五角形のものは何があるでしょう。

　現在、庭は花盛りで、その中でコデマリは不思議です。以前の家のとき、つまり、私が子供のとき、すでにこのコデマリがあったので、おそらく私が生まれる前から生命を維持してると推測できます。

　不思議なことはその生命力と共に、写真が示すように蕾が五角形です。このため、よく観察すると花も五角形で咲いてます。

　ところで、この世で五角形のものはあまりありませんね。函館の五稜郭、アメリカ国防省ペンタゴンなどです。それと文章でよく使うアスタリスクです。

Dear my friends throughout the world

　Currently, the garden is in full bloom, and among them, the Spiraea "Kodemari" in Japanese is quite unusual. It was already there when I lived in my previous house, when I was a child, so I can guess that it has been thriving since before I was born.

　What's unusual, along with its vitality, as the photo shows, its buds are pentagonal. Therefore, upon closer observation, the flowers also bloom in a pentagonal shape.

　By the way, are there many things in the world that are pentagonal? For example, Goryokaku in Hakodate, the Pentagon in the United States, and the asterisk, which we often use in sentence.

未だ未だ伸びるか・・・記憶力

　中学３年のときの担任の言葉が今でも忘れられません。それは「人間の脳は全体の５％ほどしか使われてない。未だ未だいくらでも頭に入る余地がある」というものです。当時の私たちに「勉強を諦めてはいけない。努力を怠ってはならない。」という励ましだったのでしょう。ところが、人生の第４コーに差し掛かった現在の私は、今でもこの言葉が頭から離れず、日々、より良い生活方法、より良い健康方法、効果ある記憶法などで生きてます。

　時々、もう覚えられないと思ったりしがちです。しかし、先生の教えからすると、とんでもないことになります。確かに、何度覚えても覚えられない英単語があっても、不思議なことに、簡単に覚えられてしまう単語もあります。要はその言葉に対する自らの興味関心の高さ、あるいは、私の真剣度、使う頻度によって脳に定着する度合いが異なるのかもしれません。また、五感をすべて働かせて覚えているか、記憶方法にも因るのでしょう。

　例えば、今週は植物の名前について覚えようと計画します。すぐに憶えられるものもあれば、いつになっても覚えられないものもあり、反対に、不思議なことの一つに、英語では言えるのに日本語では口から出て来ないことも時にあります。こうなると、記憶とは生活方法にも関係するのでしょう。

　ところで、私にとって差し迫る最重要なことは、健康法と捉え、日々その実践です。今朝もこれから地区のラジオ体操会に行き、筋肉、関節、何より深呼吸を増やして血流改善です。生涯、自分の血液循環を見ることはできないと思いがちですが、実は見られるのです。左手の甲を上にし、右手の指で薬指付近の血管を手首の方から薬指に向って４cmほど「押しけつつ」引き上げてから放すと、血液が身体の方に向かって流れることが見えます。やってみてください。

Dear my friends who are crazy about the way of full using your brain.

　I still remember the words of my homeroom teacher from my junior high school. He said, "The human brain only uses about 5% of its capacity. There's still so much more spaces to learn." At the time, it was probably an encouragement to us, telling us, "Don't give up on studying. Don't neglect your efforts." However, now, as I approach the fourth stage of my life, these words still resonate in my heart, and I live everyday striving for better lifestyles, better health, and effective memory technique.

　Sometimes, I tend to think I can't memorize anymore. But according to my teacher's teachings, that's completely wrong. Certainly, there are English words that I can't memorize no matter how many times I try, but strangely enough, there are also words that I can memorize easily. The key might depend on my interest, my seriousness, and how often I use it. It also depends on whether I'm using five senses to memorize, and on the memory technique itself.

　For example, this week I plan to memorize the names of plants. Some things are easy to remember, while others remain elusive no matter how much time passes. Conversely, strangely enough, there are times when I can say something in English but can't find the right word in Japanese. This suggests that memory is related to one's lifestyle, I guess.

　By the way, for me, the most pressing and important thing is maintaining good health due to aging and practicing it daily. This morning, I'm heading to the local radio gymnastics session at the park to move my muscles and joints, and most important movement is my deep breathing in order to improve blood flow. We tend to think we'll never be able to see our own blood circulation, but in fact, we can see. With the back of your left hand facing upwards, use the fingers of your right hand to gently press and pull the blood vessels near your ring finger about 4cm, then release. You can see the blood flowing towards your body. Try it!

