野鳥に国境はない

　昨年１２月に、ロシアから飛来したと想われるコハクチョウや鴨たちの鏑川に滞在しする日数が次第に残り少なくなってきてます。反対に、今度は燕など南国からやって来る渡り鳥たちが日本に来る日のはあと1ヶ月余りでしょう。同時に、色彩豊かな植物たちの開花もこれからです。今日の群馬県の太陽高度は４２°で、自然はいよいよ生き生きし、色彩的に華やかになり、野鳥の声も変化してくるでしょう。

　庭に比較的大きな樹木をいろいろ植え、また、私は野鳥用の水飲み場を設置してることから、ピーチクパーチク賑やかです。降水量が少なく、水不足である現在は、野鳥にとっても深刻です。朝、飲み水を一杯にしておいてもお昼頃には半分に減ってるので、多くの野鳥が飲みに来ます。水に有り付くと、その表情は美味しかった安心に満ちてます。野鳥の体温は４０度前後と考えられ、水が本当に大切なのでしょう。

　ところで、心配をお掛けしてます私の体調は、身体が未だ怠く、生活は下降気味です。医師の指導に従い、解熱剤と咳止めを服用してます。体調とは忘れた頃に崩すので、健康対策は常に手を抜くことができません。今後、一層気をつけます。季節の変わりめにつき、皆さまも、体調管理を充分になさってください。

Dear my Facebook friends

　The days remaining for the tundra swans and ducks that are thought to have arrived from Russia in December are gradually coming to an end at the Kabra River. Conversely, there's only a little over a month until swallows and other migratory birds from tropical regions will arrive in Japan. At the same time, the colorful plants are just about to bloom. Today's sunlight altitude in Gumma Prefecture is 42°, and nature is becoming more and more vibrant, becoming more colorful and the sounds of wild birds are likely to change.

　I've planted a variety of relatively large trees in my garden, and I've also installed a bird's drinking watering, so there's a lot of activity, with the birds chirping and humming along. As you noticed, The current lack of rainfall and water shortages are also a serious problem for wild birds. Even if I fill the drinking water bottle in the morning, it's half by lunchtime, so many wild birds come to drink. When they get to the water, their faces are filled with relief and joy, as they've enjoyed the delicious water. The body temperature of wild birds is thought to be around 40°C, so water must be truly important than humans.

　By the way, I apologize for your concern, but I am still feeling sluggish and my lifestyle is on the decline. I am taking fever reducers and cough medicine as instructed by my doctor. Health can deteriorate just when we least expect it, so health measures cannot be neglected. I will be even more careful from now on. With the change of seasons, I ask everyone to take good care of your health.

健康であることがどれ程幸せか感じる

　今日は微熱【36.9°】と咳が出るので、先程近くのクリニックで解熱剤と咳止めをもらってきました。やはり、いつもよりおおごとです。薬を服用すれば良くなるでしょう。ご心配をお掛けしてます。

　I have a slight fever (36.9°C) and a cough today, so I just went to a nearby clinic in the morning and got some fever reducers and cough medicine. It seems like a bigger problem for me than usual. Taking some medicine should make me feel better, I pray. I'm sorry for worrying you.

若き日の今日の思い出

　昔、インドのカルカッタ市にいた頃、確か今頃の季節に「夜、突然大きな花火の音がして何だろう」と驚いたことがあります。様子を見るとインドの人ではなく、中国系の人たちが集まって爆竹を鳴らし、お祝いムードでした。彼らにとって楽しいその日は春節であり、太陰太陽歴で１月１日です。

　実は今日がその日です。中国国内のみならず、中国の人にとって盛大な祝日であり、最大の大型連休といわれる春節です。同様に、日本でも明治５年以前では今日が元日だったことから、梅の花も咲き、私たちの遠い先祖は餅をついて新たな年を祝ったことでしょう。

　太陰太陽暦は、月の満ち欠けを基準とする太陰暦と、季節の移り変わりを考慮した太陽暦を組み合わせた暦法で、 純粋な太陰暦で生じる季節とのずれを「閏月を挿入し」、１年を１３ヶ月にして調整してます。この暦では、毎月３日には西の空に必ず三日月が出て、１週間後は半月が出て、満月が出ると十五夜と分かり、情緒がありましたね。

　私たちが現在使ってる太陽暦では、例えば、７月７日の七夕の晩は「こと座の織姫星と、わし座の彦星」は東の空低くあり、この時季は梅雨の最中であり、殆ど見えません。その点、江戸時代の７月７日の晩では、２つの星はちょうど頭上近くに来ており、空気もきれいであったことから、天の川を挟んで２つの一等星はよく見えたことでしょう。尚、今日は南極で金環食が見えるそうです。

Dear my Facebook friends who are crazy about two kinds of calendars.

　A half century ago, when I was staying at Calcutta in India as a teacher of Japanese school, I was surprised to hear a sudden loud sound of fireworks in the night, probably around this time of year. It wasn't Indians, but rather Chinese people gathered there, setting off firecrackers and creating a celebratory mood. For them, the joyous event was the Chinese New Year, which falls on January 1st in the lunisolar calendar.

　Today is actually that day. The Chinese New Year is a major holiday not only within China but for the Chinese people throughout the world as well I guess, and is said to be the longest consecutive holidays of the year. Similarly, in Japan, prior to 1872, today was New Year's Day, in this season, plums would have bloomed and our distant ancestors would have celebrated the new year by pounding rice cakes named Mochi.

　The lunisolar calendar combines a lunar calendar based on the phases of the moon with a solar calendar. The time lag between the seasons that occurs with a purely lunar calendar is corrected by inserting leap month, making the year 13 months long. With this calendar, a crescent moon would always appear in the western sky on the 3rd of every month, a half moon would appear a week later, and when the full moon appeared, it was the fifteenth night of the full moon, which was very atmospheric.

　In the solar calendar we use today in Japan, for example, on the night of Tanabata on July 7th, "Vega in the constellation Lyra and Hikoboshi in the constellation Aquila" would be low in the eastern sky, at this time of year, in the middle of the rainy season in Japan, they would be almost invisible. However, on the night of July 7th during the Edo period, the two stars would have been just overhead, and the air would have been clear at that time, making the two first-magnitude stars separated by the Milky Way clearly visible. Apparently, an annular eclipse will be visible in Antarctica today.

珍しく体調を壊す

　どうしたことでしょう。今日は朝から寒かったからでしょうか。体調が良くなく、珍しく咳が出たり、喉が痛かったです。このため、内科でトローチと気管の薬ををもらいました。熱は３６°台です。食欲はあり、三食とも食べられました。

　今宵は温かくして休みます。春先なので皆さんも体調にはご留意ください。今宵、果たして良い夢が見られるでしょうか。今宵は無理でしょうか。おやすみなさい。

　※もしかして、原因は飛散が始まった杉花粉か。一昨日、吉井ドリームセンターへ行ったとき、遠方の山々が全く見えませんでした。

Dear my Facebook friends

　I wonder what's wrong. Maybe it's been cold since this morning. I haven't been feeling well, and I've had unusual cough and a sore throat. Because of this, I went to a nearby internal medicine clinic and was given troches and tracheal medicine. My physical temperature is in the 36° range. I have an appetite and was able to eat all three meals as usual.

　I'll stay warm and rest tonight. It's early spring, so please take care of your health. I wonder if I'll have a good dream tonight? Probably not. Good night.

　※Perhaps the cause is the cedar pollen that has begun to fly around. The day before yesterday, when I went to the Yoshii Dream Center, I couldn't see the mountains in the distance at all.

いつまでも「在宅で自立」を目指す

 

　群馬県の今日のの出は６時３１分、正午の太陽高度は４１°、日の入りは１７時２５分で、昼の長さは１０時間５４分です。因みに冬至の太陽高度は３０°で、昼の長さは９時間４１分でしたから、昼の長さはすでに１時間１３分も伸びており、太陽高度は１１°も高くなってます。これから三寒四温を繰り返しつつ、ご覧の通り、梅が本格的に開花しつつあり、希望に満ちる早春です。

　日本でも、明治５年まで使われてた太陰太陽暦(旧暦)では今日は大晦日ですから、明日は新年です。このため明日は月が出ません。今の時季は誠に新春という名に相応しく、梅に限らず、廊下の君子蘭も本格的に咲き出しており、築山では水仙があちこちから一斉に芽を出してます。

　ところで、肝心の私については、育ててる植物から学ぶことは多々あり、特に、いろいろの色彩です。５本の梅はすべて異なる色の花を咲かせ、庭のバランスを取ってます。同様に、楽しみな音楽演奏でも、透明性ある音色ほど「心を打つものはない」と感じてます。これからも趣味である植物の世話と、ピアノやソプラノサックス演奏で良い音色を求め、時には友人に聴いて戴いたりし、生活を充実させたいです。

　そのためには、今後いつまでも「在宅での自立」を目指さなくてはなりません。健康の基盤は「適度な運動と食材」と捉え、トマト、大豆製品、魚、新鮮な野菜類、海藻類を毎日食し、日々の生活を面白く、愉快になるようトライしてみます。

Dear my friends who are researching into pleasant longevity.

　In Gumma Prefecture, sunrise today was at 6:31 AM, the sun's altitude at noon will be 41°, and sunset will be at 5:25 PM, therefore it makes the length of daylight 10 hours and 54 minutes. Incidentally, on the winter solstice, the sun's altitude was 30° and the length of daylight was 9 hours and 41 minutes, so the length of daylight has already increased by 1 hour and 13 minutes, and the sun's altitude became 11° higher. We'll be experiencing three cold and four warm climates repeatedly from now on, and as you can see, the plum blossoms are beginning to bloom in earnest, so we feel an early spring filled with hope.

　Not change the subject, but in Japan, too, according to the lunisolar calendar (old calendar) used until 1872, today is New Year's Eve, so tomorrow is New Year's Day. So the moon won't come out tomorrow. This time of year truly deserves the name of New Spring, and not only are the plum blossoms, but the kaffir lilies in the hallway are also in full bloom, and daffodils are sprouting on the artificial hill named Tsukiyama all at once.

