夕食前に、お気に入りコースを一歩き

　夕刻になり、これからお気に入りの土手をウォーキングします。足腰に多少、負荷を与えるため歩幅を３cmほど広げます。

　私は背は高い方で、(従って足も長い方)なので、これでスピードがいつもより速くなるでしょう。

　健康維持の一つは「如何にお腹を空かせるか」と考えます。もちろん、その後のビールは格別になると期待してます。心では、皆様と共に乾杯です。

Dear my friends

　It's evening and I'm going to walk along my favorite bank as you see in the photo. I will widen the stride by about 3cm to give some stress on my legs.

　I'm tall (therefore, have long legs), so this will probably make me faster than usual.

　I am of the opinion that one of the ways to maintain health is how to keep ourselves hungry. Of course, after walking I expect the beer to be exceptionally delicious. In my heart, I will toast together with my friends.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

「人にしてもらう」より、「自ら何ができるか」

　４月３０日となり、今年も３分の１が過ぎ去ろうとしています。正月以来、果たしてこの４ヶ月間、精神面と健康面でどれだけ進歩したか、自問自答しています。

　ポイントは、人に何か「してもらう」立場でなく、近隣社会のために自分は何が「できるか」が肝心であり、児童の登下校の交通安全、不審者対策のパトロール、一人暮らし高齢女性宅のゴミ出しなどは今まで同様に実践できました。４月からは更に地区の会計監査や班長となり、近隣の皆さんと話す機会が増え、社会的には充実しつつあります。

　ところで、庭で、「両方向を向いて咲いてる」大きなアマリリスを観察すると、私に「何が大切か」教えてくれているように感じます。例えば、高齢化社会を一人で生きる基盤では、がん対策や認知症対策を疎かにできないことであり、同時に、世界経済の推移は米国のダウ【大型株価指数】・ナスダック【ＩＴ関連】が中心であり、投資研究を継続しなければなりません。

　一方、ＳＮＳでもインプットのみに偏らず、アウトプットが脳に有効でありバランスを取りたいです。５月も、植物の観察と世話を通し、庭を緑溢れるキャンバスにし、室内に置いては語学とピアノを楽しむ生活を継続していきたい。

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my breakfast in Japan time.

..................................

　It's April 30th, therefore one-third of this year is about to pass. Since New Year's, I've been asking myself how much progress both of mentality and health in the past four months.

　The key point is not to be in a position to have someone do something for me, but what I can do for the neighborhood. I was able to work like take out the trash of elderly lady's home the same way as before. Since April, I have been working as an auditor and group leader for the district, so that I have had more opportunities to talk to people in the neighborhood, and my social life is becoming more fulfilling.

　Not change the subject, but when I observe a large amaryllis blooming in the garden facing both directions, I feel like it is teaching me what is important. For example, in order to live alone in the aging society, I cannot neglect measures against cancer and senile dementia, and at the same time. I must focus the world economy of the U.S. Dow [large stock index] and Nasdaq [I.T-related]. Yes, I will continue the investment research.

　On the other hand, even with SNS, I will maintain the output rather than relying solely on input for the brain. In May, I would like to continue my life of observing and caring for plants, making my garden a canvas full of greenery, and keeping it indoors to enjoy English and playing the piano. Please come and have some tea.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

　

蜂は蜜を吸いつつ、受粉する

　どこからともなく大きな蜂が飛来してます。蜂が止まってるのは芍薬の蕾です。

　一方、私は芍薬の蕾に蟻が来ることは子供の頃から知ってました。多分、芍薬は蕾のうちから美味しい香りを発散しているのでしょう。同様のことは、藤には熊蜂が飛来してます。蜂も生き物ですから、それぞれ好みがあるようです。

　ゴールデン明けには開花しそうです。これは一見に値する大輪の芍薬です。開花したらアップしますので、ご期待ください。それにしても、こんな蜂に刺されたら人間もひとたまりもありません。

Dear my friends abroad

　A big bee is flying out of nowhere. The bee perches on the Shakuyaku peony bud.

　On the other hand, I have known since I was a child that ants come to peonies buds. Perhaps peonies emit a delicious scent from their buds. Similarly, bumblebees fly in from everywhere on the wisteria. Bees are living creatures, so each one seems to have their own preferences.

　It will bloom at the end of the Japanese golden week around May 7. This is a large-flowered peony that is worth seeing. I will update for you when it blooms, so please look forward to it. Even so, if a bee stings us, no one will be able to survive.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

花にも、人にも、親切な思いやり

　写真は現在、咲いてる大きな牡丹です。今春は殊更よく咲いてくれました。花の色にはいろいろあっても、この薄い黄色は優しさに満ち溢れ、日々、寂しい私の心を癒してくれます。私がしてやれることは井戸水を与える事だけです。後は、牡丹が光合成により自力で大きくなりました。

　実は、今の場所へ引っ越して来たとき、周囲は田んぼや畑であり、市の水道が未だ来てませんでした。このため、両親が井戸掘り名人に井戸を掘ってもらったことが６０年経過した今になって功を奏してます。

　井戸とは、水を使えば使うほど後から「新鮮な水」が湧き出してくるので夢のようです。私はこの井戸水を風呂にも使っているので、いくら水を使っても水道代はただです。生前、母が言った「井戸を潰してはいけないよ」の言葉を忠実に守っており、今になって「母の言葉の重さ」をひしひしと感じてます。昨今のニュースを見ても、大地震により水道が止まることはあり得ることです。

　以前なら、今日は「みどりの日」。私たちはつい忘れがちです。いついかなる瞬間も、私たち人間は呼吸し、酸素を体内に入れ、生命を維持してます。その酸素を生成してるのは「植物」による光合成」です。その上、色彩という美まで与えてくれます。私はいつまでも植物を大切に育てます。

Dear my Facebook friends as earthlings

　The photo indicates a large peony that is currently blooming. It has bloomed especially well this spring. Although there are many different colors of flowers, this pale yellow color is full of kindness and soothes my lonely heart every day. All I can do is give them well-water only. After that, four peonies grew on their own through photosynthesis.

　Actually, when we moved to this current location, the surrounding area was rice fields and fields for vegetables, and there was still no water supply from the city. For this reason, my parents had a well dug by an expert well digger, and now, 60 years later, it quite worked well.

　A well is like a dream because the more water we use, the more "fresh water" comes out. I also use this well water for my bath, so no matter how much water I use, the water bill is just free. I faithfully followed my mother's words, "Don't destroy the well",and now I feel the dignity of her words all the more. "Recent news shows that water supply can be cut off due to a major earthquake.

　Previously, today would have been "Greenery Day." We tend to forget that at any given moment, we humans breathe, inhaling oxygen into our lungs, and sustain life. Essentially, oxygen is produced through photosynthesis by plants. What's more, it also gives us the beauty of color. I will always cherish plants.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

２種類の日本シャクナゲが開花してます。

　写真は、平地では珍しい品種の「日本シャクナゲ」が私の庭で咲き始めてます。

　皆さん、平地で多く咲く「西洋シャクナゲ」と日本の山岳地帯に咲く貴重な「日本シャクナゲ」の違いを一瞬にして見分ける方法をご存じでしょうか。

　概して西洋シャクナゲの花は多少人工的で派手ですが、日本シャクナゲは地味の中にも深い味わいがあります。しかし、これだけでは見る人の主観により、その区別が相違してしまいます。

　両者の決定的な違いは「葉の裏を見れば一目瞭然」です。西洋シャクナゲの葉の裏は普通の葉の色で緑や黄緑です。しかし、「日本シャクナゲ」の葉の裏は必ず黄土色をしてます。

Dear my overseas friends, I recommend you to see Japanese rhododendron

　In the photo, "Japanese Rhododendron" which is a rare variety found in flat areas, is starting to bloom in my garden.

　Everyone, do you know how to instantly tell the difference between "Western Rhododendrons" which often bloom in flatland, and "Japanese Rhododendron" which bloom in Japan's mountainous regions?

　In general, the flowers of Western rhododendrons are somewhat artificial and showy, but Japanese rhododendrons have a deep flavor. However, with this alone, the distinction will differ depending on the subjectivity of the viewer.

　The decisive difference between the two is "When you can see it at a glance by looking at the underside of the leaves." The underside of the leaves of Western rhododendron is usually green or yellow-green in color. However, the underside of the leaves of "Japanese rhododendron" is always ocher-colored.

　

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

また一つ「期待の星」が増えました。

　庭には、亡父が６０年前に植えた柿がありましたが、多少渋みがあったので、私や若かった娘たちはあまり食べませんでした。そのため殆どが野鳥の餌でした。

　ところが、３年前に幹の根元から１mほどの所に、新芽が出たので、これはチャンスと考え、新芽を残し、そのすぐ上から幹を思い切って切断しました。その後、新芽はどんどん成長し、ついに昨年秋には２０個ほど実が生り、食したところ、渋みがなく、誠に美味しくなりました。やはり剪定は大切と実感です。

　この時、改めて柿の効能を調べたところ、風邪予防、疲労回復、老化予防、美肌効果、血圧を下げるタンニン、腸を整える食物繊維も豊富とあり、一人で健康長寿をめざし暮らしてる私に、柿は理想的な果物と考えました。

　このためこれを機会に、新たに「富有」と「太秋」という品種の柿の若木２本を手に入れ、植えました。写真は「太秋」で、現在、新芽が吹き出し、ご覧の通り、樹勢が良いです。もう一方の「富有柿」も別の場所で順調に育ってます。

　昔から種を撒いて「桃栗３年、柿８年」と言われることから、意外と早く結実するかもしれません。果たしてどんな味の柿になるでしょう。それにしても、庭に柿の木が３本となり、食べ切れるでしょうか。美味しく健康に良い柿が豊作となったら、どうぞ味見においでください。これで私も名実共に本当の「柿沼」になれるでしょう。

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my breakfast in Japan time.