雪解けの浅間山を見て、青春をふと振り返る

　私の家の三階から見た活火山・浅間山(標高２５６８m)です。最近まで山頂付近が雪を被ってましたが、気温の上昇で雪はすでに解けて見えません。

　ところで青春を思い出すと、その昔、私にも１６才頃がありました。友人４人でこの浅間山の麓にある「峰の茶屋」まで、自転車で行ったのですから私も若かったのです。最初の日に長野原の駅に着いたら、夜になってしまい、長野原駅長がその晩に泊まる宿を見つけてくれました。疲れたので、夕食後はぐっすり寝たと思われます。

　翌朝、長野原駅から浅間山の登山口である「峰の茶屋」まで上り坂を登り、その後は下り坂で一気に軽井沢まで行きました。その後は、今で言う旧・碓氷峠をカーブの連続で松井田に着いたときはホッとしました。どこかで昼食を摂り倉賀野へ帰って来ました。走行距離は１３０Kほどと想われます。このような旅は生涯忘れません。

　これとは別に、以前に書きましたが、私は個人的にこの浅間山の頂上に３回登頂しました。驚いたことは、浅間山のなだらかな姿とは全く異なる巨大で地獄のような火口です。桶のように垂直で深さは２００mほど、火口の端から端までも２００mほどです。途中の岩肌から常に煙が噴出してました。広大な関東平野が一望です。

Dear friends who like active volcano

　This is Mt. Asama (2568m elevation), an active volcano, as seen from the third floor of my house. Until recently, the summit was covered in snow, but now, with the hot temperature, the snow has already melted.

　Speaking of my youth, I was once 16 years old. Four of us friends cycled to "Mine no Chaya," where is a teahouse at the foot of Mt. Asama. I was young at that time! We arrived at Naganohara Station on the first day, but it was already nighttime, then the stationmaster found us a place to stay at that night. We were so tired that we slept soundly after dinner.

 　The next morning, we climbed the hill from Naganohara Station to "Mine no Chaya," where is the trailhead for Mt. Asama, and then descended all the way to famous Karuizawa. On the return journey, we rode the winding Usui Pass (now the old Usui Pass) and we were relieved when we reached Matsuida-town. We had lunch somewhere and then returned to Kuragano-town. The distance traveled was probably around 130 km, I guess. I will never forget this trip.

　Separately this trip, as I've written before, I have personally climbed to the summit of Mt. Asama three times. What surprised me was the enormous, hellish crater, which is completely different from the gentle slopes of Mt. Asama. It is vertical like a barrel, about 200 meters deep, and about 200 meters from one end of the crater to the other. Volcanic smoke was constantly spewing out from the rocky surface constantly. The vast Kanto Plain can be seen in its entirety.

日本シャクナゲの薄紫に魅かれる

　今日は朝から本当に嬉しいです。それは大切に育ててる「日本シャクナゲ」が咲き始めたからです。歌集「しゃくなげ」を副教材として使ってから半世紀余りですが、平地に住んでる若き日の私は山岳に咲くシャクナゲの実物を知らずにいたのです。これではいけないと、前橋農協花木センターや埼玉県花園花木流通センターなどで探し、開花してるシャクナゲを発見したときは「これがシャクナゲか」と感銘したものです。

　その後、シャクナゲには二種類あることを知り、華やかな西洋シャクナゲ、そして、(私のように)派手さはなくても、深みある色彩の日本シャクナゲがあることを知り、ついに、その後から今までの長きに亘り、魅力に惹かれてしまいました。結局、今までに１０本以上購入したでしょう。ところが、素人のため育て方を知らず、もったいないことに数本を枯らしてしまいました。

　シャクナゲは本来、山岳の木陰など比較的寒冷な環境で咲く植物です。平地の日当たりの良い場所では夏季の暑さに耐えられません。しかし、それは日本シャクナゲの場合であり、反面、西洋シャクナゲは寒冷に弱いです。これらは私の失敗から学んだことでシャクナゲはデリケートな植物です。また、良かれと思って与えた市販の肥料で３本ほど枯らしてしまいました。

　現在の私はどうにかコツを会得し、シャクナゲは彼らの故郷の環境のように木陰で自然に育てることを重要視してます。お近くの方は数少ない日本シャクナゲの開花を見にいらして下さい。お待ちしています。

Dear my friends who are crazy about rhododendrons.

　I'm so happy this morning. It's because the Japanese rhododendrons I've been carefully cultivating have started to bloom. It's been over half a century since I used the songbook named "Rhododendron" as supplementary material in school, but in my younger days, as living on the plains, I never knew what real rhododendrons looked like. Because they bloom in the mountains. Therefore, I searched for them at places such as Maebashi Agricultural Cooperative Flower Center and the Saitama Prefecture Flower and Tree Distribution Center at Hanazono, and I was deeply moved when I finally found it in bloom.

　Later, I learned that there are two types of rhododendrons such as the showy Western rhododendron, and the Japanese rhododendron which is modest (like me), possesses a deep color. And so, I became captivated by their charm. In the end, I must have bought more than ten plants. However, being an amateur, I didn't know how to care for them properly, as a result, sadly, I let several wither and die.

　As you know, rhododendrons naturally bloom in relatively cold environments, such as the shade of trees in mountainous areas. In sunny, flat areas, Japanese rhododendrons cannot withstand the summer heat. However, on the other hand, western rhododendrons are sensitive to cold. These are things I learned from my own mistakes. So rhododendrons are delicate plants. I also killed about three of them wastefully by using commercially available fertilizer.

