅間砂の層が出てきます。この国難のとき、農業用水の必要からこの池を掘ったと歴史は伝えています。機械もない時代のため人海戦術で掘ったと推測されます。

　　

　ところで、いつの時代も生きることは並大抵ではありません。現代は少子高齢化時代。高齢者にとって「老後の生き甲斐」は大きな課題です。平均寿命が延び、子育てが終わり、退職後２０年～長い人は４０年もの期間を、どうしたら「生き甲斐を持って」生きられるかが大切な課題です。

　核家族化が進み、高齢者は仕事が減ってます。家事や子育ての補助者としての役割があまりありません。昔、老人は子守が仕事で、子供の遊び相手であり、「人生の先生」でもありました。しかし、今や、孫と会うのは年に数回ということも珍しくありません。これは幸せでしょうか。一見、生活は満ち足りても、やる仕事がなければ工夫も生き甲斐も生まれません。私たち高齢者にとって、自ら進んで出来る仕事や、達成したい目標、そして発見があれば、それが喜びとなり「真の生き甲斐」につながるのではないでしようか。

Dear my friends who are searching for real meaning of life.

　In my Kuragano-town, there's a place named "Sakuragi-cho" (Cherry Tree Town). The cherry trees lining the street, which are thought to be the origin of the town's name, are currently in full bloom. This is one of my favorite walking routes, so that yesterday I enjoyed the tranquil scenery. There's a large "Koi-ike" (Carp Pond) here, and the area to the north and east of it is a feast of beauty by the cherry. On the water's surface, I could see ducks, not yet on their way to Russia, swimming gracefully while they were gazing at the cherry blossoms. Please enlarge the photos to view them more closely.

　The cherry blossom creates a quintessential Japanese scene. However, this pond still shows witness to the Tenmei Famine that occurred during the Edo period. The active volcano Mt. Asama erupted violently in 1783. It showered volcanic ash this area, even 50 km away, and it severely damaged agriculture. Even in my own garden, if I dig 30 cm deep, I found layers of Asama sand since that time. History tells us that this pond was dug during this national crisis due to the need for agricultural water. It's presumed that it was dug by manual labor, as there were no machines like modern times.

　By the way, life isn't easy, no matter the era. We live in an age of declining birth rates and an aging population. For the elderly, finding meaning in life after retirement is a major challenge. With increased life expectancy, the end of child-rearing, and 20 to 40 years of retirement, the crucial question is how to live with a sense of purpose.

　Nuclear families are becoming more common, and the elderly are finding fewer jobs. They no longer have the role of assisting with housework or childcare. In the past, the elderly were often nannies, playmates, and even "teachers of life." However, nowadays, it's not uncommon for them to meet with their grandchildren a few times a year. Is this happy? Even if life seems fulfilling, without work to do, there's no room for ingenuity or a sense of purpose. For us seniors, having work we can do willingly, or purposes we want to achieve and discovery, would bring joy and lead to a true sense of purpose.

倉賀野で最も大きな桜の木を発見

　今日は午前中に、倉賀野で最も「大きな桜の木」を探しにウォーキングを兼ねてあちこち行ったところ、桜の巨樹があり満開でした。ここは「児童公園」です。この広場は別名「忠霊塔」といわれ、戦没者を祀ってるところで、先の大戦で倉賀野町から出兵し、戦死された方々の名が碑に刻まれています。桜を見て、碑に一礼して来ました。写真をクリックすると桜の大きさに驚かれることでしょう。

　ところで、今日は旧暦の２月１５日ですから「満月」です。今宵にぴったりの歌を味わいましょう。

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsdksgH2Dgw

Dear my friends　

  In the morning today, I went for a walk around Kuragano looking for the largest cherry tree, and I found a giant cherry tree in full bloom. Here is a children's park. This plaza is also known as the "Loyalty Tower," a place dedicated to those who died in the World war Ⅱ. The names of those who departed from Kuragano-town and died in the last war are inscribed on the monument. I admired the cherry blossoms and bowed to the monument. If you click on the photo, you'll be amazed by its huge size.

  By the way, today is the 15th day of February in the lunar calendar, so it's a full moon tonight. Let's enjoy a song that's perfectly suited to tonight.

不便になった倉賀野の街中

　私が子供の頃と比較し、満開の桜の時季は1週間ほど早まってます。当時の小学校入学式の記念写真を見ると、桜咲く校庭を背景にしたクラス写真です。入学式は４月８日頃でした。満開の桜は日本独特の風景と言えます。このため、諸外国と異なり、日本では学校や会社で４月から新年度が始まるのは、昔から桜咲く頃が「日本の自然界では１年の区切り」と考えられたのでしょう。

　私が今までに感銘した群馬県の桜の名所は渋川市の「佐久発電所」付近であり、ご覧の通り、桜の下には直径数メートルの導水管がその北に位置する利根川から引いた池より発電所に向って設置されてます。導水管周辺には約100本の桜が植えられ、私は記憶してるだけで３回ほど訪れてます。ここはお薦めです。

　ということで、桜咲く４月が始まり、私の目標の一つは今まで同様に地域社会の人たちとの交流です。昨日は、この気持ちに沿うに一通の手紙が届きました。それは倉賀野地区協議会からで、５月に開かれる「支え合いサポーター交流会」のお知らせで、ぜひ参加してくださいという趣旨です。内容は、1、見守りや「地域で気になること」の意見交換、2、どんな見守りができるか、3、見守りができる地域についてなどです。

　私は年令を重ねても、地域のために役立ちたいので参加を予定してます。地域で気になることはいくつかあります。それは倉賀野の中心部に警察の派出所がなくなったこと。群銀がなくなり住民が不便になったこと。倉賀野駅に駅員が殆ど見当たらず、駅に時計がなくなったこと、東京行きの切符が買えないことです。何より街中に食料品の店が殆どなくなったことです。車を運転しない高齢者にとって、こんなに困ることはありません。

Dear my friends who are crazy about admiring cherry blossom

　Compared to when I was a child, the peak blooming season of cherry blossoms has shifted forward by about a week. Looking at the commemorative photo of my elementary school entrance ceremony, the class photo is set in front of cherry blossoms in school yard. The entrance ceremony was around April 8th. Full-blooming cherry blossoms are a uniquely Japanese sight. Therefore, unlike in other nations, the start of the new academic year in April for schools and companies in Japan likely stems from the long-held belief that the cherry blossom season marks a significant turning point in the Japanese natural world, I guess.