...................................

　There were persimmons in the garden that my late father had planted 60 years ago, but they were a bit astringent, so my young daughters and I didn't eat them much. Therefore, most of it was food for wild birds.

　However, three years ago, new sprouts appeared about 1 meter from the ground of this persimmon, so I thought this was an opportunity and decided to cut off the trunk just above it, leaving the new sprout. After that, the new shoots continued to grow, and finally, last fall, about 20 fruits were born, and when I ate them, they were not astringent and were truly delicious. I really feel that pruning is important.

　At this time, I looked into the effects of persimmons nutrients again, and found that they are rich in cold prevention, fatigue recovery, anti-aging, skin beautifying effects, tannin that lowers hypertension, and dietary fiber that regulates the large intestine. I thought persimmons were an ideal fruit.

　Therefore, I acquired this opportunity and plant new persimmon saplings of different two varieties "Fuyu" and "Taishu." The photo shows "Taishu" which is, as you see, currently sprouting new buds in good health. The other "Fuyu" is also growing well in another location in my garden.

　Since ancient times, it is said that when seeds are sown it takes 3 years for peach and chestnut, and 8 years for persimmon, so they may bear fruit sooner than expectation. What kind of flavor will the persimmons have? Anyway, there are now three persimmon trees in the garden, and I wonder if I am able to eat all of them. When these persimmon trees have a good harvest of delicious and healthy persimmons, please come and taste them. With this, I too can become a true "Kakinuma" both in name and reality. In Japan Kaki means persimmon.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

偶然同じこともあるもの・・・平和を希求

　以前に乗ってた黄色のＴＴQuattroと、現在乗ってるＴＴQuattroの青は偶然にウクライナ国旗と同じです。黄色は広い麦畑を表し、青はどこまでも広い空を表してます。

　私が関係したウクライナについては、組曲「展覧会の絵」を吹奏楽に編曲し、その中の「キエフの大きな門」が放送されたことがあります。

　今日は暫くぶりに、お気に入りの「吉井ドリームセンター」へ行って入浴してきました。途中で熊か鹿が出るかと思いましたが、遭遇しませんでした。でも、この近くに今もいることは確かです。

Dear my friends abroad

　The yellow TT Quattro I used to ride and the TT Quattro which I'm currently riding happen to be the same color as the Ukrainian flag. Yellow represents a wide wheat field, and blue represents an endless sky of Ukraine.

　Regarding Ukraine, where I was related, I have arranged the suite "Pictures at an Exhibition" for wind orchestra, and "The Great Gate of Kiev" was broadcast from NHK.

　Today, I went to my favorite "Yoshii Dream Center" and took a bath after a long interval. I thought I might see bears or deer along the way, but this time, I didn't. I'm sure they are still around here.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

暫くぶりに森の中をウォーキング

　鬱蒼とした樹木に覆われてる「群馬の森」の中を昨日の午後、１時間ほどウォーキングしてきました。ここは私の家から比較的近い高崎市綿貫町にある広大な森です。緑の中を歩くと、平素の喧騒とした社会から離れ、こんな私でも「人間性を取り戻す」感覚です。

　多くの樹木は、その１本１本の高さが２０m程の巨木ばかりで、樹齢１００～２００年と推定できます。その中をご覧の通り遊歩道が整備され、歩きやすくウォーキングの理想郷です。平素、私は烏川や鏑川を見ながら土手を歩くことに慣れてますが、このように空気のよい森の中をウォーキングするのも実に健康的です。

　歩きながら、ふと昔を思い出しました。長女が１才でよちよち歩きの頃です。私の両親と共に家族５人でここに来たことが蘇りました。それにしても、当時からずいぶん年数が経ったと実感です。その長女と、当時まだ生まれてなかった次女が今宵それぞれ家族を連れて、我が家で孫娘の誕生会が開かれるのですから時代が変わりました。

　実は、私が小学生の頃、この群馬の森の中に「岩鼻中学校」があり、私は訪れたことがあります。というのは、私の姉がそこで音楽教師をしていたからです。　

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my breakfast in Japan time.

.........................

　Yesterday afternoon, I walked for about an hour through the densely growing "Gumma Forest". This is a vast forest located in Watanuki-town, Takasaki City, which is relatively close to my residence. When I walk through the greenery, I get away from the hustle and bustle of society and though like this man, I feel "regaining humanity."

　Many of the trees are huge beyond expectation, each around 20 meters tall, and are estimated to be 100 to 200 years old. As you can see, there is a well-developed promenade, making it an ideal place for walking. Normally, I'm used to walking along the bank of the Karas and Kabra rivers while looking at them, but walking in the forest with good air like this is also really healthy.

　While I was walking, I suddenly remembered the past. It brought back memories of coming here with my parents as a family of five when my eldest daughter was one year old and a toddler. My second daughter was not yet born at the time. Even so, I feel that many years have passed since then. Times have changed. By the way, my eldest daughter and second daughter will be holding a birthday party for second daughter's daughter tonight at my home with their families together.

　In fact, when I was an elementary school student, there was a school called "Iwahana Junior High School" in this Gumma forest, and I had visited it. Because my eldest sister was a music teacher there.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

困難を克服し、チャンス到来時にはパッと咲く

　今朝、玄関前でバッと咲きました。この花はアマリリスです。冬の間、室内の温かな廊下で過ごした甲斐あっての開花です。近くでもう一つの蕾もスタンバイしてるので樹勢はよいと想われます。アマリリスは球根なので、うまく管理すれば今後も毎年咲き続けると期待してます。

　同様に、人間も厳しい条件下、恵まれない環境下でも懸命に努力し、強い意志を持って、目的に向かって困難を一つ一つ克服し、チャンス到来の暁には思い切り羽ばたきたいものです。

　現職中、教育現場にいたことから、お教えした生徒さんの中には驚くほど社会で活躍してる人もいます。すべては把握できませんが、分かっているだけでも最初に担任した中には香港日本商工会議所の会頭になった人もいます。私と同じ高校音楽教員は３名、高校教員数名、義務教育教員数名、高校長２名、海外日本人学校教員３名、高崎市議会議員２名、群馬県議会議員１名で、いずれも現職です。

　おそらく、最後に勤務した前橋高校からは医師など各方面で活躍してる人が多く、また、私が若い頃に接した人はすでに還暦を過ぎてます。高齢化社会での生き方については、私自身が実践中であり、体験中であり、模索の日々です。

　それでも、退職後の大きな三つの基盤は「健康、経済、社会性」であり、精神の充実のため、夢中になれる趣味は三つは必要と考えてます。

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my breakfast in Japan time.

....................................

　This morning, it has bloomed in front of the entrance. This flower is an amaryllis. The flowers are blooming as a result of spending time in the warm hallway indoors during the winter. Another bud is also standing by nearby, so I think the plant is doing well. Amaryllis is a bulb, so if managing it well, I expect it to continue blooming in this season every year.

　Similarly, humans should work hard even under difficulty or disadvantaged circumstances. They have a strong will, overcome difficulties one by one toward their purposes, and when their opportunity arises, they should take an active part in the various fields.

　During on my active service, I worked in high school education in Gumma Prefecture, and some of the students I taught were surprisingly are active in society. I don't know everything about their occupations, but within the radius of my knowledge, Mr. S, who was in my class, became the president of the Hong Kong Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. There are 3 high school music teachers like me, several high school teachers, several compulsory education teachers, 2 high school principals, 3 teachers from overseas Japanese schools, 2 Takasaki City Council members, and 1 Gumma Prefectural Assembly Member, all of whom are incumbent.

　There are probably many people from Maebashi High School, where I last worked, who are active in various fields, including doctors. And many of the people when I was young teacher have already passed their 60s. As for how to live in the aging society, I am putting it into practice myself , experiencing it, and exploring it every day.

　Still, the three major foundations of after retirement are "health, finance and sociality," at the same time, I believe that it is indispensable to have three hobbies that we can be passionate about in order to be mentally fulfilling.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

月までの距離を実感する

　今宵は月齢１７日目の月が出ています。月齢１５日目が満月ですから、よく観察すると確かに太陽と反対の位置が少々かけてます。

　地球から月までの距離はおよそ３８万㎞と計算されてます。この距離を実感するには、自らの車の走行距離と比較すると感覚的に捉えやすいです。

　私の場合、以前に乗ってた水色の「いすゞ１１７クーペ」に２６万Ｋ乗り、その後の黄色いアウディーＴＴを１２万Ｋ乗ったので、この2台だけで丁度、月まで行ったことになります。

　つまり、月への片道で４０年ほどかかってますから、今からでは、もう地球へ帰ることはできないです。今乗ってる水色のアウディーＴＴの走行距離はやっと１万５千Ｋなので、地球へ戻るには１００才を超えてしまうでしょう。これでは、もう皆さんに会えなくなってしまう。

Dear my Facebook friends throughout the world

　Tonight, we can see the 17th phase of the moon clearly. As you know, the full moon is the 15th of lunar phase, so if we look closely, the moon is slightly waned the surface of opposite the sun.