　Currently, I've managed to master the techniques, and I prioritize raising rhododendrons naturally in the shade, just like in their native habitat. If you're nearby, please come and see the rare Japanese rhododendrons in bloom. I look forward to seeing you.

若い方々との交流を目指す

　今日の午後は次女の家に届け物をしに行き、帰りには、その道中なので、喫茶「さんぽ道」に立ち寄り、ママさんや他の客と少々話し、コーヒーで1時間ほどリラックスして来ました。毎日、長い一日をどう過ごすかは私の課題です。と言っても、考えればこの事は人間なら誰だって同じですね。

　大分、夕方も陽が長くなってるので、健康の基盤である空腹をめざしたり、樹木や花など自然観察をしつつ、可能であれば、途中で知人との交流【同級生や友人は殆どいなくなりました。】を期待し、これから故郷・倉賀野をコースを変えて歩いてきます。

Dear my friends

　This afternoon I delivered something to my second daughter's house in Maebashi, and on the way back, I stopped by the café "Sampo-michi," and chatted with the owner and other customers for a bit. So that I relaxed for about an hour with a cup of ice coffee. How to spend long day in this season is my challenge. Though, if I think about it, generally this is the same for everyone.

　The days are getting longer in the evening now, so I'm going to take a walk through my hometown of Kuragano-town, aiming to satisfy my hunger which is the foundation for good health, I guess. and I'll observe nature like trees and flowers here and there, and, if possible, meet up with acquaintances along the way because I hardly have any classmates or friends left in this world.

ニュージーランドの友人に感謝

　１月１日の初日の出以来、１０７日ぶりに今朝、日の出の瞬間を見ました。三階の窓から見た日の出は倉賀野小学校の屋根の上です。方角は東北東で、時刻は５時０７分です。初日の出は６時５５分頃でしたから、すでに２時間近くも朝が早くなってます。日の入りも同様に遅くなることを考えると、昼の時間が相当長くなっており、一日の時間を有効に使いたいと改めて思います。

　日の出を見た後、庭に出てみたら「西洋シャクナゲ」大輪が太陽に負けず、明るい色で開花してるではありませんか。思わず「一年振りだね。」と心で声を掛けました。このシャクナゲは植木鉢で育てていますが、すでに私の背より高くなっているので、梅雨の時季に庭に直植えし、今後は更に伸び伸び大きく育てたいです。それにしても、このような開花を見ると、お陰で私まで希望が湧いてきます。

　今の私には、ピアノで良い音色でもっと曲を弾きたい夢があります。しかし、現在、「いきいき健幸クラブ」で歌やマイムマイムなどフォークダンスの伴奏をするくらいで、平素、聴いてくれる人がいないので練習をサボり気味です。音楽は「作曲家、演奏する人、そして鑑賞者」で成り立つものです。昨日のバス旅行でも、一人の女性からピアノが聴きたい言われました。以前は１０名程の方に来ていただき、半年に１回ほど「ホームコンサート」を開いた思い出があります。

　年を重ねて大切なことは、日々「こうやりたい、こうなりたいという目標・目的を持って生きること」でしょう。今、続けてることと言えば、早朝のフェイスブック(ブログ)書きと、その英訳です。その都度、発想と新たな課題にぶつかり、「これを英語で何と表現するか」で、朝食後は「和英辞典を引く」生活です。毎日、ニュージーランドの友人・バリーさんに読んで戴き励みになってます。

Dear my Facebook friends who are interested in music and English.

　After a long interval of 107 days since the first sunrise of this year, I saw the sunrise this morning. From the third-floor, the sunrise was directly above the roof of Kuragano Elementary School. The direction was east-northeast, and the time was 5:07 AM. The first sunrise in January was around 6:55 AM, so mornings became already almost two hours earlier. Considering that sunset is also getting later, the daytime hours are considerably longer, and I 'll want to make the most of my time effective.

　After watching the sunrise this mornig, I went out into the garden and found the large western rhododendron blossoms in full bloom as you see, their bright colors rivaling the sun. I couldn't help but say to myself, "It's been since last year!" I'm raising this rhododendron in a pot, but it's already taller than me, so I plan to replant it directly in the garden during the next rainy season and let it grow even bigger and more freely. Seeing such blossoms fills me with hope.

　My current dream is to play more music by the piano with a beautiful tone quality. However, currently, I only accompany songs and folk dance like Israeli Maim Maim at the "Vivid Health Club," and since there's no one to listen to my piano regularly, I tend to slack off practicing. Music is made up of "composers, performers, and listeners." Even on yesterday's bus trip, a beautiful lady told me that she wanted to listen to my piano playing. I have fond memories of holding "home concerts" about once every six months, with around ten people attending.