　The cherry blossom spot in Gumma Prefecture that has impressed me the most is near the Saku Power Plant in Shibukawa-City. As you can see, beneath the cherry trees, a water conduit several meters in diameter runs from a big pond fed by the Tone River from the north, towards the power plant. Approximately 100 cherry trees are planted around the conduit, and I've visited there at least three times. I highly recommend you to see it.

　And so, with April and the cherry blossoms beginning, one of my purposes remains, as always, to interact with people in the local district. Yesterday, I received a letter that resonated with my feeling. The message is from the Kuragano District Council, announcing a "Mutual Support Supporter Exchange Meeting" to be held in May, and urging me to participate. The topics covered include,1) exchanging opinions on community watch and "things of concern in Kuragano-town," 2) what kind of community can you watch possibly, and 3) areas where community watch is feasible.

　Even as I get older, I plan to participate because I want to be useful to the community. There are several things that concern me in the community. These include the disappearance of the police station in the center of Kuragano, the inconvenience caused by the closure of Gumma Bank, the almost complete absence of station staff at Kuragano-Station, there are not clocks at the platforms in the station, and the inability to buy tickets to Tokyo. Most importantly, there are almost no grocery stores left in the central Kuragano-town. For elderly people who don't drive, there's nothing more inconvenient than this.

Anti agingの基盤・・・歯磨きの励行と牛乳

　今日は、これから近所の歯科で健診を受けます。私の年令では、歯の数は平均して８本程ないようです。ところが、未だ７×４で２８本の歯があるので有難いです。女医さんに診てもらいます。では行って参ります。

Dear my friends

　I'm going to the local dentist for a check-up today. Generally, at my age, the average number of teeth is around eight are nothing. However, I'm grateful that I still have 28 teeth (7 x 4). A lady dentist diagnoses me. Well, I'm off now.

常に未来を見据える

　新緑の４月１日です。今日の日の出は５時３０分、正午の太陽高度は５８°、日の入りは１８時０５分【群馬県】予定です。調べてみると、５月１日の日の出は４時５１分なので今後の１ヶ月間で朝がずいぶん早まります。因みに群馬県の太陽高度については冬至は３０°、夏至は７７°です。この差は４７°です。この４７°という数値は北回帰線の緯度である北緯２３．５°と南回帰線の南緯２３．５°を加えた度数に一致します。

　ところで、昨日は今が花盛りの「源平枝垂れ桃」に対し、感謝のお礼肥として、及び、今後の成長を期して培養土５袋を根元に補充し、同時に、築山の頂上に水が溜まるように窪みを作りました。植物には良い土と、高い位置にあることから十分な水の確保こそ基盤と考えます。あるいは現在咲いてる花持ちが伸びることも期待しつつです。結果的に私自身も、昨日の午前中は久々に良い肉体運動になりました。

　今日から新たな年度です。子供時代は学年が一つ上がったり、新たな担任の先生になったり、気持ちが心機一転となり、嬉しかったものです。実は、高齢となった今でも４月１日は何とはなしに新たな気分で、内心では内容ある令和８年度に期待を込めてます。

　それは健康増進として、先ず、日々適度な運動の継続で、空腹をめざします。一方、βーカロチン、リコピンによる毎朝の「がん対策」、精神面では人的交流の拡大を図ると共に、少しくらいの難関にはへこたれない精神力です。皆さん、今年度もブログを通じて交流をお願いいたします。

Dear my Facebook friends who welcomed the new fiscal year

　It's April 1st, the beginning of the fresh green leaves in Japan. Today's sunrise was at 5:30 AM, the sun's altitude at noon will be 58°, and sunset woll be 6:05 PM [Gumma Prefecture, Japan]. Upon checking, sunrise on May 1st is at 4:51 AM, meaning mornings will be considerably earlier after one month. Incidentally, the sun's altitude in Gumma Prefecture is 30°, by the way, during the winter solstice and 77° during the summer solstice. The difference is 47°. This 47° corresponds to the latitudes of the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° North) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° South).

　By the way, yesterday, as a token of gratitude and to encourage future growth, I added five bags of potting soil to the base of the "Bicolored Genpei Shidare Peach" tree, which is currently in full bloom. At the same time, I dug a depression at the top of the artificial mound to collect water. I believe that good soil and sufficient water are fundamental for plant growth. Or, I'm hoping that the flowers currently in bloom will last longer. As a result, I myself got some good physical exercise yesterday morning after a long interval.

　Today marks the start of a new fiscal and academic year in Japan. As a child, moving up a grade or getting a new homeroom teacher was a joyous occasion, a fresh start. Even now, in my old age, April 1st always brings a sense of renewal, and I'm secretly hoping for a meaningful fiscal year 2026 together with you.

　This includes improving my health, starting with consistent, moderate distant walking and exercise to maintain a healthy appetite. On the other hand, I'm focusing on daily "cancer prevention" through beta-carotene and lycopene, and mentally expanding my social circle and developing the mental "fortitude" to overcome minor challenges. Everyone, please continue to connect with me through Facebook this fiscal year as well.