　By the way, as for me, I learn a lot from the plants I grow, especially about the variety of colors. All five plum trees are blooming with different colors, that is balancing the garden. Similarly, I feel that there is nothing more moving than the clarity of a musical tone quality by performance which I enjoy. I would like to continue to enrich my life by caring for plants, and by pursuing beautiful tone qualities through playing the piano and soprano saxophone, and occasionally I want Ms. Run-chan to listen to my performance.

　For this reason, it is important that I continue to aim to be "independent at home" in the future. I believe that the foundation of health is "moderate training and ingredients," so I will eat tomatoes, soy products, fish, fresh vegetables, and seaweed every day, and try to make my daily life more interesting and enjoyable.

頑張った西沢岳人選手

只今、デューアル・モーグルで「西沢岳人」が出場しました。私の姉の孫で、私の両親の曾孫です。応援を有難うございました。

筋肉増強と抗酸化作用の二本立て

　寒冷のため昨年１２月から３ヶ月間休みであったラジオ体操会が２週間後の３月から倉賀野上４公園で再開されます。朝食前に会場まで往復１Kウォーキングし、約３０名の仲間の方々と久しぶりに再会でき楽しみです。女性の方々とも知り合いになれ、話ができるので楽しい交流の場でもあり、朝から自然と笑顔になります。

　ラジオ体操によって全身を柔軟にしたり、ジャンプしたり、筋肉を使うことから血液循環が改善し、結果的に空腹になるので朝食が美味しく、私の場合は味噌汁など朝食を自ら作ります。毎日行うので栄養面でバランスを取り上手になります。４月以降は日の出が早くなるので、ラジオ体操へ行く前の早朝にブログ・フェイスブックを書いてました。英訳は朝食後、「和英辞典」と睨めっこで例文が役立ちます。私にとって英作文は英借文です。

　体を捻るなどの動きを伴うラジオ体操で気づくことは、どの体操も深呼吸しており、肺の健康にとても良いと感じます。平素の生活でも「鼻呼吸」を心掛け、これにより「清潔な空気」が肺に入ると考えられます。と共に現在、私が食生活で最も考慮してるのは「がん対策」です。

　すでに１０年間ほど励行してる「起床した空腹時にトマトジュース、ニンジンジュース、グレープフルーツジュースを日替わりで、コップ一杯飲む習慣」です。これらには抗酸化作用のリコピン、βーカロチンが多量に含まれてるからです。スーパーでは飲み物コーナーでなく、健康飲料コーナーに並んでます。その他の対策では人口調味料より食材本来の持ち味を味わいます。

Dear my Facebook friends who are seeking to anti-cancer measures.

　After a three-month hiatus from December last year due to the cold weather in Japan, radio gymnastics events will resume at 6:30am in two weeks at Kuragano kami-4 Park in March. I walked 1km round trip to the venue before breakfast and am looking forward to reuniting with about 30 fellow participants. It's a fun opportunity to get to know and chat with active ladies, and it naturally tends to become a smile each other in the early morning.

　As you know, radio gymnastics improves blood circulation by moving whole-body flexibility, jumping, and using whole muscles. This makes me hungry, which naturally makes breakfast taste better. In my case, I make my own breakfast, such as miso soup. Doing it every day helps me maintain a balanced nutrient diet. Since sunrise will be earlier from April onwards, I've been posting on Facebook early in the morning before going to radio gymnastics. After breakfast, I'll do English translations using Japanese-English dictionary, and example sentences are very helpful. For me, English composition is all about English loanwords.

　What I notice about radio gymnastics, which involve twisting and other movements, is that all of the exercises involve deep breathing, which I feel is very good for lung health. Even in my everyday life, I try to breathe through my nose, so as to enter clean air to my lungs. At the same time, the measure I'm most concerned about in my daily diet is cancer prevention in advance.

　For about 10 years still now, I've made it a habit to drink a glass of tomato juice, carrot juice, or grapefruit juice on an empty stomach just after waking up. As you notice, this is because these juices contain high amounts of the antioxidants lycopene and beta-carotene. At the supermarket, we'll find them in the health drink section, not the soft drink section. Another thing I try to do is savor the natural flavors of ingredients rather than artificial seasonings.

午後は「さんぽ道」でリラックス

　折角のバレンタインデーにもかかわらず、チョコレートどころか、一日中、誰とも会話する機会がなく、今日、話をしたのはレジの女性とほんの少しだったのみです。

　これでは精神衛生上、良くないことから、午後３時頃より愛車に乗り、お気に入り喫茶「さんぽ道」で１時間半ほど過ごしました。本を読んでましたが、ママさんと、また、帰りしなにママのお父さんと話ができました。いつも笑顔で声を掛けてくださるので嬉しいです。

　喫茶室内では客が帰ってから、つまり、５時近くになってピアノで数曲弾きました。イギリス国歌、校歌２曲、「千の風になって」、フォークダンスの２曲、「雪が降る」です。旋律が印象的な曲は弾いていて楽しいです。

Dear my Facebook friends

　Despite it is Valentine's Day, today, I didn't get a chance to talk to anyone all day, no relation to get any chocolates. Today, I only spoke briefly with the cashier of supermarket in the morning.

　Because this situation wasn't good for my mental health, I drove in my Audi TT quattro around 3pm and spent about an hour and a half at my favorite cafe, Sampo-michi. I was reading a book, but I managed to chat with the proprietress, and also with her father on my way out. It's nice that they always greet me with a smile.

　After the customers had left the cafe, before 5pm, I played a few music by the piano. The music were the British national anthem, two school songs such as Takasaki Girls High School and Maebashi High School, "A Thousand Winds," two folk dance pieces, and "Snow Falls." I enjoy playing music with memorable melodies.

雪が降った朝は・・・上毛新聞「みんなのひろば」より

　このブログのコメンテーター「時計屋の隣りさん」の投稿文が今朝の群馬県・上毛新聞「みんなのひろば」に掲載されました。誠におめでとうございます。

　つきましては、県外の皆様にも、お読み戴きたくここに掲載します。

タイトル・・・雪が降った朝は・・・

　８日、冬季五輪をみようと朝早く起きた。まだ日の出前だというのに、外はいつもより明るい。東の空が徐々に白むのではなく、積もった雪がほの白く光を返し、地上の方から夜明けが始まり、辺り一面を明るくしているのだった。雪の朝だけに許される小さな逆転の魔法である。

　屋根にも雪が積もり、瓦の波形の稜線だけがわずかに浮かんで見えた。まるで家々の屋根に白い布団をそっと掛けたようで、静けさの中に凛とした気配が漂う。窓の桟の雪に触れると、指先に伝わったのは驚くほど軽く乾いた感触。音もなく降り積もった粉雪は湿り気をほとんど含まず、触れた途端にふわりと崩れ、ほどけていくようだ。

　高崎では年末以降、雨が降らずに乾燥しきっていた。まさに雪の恵みに庭木も生気を取り戻すだろう。地上から始まったあの淡い明るさは、冬がそっと差し出した恵みの兆しだったのだと、雪明りの朝に思った。

今日の日が来ると、悔やまれる

　２月１４日バレンタインデー。本来、キリスト教圏の欧米では家族や親友と祝い、家族に贈り物をすることが習わしのようです。一方、キリスト教圏でない日本では、いつからか「女性から男性にチョコレートをプレゼントする日」になったようですが、この慣習に批判もあり、日本におけるバレンタインデーの様相は変わりつつあるようです。

　実は今日は私にとって忘れられない日です。それは母の命日です。今、振り返ると、と言っても私の記憶には全くありませんが、私が生まれ育った頃は食料が欠乏し、考えられない困窮生活だったのです。母は赤ん坊の私を背負って空襲警報が鳴る中、真っ暗な防空壕の中に敵機が去るまで避難を続けたそうで、これは戦争が終わるまで幾度も繰り返したと言ってました。

　食糧難であっても、お陰でどうにか成長し、今でも忘れられないことは、大学合格を新聞で知ったとき「良かったね」と、肩を叩いてくれた母の手の感触が今でも忘れられません。私は本当に母に心配をかけていたのです。

　一方、今でも後悔してることがあります。私が３５才の頃です。母の小学校の担任の先生が新聞に掲載され、当時、先生は９０才位だったのでしょう。母は記事を読んで、先生が内村鑑三の娘さんであることを知ったのです。先生は桐生近くにお住いのため、母は懐かしい恩師に会いたいと私に「連れてってほしい」と頼んでました。しかし、当時多忙で実現できず、母は手紙を送り、先生から返事が来たときは本当に嬉しそうでした。やはり、万難を排して連れて行ってあげれば良かったと今でも心から悔やまれます。今日は近くの菩提寺に行きます。

【英訳は２段路以降です。】

Dear my friends

　Today is actually an unforgettable day for me. It's the anniversary of my mother's death. Looking back now, although I have no memory of it at all, when I was born and raised, there were food shortages and we lived in unimaginable poverty. During the World War Ⅱ, My mother apparently carried me, a baby, on her back as air raid shelter nearby, sirens rang and took refuge in a pitch-black air-raid shelter until the enemy planes had passed, this escape escape repeated many times until the end of the war.

　Thanks to her hardships, I grow up despite the food shortage, and one thing I'll never forget is the feeling of my mother's hand patting me on my shoulder and saying, "That's great" when we read in the newspaper that I had passed the entrance examination of university. I really did worry my mother.

　On the other hand, there's something I still regret. When I was around 35, my mother's elementary school homeroom teacher Ms. Asada was featured in the newspaper. She must have been around 90 years old at the time. When my mother read the article, she learned that the teacher was Uchimura Kanzo's daughter. The teacher lived near Kiryu, so my mother wanted to meet her beloved teacher and asked me to take her there. However, I was too busy at the time to go there, so she sent her a letter, and when she received a reply from the teacher, she looked so happy. I still regret that I should have took her at all costs. Today, I am going to visit her grave.