　By the way, the distance between the Earth and the Moon is calculated to be approximately 380,000 km. In order to realize fully for this distance, it's easy for us to get the intuitive sense by comparing to the distance traveled by our own car's milage.

　In my case, I drove 260,000 km on the light blue Isuzu 117 coupe I used to drive, and 120,000 km on the yellow Audi TT Quattro that followed, so I just went to the moon by these two cars.

　In other words, it took about 40 years to travel one way to the moon, so I will never be able to return to Earth. The light blue Audi TT which I'm currently driving has just 15,000 km, so if I want to return to the Earth, I'll probably be over 100 years old. If this happens, I won't be able to see you all anymore.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

「美」のある生活を求めつつ生きる

【クリックすると、画像が明瞭になります。】

　二十四節気の「穀雨」の通り、昨日までは恵みの雨となり、日に日に庭は緑色濃く覆われ、一方、花屋さんの店先のように色とりどりになってます。何故、このように私は花の咲く樹木に魅かれるようになったのでしょう。

　振り返ってみると、現職時代は、若き日のインド・カルカッタ日本人学校勤務に始まり、帰国後、群馬県内の高校(榛名、高商、富岡、前橋)で音楽教員であったことに起因するのかもしれません。

　音楽教育、一般の生徒に「音楽を媒介にした美の追求」が主眼であり、生徒がその後の長い人生で潤いある豊かな生活が送れることが目標です。どの高校でも音楽が好きな生徒(５０名程)と共に、吹奏楽演奏を通じてショスタコーヴッチの「革命」、ホルストの「惑星」、チャイコフスキーの１８１２年序曲を初めとし、古今の名曲演奏の数々を指揮する機会に恵まれたことは誠に有意義で楽しかったと記憶に残ってます。

　退職後の現在は演奏から離れ、音楽は専ら鑑賞する立場ですが、思いもよらず妻の早世という悲運に遭遇し、人生は大分狂いました。２０年経過し、最近になってやっと立ち直れました。その一役を果たしてくれたのが音楽であり、花の咲く樹木の数々でした。やはり人生にとって「美」が果たす役割は偉大です。

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my breakfast in Japan time.

...............................

　Just like the 24 solar terms "kokuu" (grain rain), the rain has been a blessing until yesterday, and as the result, the garden is turning greener day by day, while the garden is becoming colorful the same as the front of a flower shop. Why have I become so fascinated by flowering trees?

　When looking back, my active position began at the Japanese School in Calcutta, India, and after returning to Japan I became a music teacher at high schools (Haruna, Takasho, Tomioka, Maebashi) in Gumma Prefecture.

　The main purpose of music education is for general students to "pursue beauty through music", and the ultimate goal is for students to be able to lead fulfilling lives for the rest of their lives. I had the opportunity to conduct a number of masterpieces from all over the world, including Shostakovich's "Revolution Symphony", Holst's "The Planets" and Tchaikovsky' 1812 overture through brass band performances with about 50 students who loved music at all of the high schools. I remember that it was really meaningful and fun.

　After retiring, I have no opportunities from performing and only appreciates music. And I unexpectedly encountered the untimely tragic death of my wife. It's been 20 years and I've only recently been able to recover mentally. Music played a role in this case, the same as the many trees in bloom. After all, "Beauty" plays a great role our life.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

　　

庭先で目印になる「薄紫の藤」

【クリックすると、画像が鮮明になります。】　

　今日は一日中、雨に打たれましたが、それでも、その水分を恩恵として「薄紫の藤の花」が庭先できれいに枝垂れています。付近には良い香りが漂い、きっと前の道を歩く人も気づかれてるでしょう。

　この藤も未だ小さいので植木鉢で育ててますが、塀より高く、目に付きやすい位置に配置してあります。私としては来客を迎える目印にしてあります。

　今後、年間を通じてしっかり世話し、花の枝垂れがより長くなるように育てます。ですから、来年は花の房がもっと増え、ブログをご覧の皆さんが驚くほど大きくしたいと思います。

Dear my overseas Facebook friends who like wisteria

　It rained all day today in Gumma prefecture, but even so, the light purple wisteria's flowers are weeping beautifully at the entrance of garden by benefit from the moisture. A pleasant scent wafts around the area, so that I'm sure people walking on the path in front of the garden will notice it.

　This wisteria is still small, so I am raising her in a flower pot, but she is placed higher than the fence. So people can be easily seen. I use it as a landmark to welcome visitors.

　From now on, I will take good care of her throughout the year and raise it so that the weeping flowers will grow longer. So, next year I would like to show more clusters of flowers for everyone on weblog so as to be surprised.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

「枝垂れ八重桜」の成長を期す

　左の太い樹木は「枝垂れ梅」で、開花はすでに終わってます。中央の細い幹に花が咲いてる幼木は「枝垂れ八重桜」で植木鉢に植わってます。八重桜は一般の桜より開花が２週間ほど遅く現在咲いてます。

　写真を見て気づきましたが、偶然にも、この２本の樹木はそれぞれ幹が同じようにS字カーブして並んでます。これらは私が幹をくねらせたのではなく、プロの園芸士が生後1年の頃に人工的に曲げたのです。細い「枝垂れ八重桜」は今後この姿のまま成長し、今は８０cmほどの高さでも、直植えすると大きくなり、将来は枝ぶりも鑑賞に値すると期待してます。

　このように植物の観賞とは花のみならず、年間を通じて樹木の姿をも味わえる楽しみがあり、私も見よう見まねで「枝垂れ花桃」の子をS字カーブにし、すでに成長し今春開花したものもあります。庭は花盛りですが、今年の３月は寒冷だったので多くの植物が４月に一斉に咲き出してます。

　それにしても、この小さな「枝垂れ桜」のように将来どんな姿になるか期待感を持たせるものもあり、この期待感こそ「私たちが今後、希望を持って生きる一つの原動力」になります。そうだ、今日も光合成する植物たちと持ちつ持たれつつ、健やかに生活しよう。

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my breakfast in Japan time.

..........................

　The thick tree on the left is a "weeping plum" which has already finished blooming. The young tree with flowers blooming on the thin trunk in the center is a "weeping double cherry" which is planted in the flowerpot. Double cherry blossoms are currently blooming about two weeks later than regular cherry blossoms.

　I noticed when I looked at this photo that, coincidentally, the trunks of these two trees are lined up in the same S-shaped curve. These stems were not bent by me, but by a professional gardener when they were about a year old. The slender "weeping double cherry" will continue to grow as it is, and although it is currently about 80cm tall, it will grow larger if I plant directly on the ground, and I hope that her branches will be worth appreciating in the future.

　In this way, we admire plants not only about flowers, but also the pleasure of enjoying the appearance of trees throughout the year. I also tried to imitate the "weeping peach" child by making it into the S-shaped curve, and it has already grown and bloomed this spring. The garden is in full bloom, but since it was cold in March this year in Japan, many plants are blooming all at once in April.

　Even so, there are things like this small "weeping cherry" that give us a sense of anticipation. And this sense of anticipation will become "one of the moving powers for us to live with hope from now on" I will live a healthy life together with plants interdependently that photosynthesize.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

　

時には、車に解放感を！

　最近では珍しく、一昨日は埼玉花園インターから藤岡インターまで、続けて今日は藤岡インターから吉井インターまで高速道路を走りました。どちらも「あっと」いう間に到着です。

　タイヤ幅２４５mm－扁平率３５％－直径１９インチで、しかも、乗用車では珍しく「常時四輪駆動」は路面に吸い付く感覚で走り、運転は楽です。１００Kではノロノロ運転気味で、車が不満のようでした。

　アウデー・ディーラーの話では、２００Kは簡単に出るとのことです。しかし、日々、あまり乗らず、一般道のみでした。このため、常に欲求不満気味であるエンジンに、時には高速道で解放感を与えることが車を絶好調にすると感じました。

　群馬県はほぼ日本の真ん中に位置することから、運よく４本の高速道【関越道、北関東道、上信越道、東北道】が走ってるので、隣接県へはすぐに到着です。助手席に乗る人が現れたら趣味の一つに関東甲信越を中心に温泉巡りが増えるかもしれない。

Dear my Facebook friends abroad who like driving with sweetheart

　It's rare these days, but the day before yesterday I drove on the expressway from Saitama Hanazono Interchange to Fujioka Interchange, and today from Fujioka Interchange to Yoshii Interchange. Both arrived in the blink of eye.

　The tire width is 245mm, the flattening is 35%, and the diameter is 19inch, and the "constant four-wheel drive" feature, which is rare for a passenger car, makes it feel like it sticks to the road surface, and makes it easy to drive for me. At 100km per 1 hour too slowly so that the car seemed dissatisfied.

　According to the Audi dealer, 200km is easily available. I didn't ride it much, only on public roads. For this reason, I felt that the engine is always feeling frustrated, therefore a sense of freedom on the highway would make the blue car run at its best.