　As we get older, I think what's important is to "live each day with goals and purposes, what I want to do, what I want to become." Currently, I continue to do is write my Facebook (blog) early in the morning and translate it into English after breakfast. Each time, I encounter new ideas and challenges, so I have to spend my time "looking up in a Japanese-English dictionary" to figure out "how to express this in English." My friend Mr. Barry in New Zealand reads it every day, which is very encouraging.

今日は楽しいバス旅行・・・行って参ります。

　いよいよツツジの本格的な開花が迫ってます。この地へ引っ越して来た時、亡父が植えた紅紫のツツジと共に、そのツツジを私が剪定したときの枝を挿し木にして育てた子供や、薄紫など異なる数本が咲き始めたり、蕾を膨らませてます。上の写真のツツジは深紅ですから２～３日後の満開では目立つでしょう。高崎にお住いの方は、色とりどりのツツジたちをぜひ見にいらして下さい。

　同時に、庭は全体に緑濃くなってきました。このため、今まで見えてた家屋が隠れつつあり、恰も森の中に佇む雰囲気で、私が目差す環境になりつつあります。これからは、太陽光エネルギーと水による「光合成」がますます盛んな季節です。つい忘れがちですが、生活を取り巻く環境が「新鮮な酸素で満ちること」が私たちの健康基盤と考えます。

　ところで、今日は待ちに待った地区の人たちとの「バス旅行」です。バスは２台ですから参加者は多いです。例年、参加者の８割は女性です。果たしてどなたが来るでしょうか。行先は「大塚製薬」見学に始まり、その後は片岡の休憩所での入浴や昼食、そして、歌や演芸などで楽しみです。平素、私は人との交流が希薄ですから、楽しい一日になることを期待してます。では行って参ります。

Dear my friends who like azalea and trip

　The azaleas are finally about to bloom in full glory. When my family moved to this area, my late father planted a deep red azalea, and now several other varieties including some light purple have begun to bloom or are developing buds. The azalea in the photo above is deep red, so it will really stand out when it's in full bloom in two or three days. If you live in Takasaki-city or NZ, please come and see the colorful azaleas!

　At the same time, the whole garden has become much greener. Because of this, the house that was previously visible are gradually being hidden by greener, creating an atmosphere as if it were nestled in a forest. So it became the ideal environment I've been aiming for. From now on, it's the season when photosynthesis, powered by sunlight and water, will become even more active. It's easy for us to forget, but I believe that an environment filled with fresh oxygen is the foundation of our health.

　Not change the subject, but today is the long-awaited bus trip with the people of the neighborhood! There are two buses, so there will be many participants. Every year, 80% of the participants are ladies. So that I wonder who will be coming including her in heart. The trip will start with a tour of Otsuka Pharmaceutical, followed by a bath and lunch at the Kataoka rest stop, and then there will be singing and entertainment. I don't usually have much interaction with people, so I'm looking forward to a fun day. Well, I'm off now.

午前も午後も充実した一日

　今日の午前中は「くらカフェ」に出席し、終始大笑いの中で過ごしました。平素、女性と話す機会に恵まれない私には別世界の雰囲気です。彼女たちの話す夫のこと、子供のこと、お嫁さんのことなど多岐に亘る日常生活上の話に、また、最近の倉賀野町のこと、例えば、群銀がなくなって不便になったり、食料品店がなくなり、すべて遠いスーパーになったこと、私の好きな飲み屋さんが殆どなくなったことなどで話は盛り上がり、あっという間に時間が過ぎました。

　午後はいつもの喫茶「さんぽ道」でアイスコーヒーを楽しみつつ、糸川英夫博士の本を時々読みつつリラックスできました。この喫茶は開店以来もうすぐ２年です。おそらく私は２００回ほど行ったでしょう。ママさんの人柄など何とはなしに行きやすい雰囲気なのです。いつも愛車で一人で行きますが、いつの日か二人で行って時間を過ごてみたい。

　In this morning I attended the "Kura Cafe" meeting and spent the time laughing from start to finish. For me, it doesn't usually have many opportunities to talk with ladies, it felt like a completely different world from my daily life. We talked about a wide range of everyday topics, including their husband, children, and daughters-in-law, as well as recent events in Kuragano-town, such as the inconvenience by the closure of Gumma Bank, the disappearance of grocery stores and they shifted to distant supermarkets, and the fact that most of my favorite taverns have closed. Therefore, the conversation was lively, and time flew by.

　In the afternoon, I relaxed at my usual coffee shop, "Sampo-michi," enjoying an iced coffee and occasionally reading a book by Dr. Hideo Itokawa. This coffee shop will soon be two years since established. I've probably been there around 200 times. The owner's personality and the overall this cafe makes it a very welcoming atmosphere. I always go alone by Audi TT Quattro, but someday I'd like to go with sweetheart in heart and spend time there together.