　　

リラックスして話せる不思議な環境

　円卓はいいですね。室内にも庭にも用意してあります。不思議なことに、ここに座ると、いわゆる上座や下座なるものがなく、社会的位置に関係なく、話題の事象について自らの考えや感想を自然に話したくなるものです。

　興味あること、最近、体験たこと、以前に驚いたことなど何か話したくなったら倉賀野へおいで下さい。これから５本の梅の花が満開に近づきます。

Dear my friends who like talking.

　Round tables are great. I have them both indoors and in the garden. Strangely enough, when you sit here, you will feel there is no such thing as a higher or lower seat, and regardless of our social position, you naturally feel like sharing your thoughts and impressions about the topic at hand.

　If you feel like talking about something that interests you, something you've experienced recently, or something that surprised you in the past, come to my Kuragano. The five plum trees will soon be in full bloom.

高齢期の生活は健康第一、趣味第二

　今日は１３日の金曜日。英語ではこれを「金曜日の１３日」と語順を逆に言うようです。昨日の夕刻は寒い中、倉賀野から高崎の街中までＪＲ高崎線沿いに１時間２０分歩き、某所での楽しい夕食になりました。しかし、ウォーキングとしては私にはちょっと距離があり過ぎました。でも、今朝の体調はいつもと変わりません。今後はあまり無理をしないよう心掛けます。いつも自ら言ってる通り、運動のポイントは「適度がベスト」です。

　ところで、予報は今日から暖かくなるとのことで、ちらほら梅が咲き始めた早春の庭に希望を感じます。昨日５Kほどのウォーキング中では、人生の第３コーナーから第４コーナーに差し掛かってる今の私にとって「肝心なことは何か」を考えました。それは結局「どうしたら生き甲斐を見つけられるか」でした。

　退職後、予想外の一人暮らしが始まり、私のみならず、多くの高齢者に共通することは、子育てが終わり、寿命が延びて今後２０年、３０年と長い日々を生きる時代です。高齢者が「どうしたら生き甲斐を持って、自分らしく充実して生きられるか」は万人の共通課題です。昔と異なって核家族となり、高齢者の仕事は減ってます。特に、子育ての補助者としての役割は余り求められず、子守りや子供の遊び相手は減り、孫と会うのは時々です。

　これでは繋がりが希薄となり寂しいです。今後はこちらから時々出向くように努めます。先日は孫娘たちのバスケットの応援に行き、普段見られない彼女たちの姿に驚き楽しめました。高齢者の幸せとは、若き日からの得意の分野で夢中になったり、可能であれば、今までにない新たな分野の発想やその実践と考えます。私は今日も植物への水遣りや剪定、ピアノ、そして英単語に挑戦し、時間的に可能であれば日帰り温泉へドライブです。

Dear my friends who are seeking for the meaning of life

　Today is called the 13th of Friday in Japanese. Apparently, in English, this is expressed in reverse order: "Friday the 13th." Last evening, in the cold, I walked 1 hour and 20 minutes along the JR Takasaki Line from Kuragano to downtown of Takasaki-City, and enjoyed a pleasant dinner at the tavern "Baku". However, it was a bit too far for me to walk. This morning, however, I felt the same as usual. I'll try not to push myself too hard from now on. As I always say, the key to training is "moderation is best."

　Not change the subject, but the forecast predicts warmer weather starting today, and the sight of the early spring garden, where a few plums have begun to bloom that gives me hope. During my 5k walk yesterday, I thought about what was most important to me as I approached the third and fourth corners of my life. Ultimately, it came down to "how can I find real meaning in life?"

　After retiring, I unexpectedly began living alone. This is not just for me, but for many older people as well, that is child-rearing or baby -sitting is over, our life expectancy is increasing, and we're living longer, with years of life ahead of us, perhaps even 20 or 30 years in the future. The question of how elderly people can find meaning of life and live fulfilling lives true to themselves is a common concern for all people. Unlike in the past, as you know, the trend has shifted to nuclear families, and the number of jobs available to the elderly is decreasing. In particular, there is less demand for elderly people to assist with ground childcare, there are fewer babysitters and playmates, and we have only a few opportunities to see grandchildren occasionally.

　This weakens connections and makes me feel lonely. I will try to visit them from time to time. The other day, I went to cheer on my granddaughters' basketball game, and was surprised and delighted to see them in a way that I don't usually see. I believe that happiness for the elderly comes from being passionate about the fields they've been good since their youth, and, if possible, coming up with new ideas and practicing. Today, I'll be watering and pruning plants in the garden, practicing the piano, and trying to increase English vocabulary, and if time allows, taking a drive to a day spa in Gumma Prefecture.

咲き出した「紅梅枝垂れ梅」

　早春の光を浴びて、いよいよ今日から咲き出した「紅梅枝垂れ」です。今後、日に日にピンクの色彩が増え、開花していくでしょう。「紅梅枝垂れ」の枝ぶりは何事も受け入れてくれるような優しさが感じられます。今週末にかけて温かくなると予報されており、紅梅枝垂れにとっては自己を美的表現する絶好のチャンスです。後１週間もしたら、お近くの方は鑑賞においでください。お茶も出ます。

　満開は３月中旬まで続くでしょう。現在は１分咲きにも満たない状態ですが、私は今年の開花に期待しています。今宵はこの「枝垂れ紅梅」に肖り、私も自己表現をしてきます。いつも行く某所です。楽しみを得るためには努力もします。つまり、天気も良いので倉賀野から約６Kある高崎田町まで歩いて行く予定です。毎晩、孤食なので、たまには羽を伸ばしたいです。お許しください。

Dear my friends

　　Bathed in the early spring light, the weeping red plum finally began to bloom today. The pink color will increase day by day, and the plums will continue to bloom. The branches of the weeping red plum exude a gentleness that seems receptive to anything. Warmer weather is forecast for this weekend, providing the perfect opportunity for the weeping red plum to express itself aesthetically. If you're in the area, please come and admire it in just a week. Tea and piano performance will also be served.

　Full bloom will likely continue until mid-March, I guess. Currently, the plums are less than 10% in bloom, but I'm hopeful for her splendid blossom this year. Tonight, in the spirit of this weeping red plum, I too will express myself. I'll visit the tavern "Buku" as usual. I make an effort to find enjoyment. Since the weather is nice, I plan to walk about 6 kilometers from Kuragano to Takasaki-Tamachi. Since I eat alone every night, I'd like to enjoy myself beyond description for a change. Please forgive me. 

　こちらは昨年の満開の様子です。画像をクリックし拡大してご覧ください。　

以前の体験を生かして決断

　数年前、左目が霞んでちょっと見え難い状態だったことから眼科医の勧めで白内障の手術を受けました。手術は目に局所麻酔を使うので痛みが殆どなく、入院することもなく、眼帯して日帰りでした。翌日、眼帯が外れた瞬間のことは今でも鮮明に覚えています。今までとは変わって、世界が嘘のようによく見えたことです。

　ところが、最近、右目も少々霞む感じです。このため前回の手術の効果を考え、体力のある今のうちに手術することを私自身で決断しました。今回は医師の強い勧めではありません。しかし、医師の見解も「白内障の手術は一度すれば、その後はずっとよく見え続けるので日常生活の改善には早い方が望ましい」とのことです。日程は５ヶ月先で、７月１７日に決まりました。

　ところで、上の図を参考に、正常な水晶体は透明で光をよく通します。しかし、加齢などさまざまな原因で水晶体の中味のたんぱく質が変性し、濁ってくることがあります。これが白内障です。水晶体が濁ると光がうまく通過できなくなったり、光が乱反射して後方の網膜に鮮明な像が結べなくなり、視力が低下する一種の加齢現象です。

　目の手術と言うと、怖いイメージがあり不安なものです。しかし、白内障の手術は進歩し、材質の良いレンズが開発されているので、医師を信頼し、安心して手術に臨みます。

Dear my Facebook friends who are anxious about cataract

　A few years ago, my left eye was blurred and I had difficulty seeing, so that by the recommendation of my ophthalmologist, I underwent cataract surgery. The surgery was performed using local anesthesia, so it was virtually painless. I didn't need to be hospitalized, and it was an outpatient procedure using an eye patch. I still vividly remember the moment the patch was removed the next day. The world seemed so clear, it was unbelievable.

　However, recently, my right eye has also been blurry. Considering the effectiveness of my previous surgery, I decided to undergo cataract surgery while I still had the physical strength. This time, the doctor didn't strongly recommend it. However, he said, "Once cataract surgery is performed, your vision will remain good forever, so it's best to have it sooner rather than later to improve your daily life." The surgery is scheduled for July 17th, five months from now. This day is the next of my birthday.

　As you can see in the diagram above, a normal crystalline lens is transparent and transmits light well. However, due to various causes, including aging like me, the protein insides the lens can denature and become cloudy. This is called a cataract. When the lens becomes cloudy, light cannot pass through properly, or the light is scattered. as the result, this makes it difficult to form a clear image on the retina behind the lens, resulting in a decline in vision as aging.

　In general, eye surgery may be frightening image. However, cataract surgery advances recently, and better lens materials have been developed, so I trust my doctor and undergo cataract surgery with peace of mind.

いよいよ春の到来・・・間近

　いよいよ梅の開花が始まってます。色彩の異なる５本の梅は、すべて大きく成長してます。真っ赤な紅梅は品種名「鹿児島」というだけあって「立春」前から満開です。 

　ご覧の通り、実が生る「白梅」は枝先がちらほら咲き出し優雅です。紅白二色に咲き分ける「思いのまま」(右下)は明日か明後日に開花の気配です。残りの２本も週末には開花する勢いです。今週末は気温が高くなると予報されてるので、自称「倉賀野梅林」はいよいよ春間近です。

　しかし、梅は咲いても、「一向に人生に花の咲かない私」は先程、愛車の調整のため、４Kほど倉賀野近辺を周回してきました。免許返納した人の話では毎日の買い物が本当に不便とのことです。時代は変わり、ちょっと遠いスーパーへ歩いて行かなくてはなりません。昔のような食料品店が近くになくなりました。このため、私は未だしばらく返納せず、愛車ある生活を続け、群馬県内の旅や、最も楽しみな温泉巡りをめざします。

　近々、倉賀野を通過する方は「倉賀野梅林」にお立ち寄りいただき、梅の香りを味わってください。お待ちしてます。

Dear my Facebook friends who like fragrance of plum flower

　The plum blossoms are finally starting to bloom. The five plum trees, each a different color, are all growing large recent years. The bright red plum, named "Kagoshima," is already in full bloom before Risshun the beginning of spring.