　As you know, since Gumma Prefecture is located almost in the center of Japan, we are fortunate to have four expressways running through it [Kanetsu Expressway, Kita-Kanto Expressway, Joshin-etsu Expressway, and Tohoku Expressway], so we can quickly reach neighboring prefectures. When a lady were to sit in the passenger seat, one of my hobbies might be visiting hot springs, especially in neighboring prefectures in the Kanto-Ko-shin-etsu region.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

出合いは偶然、出会いも偶然

【画像をクリックしてください。】

　人生とは「偶然、新たな事が起こる」ことが多いです。今までの人生を振り返っても、特に人事異動では新たな人との出会いがあり、結果的に、ある人から「大きな影響を受け」、その後の人生の基盤まで変わって今の生き方に繋がってます。

　先日、長女が所用で私の家に来て、私が「暫くぶりに埼玉の植木屋へ植木を見に行きたい」と言いましたら、長女が、それなら「今から私の家に来ない。そして植木を見てからお昼を一緒に食べよう」と言ってくれました。結局、2台の車を連ねて埼玉へ行き、途中で私は植木屋に立ち寄りました。

　そして、出合ったのが写真の「アジサイ」です。この色彩を見た瞬間、すぐに惹き付けられてしまい、心で「うちの庭においで」と叫んでしまいました。値段も手ごろなので躊躇することなく購入です。

　ご覧の通り、アジサイの花は外側から色彩が濃くなり、徐々に内側へとその色彩が移動して行くことが分かります。写真のように中央の色の違いは途中の段階です。何事も、完成のみが良いとは限らず、途中の段階も二度とない魅力です。人間の成長段階も同様かも知れない。

　この日は「長女の一言」の偶然により、気に入ったアジサイに出合い、美味しい昼食も味わい、これから毎年、この色彩を庭で楽しめます。

　音楽の魅力は素敵なメロディーと音色、植物の魅力は枝ぶりと色彩です。これからも「偶然の出会い」を大切に、人生の第４コーナーを駆け巡りたい。偶然の出合いと、偶然の出会いに影響されてる人生です。

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my breakfast in Japan time.

.............................

　In our life, new things often happen by chance. Looking back on my life up until now, I have encountered new people, especially during personnel changes in schools, and as a result, I had a "big influence" from person who changed the foundation of my life, after that, he led to the way I live now.

　The other day, my eldest daughter came to my house for business, and I said "I want to go to a gardener in Saitama Prefecture to look at the plants after a long interval''. Then my eldest daughter said, If that's the case, how about coming to my house from now on'', then, let's look at the plants and then have lunch together.'' As the result, we drove to Saitama in two cars, and on the way I stopped at a gardener.

　Then, I came across the "hydrangea" in the photo. The moment I saw this color, I was immediately fascinated by it, and my heart screamed, "Come to my garden!" The price is reasonable, so I bought it without hesitation.

　As you can see, the color of the hydrangea's flower becomes darker from the outside, and the color gradually moves towards the inside. As shown in the photo, the difference in color in the center is an intermediate step. Generally, finishing something isn't always good, and the charm of something exists the intermediate stage that we have to see. The same may be true in human growth stages.

　On this day, due to a coincidence of my eldest daughter's words, I came across a hydrangea that I liked, enjoyed a delicious lunch together, and will be able to enjoy these colors in my garden every year from now on.

　The charm of music is its wonderful melody and tone quality , and the charm of plants is their shape of branches and colors. From now on, I want to cherish "Coincidental Encounters" and explore the fourth corner of my life. Life is influenced by accidental encounters something and accidental encounters humans.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

　　

倉賀野小児童の交通安全を願い、通学路で「声掛け運動」

　今日の社会参加は二つあり、一つは先程、倉賀野小児童の下校指導でした。学校近くの信号で赤い棒を持ち横断の手助けします。子供たちは数人まとまると横断しますが、あくまで子どもが主体で信号機の色を緑に変えます。その際「お帰りなさい」など「声掛け運動」しました。

　朝、ラジオ体操へ来る子や、ピアノを弾く子など普段から知ってる近所の子には「～ちゃん、お帰り」と声を掛けます。たまには、私が倉賀野小校歌を歌うと珍しのでしょう。いっしょに歌う子もいます。

　もう一つの社会参加は月曜なので、一人暮らしの高齢女性のゴミ出しをしました。これらの仕事は、間違いなく行うことが肝心なので、私自身が注意力を呼び覚ましたり、結果的にかなり歩くので健康的です。

　子どもの成長期で大切なことは「大人はちゃんと自分たちを見ている。」と子供たちが認識できることと思います。

Dear my friends abroad

　Today, there were two types of social participation for me, one of which was teaching the Kuragano elementary school children on their way home from school. At the traffic lights near the school, I hold a red stick to help students cross. Children cross the road in groups, but it needs that student leads in changing the color of the traffic light to green. At that time, I did a "call out campaign" such as "Hello!'' or How are you?.

　Sometimes, I , I say "Hello!' ～chan,'' to children in my neighborhood that I know regularly, such as the child who comes to radio gymnastics in the morning or the child who plays the piano. When I sing the Kuragano Elementary School song once in a while. Some children sing together.

　Another social activity of today was Monday, so I took out the garbage for an elderly woman who lives alone. These tasks are important because I must do without fail, so I wake up my attention, and as a result, I walk a lot, which is healthy.

　I am of the opinion that it is educationally important when children are growing up, they realize that adults are watching them closely.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

言葉は通じなくても、藤を見る目は共通

【画像を拡大すると、ピントが合います。】

　新緑に覆われつつある中で、一際目に付く「赤紫の藤」です。もうすでに１５年ほど前から咲いてます。藤は香りがよく、普段は見ることがない大きな熊蜂が一体どこから飛来して来るのでしょう。すごい音を立てて蜜を吸いに来ます。藤の花は優しい姿で見る人を癒します。

　昨日は前の道を通りかかったヴェトナムの青年がこの藤を写真に収めてました。透かさず声を掛け、少しの間、英語と日本語で話をしましたが、来日したばかりのようで言葉はあまり通じません。しかし、花の魅力を感じる彼の心は私と同じで藤に魅入ってました。

　ところで、麻や木綿の普及にともなって姿を消しつつある現代ですが、藤の枝の皮は生活に活用され、藤で染めた藤織り・藤布の伝統を残そうと京都・丹後には保存会があるほどです。この事はたまたま昨夜のNHKテレビで紹介されてました。藤は日本古来からの植物で観賞とともに生活にも有用されてきたのです。

　藤の花には写真の赤紫の他、一般的には青紫が多く、白も見かけます。群馬県の今日は雨ですので、今日は水遣りしなくて済みます。誠に恵みの雨で、今日一日で新緑は一層深まり、私の夢である「森の中の暮らし」に一段と近づくでしょう。晴耕雨読と行きたいところですが、久々に「ショパンの雨だれ」を復習しましょう。

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIqmd1g8GMQ

　

Dear my overseas friends who like wisteria the same as me

　The reddish-purple wisteria stands out among the fresh green leaves. I got this plant 15 years ago, since then it has been blooming every spring. Wisteria is fragrant, and I wonder where the big bumblebees that we don't usually see come from. They come to suck the nectar with making a lot of noise. Wisteria flowers heal us with their mild appearance.

　Yesterday, a young Vietnamese man was passing by on the path in front of my garden and took a photo of this wisteria. So I call to him and we spoke for a while in English and Japanese, but he seemed to have just arrived in Japan, so we couldn't understand much. However, he seemed to be fascinated by the charm of flowers just like me.

　Not change the subject, but wisteria branches are disappearing for using due to the spread of hemp and cotton, but the skin of wisteria branches is still used in daily life, especially in Tango, Kyoto prefecture, people are trying to preserve this tradition of wisteria weaving and wisteria cloth dyed with wisteria. There is even a preservation society. This tradition was introduced on NHK TV last night. Wisteria is a plant that has been used since ancient times in Japan, and has been appreciating as well as useful in daily life.

　In addition to the red-purple color shown in the photo, wisteria flowers are generally blue-purple in color, and white flowers are also seen. It's raining today in Gumma Prefecture, so there's no need to water the plants today. The rain has truly been a blessing, for me, as the result, the fresh greenery has deepened throughout the day. Therefore, it brings me even closer to my dream of "living in the forest". Plow the field on fine days and read books on wet days, but I'm going to review "Chopin's Rain Drop Prelude'' after a long interval.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

一般住宅を改造し、夫妻で洋食レストランに・・・感銘！

　以前にお目にかけましたが、今日も良く咲いてるので、もう一度庭のサイネリアをご覧ください。これだけ多くの花が長い期間咲いてる植物も珍しいです。その代わり、朝夕、水をたっぷりやらないと萎んでしまいます。

　この秋には温室を作る予定なので、その中で冬を過ごせば来春もよく咲いてくれると期待してます。写真は拡大してご覧ください。

　ところで、今日は埼玉の長女宅まで愛車でドライブし、近くでいっしょに昼食を戴きました。その場所は、一般住宅を改造してご夫妻で洋食レストランを開いており、家庭的でとても雰囲気が良く、落ち着いて美味しく戴けました。改めて、埼玉の環境は緑いっぱいで自然に満ちてることを再認識しました。

Dear my Facebook friends abroad

　I've shown this flower before, but it's blooming well till today, so please take a look at the cineraria in the garden again. This flower is rare to bloom so many flowers for such a long period of time. On the other hand, if I don't water them thoroughly in the morning and evening, they will wilt.

　I'm planning to build a greenhouse this fall, so I'm hoping that if she spends during the winter there, she will bloom well next spring as well. Please enlarge the photo.