今年度最後のリラックス

　今日は午前中、庭で植木の手入れに夢中になり、花を植木鉢に植え替えたり、ホームセンターで培養土を購入してきて、築山の源平枝垂れの根元にお礼肥を与えたりしました。このため、重たいものを高い位置に上げたりで、ちょっと疲れました。

　こんな時、「お疲れでした。」とお茶が出てくる夢のようなことはないので、これから今年度最後で、本を１冊持って、1時間ほど喫茶「さんぽ道」でリラックスしてきます。

　実は、愛車に乗る機会が少ないので、エンジン調整のために行く意味もあります。では行って参ります。

Dear my Facebook friends who like flowers.

　Today, in the morning I was engrossed in taking care of the plants in my garden, such as repotting flowers, buying potting soil from the home center, and giving fertilizer to the base of the "Bicolored weeping peach tree" on the artificial mound. Because of this, I was lifting heavy soil. So I'm a little tired.

　At a time like this, there's no chance of being offered tea like a dream that a lady saying "thank you for your hard work". Therefore I'm going to relax for about an hour at the "Sampo-michi" cafe, bringing a book with me for the last time this fiscal year.

　Actually, I don't have an opportunity to drive my car, so I'm also going to have the engine adjusted. Well, I'm off now.

自分の生活にどうしても必要な事として記憶

　今日３月３１日で今年度が終わります。この１年間を振り返り、日々、よく取り組んできたのは植物の世話です。その成果として、写真のように今の時季は花桃や水仙、木瓜がよく咲いてます。植物について私は素人であり、師匠について教わったことはなく、試行錯誤を繰り替えりつつ、失敗を重ねつつ、体験上、良い成果から学びました。

　失敗の多くはシャクナゲで今までに３本ほどを枯らしました。本来、シャクナゲは山岳地帯で咲く植物であり、平地での育成でも肥料は人工的にせず、自然に行なうべきでした。現在は貴重な日本シャクナゲ２本、西洋シャクナゲ数本を育ててます。開花は４月末から５月です。観賞にいらして下さい。

　一人暮らしであっても、本年度、良く出来たと言えるのは地区の会合です。多くの人たちとの交流を楽しく感じました。特に「いきいき健幸クラブ」では歌やフォークダンスのピアノ伴奏を仰せつかり、知り合いが増え、同様に、倉賀野公民館での「くらカフェ」も、あんしんセンター職員さんの主導により、和気あいあいでいつも楽しかったです。毎朝の「ラジオ体操会」は一日のリズムができ、３０名程と交流の輪が広がり、何と言っても空腹となり、その後の朝食が美味しく、Hanger is the best sauce.を実感で、健康につながってます。

　一方、このフェイスブックも一年間、休まずに継続でき、発想力の大切さを感じてます。こちらは日々の行動を通じ、目から入る情報や体験をもとにどうにか続けられました。特に、皆さんからの「いいね」が励みになりました。毎日取り組んでる英作文と英単語の記憶はいつになっても達成せず、来年度も継続です。「自分の生活にどうしても必要な事」として記憶するようにします。

Dear my friends who are crazy about the meaning of life

　In Japan, today, March 31st, marks the end of this fiscal year. Looking back on this past year, I've dedicated myself to rasing my plants. As a result, as you can see in the photo, flowering peach trees, daffodils, and quince are blooming beautifully now. I'm a complete amateur when it comes to plants. I've never had a mentor, and I've learned through trial and error, actually making many mistakes, and studying from successes.

　Most of my failures involved rhododendrons, killing about three so far. Rhododendrons are naturally mountainous plants, even when raising them in flat areas, I should have relied on natural fertilization rather than artificial fertilization. Currently, I'm cultivating two precious Japanese rhododendrons and several Western rhododendrons. They bloom from the end of April to May. Please come and enjoy them together with me!

　As you know, even though I live alone, one thing I can say I did well this year was attending local community meetings. I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with so many people. In particular, at the "Ikiiki Kenko Club," I was asked to provide piano accompaniment for singing and folk dancing, which made me many new acquaintances. Similarly, the "Kura Cafe" at the Kuragano Community Center, led by the staff of the Anshin Center, was always a fun and friendly conversation. The daily "Radio Gymnastics" helped me establish a daily rhythm, expanding my circle of acquaintances about 30 people. Above all, it made me hungry, making breakfast taste delicious, and I truly experienced the saying "Hunger is the best sauce," which contributed to my health.

　On the other hand, I was able to continue this Facebook page without taking a break for a year 365 days, and I realized the importance of creativity. I managed to continue this by relying on information and experiences I received through my daily activities. In particular, the "likes" from everyone were a great encouragement for me. I still haven't achieved my goal of memorizing English composition and new vocabularies which I've been working on every day, so I'll continue next year as well. I'll try to memorize them as "things that are absolutely necessary for my life."

余り知られてない大きな桜の木

　今日は正午前から歩き出し、途中、「あつこさんの事務所」を南に曲がり、倉賀野町の南東にある広大な「緑地公園」まで行ってきました。烏川の近くのここでは大きな桜が数本咲いてます。しかし、観賞してる人はいません。

　それにしても、最近は毎日よく歩いてます。今日も1時間です。距離は約４Kでしょう。このため空腹となり、昼食が美味しくて、とても良いです。これから、気候が良くなるので、この習慣を続け、食欲増進を図ります。

　最近、食品で取り入れてるものは蛋白質が豊富な「かつお節」、そして、お腹の循環に良い「こんにゃく」、疲れない「ニンニク」、美味しい「豆腐」、つまみに良い「油揚げ」です。

Dear my friends

　Today I started walking before noon, turned south at the famous "Atsuko's office," and went to the vast "Greenery Park" in the southeast of Kuragano-town. Several large cherry trees are in full bloom near the Karasu-River. However, there was no one admiring them.