　As you can see, the fruit-bearing "Hakubai" white plums are gracefully blooming, with scattered blossoms at the tips of the branches. The bicolored "Omoi no Mama" (bottom right) is expected to bloom tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, and the remaining two plum trees are expected to bloom by the weekend due to warm temperatures forecast for this weekend, spring is finally approaching for the self-proclaimed "Kuragano Plum Grove."

　However, even though the plums are blooming, I, "a person whose life never blooms," recently drove around the Kuragano-town area about 4km to get good condition. According to someone who gave up their driver's license, daily shopping is really inconvenient. Times have changed, and now he has to walk a little further to the supermarket. There aren't nearby grocery stores as we used to be. For this reason, I will not return it for a while yet, and will continue to live with my beloved Audi TT quattro, traveling around Gumma Prefecture and, most of all, visiting hot springs.

　When you pass through Kuragano-town in the near future, please stop by "Kuragano Plum Grove" and savor the scent of plum blossoms. I'll be waiting for you to the core.

　

予選1回目を無事に通過し、今度は予選２回目へ

　ミラノ・コルティナ冬季オリンピックでは昨日「男子モーグル」が行われ、私の姉の孫である「西沢岳人」が日本の選手として出場し、急坂を一気に駆け下り、難しい空中での回転をクリアーし、予選1回目を無事に通過しました。今度は予選２回目へ進みます。

　男子モーグルに出場した日本選手４人の中では、彼は年齢が２６才と最も低くても、こぶの連続する急坂のゲレンデをスピードを持って滑り降り、途中では写真のように２度の高い位置での空中回転ジャンプを行い、ゴールした瞬間をテレビで見ていた私も胸をなでおろし、感銘でした。

　平和の祭典オリンピックのステージで、著名で実力ある外国選手の中に入り、日本の代表選手として堂々と自らの実力を発揮できたことは、体調維持はもちろん、精神面でも余程の力が必要と考えられます。写真上は競技を終えた直後のインタービューに応えてるところです。どことなく、若き日の私に似てるところがあるかな。

Dear my friends who are crazy about Winter Olympics

　The men's moguls competition was held yesterday at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. As one of the Japanese athlete, Taketo Nishizawa who is my elder sister's grandson, competed for Japan. He raced down the steep slope and completed a difficult aerial spin, successfully passing the first qualifying round. He will now move on to the second qualifying round.

　At 26 years old, he was the youngest of the four Japanese mogul athletes competing in the men's mogul. Despite this situation, he sped down the steep, bumpy slope with impressive speed, even performing two high aerial spin jumps, as seen in the photo. Watching his cross the finish line on TV, I was deeply moved to the core.

　To be able to confidently demonstrate skills as a representative of Japan, among such renowned and talented foreign athletes on the stage of the Olympic Games, a festival of peace, demonstrates not only his physical strength, but also his incredible mental strength, I guess. In the photo above, he is responding to an interview immediately after the competition. He may look a bit like me when I was younger.

氷の上を歩く鴨たち

　今日は昨日と異なり比較的温かなだったので、昼食が美味しくなるように午前１１時に家を出発し歩き出しました。倉賀野駅の東にある「鯉池」を一周し、帰路はそこから南下し、下町の「鈴木あつこ」事務所に立ち寄りましたら、残念にも本人はお留守でしたが、事務の方が対応してくれました。

　そのまま、旧国道を西へと向かい、子供の頃の友人宅に立ち寄り、昔話しになり、合計１時間２０分ほどのウォーキングでした。

　　

　鯉池には氷が張っており、鴨たちは殆どが水中にいましたが、ご覧の通り、氷上を滑りながら歩く鴨もいて早春が感じられました。

Dear my Friends

　Unlike yesterday, today was relatively warm, so I set out for a walk from home at 11am so as to be taste my lunch better. I walked around the carp pond east of Kuragano-Station, then headed south on my way home, stopping by Suzuki Atsuko's office in the downtown area. Unfortunately, she wasn't there, but the office lady staff was there to help me happily.

　I then headed west along the old national road, stopping by the home of a childhood friend and reminiscing about old times. So my walk took about an hour and 20 minutes in total.

　As you see in the photo, the carp pond was frozen over, and most of the ducks were in the water, but some ducks were sliding across the ice. It was giving me a real early spring feel.

 　

白銀のイタリアで輝け！

　２０２６年ミラノ・コルティナ冬季オリンピックが現在、開催されてます。生まれた時から家の前は天元台スキー場であったことから、幼少の頃よりスキーに親しんでいた少年が、ついに「夢の舞台」であるオリンピックに本日出場します。

　この選手はモーグル男子の「西沢岳人」です。先日お伝えしました通り、この選手の祖母は、現在、倉賀野町に住んる私の実の姉です。つまり、私の両親にとって曾孫です。

　放送時間は本日２月１０日、NHK総合１チャンネルで午後７時3０分からです。応援していただければ幸いです。

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is07qBDAG4s

Dear my friends

　The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics are currently underway. A boy who has been skiing since he was a child, as the Tengendai Ski Resort in Yamagata Prefecture was located in front of his house since he was born, will finally compete on the Olympic "stage of dreams" today.

　This athlete is "Taketo Nishizawa", a men's mogul skier. As I told the other day, his grandmother is my own sister, who currently lives in Kuragano-Town. This means he is my parents' great-grandson.

　The program will air today, February 10th, at 7:30 PM Japan time on NHK General Channel 1. I hope you will support him.

上半身と下半身の筋肉をつける

 

　写真上は、裏庭で上半身を鍛えるための杉の木です。住宅街にしては高くなり過ぎたので大工さんに「テッポウ」用に、丁度良い高さに切ってもらい、ここへ行っては朝晩鍛えてます。概して年令を重ねると猫背になる傾向であり、呼吸が浅くなる傾向なので、これらを防ぐ目的で一人黙々とやってます。

　一方、冷たい風が吹いていて遠くまでウォーキングできないときは家の前の道を往復してます。先日お伝えした通り、一往復したら塀の上の小石を隣に移動し、端から端まで小石を動かして丁度１０００mになります。

　早春でも風のない温かな日には、鏑川の土手をストライドを広げ遠方を見つつ歩きます。ここには未だ暫くロシアからのコハクチョウがいるでしょう。いっしょに歩く方を募ってます。

Dear my friends　

　The photo above shows a cedar tree in my backyard that I use to train my upper body. It had grown too tall for our residential area, so that I had a carpenter cut it down to just the right height for "Pushing Up" the upper body called Teppoh, morning and evening. Generally, as we get older, we tend to be hunchbacked and our breathing becomes shallower, so I train alone, silently, to prevent these bad customs.

　On the other hand, in case of the cold wind so that I can't walk far, I walk back and forth along the way in front of my house. As I mentioned the other day, after one walk, I move the pebble on the fence to the next one, if I move from one end to the other, as the result, it will be exactly 1,000 meters.

　On warm, windless days in early spring, I stretch my stride and walk along the bank of the Kabra River (bottom center), gazing into the distance. There will probably still be Tundra swans from Russia here for a while. I'm looking for people to walk with me.

選挙の印象

　新内閣が発足して僅か２ヶ月余りの時期に、今まで与党であった公明党が野党に変貌し、立憲民主党と合併し、党名を中道改革連合と変更しました。その組織の基盤が整わない不安定な情勢の直後に、日本海側では稀に見る大雪の降る寒冷な時季に、選挙権のある18歳の若者が人生の進路を決める大学入試の真っ最中に、どの政党も消費税廃止や減税を掲げ、つまり、一般論として、焦点が無く解散する意味が見い出せないと言われた今回の衆議院選挙を総理大臣は断行しました。

　最大野党の足踏みが揃わないこの「不安定な情勢のときこそ」、同時に日本で初めて女性総理大臣が誕生した直後に選挙を行えば、与党にとって絶対的有利となり、今こそ千載一遇のチャンスと捉えたのでしょう。選挙結果は与党の歴史的、圧倒的勝利となり、狙いが的中です。アメリカ経済はこの結果を事前に予想してか、日本時間土曜日の早朝にはダウが１２００ドルも値上がりし、ナスダックは４９０ポイントの値上がりしてました。

　テレビで見る総理は、いつ見ても笑顔が多く、概して、他の党首のように難しい顔をしてることがなく、国民から見て身近で親しみやすい印象なのでしょう。女性総理の誕生で日本でもやっとジェンダー平等が近づいたと感じる女性が多かったのでしょう。選挙権を持つ国民の半数は女性です。党首の印象は発言内容が第一ですが、実際にはその党の顔であり、党の印象です。このため、その党に属する立候補者の選挙結果に大きく作用します。

　ところで、安定多数となった自民党の公約には「食料品の消費税を２年間に限って廃止する」というものです。しかし、これは私たち国民にとって凄く心配です。国の税収が減額になれば、特に高齢者にとって最も大切な年金、医療費、社会保険料などにしわ寄せが来る可能性があります。一方、食料品を初め、国民の生活必需品の多くは海外に依存してます。外交こそ第一に取り組んで欲しいです。

Dear my Facebook friends who are anxious for Japan's political stability in the future.

　Just over two months only after the new cabinet was formed, the Komeito Party which was belonged to previously the ruling party, transformed into the opposition party, merging with the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and changing its name to the Center-Way Reform Alliance. Immediately amidst this unstable situation, with the organizational foundations yet to be established, and during a cold, rare snowfall along the Sea of ​​Japan coast, and while 18-year-olds eligible to vote were in the midst of university entrance exams that determine their future life, the Prime Minister Takaichi decided the House of Representatives election, with all parties calling for the abolition or reduction of the consumption tax. In other words, the Prime Minister Takaichi went ahead with the election, despite the general consensus was no focus and no point in dissolving the Diet.