　Not change the subject, but today I drove to my eldest daughter's house in Saitama in my car and had lunch together nearby. The place was a converted ordinary house and a couple had opened a Western restaurant there. I felt a very homely atmosphere, and we were able to enjoy a relaxing and delicious meal. Once again, I realized that Saitama is full of greenery and splendid nature.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

模索は続く・・・・精神と肉体を錆びつかせない生き方

　一人暮らしの高齢者が増え続けているとのことです。総務省の統計によると、令和２年の単身高齢者の数は「６７２万人」で、この内、男性約 231 万人、女性 約 441 万人となってます。すでに、統計後４年が経過してるので、現在はもっと増加しているでしょう。更に、今後も増加が見込まれてます。

　その要因としては、未婚率、離婚率の上昇と共に、配偶者との死別後も「子供と同居しない人の増加」があげられます。この現実は、どの家庭においても当てはまる近未来の姿と言えるでしょう。実は、私も全くこの通りで、すでに一人暮らしを長い期間続けてます。

　高齢期を毎日一人で過ごすことは、先ず「日常生活で不安を抱え」、多くの場合は「頼れる人がいない」、そして「心配事がある」からです。お金がないのも辛くても「孤独とは、お金があっても多分解決できません。」

　孤独との付き合いは一人暮らしの高齢者にとって一番勇気の要ることです。しかしながら、この環境は、あくまで自分で救済するしかありません。

　　

　その基本は、日々、適度な運動を取り入れ、低栄養にならぬことです。今までの友人との付き合いが減り、一緒に遊べる人が次第に減ってます。このため、近所との交流など社会との接点を保つことが大切です。最も肝心なことは、自ら興味関心あることに精神を傾注していくことで、高齢期では、夢中になれる趣味こそ精神と肉体を錆びつかせないことに繋がるでしょう。

Dear my friends abroad

　　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my breakfast in Japan time.

.................................

　The number of elderly people living alone continues to increase. According to statistics from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan, the number of elderly people living alone in 2020 was 6.72 million, of which approximately 2.31 million were men and 4.41 million were women. It has already been four years since the statistics were published, so the number is probably increasing even more now. Moreover, it will be increase in the near future.

　Factors of this result include the rise in unmarried and divorce rates, as well as the "increase in the number of people who do not live with their children" even after their spouse dies. This reality can be said to be in the near future that applies to every family. Actually, I am exactly the same situation above mentioned and have been living alone for a long time about 20 years.

　Living alone every day in old age is first of all, we are worried about our daily life, and in many cases we have no person to rely on, and we have problems to worry about. Even though it's hard not to have money, "Money probably can't solve loneliness."

　Dealing with loneliness is the most courageous matter for elderly people living alone. However, in this environment, we have no choice but to save ourselves.

　The basics are to take in moderate exercise every day and avoid malnutrition. My relationships with friends have decreased, and the number of people I could play with is gradually decreasing. For this reason, it is important for us to maintain contact with society, such as interacting with neighbors. The most important and indispensable way of thinking is to devote our mind to something we are interested in. In old age, hobbies that we can become absorbed in will help to keep our mind and body from getting rusty.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

　

新緑の季節となり、樹木に感謝する日々

【画像をクリックするとピントが合います。】

　庭の樹木が新緑となり、次第に住まいが見えなくなりつつあります。これから更に緑濃くなると殆ど見えなくなるので、私の夢である「森の中で生活する環境」に近くなります。

　人間は、「光合成」で生じる酸素を吸い、植物によって生かされてることを感じつつ生活したいです。花は草花でなく、樹木に花が咲くものです。中央に見える紅い花は牡丹と西洋シャクナゲです。左のピンクは藤です。

　庭の真ん中にはお茶が飲める丸いテーブルがありますので春のひと時を花見と歓談にいらして下さい。

Dear my Facebook friends abroad

　The trees in the garden are turning fresh green leaves, so that the house is gradually disappearing. From now on, as the green becomes darker day by day, you will hardly be able to see my house, so it will be closer to my dream of living in a forest.

　As you know, we humans are able to live and maintain our lives by breathing the oxygen which is produced through photosynthesis by plants. And I want to feel that, and keep alive. Here all the flowers are not grass plants, but flowers bloom on trees. The red flowers in the center are botan peonies and western rhododendrons. The pink on the left is wisteria.

　There is a round table in the middle of the garden where we can drink tea, so please come and enjoy some spring time while viewing the blossoms and chatting.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

現在の地球の公転上の位置はどこ？・・・深夜に真南を見て知る

　昨日は、度々訪れてる吉井町の「牛伏山」付近での熊の目撃情報について書いたので、実は、私がもっと関心あることが書けませんでした。昨日は二十四節気の一つ「穀雨」でした。

　地球が太陽の周りを一周(公転)する３６０度を２４等分すると、一つの角度が１５°になります。このため、地球が反時計回りに１５°進むと次の「二十四節気」になります。

　昨日の「穀雨」で「地球は公転軌道上の一体どこに浮かんでいた」でしょうか。

　と言えば、深夜の午前０時に真南の空を見れば答えが出ます。つまり、太陽から約１憶５千万㎞の距離を保って周遊してる私たちの地球は、太陽系の周囲にほぼ等間隔に存在する「黄道十二星座」の「乙女座」の少し東の方角に現在来ています。「乙女座」には一等星スピカがあり、この星は黄道上にあります。

　穀雨の頃になると、日本を含む温帯では春の雨が穀物を潤し、農業を営む人は、この時期に種まきをすると植物の成長に欠かせない雨に恵まれます。私の庭でも、ご覧の通り、赤紫の藤が咲き始め、各種西洋シャクナゲが咲き誇ってます。どうぞ、見にいらして下さい。

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my breakfast in Japan time.

..............................

　Yesterday, I wrote about a bear appearance near Mt. Ushibuse in Yoshii Town, which I often visit, so I couldn't write about something more interesting to me. Yesterday was "Kokuu" that means the season of grain rain which is one of the 24 solar calendars.

　If we divide the 360 degrees that the Earth goes once around the sun into 24 equal parts, each angle will be 15 degrees. Therefore, when the earth moves 15 degrees counterclockwise, the next "24 solar calendar" will occur.

　What on earth, where was our Earth floating in its orbit yesterday's "Kokuu"

　Speaking of this question, if we humans look at the sky of due south at midnight, we will find the answer. In other words, our Earth which travels around at a distance of about 150 million km from the sun, is located slightly eastern direction of Virgo, a constellation of the zodiac that exists at approximately equal intervals around the solar system. So our earth is currently heading towards this direction. There is a first-magnitude star named Spica in the constellation Virgo, and this first-magnitude star shines on the ecliptic.

　At the time of "Kokuu", spring rain moistens grains in temperate regions including such as Japan, and farmers who sow seeds at this time are blessed with rain, which is essential for plant growth. In my garden, as you can see in the photo, the reddish-purple wisteria is beginning to bloom, and various Western rhododendrons are in full bloom. Please come and have a look without hesitation.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

　

危険が迫りつつある・・・身近な所にも

　写真は私が日帰り温泉として度々訪れる「牛伏ドリームセンター」の近くに聳える「牛伏山・標高４９１m」の展望台です。このため景色はよく、高崎市内では初日の出を拝む場所として有名です。写真では右に城が見え、この三階からは高崎・前橋・伊勢崎、藤岡はもとより、上毛三山、谷川岳、そして活火山・浅間山が大きく望め、良い展望スポットとしてお薦めできます。

　ところが、実は、昨日いつものように「牛伏ドリームセンター」へ入浴に行きましたら、施設の入り口に大きく「注意書き」があり、その内容は、「昨日１７日、牛伏山の展望台付近で熊が目撃されました。」とありました。この展望台へは私もたびたび愛車で行くことから本当に驚いてます。

　群馬県では熊の出没をよく聞きますが、まさか私のお気に入りである牛伏山でも熊が目撃されたとは、桜の名所、ツツジの名所である牛伏山山頂での散策は暫くできなくなりました。近年、熊は次第に人里近くに出没するようになってます。特に一人での登山は控えなくてはなりません。

　友人アルカディアさんは榛名山の山頂付近で以前に熊とバッタリ遭遇してしまい、急いで逃げる途中、足を骨折してしまいましたが、それでも命のために逃げたそうです。熊はいよいよ人間の近くにやって来てます。自然散策するには、大きな音がする「クマ除けの鈴」を鳴らしながら行う必要が出てきました。

Dear my overseas friends who like nature walk

　The photo is of the observation place of Mt. Ushibuse (the altitude 491m) which is located near Ushibuse Dream Center, which I often visit as a day-trip hot spring. For this reason, the scenery is beautiful and it is famous as a place to watch the first sunrise of the year in Takasaki City. In the photo, you can see the castle on the right, and from this third floor we can see not only Takasaki-city, Maebashi, Isesaki, and Fujioka, but also three well-known mountains in Gumma Prefecture, Mt. Tanigawa, and Volcano Mt. Asama. Therefore, this is a recommended spot as an observation place.

　However, when I went to take a bath at the Ushibuse Dream Center yesterday as usual, there was a large notice at the entrance of the facility that indicates "Yesterday, on the 17th, a bear was seen near the Ushibuse Observation place". I was really surprised because I often go to this observatory by my blue car.

　I often hear about bears appearing in our Gumma Prefecture, but I never expected a bear to be seen even on my favorite mountain, Mt. Ushibuse. It will no longer be possible for me to take a walk at the summit of Mt. Ushibuse where is a famous spot for cherry blossoms and azaleas. In recent years, bears have been increasingly appearing near human settlements. In particular, we should refrain from climbing mountain alone.