  I've been walking quite a lot lately. Today I walked one hour. The distance was about 4km, I guess. Because of this, I get hungry, and lunch tastes delicious, which is healthy. The weather will be getting better from now on, so I'll continue this habit to increase my appetite.

  Recently, I've been incorporating foods rich in protein, such as "katsuobushi" dried bonito flakes, "konnjac" devil's tongue which is good for digestive circulation "garlic" which prevents fatigue, delicious "tofu," and "aburaage" deep-fried tofu is good as a snack with beer.

高齢期に意外と大切な発声練習

　私たちは、年々平等に年を重ねます。ところが、中高年になると肉体面や精神面で生き方は人によって違いが出て来る傾向です。肉体面では、生き生きした表情、歩く姿勢、身体の柔軟性、私が特に大切と思う点は「声の高さ」の維持であり、これは人によりかなり差が出てきます。男性はいつまでも「低い響き」を保つことを心掛け、女性は比較的「高い声を保つ」ようしたいものです。

　一方、精神面では、新たな事に挑戦しなくなる傾向で、脳に新たな刺激を与えなくなったり、発想しなくなる傾向です。これを改善するには、日々「適度な運動」の継続、「栄養バランス」を考えた三度の食事、今までにない新たな分野を見たり【好奇心】、何より社会との接点であり、人とよく会話したり、意外と効果があるのは「発声練習と歌うこと」で音域が広げられます。私たちは、知ってる人であれば顔を見なくても、誰が話しているか分かります。それほど声はその人の個性を表してます。

　昨日は、朝から珍しいことがありました。ラジオ体操会場に向かう途中、日の出時刻が早くなったからでしょう。よちよち歩きの２才の幼児と散歩してる２０代後半と想われる若い母親と道で偶然に会い、私は「頑張ってますね。」と声を掛け、話をしつつ一緒に歩きました。

　そして、私はラジオ体操会場へ行こうとその道を離れようとしたら、この母親が、私に向って「お兄さんはこの近くにお住まいですか。」と尋ねたのには驚きました。一般的にはもうお爺さんの年令である私に、叔父さんでもなく、「お兄さん」と呼んでくれたことに「内心しめしめ」と嬉しくなり、昨日は一日中、楽しく過ごせました。私は単純なのでしょうか。

Dear my Facebook friends who want to be healthy and young.

　We all age equally year after year. However, as we reach middle and old age, differences in lifestyle tend to emerge, both physically and mentally. Physically, this includes a lively expression, good posture, and flexibility. What I consider particularly important is maintaining the pitch of our voices, which varies considerably from person to person. Men should strive to maintain a low and resonant voice, while ladies should aim to maintain a relatively high voice. This is perhaps different of man and femininity.

　On the other hand, mentally, there is a tendency to stop challenging with new fields, to stop stimulating the brain with new ideas, and to become less creative. To improve this, it's important for us to continue with moderate exercise daily, eat three balanced meals a day, explore new fields, and, above all, maintain social connections by conversing with people. Surprisingly, vocal exercises and singing can also be effective in expanding our vocal range. We can often recognize who is speaking without seeing their face if we know them. Therefore, a person's voice expresses their individuality.

　Yesterday, unusual something happened in the morning. On my way to the radio gymnastics venue in the park, because the sunrise is earlier now, I happened to meet a young mother, who looked to be in her late twenties, walking with her toddler, a two-year-old. I greeted her with "You and your toddler are walking great!" and we walked together, chatting.

　Then, as I was about to leave the path to head to the radio gymnastics venue, I was surprised when the mother asked me, "Do you live nearby?" I was secretly delighted that she called me "Oniisan big brother," not "uncle," even though I'm generally old enough to be a grandfather. So I had a wonderful day yesterday. Am I too simple minded?

別世界の雰囲気

　今日は１０年振りくらいで、倉賀野町のほぼ中央に位置する喫茶に行ってコーヒーを試みました。この店の付近は子供の頃、私の遊び場で懐かして場所です。実は、最近、数回訪れましたが、常に閉まっているので暫く休業中と思ってました。ところが、昨日、前を通ったら入り口に電気がついており、店内に入って新しいマスターに初めてお会いし、様子を聴くことができました。

　その結果、営業日は土曜と日曜のみで、時間帯は午後１時から８時までと分かりました。このため、早速今日は４時頃行ったところ、まるで別世界で誠に驚きました。それは何だと思いますか。

　1、室内がかなり暗い.。２、コーヒーが苦すぎる。３、男性のみで女性を連れて行けない雰囲気。４、音量が凄い。５、喫茶なのにお酒が提供され飲んでる人がいる。

　さあ、どれでしょう。答えは明日掲げます。

Dear my Facebook friends who like a coffee shop

　Today, for the first time in about 10 years, I tried coffee at a cafe located almost in the center of Kuragano-town. This area is a nostalgic place for me, as it was my playground when I was a child. Actually, I'd visited several times recently, but it was always closed, so I thought it was temporarily closed. However, yesterday, when I passed by, the lights were on at the entrance, so that I went inside, and met the new owner for the first time, and was able to ask about the situation.

　I learned that they are only open on Saturdays and Sundays, from 1 PM to 8 PM. Therefore, today, I went there around 4 PM, and was truly surprised to find myself in a completely different world beyond description. What do you think it was?

1. The interior was quite dark.

2. The coffee was too bitter.

3. It had an atmosphere that I couldn't take a lady because it was unsuitable place.

4. The volume was incredibly loud.

5. Despite being a coffee shop, he served alcohol, and some people were drinking it.

So, which is it? I'll post the answer tomorrow.