　It was precisely at this "time of instability," when the largest opposition parties were unable to move forward in unison, at the same time, Japan's first lady prime minister inaugurated, it would have an absolute advantage. They would be thought this is one in a million chance. The election result was a historic, overwhelming victory for the ruling party, proving their strategy a success. Perhaps the American economy "anticipated" this outcome in advance, as the Dow rose 1,200 dollars by early Saturday morning Japan time, and the Nasdaq rose 490 points.

　When watching television, the Prime Minister Takaichi always appears to be smiling and generally doesn't have the serious expression of other party leaders. So she seems familiar and approachable to the public. With the arrival of a lady Prime Minister, many ladies likely felt that Japan was finally on the verge of gender equality. Half of the voting population is female. While the first impression of a party leader is based on the face and impression of the party. This greatly influences the election's result of candidates belonged that party.

　By the way, one of the campaign promises of the Liberal Democratic Party, which now has a stable majority, is to "abolish the consumption tax on food products for two years only." However, this is of great concern to us citizens. If national tax revenues are reduced, it could have a negative impact on pensions, medical expenses, social insurance premiums, especially for the elderly. On the other hand, many of the nation's daily necessities, including food, are dependent on overseas sources. I would like the government to prioritize diplomacy.

これ位の雪なら、投票率に影響ないでしょう。

　今日は日本の未来を決定する衆議院選挙です。しかし、今朝の光景は暫くぶりの銀世界です。昨夜遅くから未明にかけ、群馬県南部も５cmほどの降雪となりました。山岳地帯のダムも水位が多少回復するでしょう。１２月より井戸水が時々涸れていたので、こちらも水位が高くなるでしょう。平野に住んでる私たちは雪に慣れてないことから交通が大変ですが、幸い今日は日曜日で子供たちの通学に影響しません。これくらいの雪でしたら投票率に影響しないでしょう。

　平素、水道の蛇口を捻れば水は出るものと当たり前に考えてます。しかし、水源地に雨や雪が降ってこそです。これでカラカラだった湿度も５０％を回復し、健康面からも今回の雪は私たちにとって自然の恩恵と考えます。

　立春が過ぎると、気候は三寒四温となり、体調が狂う傾向です。実はここ数日間、私は腰痛でした。日々、楽しみな庭仕事に明け暮れてることから、原因は無意識のうちに不自然な力が腰に働いたのでしょう。貼り薬を貼っても治らず、腰痛は気持ちまで暗くなります。ところが一昨日、近くの内科で痛み止めの「飲み薬」を処方してもらったら噓のように回復しました。もう大丈夫で選挙に行けます。皆さんも、春先は体調にご留意してください。

Dear my friends who are anxious for Japan's political stability in the future

　Today is the House of Representative election, which will determine our Japan's future. However, this morning's scene was a snowy white here after a long time. Southern Gumma Prefecture where I live received about 5cm of snowfall from late last night through the early hours of this morning. Dams in mountainous areas will likely see some recovery in water levels, I guess. My well has been running dry at intervals since December, so the water level here will likely rise as well. Living on the plains, we're not used to snow, so making travel difficult, but fortunately, today is Sunday, so it won't affect our children's commutes to school. This level of snow won't affect voter turnout.

　We normally take it for granted that water comes out when we turn on the faucet. However, actually it only comes with rain and snow falling in the water source. The previously dry humidity will return to 50%, and I consider this snow a blessing from nature, even from a health perspective.

　After the Risshun that means beginning of spring in Japan, the weather changes from cold to warm repeatedly, which can be disruptive. I've actually been suffering from lumbago for the past few days. Since I spend my days doing the gardening I enjoy, I think the cause was an unconscious unnatural force exerting on my lower back. No medication helped, and the lower back pain even made me feel depressed. However, the day before yesterday, I went to a nearby internal medicine clinic and was prescribed some oral painkillers. As the result, I felt better like magic. I'm fine now and can vote. Everyone, please take care of your health in the early spring.

　

久々の雪

倉賀野は今、雪が降ってます。明朝は気をつけてください。

高齢期は孤独に耐えつつ、人との交流を求める

　今まで食したことがなかった伊予柑ですが、先日、近所に住む姉に頼まれて買いに行き、私も味見したところ、なかなか美味しく、１個でもかなりの量があります。これに味をしめ、最近は昼食時にデザートとして食してます。写真の殆どは最近安くなった伊予柑です。そして、右上の葉が付いてるものはデコポンで、先日、某所に夕食に行ったとき「時計屋の隣りさん」に戴きました。こちらも、なかなかの味です。

　平素、私が食してる柑橘類は庭に生ってる金柑で、こちらは皮ごと種ごとを丸かじりです。今年は余りの豊作のため私一人では減りません。お近くの方はどうぞ捥ぎにいらして下さい。一方、植木屋でミカンの木を見たら衝動買いしてしまい、庭に植えました。今後の成長が楽しみです。

　これら柑橘類に含まれる栄養素は概してビタミンCやカリウムといわれ、ご存知の通り、ビタミンCは身体の調子を整えたり、皮膚や粘膜の健康維持を助け、大切な抗酸化作用を持つ栄養素といわれます。一方のカリウムはナトリウムの吸収を抑制し、尿への排泄を促進し、血圧を下げる効果がある考えられ、美味しさと健康に一石二鳥です。

　ところで、高齢期を迎え、ますます健康維持が基本であり、同時に私にとって肝心なことは「心の持ち方」です。一人暮らしでも、友人が少なくなっても、日本ほど恵まれた国はないことを再認識してます。このため、孤独に耐え、一方、人と会ったときは声を掛け、何の分野にも興味をもって話し、温かな人間的な交流を望んでます。昨日も喫茶「さんぽ道」でママさんや居合わせた方と話ができ、心は満ち足りました。

Dear my Facebook friends who are crazy about eating antioxidant properties

　Still now, I'd never eaten Iyokan produced in Ehime Prefecture in Japan, but the other day my sister, who lives nearby, asked me to go and buy some. At the time I tasted them myself too and they were quite delicious, with just one fruit is quite big. I loved them so I've recently bought 10 Iyokans as a dessert with my lunche. Most of the Iyokan in the photo have recently become cheaper. The one with the leaf on the top right you see is Dekopons, which were presented from my blog's commentator named "Neighbor to the watchmaker" when I went to dinner at the tavern "Buku" the other day. This one is also quite tasty.

　Normally, the citrus fruit I eat is the kumquat that grows in my garden, and I eat it including skin and seeds. This year, there's been such a bumper harvest that I can't eat it all by myself. If you're in the area including NZ, please come and pick some. Meanwhile, when I saw a Japanese tangerine tree at a gardener, I impulsively bought one and planted it in my garden. I'm looking forward to seeing it grow.

　As you may know, the nutrients contained in these citrus fruits are generally including vitamin C and potassium. Vitamin C is said to be a nutrient with important antioxidant properties, helping to regulate the body and maintain healthy skin and mucous membranes. On the other hand, potassium which inhibits sodium absorption, promotes urinary excretion, and is thought to lower blood pressure, therefore, killing two birds with one stone in terms of both deliciousness and health.

　As I am approaching old age the same as Barry, maintaining my health is more essential than ever, but at the same time, what's most important to me is my "mental attitude." Even if I live alone and my circle of friends is thin, I've come to realize once again that there is no country more blessed than Japan. For this reason, I endure loneliness, but at the same time, I make an effort to speak to people when I meet them, with showing interest in conversations in all areas, and human warm interaction. Yesterday, I was able to chat with the proprietress and other customer at the cafe "Sampo-Michi," and my heart was filled with joy.

　　

いよいよミラノ・コルティナ冬季オリンピック開会

　　2026年ミラノ・コルティナ冬季オリンピックの開会式がいよいよ始まります。先日、お伝えしました通り、山形県・天元台スキー場で幼少の頃からスキーに親しんでいたのはモーグル男子の「西沢岳人」選手です。この選手の祖母は私の実の姉で、私の両親にとっては曾孫です。子供の頃は倉賀野へ時々遊びに来た当時の少年が今回、オリンピックの舞台へ立つとは驚きです。テレビを通してしっかり応援します。

https://sports.yahoo.co.jp/video/player/23693902

  

　ところで、女子体操選手の床運動に以前はピアノ伴奏が必要でした。このため、当時、学内の選手のピアノ伴奏を私は依頼されてました。そしたら、大学の体操部の先生が日本体操協会の要職にあり、その関係で日本の一流の選手【松久みゆきさん・小田千恵子さん】の伴奏を私がつけることになり、群馬まで来ていただき、彼女らの動きを見て音楽をつけました。

　その後、私は大学を卒業し、カルカッタ日本人学校教員としてインドに滞在してましたが、滞在中にメキシコオリンピックが開かれ、驚いたことに前述の松久さんと小田さんが出場したことを知りました。ですから当時、彼女らと私は互いに遠くの国にいたのです。こんな関係で、帰国後も県内の高校生を中心に床運動と新体操の伴奏音楽をつけ、前々回の東京オリンピックに出場した相原俊子さんとも知り合い、彼女の体操音楽を県内の選手に使ったこともあり、ピアノを習ったことが体操音楽に結びつきました。

Dear my Facebook friends who are crazy about the Olympic held in Miran

　The opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics is about to begin today. As I mentioned the other day, men's mogul skier Taketo Nishizawa has been skiing since he was a child at Tengendai Ski Resort in Yamagata Prefecture. His grandmother is my older sister who lived in Kuragano now, so that he is my parent's great-grandson. It's amazing to think that this boy, who occasionally came to Kuragano as a child, will now compete on the Olympic stage. I'll be cheering him through the TV.

　Not change the subject, but as you know, piano accompaniment was previously required for lady's gymnastics for floor exercise competition. For this reason, I was asked to provide piano accompaniment for the athletes on my university campus. It turns out that a teacher from my university's gymnastics club held an important position in the Japan Gymnastics Association. So that through this connection, I was asked to provide piano accompaniment for two of Japan's top gymnasts, Ms. Miyuki Matsuhisa and Ms. Chieko Oda. I asked them to come to Gumma, watch their movements, and create music for them.