　Previously, my friend Mr. Arcadia ran into a bear near the summit of Mt. Haruna, and while he was running away, he broke his leg, but he had to still run for his life. Bears are finally coming closer to humans. In order to take a nature walk, we have become necessary to ring a loud bell to keep bears away.

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機械から離れ、感動・感銘ある生活を求める・・・認知症対策

　４月になると太陽の動きは日々かなり変化しつつあります。今日の日の出は５時0６分で、昨日より２分も早くなってます。また、大陽の出る方角は大分北寄りになり、真北から７５°の位置です。正午の太陽高度は６４°になります。因みに冬至では３０°でした。

　太陽高度は今後、夏至の７７°向かって日に日に高くなります。もちろん、この理由は地球が公転面に対し約２３．４°を保ちつつ反時計回りに公転しているからです。このように自然は日々変化しつつあっても、肝心の私は日々良い方向に変化しているか振り返りますが、目に見える進歩は少ないです。

　ところで、認知症になる確率は私の年代では約３人に１人といわれてます。いつかは罹るにしても、どうにかして遅らせ、いつまでも今まで通りの生活を続けたいものです。いろいろ工夫してますが、今考えてる認知症を遅らせる一つは、生活の中で「感動、感銘のある体験が効果的」ではないか、ということです。

　それには日々、できるだけ「機械から離れ」、生身の人間が演ずる観劇、声楽や器楽による生の音楽会鑑賞、美術作品の観賞などと共に、日々、植物の色彩や形に美を求め、今までにない「新たな感動を伴う生活」を求めたいと思います。因みに、今日は「発明の日」。生き方もいろいろ発明しなくてはなりません。写真は西洋シャクナゲ「銀嶺」で、白の中に薄い赤がほんのり含まれ、とても惹きつけられます。

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my breakfast in Japan time.

...................................

　In April, the movement of the sun changes considerably day to day. Today's sunrise is 5:06, which is 2 minutes earlier than yesterday in Gumma prefecture, Japan. Also, the direction of sun rising is much closer to the north, at a position of 75° measured from due north. The sun's altitude at noon is 64° today. By the way, it was 30° at the winter solstice.

　From now on, the solar altitude will increase day by day towards 77° of the summer solstice. Of course, the reason for this is that the Earth revolves counterclockwise, maintaining the angle of about 23.4 degrees to the orbital plane. Even though nature is changing day by day, I look back myself, whether it is changing for the better or not, but there is little progress that I can see.

　Not change the subject, but the ratio of suffering from senile dementia is said to be approximately 1 in 3 people in my age group. Even if I'm going to get it someday, I want to somehow delay it and continue living my life so far. I'm trying to come up with a lot of things, but one thing now to slow down the onset of dementia is that it's effective to have moving experiences in our daily life.

　To achieve this, we should stay away from machines as much as possible every day, attend plays performed by real people, listen to live vocal and instrumental music concerts, and admire works of fine art. I also seek beauty in the colors and shapes of plants. I would like to seek a "life with new excitement" that I have never experienced before. By the way, today is "Invention Day". We have to invent various ways of living. The photo is of the Western rhododendron "Ginrei", which has a slight hint of light red in its white color and is very attractive.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

　　

今朝、急に開花し、私を驚かせた絞りの牡丹

　「立てば芍薬、座れば牡丹、歩く姿は百合の花」と、昔から日本女性のすらっとした立ち振る舞いを芍薬に喩えてます。 牡丹は枝分かれした横向きの枝に花をつけるため、日本女性が座っているかのように見えるさまを表現し、百合（ユリ）は風を受けて揺れるさまから、女性が優美に歩く姿のようだと比喩しているのでしよう。

　哀れにも我が家に日本女性がいなくて寂しい限りです。一人の日本男児のみです。しかし、これからしばらくの期間、これらの植物を眺められ、これはこれで多少幸せです。

　今日はかなり温かいことから写真の牡丹が急に開花し、先程気づきました。牡丹は４種類(絞り、ピンク、紫、黄色)の色彩を育ており、今朝咲いたのは紅白の絞りです。牡丹の花は大きいくて、色彩と共にゆったりした大らかな心にも見えます。

　芍薬は２種類育てており、こちらは今月下旬の開花です。ユリも数種ありますが、開花は５月です。庭は誠に花盛りななりつつあり、毎日、水遣りが大忙しです。駐車場完備ですので、遠慮せずに見学においでください。お茶と、ご希望があれば、拙いピアノ演奏も聴いて戴けます。

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my lunch time in Japan time.

..................................

　"When Japanese lady stands up, she looks like a shakuyaku peony, when she sits down, she looks like a botan peony, and when she walks, she looks like a lily." The slender demeanor of Japanese lady has long been compared to a shakuyaku peony. Botan peony blooms on sideways branches, giving the appearance of a Japanese lady is sitting, while lilies sway in the wind, giving the impression of a lady walking gracefully. These way of expression would be used as metaphor.

　It's sad that I don't have a Japanese woman in my family. There is only one Japanese boy. However, I am somewhat happy that I will be able to appreciate these plants sometimes.

　It's quite warm today, so the shakuyaku peonies in the photo suddenly bloomed in front of the entrance, and I noticed them this morning. I raise botan peonies in four different colors (dapple, pink, purple, and yellow), and the dapple that bloomed this morning are red and white. Botan peony flowers are large and colorful, giving the impression of a relaxed and generous heart.

　I am raising two types of shakuyaku peonies, and one will bloom later this month. There are several types of lilies, but they only bloom in May. The garden is really blooming, and I'm busy watering it every day. There is a parking lot available, so please come and have a look. You can enjoy tea and listen to my clumsy piano performance if you wish.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

今朝の日の出は５時０８分(群馬県)です。

【今朝５時１０分頃、三階から撮った日の出です。】

　今日は４月１７日で明治５年までの旧暦では３月３日の「桃の節句」を過ぎ、３月９日で、しかも、大安です。結婚するなら今日が薦められ、同様に大安は旅行、移転、開店、車の購入などに良い日といわれてます。

　この大安や友引、あるいは仏滅などといわれる六曜は「旧暦では日付と六曜が結びついており、毎年同じ」です。つまり六曜については未来永劫に亘り、１年中が決まってます。

　その順番は先勝、友引、先負、仏滅、大安、赤口です。また、旧暦の一月一日は先勝で始まり、以下、二月は友引から、三月は先負から、四月は仏滅から、五月は大安から、六月は赤口から始まり、後半も同様に、七月は先勝から始まり、八月は友引から、九月は先負から、十月は仏滅から、十一月は大安から、十二月は赤口から始まります。

　旧暦の日付と「月の満ち欠け」は必ず一致してます。三日月がでれば３日であり、十五夜の日は１５日です。いざよいの月が出れば１６日です。現代のように紙のカレンダーがない時代では、月を眺めればその日が分かるので、便利だったと考えられます。ただ、生まれた日が仏滅の場合、その人の誕生会は毎年、仏滅だったことになります。

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my breakfast in Japan time.

...................................

　Today is April 17th, and according to the lunar calendar until 1895, the Peach Festival for girls on March 3rd has passed, and today is March 9th which is also the day of Taian of lucky day. If you want to get married, today is recommended. Similarly, Taian is said to be a good day for traveling, relocating, opening a business, buying a car, etc.

　This Rokuyo which is said to be Taian, Tomobiki, or Butsumetsu and etc., is "in the lunar calendar, the date and Rokuyo and 6days are connected, and it is the same every year". In other words, Rokuyo will be fixed throughout the year for eternity.

　The 6day's order is Sensho, Tomobiki, Sakimet, Butsumetsu, Taian, and Shakou. Also, the first day of January in the lunar calendar begins with Sensho, then February starts with Tomobiki, March with Sakimake, April with Butsumetsu, May with Taian, June with Shakou, and the same goes for the second half of years, July starts with Sensho, August with Tomobiki, September with Sakimake, October with Butsumetsu, November with Taian, and December with Shakou.

　The lunar calendar date and the celestial "phases of the moon" always match. If the crescent moon appears, it will be the 3rd of month, and the full moon indicates the 15th. After the full moon, it will be the 16th. In a period when there were no paper calendars, it would have been convenient to be able to tell the day by looking at the moon phase. However, if the person's birth date is Butsumetsu of unlucky day then that person's birthday party will be held every year on Butsumetsu.

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効果的な記憶法・・・いかに脳に印象付けるか

　写真は、3年前にツツジを剪定したとき、落ちた枝を試しに挿し木にした３本のうちの１本です。今日現在、親は未だ咲いていないのに子供の方が早く元気に咲き出してます。親のツツジは、やはり亡父がこの地に引っ越して来た６０年以上前にどこからか仕入れてきたものでした。

　ツツジが挿し木で増える知識は私にもありましたが、実際に初めて挿し木にし、見事に開花して嬉しいです。昔から人間は挿し木によって植物を増やす方法を知っていたのでしょう。他の植物も挿し木で増やせれば、庭は年々豊かになります。

　私たちは昔の人が習得した知識を真似て実践すれば　挿し木に限らず、よい方法を享受でるかもしれません。いい年をして英単語の記憶に挑戦してますが、今のところ「声に出して耳で聞いて脳に印象付けてます」が、なかなか定着しません。英単語記憶法で効果的な方法があったら、どなたかお教えください。ただ、私は、学習に遅すぎることはないと思ってます。

Dear my Facebook friends abroad

　The photo is one of the three azaleas I cut from fallen branches when I pruned the azalea three years ago. As of today, the parents have not yet bloomed, but the child in the photo is blooming earlier and vigorously. The parent's azaleas was purchased from somewhere over 60 years ago when my late father moved to this area.