答えは4です。話ができないほどの音量でした。

一日中、身体を動かし、英単語も記憶

　３月２９日、日の出は５時３５分、太陽高度５７°【因みに冬至は３０°】、日の入りは１８時０３分【いずれも群馬県】です。このため、昼の長さは１２時間２８分で、正午の太陽は冬至の約２倍の高さになります。庭では「源平枝垂れ桃」が、平素の水遣りの成果が出て【？】、例年になく良く開花し、今日から暫く満開です。お近くの方は観賞にお立ち寄りください。駐車場完備です。

　このため昨日は、早朝から一日中よく動きました。起床してすぐにフェイスブックに取り掛かり、書いてるその途中で、上４公園での３０名程の仲間とのラジオ体操会に参加し、帰宅後、再度フェイスブックを書き終え、朝食後はその英訳に取り組み、何と表現するかで四苦八苦し、和英辞典と睨めっこです。新たな英単語は単語帳に熟語と共に記入です。しかし、記憶は難しいです。「記憶とは音読し、書いて覚え、再度使う繰り返し」でしょう。

　午後は、「カッキー、また行ったのか」と言われそうですが、お気に入り喫茶「さんぽ道」でコーヒーと共に1時間ほど過ごし、その後は、久しぶりに長い鏑川の土手をてくてく歩きました。気をつけたことは、速度は普通で姿勢に気をつけ、鼻呼吸で歩きました。これだけ暖かくなるとコハクチョウの姿は見えず、ちょっと寂しさを感じました。

　久しぶりの本格的ウォーキングは途中で休憩なしです。大きな鏑川橋を渡り、ついに藤岡市へ到着です。復路は来た道をてくてく歩き、１時間半ほどのウォーキングは良く歩いたと感じました。今回は母方の親戚である木部の家に立ち寄り、環境はずいぶん昔と変化しましたが、やはり一人暮らしの女性と暫くぶりに話しができ、心が昔に帰り、解放できました。

Dear my friends who are crazy about changing seasons

　On March 29th, sunrise was at 5:35 AM, the sun's altitude will be 57° (for comparison, it was 30° on the winter solstice), and sunset will be at 6:03 PM (both are in Gumma Prefecture). Therefore, the daylight hours will be 12 hours and 28 minutes, and the sun at noon was about twice as high as on the winter solstice. In the garden, the "Bicolored Genpei Weeping Peach" tree, thanks to regular watering by me, is blooming exceptionally well this year and will be in full bloom starting today. Please come and admire it if you're nearby. Parking is available.

　For this reason, yesterday I was very active from early morning until evening. As soon as I woke up, I started writing on weblog and while I was writing, I participated in a radio gymnastics session with about 30 friends at Kami-4 Park. After returning home, I finished writing my weblog and posted, After breakfast, I translated Facebook into English, struggling to find the right words and consulting the Japanese-English dictionary. I'm adding new English words to my English vocabulary notebook along with related phrases. However, memorization is difficult for me. But I confirm "Memory is about reading aloud, writing, and using repeatedly." This will approach to final destination to be a fluent speaker of English during I am alive.

　In the afternoon, I spent about an hour at my favorite cafe, "Sampo-michi," with coffee. I'm sure someone will say, "Kakki, you went again?" And then, for the first time in a while, I took a leisurely walk along the long Kabra River Bank. I made to maintain a normal pace, good posture, and breathe through my nose which is the most essential. With the weather getting warmer, I didn't see any tundra swans, which made me feel a little lonely.

　This was my first proper walk in a while, and I didn't take any breaks along the way. I crossed the large Kabra Bridge and finally arrived in Fujioka-City. On the return trip, I walked the same way, and I felt I had walked an hour and a half. This time, I stopped by the home of my maternal relative, in Kibe-town. The environment has changed considerably since long ago, but it was refreshing to talk with the lady who lives alone after a long interval.

花桃の色彩と同様に、地域社会を明るく

【画像をクリックすると、より鮮明になります。】

　人間に親子があるように、現在、庭では花桃が親子で咲いてます。今が盛りです。ぜひ、鑑賞にいらして下さい。写真上が築山の頂上にある親の「源平枝垂れ」で、こちらは親だけあって、やはり、咲き方に緻密さや威厳が感じられます。左下が、赤のみに独立した子供の花桃、そして右下が、親よりも一層紅白がはっきりして成長しつつある「源平枝垂れ」の子供です。

　前の道を通る人が、暫く立ち止まって鑑賞してる姿が目に入ります。それほど、色彩とは人間を惹き付ける力があるのでしょう。群馬県でも、ここ2日間ほど雨が降ったので地下の水分が十分に蓄積し、色彩は一際、鮮明になったようです。今朝、私は二階の窓を開けたら、鮮やかな紅白が目に飛び込んで来たので、ブログに載せようとすぐにシャッターを切りました。

　元々、私が庭で花の咲く樹木を育てているのは、自らの健康のために始めたのです。具体的には「光合成」が盛んな環境づくりを目指してます。ご存じの通り、光合成は植物が太陽光のエネルギーや水分を使い、デンプンなどの養分を作り、樹木そのものを成長させ、同時に、水を分解して「酸素を発生し」、二酸化炭素を有機物に固定するので、私たちの生命にとって最も大切で有難いことです。

　人間の私も、周囲を取り巻く人たちのため、今日が何か役立つ日でありたいものです。今朝も地域社会で行われた６時３０分からの「ラジオ体操会」で、３０人程と笑顔で交流ある一日が始まりました。地域社会が明るくなるよう、微力ながら私も「人々と笑顔で健康的に交流」します。

Dear my Friends who like interacting with human being

　Just as humans have parents and children, in my garden, flowering peach trees are currently blooming in pairs. They are at their peak now. Please come and admire them without hesitation. The top photo shows the parent "Bicolored Genpei Shidare," at the top of the artificial mound named tsukiyama. As expected of a parent tree, its blooms exude a sense of precise and dignity. The bottom left shows a child flowering peach tree that has grown independently, with only red blossoms, and the bottom right shows a child of "Genpei Shidare" that is growing with even more distinct red and white colors than her parent.