　After that, I graduated from Gumma university and stayed in India as a teacher of Calcutta Japanese School. While I was there, the Mexico Olympics were held, and to my surprise, I learned that the aforementioned Ms. Matsuhisa and Ms. Oda had competed. So at the time, they and I were in far-away countries each other. Because of this relationship, after returning to Japan, I continued to compose accompaniment music for floor exercises and rhythmic gymnastics, mainly for high school students in the prefecture, and I also got to know Ms. Aihara Toshiko, who competed in the Tokyo Olympics 1964. I used her gymnastics music for athletes in the prefecture, and so my piano studies led to my involvement with gymnastics music.

果たしてお腹が減るか！

　夕方、陽が伸びたので、先程５時頃より家の前の道を１０００mウォーキングしました。日中は暖かでしたが、夕方は気温が下がってます。歩いていると、例えば「彼女は今頃何しているかな」などと、どうしても何か考え事をしてしまい、肝心の往復した回数を忘れてしまいます。私の家の前の道は５０mあります。

　このため、いつものように一往復したら、塀の上の石を右へ一齣動かします。この石が左端から右端まで移動し終わると１０００m歩いたことになります。今日は最近、習慣となったストライドを広げ、前方を見て、鼻呼吸を徹底してみました。これで夕食の【軽い？】一杯は美味しくなりそうで今からワクワクしてます。

Dear my friends who like walking and drinking the same as me.

　As the sun grew longer in the evening, I walked 1,000 meters on the way in front of my garden starting around 5 o'clock. It was warm during the day, but the temperature has dropped in the evening. As I walk, I can't help but think about somethings such as "I wonder what she is doing right now". Therefore I tend to forget the important number of times I've walked back and forth. The way in front of my house is 50 meters long.

　For this reason, as usual, after each walk, I move the stone on the wall one step to the right. Once the stone has moved by me from the left end to the right end, I walk 1,000 meters. Today, I tried to lengthen my stride, which has become a habit recently, by looking ahead and breathing through my nose more thoroughly. I'm excited that this will make my "light" drink with dinner even more delicious.

久々に、鏑川で渡り鳥の楽園を見る

【画像をクリックすると臨場感が出ます。】

　立春の昨日、群馬県は比較的穏やかな気候だったので、午後になってから、私のお気に入りウォーキィングコースである木部町の鏑川の土手を南西に向って歩き始めました。快晴のため景色は最高、進行方向の遠方には東西二つの御荷鉾山、西に雪を被った活火山・浅間山、北にこれまた真っ白な谷川岳を眺めつつ、もしかして今日は「ロシアから幾羽のコハクチョウが来ているだろうか」と、希望を胸に２０分ほど歩いたところ、川岸は予想を超え物凄い数の水鳥の楽園になってました。

　コハクチョウを数えたところ２２羽もいて、こんなにたくさん見たのは今年初めてです。それにしても、のどかな光景は「平和そのもの」です。種類の異なる数百羽の水鳥が、適度な間隔を開け、争うこともなく、温暖な日本の気候をゆったり満喫しています。この姿は誠に「自由であり、思いのまま」です。現在のロシアは考えられないほど寒冷な気候であり、渡りという習性により、石器時代より日本で快適に生きる術を持ってます。

　しかも、たくさんの仲間と行動を共にし、その表情は安心してます。水鳥であっても、実力は国から国へ海上を数千キロも飛ぶ飛翔力は計り知れない体力で、私のウォーキングどころの距離ではなく、この卓越した抜群の耐久力に感心せざるを得ません。しかも、食料は自ら探しての栄養補給です。これらの水鳥たちの生きざまを見て、同じ地上に住む人間の私が学ぶべきことは「他に頼らない」ということです。

Dear my Facebook friends as earthling

　Yesterday was "Risshun" the first day of spring in Japan, Gumma Prefecture was relatively mild weather, so in the afternoon I began a southwestward walk along the bank of the Kabra River in Kybe Town, one of my favorite walking trails. The clear skies offered me spectacular views. In the distance ahead lay the two Mt. Mikabo mountains including one east and one west, the snow-capped active volcano Mt. Asama to the west, and the equally snow-capped Mt. Tanigawa to the north. Hoping to see how many Tundra swans had arrived from Russia this time, after I walked for about 20 minutes, I found that the riverbank was a paradise for an incredible number of waterfowl than I'd expected.

　I counted 22 Tundra swans. this was the first time I'd seen so many this year. The idyllic scene was truly "peace itself." Hundreds of different species of waterfowl, spaced apart and they are not fighting, leisurely enjoying Japan's warm climate. They truly exuded "freedom and as they please" Russia today has an unimaginably cold climate, but their migratory habits have given them the skills to live comfortably in Japan that they have had since the Stone Age, I guess.

　What's more, they travel with many of their companions, and their expressions look reassured. Even though they are waterfowl, their flight ability to fly thousands of kilometers over the ocean from Russa to Japan requires immeasurable stamina, and distances that are far beyond my walking course, and I can't help but be impressed by their outstanding endurance. What's more, they have to find their own food to supplement their nutrition. Watching these waterfowl live, I, as a fellow terrestrial human, can learn something from them "don't rely on others."

今日は「立春」・・・地球の公転上の位置を考える

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0sFQjf9bos...　　

　枝垂れ白梅が咲き始め、この日を待っていたかの如く、庭に飛来する野鳥が美味しそうに蜜を吸ってます。写真はメジロです。季節はこれから、三寒四温を繰り返しつつ、日に日に春らしくなっていくでしょう。しかし、私たち人間にとって、この季節は体調を崩しやすい早春です。健康管理には、適度な全身運動、また、低栄養を避け、今まで以上に、体調管理を心掛けたいです。

　ところで、地球から見る太陽は、今日、太陽黄経がついに３１５°に達する「立春」です。これは「魚座」の近くの天の赤道上にある「春分点」からの度数です。今日の太陽の背景は黄道１２星座の一つ「やぎ座」です。地球から見る太陽の動きを時計のように考え、１周を２４hとすると「立春」の太陽は２１hに達し、二十四節気ごとに１５°ずつ移動していきます。

　一方、私たちを載せてる地球は「立春」の今日、公転軌道上のどの辺に到達しているでしょうか。

　これは前述の太陽の背景の「やぎ座」と正反対の位置にあります。今宵、午前０時に真南を見るとその答えが分かります。そこには黄道１２星座の「かに座」が薄く光ってます。「かに座」にはあまり明るい星がなく、分かり難いですが、すぐ西には有名な「ふたご座」があり、すぐ東には「獅子座」があるので、空が澄んでる現在なら見えるでしょう。私たちを載せてる地球は今後、「獅子座」の方向へ、秒速約２９kmの速度で公転軌道上を反時計回りに進んで行きます。

Dear my earthlings

　 The weeping white plum blossoms have begun to bloom in the garden, and as if they had been waiting for this day, wild birds have flown into the garden, sucking nectar deliciously. The photo shows a Japanese white-eye. From now on, the season will alternate between cold and warm weather repeatedly, and each day will feel more like spring. However, for us humans, due to early spring, a time when it's easy to get sick. To maintain our health, we need to be more mindful of our health than before, by getting moderate full-body training and avoiding malnutrition.

　By the way, today marks "Risshun" which is the beginning of spring in Japan, when the sun's ecliptic longitude finally reaches 315°. This is the number of degrees from the vernal equinox, which is located on the celestial equator near constellation "Pisces". The background to today's sun is Capricorn, one of the 12 constellations of the zodiac. If we think of the movement of the sun as seen from Earth like a clock, with one revolution taking 24 hours, the sun on the day of spring will reach 21 hours, and will move 15° with each of the 24 solar terms.

　Meanwhile, where has the Earth reached in its orbit today, on the day of the beginning of spring named Risshun?

　It is in the exact opposite position to Capricorn, which appears in the background of the sun mentioned above. Tonight at midnight, we earthling will find the answer. We are able to see the faint glow of Cancer, one of the 12 zodiacal constellations. There are not many bright stars in Cancer, so making it difficult to see, but it is just to the east of the famous Gemini, and just to the west of Leo, so you should be able to see it when the sky is clear. From now on, the Earth carrying us will move counterclockwise on its orbit towards Leo at a speed of approximately 29 km per second.

Devils out, Fortune in！

　午後は２名の来客があったのでコーヒーで対応し、その後、夕方になってから「さんぽ道」でリラックスしてきました。「昼食時には混んでたそうです」が、私が行った4時前には誰もいなく、ママさんと暫く話ができました。また、ピアノで「千の風になって」など５曲弾かせて戴き、いつもに比較して充実した一日でした。

　これから薄暗くなって豆を撒きつつ、みすぼらしい現状の打破をめざし「福は内」を行います。

　I had two guests come in the afternoon, so I served them coffee, and then in the evening I relaxed at Sampo-michi. "Apparently it got crowded at lunchtime," but when I arrived just before 4pm there was no customers there, so I was able to chat with the Mama for a while. I also had the opportunity to play five music by the piano, including "A Thousand Winds." So it was a more fulfilling day for me than usual.

　When it gets dark, I will scatter soy beans and shout "Fuku wa Uchi" that means "Good Fortune in" in order to break out of my current miserable situation that means living alone.

年の数だけ豆を食べられなくなりました。

　節分とは本来、立春・立夏・立秋・立冬の前日を意味しますが、現代では、その中でも立春の前日に行なわれる節分の「鬼払いの風習」が残っており、今年は２月3日の今日です。

　今の時季は、冬から春に転じるときで変化が大きく、特に、病や災禍をもたらすとされ、そこで家の中から疫鬼を駆逐し、福を家に取り入れようと願う古くから行われてる行事です。「悪いことが起きませんように」、今の時季に心をリセットするのでしょう。

　私も今夕は声を出してしっかり豆撒きます。特に、「今年こそいいことがありますように」と「福は内」を中心に行います。果たして、効果があるでしょうか。ただ、年の数だけ豆を食べることはできなくなりました。

Dear my friends who desire real fortune

　Setsubun originally referred to the days before the beginning of spring, the beginning of summer, the beginning of autumn, and the beginning of winter, but in modern times, in Japan, the custom of "driving away demons" on the day before the beginning of spring remains only, and this year it is on February 3rd, today.