　I had the knowledge that azaleas can be propagated by cutting, but this was my first experience actually using cuttings, and I am happy that she bloomed beautifully beyond expectation. Since ancient times, humans have probably known how to propagate plants through cutting. If we can propagate other plants using cutting, our garden will become richer year after year without using money.

　If we imitate and put into practice, we will be able to acquire knowledges by people in the past, therefore, not just cuttings, we may be able to enjoy good methods in many fields. Now I'm older, I'm trying to memorize English words, but so far I've been trying to pronounce it loud and by listening I impress on my brain,'' but I can't memorize steadily. If anyone has an effective way for memorizing English words, please let me know. However, I believe it's never too late to learn.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

高齢期こそ、楽しみ溢れる時間に

　私は倉賀野中出身で同級生は男女合わせて２００名ほどいましたが、今では街中を歩いても同級生に会うことは殆どなくなりました。女子は結婚で町外に行った方も多いでしょうが、男子にもめったに会いません。もしかして、もう町には居ないのでしょうか。

　私たちは誰でも年齢を重ねると、いっしょに遊べる友達がだんだん減って来ます。このためにも早いうちに「1人で遊ぶ癖をつけておいたほういい」と思います。

　もし、怖いことや危険なことは一切しないという用心深い人間になってしまうと、おもしろい体験ができず、目の前の事案に対する解決策を自ら考えることもなくなり、脳が錆びつく傾向にならざるをえません。冒険は決して青年や壮年だけのものではなく、有り余る時間を持つ高齢期の特権で、この時間を生かさなければ人生の第四コーナーは充実できません。

　寂しいと思ったら、時には年齢が違った人と、もちろん異性を含め、いくつになっても話の合う人たちと食事をすると脳が刺激され、本当に楽しいものです。異性と接すると初々して気持ちで身だしなみを整えるものです。これには健全な色気が生じ、お互いに別世界のように楽しいでしょう。

　人生は意外と短く一回きりのものです。自分の意志を大切にし、毎日、好きなことで忙しい日々でありたいものです。先ず、家に閉じこもらず、小さなことであっても新たな体験に挑戦です。これは喜びや生きがいにつながります。その点、花の咲く植物をいろいろ育てたり、音楽など広く芸術、そして、旅は高齢期の脳に刺激を与えるとても有意義で素晴らしい科目です。

　

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my breakfast in Japan time.

..............................

　I graduated from Kuragano Junior High School and had about 200 classmates including both male and female, but now I hardly encounter them when I walk around town. Many girls have moved out of the town to get married, but I rarely meet boys as well. Maybe they are not in this town anymore?

　As we all grow older, the number of friends we can play with each other gradually decreases. For this reason, I think it's an indispensable idea to get the habit of playing alone as early as possible.

　If we become a cautious person who never does anything scary or dangerous, we tend to not have any interesting experiences, we won't be able to think of solutions to the problems in front of us, and our brain will liable to become rusty. Adventures are by no means only for young people or the prime of life, but are the privilege of old age, who have plenty of time. If we don't make the most of this time, we aren't able to fulfill the third or fourth corner of our lives.

　When you feel lonely, having a meal with people of a different age you can easily talk to, including the opposite sex, stimulates your brain and is really fun. When we come into contact with the opposite sex, we tend to take care of our appearance for the first time. This will create a healthy amount of sex appeal and will be otherworldly fun for us.

　Life is short than our imagenation and only happens once. I want to value my own will and be busy every day doing what I love. First of all, don't stay at home and try new experiences, even if they are small. This leads to joy and purpose in our life. In this respect, raising various flowering plants, art in a wide range such as musical performance, and traveling are very meaningful and wonderful subjects which stimulates our brain.

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深呼吸では、息を吐くことに重点を置く

【咲き出したコデマリと山吹】拡大してください。これらは亡父が６０年前に植えたものです。

　今日４月１５日は山名八幡宮の春の大祭で、一つ思い出します。今では考えられないことですが、昔、倉賀野小では２時間で授業が終わりになり、私たちは皆で歩いて遠く離れた山名のお祭りに行ったもので、誠にのんびりした教育でした。今ではそんなことは許されないでしょう。

　ところで、今朝も公園で開かれた地区のラジオ体操会に行き、手足を動かしつつ、ジャンプしつつ、深呼吸しつつ考えました。私たちは日常生活では、無意識に呼吸してるため深呼吸することは殆どありません。ですから、時々は深呼吸する習慣を身に付けると血液中に酸素が多く入り、とても健康に役立つでしょう。

　私たちは深呼吸のとき、どうしても「吸うことに重点を置きがち」です。しかし、先ず、「今胸の中にある二酸化炭素をいかに全部出し切るかが肝心」です。それにより、自然とたくさんの酸素が肺に入り、肺でガス交換し、酸素が血液中に浸透していきます。

　私たちは無意識に呼吸してると肺の中の３割程度の空気を出し入れしているだけです。あと７割の空気は常に肺に溜まったままで、この空気は「残気」です。時々はこの残気をすべて排出することが健康的と考えます。平素から二酸化炭素を吸収し、酸素を生成する植物を身近に育て「光合成する植物によって、私たちは生かされてる有難さを」を再認識したいものです。

Dear my Facebook friends abroad

　Today, April 15th, is the spring festival of Yamana Hachimangu Shrine, and I remember one thing. It's hard to imagine now, but in the past after world war Ⅱ, at Kuragano Elementary School, classes would end two hours only and we would all walk to the festival in Yamana-town, far away about 3km, so it was a really relaxing education. That would not be allowed now by the Board of Education.

　By the way, this morning I went to the local radio gymnastics session held in the nearby park, and while moving my arms and legs, jumping and taking deep breath, I thought. In our daily lives, we rarely take deep breath because we breathe unconsciously. Therefore, getting into the habit of taking deep breath from time to time will bring more oxygen into our blood, which will be very beneficial for our health.

　When we take deep breath, we tend to focus on inhaling. However, first, "the important thing is how to get rid of all the carbon dioxide that is currently in our lungs. As a result, more oxygen naturally inhales into the lungs, and the gas exchange occurs in the lungs, and oxygen permeates into the blood.

　When we breathe unconsciously, we only move about 30% of the air in and out of our lungs. The remaining 70% of the air remains trapped in the lungs, and this air is called "residual air". I think it's healthy to get rid of all this residual air from time to time. We would like to raise plants that absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen around us. We should reaffirm how grateful we are to be kept alive by plants that photosynthesize.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

ウォーキング中、いろいろ目に入り脳の刺激になる

　群馬県には飛行場がありません。しかし、日本のほぼ中央に位置することから四方八方から飛行機が飛び交う様子が見えます。ジェット音はほとんど聞こえませんが、ご覧の通り、約１万m上空の成層圏に飛行機雲が度々見えます。

　写真の飛行機雲はその角度から推測すると、関西方面行きと新潟方面行きが行き交ったのかもしれません。

　四月中旬となり気候が穏やかな先日、鏑川と烏川の合流地点をウォーキング中、ふと空に目をやると飛行機雲が印になっており、すぐにシャッターを切りました。

　でも、何か悪い虫の知らせのようにも感じ、最近の自らの行動を振り返ってみましたが、飛行機雲は直に消えてしまい、ああ良かったと安心し、せっせと歩きました。それにしても歩いた後の一杯は格別です。おっと、この✖印は「今夜はお酒をやめなさい。」という意味か。

Dear my overseas friends

　Gumma Prefecture has no airfield. However, since it is located almost in the center of Japan, we can see jet planes flying from all directions. I can hardly hear the jet sound, but as the photo indicates, contrails can often be seen in the stratosphere about 10,000 meters above the ground.

　Judging from the angle of the contrail in the photo, they may have been bound for Kansai and bound for Niigata.

　The other day, when the weather was mild in mid-April, I was walking along the confluence of the Kabra-River and Karas-River, I suddenly looked up at the sky and saw two contrails marked with a cross, it was so unusual sight that I immediately snapped the photo.

　However, I felt like it was news of some kind of premonition, so I looked back on my recent actions, but the contrail immediately disappeared, so I was relieved and walked quickly. Even so, having a drink after walking is delicious beyond description. Oh, does this ✖ sign mean "don't drink alcohol tonight"?