　I often see people passing by on the path stopping to admire them. It's colors are in attracting people. In Gumma Prefecture, it has rained for the past two days, so the groundwater has accumulated enough moisture I guess, making the colors particularly vivid. This morning, when I opened my second-floor window, the vibrant red and white caught my eyes, and I immediately took a picture to post on weblog.

　Originally, I started growing flowering trees in my garden for my own health. Specifically, we aim to create an environment where photosynthesis thrives. As you know, photosynthesis is essential and beneficial for our lives because plants use sunlight energy and water to create nutrients such as starch, allowing the trees themselves to grow, while simultaneously produce oxygen and fixing carbon dioxide.

　As a human being, I also want today to be a day for my district. This morning, I started my day by interacting with about 30 people with smiles at the 6:30 AM radio gymnastics session held in the local park. I will do my best, though my contribution may be small, to "interact with people in a healthy and smiling way" so that I hope the community can become brighter.

　 

お気に入りはドリームセンターと「さんぽ道」とバク

　今日は１週間ぶりに「吉井牛伏ドリームセンター」で入浴してきました。最初は私一人でした。このため、のんびりと牛伏山を眺めつつ温まりました。

　午後はまた暫くぶりに喫茶「さんぽ道」に行き、コーヒーを飲んでリラックスしてきます。ではこの愛車で行って参ります。果たして会いたい人に会えるでしょうか。客が少なければ２～３曲ピアノを弾きたいです。

Dear my friends

　Today, for the first time in a week, I took a bath at the Yoshii "Ushibuse Dream Center". Initially, I was the only one there. Because of this, I was able to relax and enjoy the view of Mt. Ushibuse while soaking up the warmth.

　On the other hand, this afternoon from now on , I'll be heading to the café "Sampo-michi" after a long interval to relax with a cup of coffee. So, I'll be off by my sky blue car. I wonder if I'll be able to meet the lady whom I want to see. If there aren't many customers, I'd like to play two or three music on the piano.

３月４月は、別れと出会いの季節

　学生時代も、仕事に就いてた現役時代も卒業式が行われ、この３月～４月はで別れの季節であり、一方、新たな出会いの季節でした。この頃の別れは、いつかは暫くぶりに同窓会で再会したり、どこかでバッタリ会ったこともありました。出会いについては私の場合、職場の人事異動により、誠に素晴らしい人との出会いがあり、退職後においても、生涯の生き方を左右するほど彼らから受けた影響は今でも続いています。ところが、退職後に於いての別れとは永遠の別れを意味します。

　昨日は、地区の集まりである「生き生き健幸クラブ」で、今の時季に相応しく「仰げば尊し」を皆さん半世紀以上振りに懐かしそうに歌ってました。また、「母さんの歌」や「里の秋」を歌い、年数が経過しても忘れることのない母さん、父さんの歌詞にほろりと来て、しみじみと懐かしい昔を偲んでいるように見えました。こう考えると、この世はいつも別れの連続でもあると気づきます。しかし、この寂しさを救うことはあります。

　高齢期に至っても、いつになっても「新たな出会いが心を強く、心を豊かにしてくれ」、これによって生きる力が湧いてきてます。私も最近の新たな出会いで心強く生きられ、誠に感謝してます。

　今年度も今日を入れて後５日。この一年を振り返ると、ラジオ体操や倉賀野町を歩くウォーキングは続けられました。このため有難いことに、まずまずの健康で過ごせてます。しかし、運動に比べ、勉強の方はどうでしょう。ピアノも英単語の記憶もやっているだけで、それ程進歩は見えません。しかし、「継続は力なり」を信じて４月からも続けます。一方、植物の世話は十分にでき、ご覧の通り、開花という褒美をもらってる日々です。

Dear my friends who have experienced many farewells.

　During my student days and my working years, graduation ceremonies were held, making March and April a season of farewells, but also a season of new encounters. These farewells often led to reunions at class reunions or unexpected encounters here and there. In my case, workplace personnel changes led to truly wonderful encounters, and their influence continues to shape my life even after retirement. However, farewells after retirement signify eternal parting.

　Yesterday, at the "Lively Healthy Club," whici is a local gathering, everyone sang "Aogeba Toutoshi" which is a traditional Japanese graduation song for the first time in over half a century, a fitting song for this season of year. They also sang "Mother's Song" and "Autumn in the Village," which includes the lyrics about mothers and fathers. These songs remain unforgettable even now, and brought tears to many eyes, as they fondly reminisced about the past. Thinking about it, I realize that this world is a continuous series of farewells. However, there are ways to alleviate this loneliness.

　Even in old age, no matter how old we are, "new encounters strengthen and enrich our heart," and this gives us the strength to live. I, too, have recently been strengthened by new encounters with such as Ms. L and Ms. S, so I am truly grateful.

There are only five days left in this academic year, including today. Looking back on this academic year, I was able to continue with radio gymnastics and walking around Kuragano-town. Thanks to this, I've been able to maintain fairly good health.

　However, compared to these trainings, how about studying? I'm just doing piano and memorizing English new vocabularies, but I didn't see much progress. However, I believe that "Persistence pays off," therefore, I will continue from next April as well. On the other hand, I've been able to take good care of my plants, and as you can see, I'm being rewarded with the sight of them blooming every day.