　This season of year marks the transition from winter to spring, so that is a time of great change, tends to bring illness and disaster in particular. Therefore, this ancient event is held to drive out evil spirits from the home and pray for bringing good fortune into the home. Perhaps it is a way to reset our minds for "hoping that no bad things will happen."

　I will also scatter beans out loud this evening, focusing particularly on wishing for good things to happen this year and wishing for good fortune to come. I wonder if it will actually be effective? However, I can no longer eat the same number of beans as my age.

この日が来るとは・・・望外の喜び

　2026年ミラノ・コルティナダンペッツォ冬季オリンピックは、2026年2月6日（金）から2月22日（日）まで開催されます。

　

　生まれた時から家の前は天元台スキー場であり、幼少の頃からスキーに親しんでいた少年はついに「オリンピックという夢の舞台」に出場と地元・福島の新聞は伝えてます。

　この選手はモーグル男子の「西沢岳人」です。彼の祖父はスキーの名手でした。このため、生まれながらにしてスキーの環境は整っていたのでしょう。実は、祖母は私の実の姉で、現在も倉賀野町に住んでおり、この新聞も彼女に見せてもらいました。

　もうすぐイタリアで冬季オリンピックが始まります。子供の頃から知っている少年が夢の舞台へ行くとは望外の喜びです。私の両親にとっては曾孫です。応援をお願いいたします。

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

Dear my friends

　The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics will be held from Friday, February 6th to Sunday, February 22nd, 2026.

　The local Fukushima newspaper reports that this athlete who has been skiing since he was a child and whose family has been near the Tengendai Ski Resort since he was born, will finally be competing on the "Olympic stage."

　This athlete is Taketo Nishizawa, a men's mogul skier. His grandfather was an accomplished skier, so he was likely born with an ideal skiing environment. In fact, his grandmother is my sister, who still lives in Kuragano Town the same as me, and she showed me this newspaper.

　The Winter Olympics will soon be starting in Italy. It is an incredible joy for me to see a boy I've known since his childhood competing on the stage of his dreams. He is my parents' great-grandson. Please support him.

もうすぐ春だ、そわそわする

　群馬に生まれて以来、住み続けて良かったことは、日本列島のほぼ中央に位置しているためでしょう。概して自然災害が少ないこと、及び素晴らしい山々の存在です。その光景は日々私の家の三階から眺められます。代表格は谷川連峰と浅間山です。そして赤城山、榛名山、妙義山、荒船山、武尊山、白根山、四阿山、御荷鉾山など、それぞれ個性ある姿を呈しており、眺めて飽きません。良かったことは若き日から、これらの山々のすべてを登頂しました。

　特に心に残ってるのは、２０代に３回登頂した浅間山、四半世紀前に登った谷川岳、そして谷川連峰の平標山です。写真右下は平標山から見た仙の倉山です。写真左下は赤城の地蔵岳から見た小沼です。また、群馬といえば尾瀬です。ここへは４回訪れ、西に聳える至仏山頂から見た尾瀬ヶ原の光景は脳裏に焼き付いてます。

　ところが、退職後、予想もしてなかった一人暮らしが始まり、これらの山岳に登ることは少なくなり、遠くから眺めることが増えました。近くへ行くことはあっても愛車でのドライブに変わり、それでも、山奥の露天温泉など群馬の自然を心から満喫し、年齢に即した楽しみも味わい深いです。

　先日、夕食のため倉賀野から高崎の街中まで、北風の吹く寒い中、数Km歩いて行けたので体力に自信がつきました。明日は節分、明後日は立春で「何だか、そわそわしてきました。」そうだ、家の前の５０mある道を毎日往復ウォーキングし、一往復したらご覧の石を隣に移動し、端から端までで１Kmです。姿勢に注意し、群馬の低山への体力増進に備えよう。

【日本文と英文には微妙な差異があります。】

Dear my Facebook friends who are crazy about mountainous beaty.

　One of the great things since I was born and lived in Gunma in Japan is that it's located almost in the center of the Japanese archipelago. Therefore, natural disasters are generally rare, and there are magnificent mountains beyond your expectation. I can see these views every day from the third floor of my house. The most notable are Mt. Tanigawa Range and the active volcano Mt. Asama. Then there are Mt. Akagi, Mt.Haruna, Mt. Myogi, Mt. Arafune, Mt. Hotaka, active volcano Mt. Shirane, Mt. Azuma, Mt. Mikabo. Each has its own unique appearance, and I never tire of looking at them. The great thing is that I've been able to summit all of these mountains since I was 17 years old.

　Particularly memorable are Mt. Asama, which I summited three times in my twenties, Mt. Tanigawa, which I climbed a quarter of a century ago, and Mt. Tairappyo in the Tanigawa Mountain Range. Mt. Sennokura seen from Mt, Tairappyo in the bottom right of the photo. Lake Konuma seen from Mt. Jizo in Akagi's mountains in the bottom left. Speaking of Gumma, Oze is also a must-see. I've been here four times, and the view of Ozegahara plateau from the summit of Mt. Shibutsu is burned into my memory still now.

　However, after my retiring, unexpectedly starting living alone, I climbed these mountains less and instead viewed them from afar. Even when I go nearby, I now drive in my beloved Audi TT Quattro. Even so, I still thoroughly enjoy Gumma's natural beauty, such as open-air hot springs deep in the mountains, and I deeply appreciate the pleasures with my age the same as Barry in NZ.

　The other day, I walked several kilometers from Kuragano-town to downtown Takasaki for dinner in the cold north wind, which gave me confidence in my stamina. Tomorrow is Setsubun that means the end of winter, and the day after is the beginning of spring, so I'm feeling a bit expectation to go somewhere. That's right, I walk 50-meter path in front of my garden back and forth every day. After each round trip, I move the stone you see on the fence other side, making it 1 kilometer from one end to the other. Watch my posture and prepare for the physical training needed to climb Gumma's low mountains in the near future together with sweetheart in heart.

旧暦で１２月１５日

　後４時間ほど経過すると、太陰太陽暦(旧暦)で１２月１５日ですから、今宵はほぼ十五夜です。空に薄い雲がかかっているのでしょう。周囲がほんの少し白くなってます。

　現在、この月面から地球を見ると夜のため殆ど何も見えないでしょうが、もしかすると、月明かりでかすかに見えるかもしれません。

　月の右上に見える明るい星は木星で「双子座」の中に入ってます。これから半年ほどは毎晩見ても「双子座」の近くにあるでしょう。

Dear my Facebook friends who are interesting in celestial body

　In about four hours, it will be December 15th on the lunisolar calendar (old calendar), Therefore it means tonight is almost the fifteenth night of the full moon. We earthling can see thin clouds in the sky, so that the edges are slightly white.

Currently, if we look at Earth from the surface of the moon, we can see almost nothing because it's night, but if possible, we may be able to see it faintly by the moonlight.

The bright star visible to the upper right of the moon is Jupiter, which is in the constellation Gemini. For the next six months or so, it will be near Gemini even if we look every night, I guess.

脳のための栄養を今後のテーマに

　つい先日、新年になったと思ったら、もう２月で土日が８日、祝日が２日あるので今月は２８日のうち休日が１０日間もあります。名歌「早春賦」の通り、「春は名のみの風の寒さや」の季節ですが、徐々に温かくなるでしょう。嬉しいことは屋外での活動時間が次第に長くなります。

　今日の日の出は６時４５分、太陽高度は３６°、日の入りは１７時１０分【群馬県】で昼の時間が１０時間２５分と伸び、冬至に比較して４４分も長くなってます。因みに、冬至では昼の時間が９時間４１分で、太陽高度は３０°だったので今日は太陽が６°も高くなります。

　人生の第３コーナーから第４コーナーへと差し掛かってる私にとって「身体の健康づくり」、及び「脳の若さを維持すること」が最も大切であり、最近、私は身体のみならず、脳の若さを保つにも、日々の栄養補給が関係すると考えてます。このため、繊維類を含み、バランスのとれた栄養摂取が今後のテーマです。適度な運動と共に、日々、低栄養になるぬよう、美味しさより、身体にプラスになる長寿食の研究です。同時に、体内の水分を常に６０％に保ちます。

　そのためには、可能な限り「在宅での自立をめざし」、知り合いや近所の方々との交流の機会を心掛け、明るく、よく笑い、よくお茶を飲む日々にしたいです。一方、脳に大切なことは天体の動きや植物など自然に対し、好奇心を持ちたいです。

Dear my Facebook friends who are crazy about activation of brain

　Just the other day, 2026 year began, but it's already February. Due to eight weekends and two national holidays in Japan, there are 10 days off out of the 28 this month. As the famous poem "Shoshunfu" (Poem of early spring) says, "Spring is only in name, but the wind is cold," actually the weather will gradually warm up day by day. The good news is that we'll be able to spend more and more outdoors.

　Today's sunrise was at 6:45 AM, the sun's altitude will be 36°, and the sun set will be at 5:10 PM [Gumma Prefecture] Japan. The daylight hours have increased to 10 hours and 25 minutes, it becomes 44 minutes longer than the winter solstice. Incidentally, at the winter solstice, the daylight was 9 hours and 41 minutes, and the sun's altitude was 30°, so today the sun's angle is 6° higher in the sky.

　As I approach the third to fourth corners of my life, "maintaining a healthy body" and "maintaining a youthful brain" are of utmost important elements. Recently, I've come to believe that daily nutrition plays a role in maintaining not only the body but also the brain's youth. For this reason, a balanced nutritional intake, including fiber, will be my future focus. Along with moderate exercise, I am researching longevity foods that are beneficial to the body rather than tasty, so as not to become malnourished on a daily basis. At the same time, I must keep my body's water content at 60% at all times.