楽しみな「くらカフェ」に参加

　赤紫の牡丹です。ご覧の通り、近くには先日、自ら蛇口を修理した水道があり、根元が乾燥することはありません。この水は井戸水で植物専用　です。この他、築山にも蛇口があり、一方、車庫に降った雨水は防火用水で溜めてるので、裏庭にある金柑、イチジク、枇杷などの果物に与えられます。水道の近くには、ご覧の通り、野鳥のための水を設置してあり、年間を通じて多くの野鳥が水を飲んだり、水浴にやって来ます。

　ところで、この大きに牡丹の色彩は豪華という形容が当て嵌まります。遠方からもすぐに目に飛び込んできます。現在、3種類の牡丹を育ててます。花の色はこの赤紫の他、紅、黄色です。実はこの他に肌色の牡丹もあったのですが、どうしたことか昨年、残念にも枯れてしまいました。ところが、嬉しいことに根は生きていたことが判明です。実は、今春になって子供が生えてきたではありませんか。私は「物事は絶望してはならない」と感じました。あるいは、人生も同様でしょうか。

　暫くこのまま新芽を成長させ、梅雨の時季になったら植木鉢に植え、近未来に再度開花する希望が湧いてきました。今度こそ、しっかり水を与えて枯らしません。再度、４色の牡丹が揃います。

　ところで、今日は午前１０時から倉賀野町「あんしんセンター」主催による「くらカフェ」が公民館で開催されます。このため、私は「あんしんセンター」の方々のみに準備を任せないで、９時半には行って窓を開け空気を入れ替えたり、椅子出しなど準備に当たります。「くらカフェ」を通じて倉賀野のいろいろ方々と交流ができることは、写真の牡丹の如くで、賑やかで楽しくなると期待してます。

Dear my friends who are crazy about interaction with people

　The photo shows a reddish-purple peony. As you can see, there's a water tap nearby that I recently repaired myself, so the roots never dry out from now on. This water is from a well and is exclusively for plants. There's also a tap on the Tsukiyama artificial mound, so now is not war time like Iran, rainwater collected in the garage is used for fire prevention, so it's used to water the kumquats, figs, loquats, and other fruit trees in the backyard. Near the water tap in the photo, as you can see, there's a drinking water source for wild birds, therefore many wild birds come to drink and bathe throughout the year.

　By the way, the color of this large peony is truly magnificent. It immediately catches by people's eyes from afar. Currently, I'm raising three varieties of peonies. Besides this reddish-purple, I also raise crimson and yellow varieties. Actually, I also had a flesh-colored peony, but unfortunately, it withered last year. However, happily, it turned out that the roots were still alive. In fact, this spring, a new shoot has sprouted from the ground! I felt that "things should not be met with despair." Perhaps the same applies to our life as well, I guess.

　I'll let the new shoots grow for a while, then plant them in pots when the rainy season June arrives, and I'm hopeful they'll bloom again in the near future. This time, I'll water them properly so she doesn't wither. Once again, I'll have four different colored peonies.

　Not change the subject, but, today from 10:00 AM, the "Kura Cafe," hosted by the "Anshin Center," will be held at the community center. Therefore, instead of leaving the preparations entirely to the "Anshin Center" staff, I'll go at 9:30 AM to open the windows to let in fresh air and help with setting up the chairs. I expect that the "Kura Cafe," which will allow me to interact with various people in Kuragano- town, will be lively and enjoyable, just like the peony in the picture.

やせ我慢＝前へ進むための支え＝・・・読売新聞「Wednesdayぐんま」より

　ブログに毎日コメントをくださる「時計屋の隣りさん」(pinoちゃんさん)の文章が本日４月１５日の読売新聞「Wednesdayぐんま」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、広く県内外の皆様にも、お読み戴きたいと思います。

　　タイトル・・・やせ我慢＝前へ進むための支え＝・・・

　年を重ねるほど、「やせ我慢」という言葉が胸に残るようになった。寒風の中で「まだ平気だよ」と笑ってみせたり、腰の痛みをごまかして「若い者には負けん」と言い張ったり。弱さを悟られまいとする小さな虚勢が、日々のどこかに顔を出す。「やせ我慢」は外へ向けた灯りであり、その裏には、わずかに残る体力や気力を頼りに“そうありたい”と願う切実さが潜む。弱さの隠れ蓑であると同時に、前へ進むための支えでもあるのだ。

　先日、ベランダの鉄柵を跨ぐ必要があったが、思うように脚が上がり切れず、跨ぐのを諦めた。かつて容易にできたことができない無念さに、思わず歯を噛んだ。どうにもならぬ現実に押し返される悔しさ――これが「ごまめの歯ぎしり」なのだろう。年齢を重ねるほど、こうした場面は静かに増えていく。