高齢期では、新たな希望こそ大切

　毎朝、公園でのラジオ体操会から帰ると、行き帰りを含め朝食前の３０分間は身体を動かしてるので空腹になります。そして朝食の用意です。普段は白いご飯に納豆、めかぶ、あるいは、ゆで卵、そして、味噌汁を作ってます。味噌汁の具はホウレン草、又は小松菜、豆腐、もやし、椎茸、ワカメなどですが、最近は小さく切ったこんにゃくを入れることもあります。このため結構、具だくさんで美味しいです。

　ところで、先日珍しく、写真の３食パック入り「赤飯」を近所の長寿会長Ｋさんが届けてくれました。これを温めて食べたところ、世の中に「こんな美味しいものがあるのか」と暫くぶりに味わいました。「赤飯」を楽しみながら、遠い日の子供時代に、母が誕生日や倉賀野神社のお祭りの日、小学校卒業の日などに作ってくれたことが思い出され、８人家族に囲まれて食べた懐かしさが蘇りました。

　しかし、現実の人生は思いのほか変化するもので、本当に長い期間、つまり、すでに２万食ほど孤食が続いています。食事とは家族と楽しく味わってこそ消化も良いでしょう。しかし、現実はどうにもなりません。それでも「いつでも夢を」の歌のように、人生とは希望を持ってこそ生きられるものです。

　ところで、現実の三度三度の食事作りについて、どうしても同じような献立になりがちですが、一番気にしてることは「美味しい観点より、糖分、塩分、脂分の少ない健康食に重点」を置くと共に、内容は「変化と統一」に気を配ってます。今回戴いた「赤飯」は味はもちろんのこと、色彩にも食卓に変化を齎してます。結局、昨日はスーパーで赤飯を探したら有って、購入し、一安心しました。暫くは赤飯を戴きます。今の私には何がおめでたいのでしょう。それは最近、素晴らしい知人が増えたことです。今日は「いきいき健幸クラブ」でピアノ伴奏を頑張ります。

【長文なので英訳は２段目以降です。】

Dear my friends who are crazy about healthy meals

　Recently, Mr. Kumagai, the chairman of the senior citizens' association in my neighborhood, brought me a rare three-pack of "sekihan" (red bean rice) as pictured. When I heated it up and ate it, I was reminded of how delicious it was. I hadn't experienced this taste in a long time. Enjoying the sekihan, I recalled my childhood, when my mother used to make it for my birthday, the Kuragano Shrine festival, and my elementary school graduation. The nostalgic feeling of eating it surrounded by my eight person family came back to life.

　However, reality changes more than I might expect, and I've been eating alone for a very long time, about 20,000 meals. Meals are best enjoyed with family, and digestion is easier when shared. But my reality is different. Even so, like the song "Always Dream," life should be lived with hope.

　Not change the subject, but regarding preparing three meals a day, the menus tend to be similar, but my main focus is on "healthy food which are low in sugar, salt, and fat," rather than simply "deliciousness," while also paying attention to "variety and consistency" the same as daily life. The red bean rice I received this time not only tasted great, but its color also added a nice change to the breakfast table. Yesterday, I found some red bean rice at the supermarket and bought it, I was a relief. I'll be eating red bean rice for a while. What am I so happy about right now? It's that I've made some wonderful new acquaintances including you recently. Today I'll be working hard as a piano accompanist at the "Vivid Healthy Club".

明日の「いきいき健幸クラブ」は私が会を進行

　今宵は、何となく一人での食事が寂しいので、高崎の某所で楽しく夕食です。ではこれから電車で行ってきます。

　実は、先程、打ち合わせ会があり、明日の「いきいき健幸クラブ」では、他の役員は所用があり、私一人が会の運営を進めることになりました。

　内容は、あまり例を見ない珍しい体操と、マイムマイムなどのフォークダンス、その後、よく透る声をめざして全員で発声練習をしてから、昔懐かしい今の季節の歌である「仰げば尊し」「母さんの歌」「里の秋」などを歌い子供の頃や、父や母を思い出し、最後に「東北震災復興曲、花は咲く」歌うことになりました。珍しい体操は今朝フェイスブックに書いたものです。特に、「片目だけ動かす目の体操」は笑いが起こるでしょう。

　Tonight, I feel a little lonely eating alone, so I'm going to have a fun dinner at the tavern named "Buku!" in the down town of Takasaki-City. I'm heading there by train from Kuragano-station now.

　Actually, we just had a meeting which is for tomorrow's "Lively Health Club", but, the other officers will be absent tomorrow, so I'll be running the meeting alone.

　The content will include some unusual exercises that you don't often see, folk dances of "Maim Maim," followed by vocal exercises to improve their voices, then we'll sing nostalgic seasonal songs like "Aogeba Toutoshi," "Mother's Song," and "Sato no Aki," reminiscing about their childhood and their parents, and finally singing "Hana wa Saku," a song about Tohoku earthquake recovery. I wrote about the unusual exercises on Facebook this morning. The "eye exercise where we move only one eye" in particular is sure to get some laughs. If time permits, I'd like to play the soprano saxophone.