　To achieve this, I will aim to be independent at home as much as possible, make efforts to interact with acquaintances and neighbors, and live a cheerful life, laughing a lot and drinking plenty of tea. At the same time, I would like to have a curiosity about nature, such as the movement of celestial bodies and plants. This is indispensable for the brain.

月末と週末が重なる

　今日の午後は柴崎町の喫茶「さんぽ道」でカフェラテを戴きつつ、１時間ほど本を読みながら、のんびり過ごしました。女性客２名のみで空いていたので、今年になって初めてピアノを弾きました。楽譜を持って行くことはなく、いつものように知ってる曲を歌うように弾きます。その方が音色に重点を置きつつ弾けるので楽しいです。

　音楽の喜びは、音色を大切に、一本調子でなく急緩や音の大きさに変化つけ、しみじみ語るように表現したいものです。

　ところで、「カッキー、また行くのか」と叱られそうです。しかし、月末で週末なのでお許しください。その代わり、自分に厳しく倉賀野からウォーキングを兼ね、高崎まで５Kをてくてく歩いて行きます。今宵、いつもの高崎田町の某所で夕食を摂ります。

Dear my Facebook friends who like relaxed conversation.

　This afternoon, I spent an hour relaxing at the cafe "Sampo-michi" at Shibasaki-town, sipping a cafe latte and reading a book of psychology. There were only two other lady customers, so I played the piano for the first time this year. I don't bring sheet music with me, I always play music I know as if I'm singing. This way, I can focus on the tone quality which is fun.

　I am of the opinion that the joy of music is to cherish the tone quality, not just play in a monotonous style, but vary the speed and volume of the sound, and express it as if speaking a heartfelt story.

　By the way, I'll suppose your saying "Kakky, are you going again?" But tonight is the end of this month and this weekend, so please forgive me. Instead, I'll be so strict with myself that I walk 5km from Kuragano to Takasaki, which will be healthy and hungry, I guess. Tonight, I'll have dinner at my usual tavern named "Baku" in Takasaki Tamachi.

１月中のアクセスに感謝です。

【画像をクリックし、拡大するとピントが合います。】

　年間で最も寒い時期に、廊下で華やかに咲いてるのはラナンキュラスです。原産地は中近東からヨーロッパ南東部、地中海沿岸地域と言われる多年草です。花の少ない真冬から早春を彩り、魅力ある黄色です。日々、一人で暮らしていても植物たちに囲まれ、水遣りや、温かな場所への移動など私に仕事を与えてます。仕事と言えば、年間を通じて、メジロなど野鳥の飛来が多く、こちらへも水遣りを毎日、午前と午後の２回行ってます。

　庭では５種類の花梅がちらほら咲き始め、あと２週間ほどで満開になるでしょう。私一人での鑑賞ではもったいないので、色とりどりの色彩と共に梅の香りを味わいにいらして下さい。梅の花の下でお茶が飲め歓談できるよう、丸いテーブルが用意してあります。

   

　光陰矢の如し。１月も今日で終わります。これは令和８年になって以来、地球が公転軌道上を３０°も反時計回りに移動しました。最も明るい恒星「シリウス」を同じ時間に観察すると、西へ移動した位置で分かります。殊のほか寒かった今年の冬でしたが、いよいよ早春です。

　一方、この早春に世の中は衆議院選挙で立候補者は命がけです。以前と異なり、現在は多党化時代となり、立候補者の主張をよく聞き、私たちはしっかり判断しなければなりません。本来、命がけは立候補者でなく、未来ある子々孫々であり、選挙する国民です。

Dear my Facebook friends who are crazy about the House of Representatives election.

　Ranunculus blooms splendidly in the hallway during the coldest season in Japan. These perennials are said to be native to the Middle East, southeastern Europe, and the Mediterranean coastal regions. Their attractive yellow color brightens in the flower-less midwinter and early spring. Even though I live alone, I'm surrounded by plants, giving me tasks watering them and moving them to warmer spots. Speaking of work, many wild birds, including Japanese white-eyes, visit throughout the year, so I water them twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

　Five varieties of plum blossoms have begun to bloom in the garden, and they will be in full bloom in about two weeks. It would be wasteful to enjoy them alone, so please come and enjoy the colorful scenery and the fragrance of it. A round table has been set up by me, so we can enjoy tea and conversation under the blossoms of variety of plums.

　Time flies. Today marks the end of January. Since 2026 started, the Earth has moved 30 degrees counterclockwise in its orbit. If we observe the brightest star, Sirius, at the same time, we can see its position as it moves 30 degrees westward. This winter has been particularly cold, but early spring is finally here.

　Meanwhile, in this early spring, Japan is in the midst of a House of Representatives election, where candidates are risking their lives. Unlike in the past, it is in an era of multiple parties, therefore we must listen carefully to candidate's opinion and make a sound judgment. In reality, it is not the candidates who are risking their lives, but our future generations, and the citizens who vote.

南極で金環食か・・・２月１７日の春節に

　体感としては今日が最も寒い一日に感じました。それでも、夕方４時頃より用事があったので２Kほど歩きました。ただ歩くより目的地があると、早く着きたい一心で、ストライドを広げたウォーキングになります。

　帰宅する頃には、満月に近い１１日目の「上弦の月」が出ており、西高東低の気圧配置であることから、空気が澄み、現在も明るく輝いてます。この月の下で一際、明るく輝いてる星は木星です。現在の木星は、地球を挟んで太陽と反対の位置にあることから満月のような状況にあり、光度を増してます。この月と木星を囲んでる６個の一等星たちが「冬のダイアモンド」です。月明かりでちょっと見難いでしょう。

　次回の新月は２月１７日です。この日は中国などで「春節」です。つまり旧暦の正月です。尚、この日、南極では「金環食」が起こると言われてます。現在の南極は夜がなく、毎日が昼間なので、神秘的な太陽をよく観察できるでしょう。

Dear my friends as earthling

　Today I felt like the coldest day in this winter. I had some business around 4pm, so I walked about 2km. Having a destination rather than just walking, I increased my stride to get there quickly.

　By the time I got home, the waxing moon which is almost full on the 11th night, had appeared. The high pressure in the west and low pressure in the east tends to clear sky, so that the moon was still shining brightly. The brightest plant shining beneath the moon is Jupiter. Currently, Jupiter shines brightly because it's located opposite the Sun. The six first-magnitude stars are surrounding the moon and Jupiter. These stars make up the famous "Winter Diamond." It may be a little difficult to see by the moonlight.

　By the way, the next new moon will be February 17th. As you know, this is the Chinese New Year in China and elsewhere, which means the New Year according to the lunar calendar. It's said that an annular eclipse of the sun will occur in Antarctica on this day. Since there is no night in Antarctica right now, and it's daytime continues every day, therefore people there you'll be able to get a good look at the mysterious sun.

つい、忘れがちな湿度の認識

「早春を前にした今頃が特に体調を崩しやすい時季」と考えられます。寒さが一段と厳しいからです。先日、救急車の音が近づいたので驚きました。近所の人が運ばれて行きました。でも、その日のうちに家に戻れたとのことで良かったです。後日、本人に尋ねたところ、朝、目まいがして起き上がれなかったそうです。一方、子供の頃、一緒に遊んだ同級生が天に召されたと昨日知りました。

　ところで、私は今年の冬、ついにエアコンの暖房を使わずに過ごせそうです。「えぇ～、カッキー大丈夫なの？」と、ご心配の声が聞こえてきそうです。大丈夫です。その代わり、夜間はガスストーブで部屋を暖め、居間が南にあるため日中は太陽光を十分に取り入れ、部屋は暖かいです。

　一方、今年はすでに１２月と１月の二回も井戸が涸れました。日々、庭の樹木に水を与えたり、野鳥に飲み水を用意したら出なくなりました。ということは、長らく雨が降らないので地下の水位が下がってます。延いては、気づき難いことですが、空気中の湿度が低くなってます。私は部屋に湿度計を設置してるので分かります。５０～６０％が相応しいのですが、早朝の現在も４０％です。これでは体調に影響します。

　このため、ストーブの上にやかんを置き、蒸気を出して調整してます。適度な湿度を維持していれば本来の免疫力が働き、呼吸によるウイルスや細菌の侵入を防ぎ、風邪などの発症を予防し、 一方、乾燥が進むと免疫力が衰え、インフルエンザなどの発症につながると考えられます。皆さん、健康維持に湿度を適正に管理しましょう。

Dear my Facebook friends who are crazy about moderate humidity.

　"Early spring is just around the corner in Japan, this is probably the time of year when people are especially susceptible to getting sick," Generally, this is because the cold is especially severe now. The other day, I was surprised to hear the sound of an ambulance approaching. A neighbor was taken away to hospital. Fortunately, He was able to return home the same day. When I asked him about it later, he said he felt dizzy that he couldn't get up in the morning. Meanwhile, I learned yesterday that a classmate I used to play with as a child had passed away suddenly.

　Not change the subject, but it looks like I finally do not use the air conditioner through this winter. I may hear your worrying, "Oh, Kakky, are you okay?" It's fine. Instead, I heat the room with a gas stove at night, and since the living room faces south, it gets plenty of sunlight during the daytime, so it's warm.

　On the other hand, my well has already dried up twice this year, in December and January. But, as you know, I make it a rule to water the trees in my garden and providing drinking water for the wild birds every day, the water stopped flowing recently. This means that it didn't rain for a long time, therefore the groundwater level is dropping, I guess. By extension, and although it's hard to notice, the humidity in the air is decreasing as well. I can tell because I have a hygrometer installed in my room as you notice in the photo. In general 50-60% humidity is ideal for our health, but even now in the early hours it's still at 40%. This is affecting my health.

　For this reason, I put a kettle on the stove to let out steam to adjust the humidity. Maintaining a moderate humidity level keeps our immune system active, prevents viruses and bacteria from entering through breathing, and prevents the onset of colds and other illnesses. On the other hand, if the air becomes too dry, our immune system will weaken, which is thought to lead to the onset of influenza and other illnesses. Everyone, it's important for us to properly manage humidity to stay healthy.