　虚勢であれ無念であれ、その揺らぎを抱えながら歩むのがこれからの人生だと思った。弱さを抱えつつ、それでも前へ進もうとする心こそ、人の営みを照らす小さな灯りなのだ。

水道の修復に挑戦・・・やればできるを体験

　子供の頃、将来なりたい夢は大工でした。これは私の家に出入りしてた大工さんの仕事をよく見ていて、創意工夫があり楽しそうだったからです。このため、若き日からレース鳩を飼育してた半世紀の間に自ら鳩舎を幾度も作ったもので、親に褒められるほど結構、上手に出来ました。ところが、現実に大工でなく、第九などを教える仕事に就いたのですから１８０°の転換で、人生とは不思議なものです。これは高校時代の音楽の先生による強引な進路指導によるものでした。

　ところで、昨日、庭の植物に水遣りしていたら、急に蛇口の所から水が吹き出してしまいました。おそらく使いが激しいため内部のパッキンが摩耗したのでしょう。大工仕事は得意でも、水道を治したことはなく、結局、業者にお願いしようと思いました。ところが、もしかして、内部の部品を交換すれば治るのではないかと気づき、急遽、ホームセンターで探したところ、写真左下の水道用パッキン２個があり手に入れました。交換しようとしましたが、これが素人では結構難しく、結局、1時間以上もかかりました。

　それでも、やっとのことで修復し、ご覧の通り、勢いよく水が出たときにはホッとしました。費用は僅か２８５円です。業者に依頼すれば、安くても数千円かかったかもしれません。これで暫くは水道の蛇口で不便はないでしょうし、もし、あっても経験したので今度はすぐに直せます。

　今回、初めて「蛇口直し」に挑戦したのは勉強になりました。これからも今までの体験のみを振り返ることなく、新たな事に挑戦して、一人で生きることに自信をつけたいものです。明日は公民館で楽しみな「くらカフェ」が開かれ、倉賀野の住民の方々との交流会です。明後日１７日は、これまた楽しみな「バス旅行」で、工場見学や、入浴、昼食とこちらも新たな出会いを楽しみにしてます。高齢期を「日々、生き生きワクワクして生きるには新たな体験、新たな発想」へのチャレンジが大切と思っています。

　

Dear my friends who are crazy about new challenging

　When I was a child, my dream was to become a carpenter. This was because I often watched the carpenter who came to my house at work, his work seemed creative and enjoyable. Because of this, during the half-century I was raising racing pigeons, so I built several pigeon lofts by myself, and it was made quite good at it, even I was praised by my parents. However, in reality, I didn't become a carpenter, but instead ended up teaching Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, this is a 180-degree turn. Life is strange, isn't it? This was due to the forceful career guidance of my high school music teacher.

　By the way, yesterday, while watering the plants in my garden, water suddenly gushed out from the faucet. It was probably due to heavy use in many years and the internal gasket had worn out. Although I'm good at carpentry, I'd never fixed a plumbing system before, so I thought I'd have to call a professional. However, I suddenly realized that maybe I could fix it by replacing an internal part, so I quickly searched at a home center store and found two faucet gaskets (shown in the lower left of the photo). I tried to replace it, but it was quite difficult for an amateur, and in the end, it took me over an hour.

　Even so, I finally managed to repair it, and as you can see, I was relieved when the water started flowing strongly. The cost was only 285 yen. If I had hired a professional, it might have cost several thousand yen, even at the cheapest rate. From now on I will not have any problems with the water tap for a while, and even if it does break down again, I've learned from this experience so I can fix it quickly next time.

　This was my first attempt at "tightening a tap," and it was a valuable learning experience. From now on, I will challenge myself with new things without just looking back at past experiences, and gain confidence in living independently. Tomorrow, the exciting "Kura Cafe" will be held at the community center, a get-together with the residents of Kuragano-town. The day after tomorrow, the 17th, is another exciting "bus trip," where we look forward to factory tours, bathing, lunch, and new encounters. I believe that in order to live a vibrant and exciting life every day in old age, it's important for us to challenge with new experiences and new ideas.

自然の中をウォーキング

　
　今日の午後3時過ぎに、お気に入り喫茶「さんぽ道」で過ごしたましたが、その後、駐車場に車を置かせて戴いて、東に広がる広大な田畑を暫くぶりにウォーキングしました。途中から家並みの続く新たな地区を通過したら気持ちも新たです。結局、行き着いた所は身障者ケアセンターの境内で、丁度、近所のよく知ってる女性が仕事中で、施設の前で日帰りの人たちを送り出してるところでした。

　彼女と１０分ほど話をして、私は今度は違うルートで喫茶へ戻るため、再度、ウォーキングです。高崎市内でもこの周辺は本当に広々した自然が残ってます。実はこの近くの寺に私の親友Ｔが永眠してます。しかし、今回は立ち寄らず、墓参は次回にします。縁とは不思議なことで、Ｔは喫茶のママの先生でした。

Dear my friends

　This afternoon, after 3 PM, I spent time at my favorite cafe, "Sampo-michi." Afterwards, I parked my car here and went for a walk through the vast fields stretching to the east. A walk here I hadn't taken in a while. Passing through a new area with rows of houses along the way, I felt refreshed. I eventually ended up in the grounds of a "Care Center" for people with disabilities, where a Lady I know well due to the neighborhood was working, seeing off day-trippers in front of the facility.