出来るかな・・・明日は変わった体操を試みる

　家の中では1月下旬に咲き始めた君子蘭が未だ咲いてます。それにしても、目が覚めるような鮮やかなオレンジ色です。このように大きな花は、人間の顔のように表情があり、つい、「元気？」と声を掛けたくなります。一方、左下はこれまた１本の木で紅白に咲き分けてる「ボケ」です。漢字は木瓜と書くようです。特に、このように紅白に咲き分ける木瓜を東洋錦と言います。右下は相変わらず全員が同じ方向を見てる水仙です。今が盛りで、未だ暫く咲いてるでしょう。

　ところで、明日は倉賀野町上４地区で「いきいき健幸クラブ」が行われます。都合があってリードするのは私だけのようです。このため、内緒ですが、明日は多くの人がやったことのない変わった体操をしてみたいと思います。もしかして、脳トレでもあり、簡単にはできないので笑いが起こるかもしれません。その他、全員で誰でも知ってる歌を４曲ほど歌い、フォークダンスも歌同様に私がピアノを弾いて全員で踊りたいと予定してます。

　そして、前述の変わった体操ですが、皆さんもやってみてください。その一つは、まるで足が交差して見える動きです。立ったままで足を閉じ、手をそれぞれ膝に当てます。そして、手を膝に乗せたまま膝を開きます。再度、膝を閉じます。次が難しいですが、今度はすぐに右手を左膝に移し、左手を右膝に移して膝を開きます。その後、閉じて次は最初と同じです。この繰り返しは遠くの人から見ると、「目の錯覚」で恰も膝が交差してるように見えます。

　次の体操は一人でじゃんけんで、常に右手が勝つようにします。次の体操は目の玉をそれぞれ違う方向に動かします。最後の体操はいつも横になってる口の中の舌を立てる運動です。これらは身体の体操であると共に頭の体操でもあります。できましたか。

【長文なので英訳は２段目からです。Since it's a long text, the English translation starts from the second paragraph.】

Dear my Facebook friends who are crazy about brain exercise.

　Tomorrow, the "Lively Health Club" will be held in the Kami-4 district of Kuragano-Town. Due to scheduling conflicts, it seems I'll be the only one leading. Therefore, this is a secret jus between you and me and lamppost, I'd like to try some unusual exercises that most people haven't done before. It might even be a brain exercise, therefore, it's not easy, it might cause some laughter. In addition, we'll sing about four well-known Japanese songs by my piano accompaniment, and we'll play folk dances.

　Now, regarding the unusual exercises I mentioned above, please try them yourselves, too. One of them is a movement that makes it look like your legs are crossed. Stand with your feet together and place your hands on your knees. Then, keeping your hands on your knees, open your knees. Close your knees again. The next one is difficult, immediately move your right hand on your left knee, and your left hand on your right knee, and open your knees. Then close them and repeat the process. Repeating this will create an optical illusion from a distance, making it appear as if your knees are crossed.

　The next exercise is playing rock-paper-scissors by yourself, so as to make sure your right hand always wins. Next, we'll do an exercise where you move your eyeballs in different directions. Can you do? The last exercise is to raise your tongue, which is usually lying flat inside your mouth. These are exercises for both the body and mind. Were you able to do them all?

いつもとコースを変えると新たな発見

【画像をクリックし拡大すると、ピントが合います。】

　　　今日の夕方はいつもと異なるコースでウォーキングが１時間半ほどできました。お陰で、夕食の一杯が美味しくなりそうです。

Dear my friends 

  This evening I was able to go for a walk for about an hour and a half, taking a different route than usual. Thanks to that, I think my drink with dinner will taste even better.

本格的に咲き出した「源平枝垂れ桃」

【画像をクリックし拡大すると、ピントが合います。】

　写真は「源平枝垂れ」です。１０年ほど前に手に入れたもので、築山の頂上で開花です。不思議なことに、一本の樹木に薄いピンクと白の二色が咲いてます。しかも、枝先が垂れ下がり、樹形に優しさがあります。実は、この花桃の幹はＳ状に曲がっており、花が咲いてない時季でも、樹形は鑑賞に値します。

　私が世話するのは、四方八方から眺めては時々余分な枝を剪定し、全体的な樹形を調整することです。また、今より一回り大きくなるように育てています。築山の頂上は池のようになっており、開花が始まった現在は朝晩、ここに水を入れ、水分不足にならぬようにしてます。お近くで梅を見に来られなかった方は、この源平枝垂れ桃を見にいらして下さい。

　年間を通じて花の咲く樹木をいろいろ育てているのは、あるいは「音楽のハーモニー」に共通する面があるからかもしれません。現在、庭では黄色の枝垂れレンギョウ、写真の枝垂れ桃の子供で紅のみが咲いてる花桃、真っ白なユキヤナギ、たくさんの黄色い水仙で、庭は恰もオーケストラのようです。

　一方、室内では６鉢の赤い君子蘭が咲き、昨日は市役所の方や、あんしんセンターの方とピンクと黄色のシンビジウムを眺めつつ、和やかに歓談できました。

Dear my friends who are crazy about vernal flowers and orchestra music

　The photo shows a "Bicolored Weeping Peach Tree". I got it about 10 years ago from the plant center in Maebashi-City, and it's currently in bloom at the top of the artificial mound. Strangely enough, it blooms two colors of flowers, a light pink and white on a single tree. Furthermore, its branches droop, as you can see, giving it a gentle form. In fact, the trunk of this flowering is curved in the S-shape, making its form beautiful even when it's not in bloom.

　My care involves observing it from all directions, occasionally pruning any excess branches, and adjusting the overall shape. I'm also trying to raise it to be a bit tree. The top of the artificial mound is like a small pond, and now that it's in bloom, I water it morning and evening to prevent it from drying out. If you're in the area and couldn't come to see the plum blossoms, please come and see this Bicolored Weeping Peach Tree. I am waiting for you to the core.

　Perhaps the reason I cultivate various trees that bloom throughout the year is because they share some similarities with "musical harmony." Currently, the garden is like an orchestra including many kinds of instrument, such as yellow weeping forsythia, a flowering peach tree which is a descendant of the weeping peach tree pictured with only red blossoms, pure white spirea, and many yellow daffodils.

　Meanwhile, indoors, six pots of red Kaffir lilies are in bloom. Yesterday I had a pleasant conversation with city hall lady official and lady staff from the safety center while admiring the pink and yellow cymbidium orchids.