　After chatting with her for about ten minutes, I set off again, this time taking a different route back to the cafe. Even within Takasaki city, this area truly remains vast natural landscapes. Actually, my close friend Mr. T is buried in a temple nearby. However, I didn't stop by this time. I'll visit his grave next time. Fate works in mysterious ways. Mr. T was the teacher of the coffee shop owner.

植物から習う健康と色彩美

　庭の植物の中では１００年以上生きてるものも有り、昔の家【倉賀野町仲町】の庭にあったものを前々回の東京オリンピック頃、つまり１９６４年頃、私がリャカーで今の庭に運びました。それはコデマリです。昨日から咲き始めました。咲き方は、枝垂れてる枝先に並んで咲いてます。また、珍しく蕾が五角形です。

　亡き父に訊いておくべきでしたが、若き日の私は植物にはあまり興味がなかったので悔やまれます。もしかして、私が生まれる十数年前に他界した幕末生まれの祖父母の時代からあったのかもしれません。もしそうであれば誠に長命で、コデマリの生命力に肖りたいです。このため、しっかり世話します。特徴は、細い枝がカーブして垂れ下がり、そこに並んで咲き、花の表情には優しさが漂います。

　ところで、現在の庭は３色の牡丹が咲き誇り、まるで倉賀野植物園のようで【おっと、言い過ぎです。】、前の道を通る人が、立ち止まっては眺めつつ通り過ぎます。昨日は一人の女性が庭に入って鑑賞してました。実は、これらの植物のお陰で、私にとって園芸の仕事が朝に夕にあり、健康に寄与しています。それはすべての植物への水遣り、四方八方から眺めては剪定です。注意してることは、腰を傷めないため座っての作業はせず、すべて立った姿勢での作業です。

　４月中旬の現在、庭は年間でも最も華やかでしょう。特に深紅と紫、黄色の牡丹、そして２本の八重桜は満開で目立ちます。春のひと時を、お茶を戴きながら、一緒に観賞しましょう。お待ちしてます。

Dear my friends who like spring.

　Some of the plants in my garden are over 100 years old, I guess. I brought one from the garden of my old house [Kuragano-town Naka-cho] to my current garden by cart around at Tokyo Olympics Games held in 1964. The photo is a Spiraea Codemari in Japanese. It started blooming yesterday. The flowers bloom at the tips of the drooping branches. Also, unusually, the shape of buds are pentagonal.

　I should have asked my late father about its birth year, but I wasn't very interested in plants when I was young, therefore I regret now. Perhaps it's been there since the time of my grandparents, who were born in the late Edo period and passed away more than a dozen years before I was born. If so, it's truly a long-lived plant, and I want to emulate the Spiraea's vitality. Therefore, I will take good care of it. Its characteristics are its slender branches that curve and droop, with flowers blooming in a row there, and the expression of the flowers exudes gentleness.

　By the way, my current garden is full of three-colored peonies in full bloom, so that it looks like the Kuragano Botanical Garden [Oh, that's an exaggeration.] People passing by on the way stop to admire the flowers in the garden. Yesterday, a lady entered the garden to admire it. Actually, thanks to these plants, I have gardening work to do morning and evening, which contributes to my health. My work is watering all the plants, and pruning them after admiring them from all directions. I'm careful not to strain my back, so I do all the work standing up, without sitting.

　Now, in mid-April, the garden is probably at its most vibrant time of year. The deep red, purple, and yellow peonies, and the two double-flowered cherry trees are particularly striking in full bloom. Let's enjoy a moment of spring together while having tea, and if possible, listening to piano performance by me. I look forward to seeing you.

楽しい夕方のウォーキング、その後も楽しみ

　今日も涼しくなった午後４時頃より５時頃までウォーキングをしてきました。鼻呼吸と姿勢のみを守り、後はあちこちで咲く春の植物を見ながらリラックスして歩きました。

　コースは家を出てから、ご覧の桜木町の鯉池一周です。今日は、いつもの「じゃんぼん巡り」とは異なり、珍しく左回りで歩きました。同じコースでも歩く方向が違うと、雰囲気も変わります。鯉池には鴨が未だ推定１００羽いました。観察して気づきましたが、鴨は水面に浮いてる桜の花弁を食べてました。

　およそ４Kのウォーキングで血流も良くなり、何と言っても空腹を感じてます。今宵もフェイスブック友人のお顔【ごめんなさい。すべてではありません。】を思い出し、水割りを一杯戴きます。これが私の喜びです。

Dear my friends who know Jambon megri

　Today, I went for a walk from 4 PM to 5 PM, when it had cooled down. I focused only on nasal breathing and correct posture, and otherwise relaxed, enjoying the spring plants blooming everywhere.

　This time my route was a loop around the Carp Pond in Sakuragi-cho, as you can see in the picture. Today, unlike my usual "Jumbon meguri tour that means clockwise," I walked counter-clockwise which is unusual. Even the same course, I felt different when I walked in a different direction. There were still the estimated 100 ducks in the pond. I noticed they were eating cherry petals floating on the water.

　After about 4km walk, my blood circulation was good, and above all, I felt hungry. Tonight, I'll enjoy a glass of whiskey and water, thinking of the faces of my Facebook friends [Sorry, not everyone. You are included.]. This is my joy.

時々、注意不足で失敗がある

　今まで庭は概して赤やピンクが多かったですが、春が進むと植物の色彩に変化が見られます。梅はすでに新緑となってます。一方、ご覧のように、今朝の庭は大分、紫が多くなってきました。写真は昔、父が植えたモクレン、その他、牡丹です。室内では紫のアジサイが今よく咲いてます。

　ところで、昨日、私は一つのミスをしてしまいました。気候が初夏を思わせるように気温の上昇が続いてると、特に「植木鉢の植物」が水分不足に陥り易いのです。夕方、室内のアジサイを見たら、花弁が少々萎れているではありませんか。表面の土を触ってみるとさらさらしており、咄嗟に水不足と気づき、すぐに水をたっぷり与えました。夜になって見ると回復し、花が生き生きしているのでホッとしました。

　このため、ついでに他の植木鉢の植物にも水を与えつつ、人間は暑くなれば薄着になり、水分補給しますが、植物は自分ではどうにもできません。このため、植木鉢の植物については、よく観察しなければならないです。これはアジサイからの教訓です。直植えであれば、水分を求め根が広がりますが、植木鉢では限界があります。

　それにしても、紫は深みがあり、見ている私に「落ち着き」を与えます。日々、植物の色彩美から教わることは多いです。私は年を重ねても、今までにない「新たな事に心を注ぎ」、陥り易いことの一つが、声について無頓着になる傾向です。今日も一日、良い姿勢、そして、「張りのある声をめざし」、出会った人としっかり交流し、笑いある生活を心掛けたいです。

Dear my Facebook friends who are crazy about beauty and quality of our voice

　Until now, the garden has generally been in reds and pinks, but as spring progresses, I can see a change in the colors of the each plants. The plum trees are already turned into fresh green leaves. On the other hand, as you can see, this morning the garden is becoming much more purple. The photos show a magnolia tree planted by my late father about 60 years ago, along with peonies. Indoors, the purple hydrangea is blooming beautifully now.

　By the way, yesterday I made a big mistake. With the temperature continuing to rise, and we in early summer, potted plants, in particular, are prone to dehydration. Yesterday evening, when I looked at the indoor hydrangeas, I noticed that the petals were slightly wilted. I touched the surface soil and it was dry and sandy, so I immediately realized it was dehydrated and watered it thoroughly. When I checked on it that night, it had recovered and the flowers were vibrant, so I felt relieved.

　Therefore, I watered the other potted plants as well. We humans can lighten their clothing and rehydrate when it gets hot, but plants can't do that on their own. Therefore, we must carefully observe plants in flowerpots. This is a lesson I learned from hydrangea. If planted directly in the ground, the roots will spread in search of moisture, but there are limits in flowerpots.

　Even so, the depth of purple gives me a sense of calm when I look at it. I learn a lot from the beauty of plant colors every day. Even as I get older, I still pour my heart into new things, and one of the things I tend to fall into is becoming indifferent to my voice. Today, too, I want to maintain good posture and aim for a vibrant voice, interact properly with the district people, and strive for a life filled with laughter.

　

次第に樹木に囲まれた生活に

　梅などは開花が終わるとご覧のように新緑が出てきてます。この結果、私の好きな「光合成が盛んな森の中で暮らす」環境になりつつあります。しかし、中央の大きな樹木は一見枯れ木のようですが、南国出身のサルスベリですから他の植物と時期がずれ、５月頃より葉が出てきて、７月中旬より１０月上旬までおよそ１００日間、紅く咲くために百日紅とも書きます。

　現在、庭で咲いてる植物は２本の八重桜、花桃、そして紅、黄色、紫の牡丹、木瓜などです。お近くの方は鑑賞にお立ち寄りください。

Dear my Facebook friends

　As you can see, after the plum blossoms have finished blooming, new green leaves are appearing. This is creating an environment I love. That is living in a forest with abundant photosynthesis. However, the large tree in the center, which at first glance looks like a dead tree, is actually a crape myrtle which is a plant from a tropical region such as southern China I guess. Its blooming season is different from other plants, leaves appear around May, and it blooms red for approximately 100 days, from mid-July to early October, therefore its Japanese name, "Hyakunichikoh" (meaning "hundred-day red").

　Currently, the plants blooming in the garden include two double-flowered cherry trees, flowering peach trees, and peonies in red, yellow, and purple, as well as quince blossoms. Please stop by without hesitation and enjoy the flowers in my garden if you're in the area.

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.