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

突然やって来る「一人暮らし」・・・予行演習が必要

【我が家で今を盛りに咲いてる西洋シャクナゲ】・・・クリックし、拡大してご覧ください。

　子供の頃、私は両親と兄弟６人による８人家族で暮らし、賑やかだった楽しい思い出があります。その後、兄弟は皆家から離れて独立し、結果的に、末っ子の私が家を継ぎ、両親と暫く暮らしてました。現代のように、老いた両親が施設に入居することはありませんでした。

　それがどうしたことでしょう。今では、私自身がすでに２０年間も一人暮らしですから、人生の行く末は分からぬものです。民生委員によると、私と同様に、ここ倉賀野上４地区では一人暮らしの人が６０名もいるとのことです。

　これについて、厚労省は5年に1度、「日本の世帯数の将来推計」を公表しています。今回は2020年の国勢調査をもとに2050年までの30年間について推計しました。 それによりますと、1世帯あたりの人数は2020年の「2.21人」から減り続け、2033年に初めて2人を割り込んで1.99人になるということです。

　ということは、今後、一人暮らしがますます増え続け、９年後には１世帯あたりの人数は平均して2人いないことになります。こうなっても、施設では職員不足から受け入れが不可能になるかもしれません。

　このため、一人になっても、老人が健康に暮らす秘訣は目的や目標をしっかり持つことで、「人に何かをしてもらうではなく」、「自分で何ができるか」を考え、日常生活の営みを「人任せにしないこと」です。

　私は一人暮らしに慣れてますが、多くの人は、今から「一人になったときの予行演習をする」必要があります。

Dear my overseas friends

　When I was a child, I lived in a family of eight, consisting of my parents and six siblings, and I have memories of a cheerful and lively life. After that, all my siblings left home for independent. As a result, I, the youngest, succeeded to the family and lived with my parents for a while. Old parents did not live in a facility like they do today.

　What happened to that? Now, I've been living alone for 20 years, so we don't know how our lives will turn out. According to the local welfare committee, there are 60 people like me who live alone here in the Kuragano-kami 4th district.

　Regarding this, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare publishes "Future estimates of the number of households in Japan" every five years. This time, it is estimated the 30 years up to 2050 based on the 2020 census. According to this, the number of people per household will continue to decrease from 2.21 people in 2020, and will fall below 2 people for the first time in 2033, that will be reaching 1.99 people.

　This means that the number of people living alone will continue to increase, and in nine years there will be fewer than two people per household on average. Even if this happens, facilities may not be able to accept them due to a lack of staff.

　For this reason, the indispensable way of living healthy for elderly people, they should have a firm purpose and goal, to think about "What I can do myself" instead of "Asking others to do something for me", and to think about "What I can do in my daily life". Don't leave life to others.

　I'm used to living alone, but many people need to "Do a rehearsal for when they'll be alone" from now on.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

効果あるのは早朝の空腹時

　北海道産の「スゴイダイズ」は大豆をそのまま飲み物にしたもので、豆乳と異なる点は「おから」が含まれ、食物繊維が多いことです。主な栄養素は、蛋白質、カリウム、カルシューム、イソフラボンです。

　ところで、私が毎朝ルーティーンとして、空腹時にコップ一杯飲んでるものは日替わりで、トマトジュース【リコピン】、人参ジュース【β―カロチン】、管理栄養士推薦の野菜ジュースが多く、この「スゴイダイズ」は週に１回程度です。いずれも抗酸化作用【がん対策】を目的として飲んでます。

　写真の「スゴイダイズ」は抗酸化作用の他にアンティエイジングも期待でき、髪の健康や皮膚の健康にもよいと考えられます。

　前述のように、いずれも早朝の「空腹時に飲む」ことで食道から胃、十二指腸、大腸などの各消化器の内壁に、一気に流れ、直接作用すると考えられます。すでに７～８年継続してます。中でも、トマトジュースは著しく効果が感じられ、便秘などどこ吹く風です。誰にも頼れない現在の家庭環境では「健康は自ら創るもの」との考えで、日々、これを実践してます。

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my breakfast in Japan time.

..............................

　"Sugoidaizu" that means effective soybean from Hokkaido is a drink made from soybean, and this beverage differs from general soy milk. And this contains "okara" that means soy pulp, so that the beverage is high in dietary fiber. The main nutrients are protein, potassium, calcium, and isoflavone.

　By the way, the beverage that I drink every morning on an empty stomach are tomato juice [includes lycopene], carrot juice [includes β-carotene], and vegetable juice recommended by a registered dietitian. I drink "Sugoidaizu once in a week. I drink these drinks aiming at antioxidant effects [cancer prevention].

　The Sugoidaizu'' in the photo is expected to have anti-aging effects as well as antioxidant effects, and is thought to be good for hair and skin health.

　As mentioned above, it is thought that if we drink them early in the morning on an empty stomach, they will flow all at once from the esophagus to the inner walls of each digestive organ, such as the stomach, duodenum, and large intestine directly. This habit has been already continued for 7-8 years. Among them, tomato juice seems to have a remarkable effect which can be used to anti-constipation. In my severe environment where I can't rely on anyone, I believe that "health is something I must create myself''. Therefore I put into practice every day.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

昔も今も「花桃」が咲く季節は不変

【画像をクリックすると臨場感が出ます。】

　昨日は旧暦で３月３日ですから、江戸時代なら「桃の節句」でした。女の子が誕生した家ではお雛様を飾ったのでしょう。ご覧の通り、今の時季に庭では「源平枝垂れ桃」が咲いています。この花桃は次女の長女の誕生を祝って植えました。彼女はもう小学４年生です。

　明治５年に、旧暦では欧米との文化・経済交流の不都合から日本も今までの太陰太陽暦から太陽暦に変わりました。しかし、太陽高度や日照時間は変化しないので、昔も今の時季に桃の花が咲いていたのでしょう。

　それにしても不思議です。何故、１本の木であるのに花が紅白に咲き分けるのでしょう。しかも、先日書きましたように、この木の子供は紅白とは限らず、メンデルの「遺伝の法則」通り、紅のみがあり、現在私はそれを育ててます。また、絞りが生まれ、こちらも育ててます。

　今年もたくさん子供がこの木の下で生えてます。しかし、何色になるかは未だわからず、開花は数年後の楽しみです

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my dinner in Japan time.

...............................

　Yesterday was March 3rd in the lunar calendar, so in the Edo period in Japan it would have been held the Peach Festival. So the hina dolls were probably displayed in the house where the girl was born. As you can see, Bicolored Genpei weeping peach" is blooming in the garden this season. I planted this flower peach to celebrate the birth of my second daughter's eldest daughter. She is already in the fourth grade of elementary school.

　In the 5th year of Meiji,1872 Japan also changed from the lunar-solar calendar to the solar calendar due to the inconvenience of cultural and economic exchange with Europe and America, if using the lunar calendar. However, since the sun's altitude and daylight hours do not change, peach blossoms must have bloomed at this season of the year as well.

　It's still strange. Why do the flowers bloom in different colors of red and white even though it is just one tree? Moreover, as I wrote the other day, the children of this tree are not necessarily red and white, in accordance with Mendel's "laws of inheritance," there is only red, and I am currently raising that. Also, dapple was born and I am also raising it.

　There are many saplings growing under this tree this year as well. However, I still don't know what color it will be, and I am looking forward to seeing it bloom in a few years.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

庭に飛来する野鳥は家族

　庭の花梅や花桃が開花するとシジュウカラやメジロなど小さな野鳥が蜜を吸いにやって来ます。花は下向きのものもあることから、その場合は逆さまになって蜜を吸い、花から花へ機敏に移動します。

　写真上のキジバトが蜜を吸う姿は見られず、こちらは地面に降りて落ちてる自然のものを拾って食べてます。水は私が用意したものを飲み、天気の良い日には時々その飲水器に入って気持ちよさそうに水浴します。水浴すると水が汚れるので、その後、新たな水に入れ替えておきます。

　習性として必ずペアで来るので羨ましい限りです。羽色はレース鳩のように多種多様でなく、ご覧の通り、統一された保護色のみで、これは猛禽類など天敵から見つかり難い羽色と考えられます。

　鳴き方はオスのみポポッポッポ―、ポポッポッポ―の繰り返しです。巣は常緑樹の中で外部から見えない所に作り、現在、産卵～子育ての季節です。庭に野鳥たちが飛来する光景ほど平和な姿はありません。

　Dear my overseas friends including staying in our nation

When the plum and peach bloom in the garden, small wild birds such as tits and white-eyes come to suck nectar. Some flowers face downwards, so in that case they turn upside down to suck nectar and move nimbly from flower to flower.

　The turtledove in the photo cannot be seen sucking nectar; instead, they go down to the ground and picks up fallen natural foods to eat. They drink water that I have prepared for them, and on sunny days they sometimes take a bath in the drinking fountain. The water gets dirty after bathing, so I replace it with fresh water afterward.

　I feel jealous because they always come in pairs as a habit. Their plumage colors are not as diverse as racing pigeons, but as you can see, they only have a uniform protective color which is thought that it is difficult to be found by natural predators such as birds of prey.

　Only males sing a repeating popo-popoh-popo-popoh. The nest is built in an invisible place in an evergreen tree, and it is currently the season for laying eggs and raising chicks. There is nothing more peaceful than seeing wild birds flying into the garden.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

吉井ドリームセンターへＴＴクワトロを走らせる

　今日の午後、暫くぶりに吉井町の「牛伏ドリームセンター」へ行き、お風呂に入って来ました。入浴料金２００円は今のご時世では安いです。家から３０分程のドライブなので、車の調整にも程よい距離です。道路はすべてよく、扁平率３５％は路面を掴むように安定して走ります。

　以前のように、途中で鹿に遭遇するかと期待しましたが、今日は出ませんでした。その代わり、ここドリームセンターは桜の名所で満開です。また、浴槽から眺める牛伏山も桜がたくさん咲いてます。桜を眺めながらのお風呂は幸せです。

Dear my friends abroad

　This afternoon, I went to Ushibuse Dream Center in Yoshii-town for the first time in a while and took a bath. The bathing fee of 200 yen is cheap in this days. It's about a 30 minute drive from my house, so it's a good distance for getting the car adjusted. All roads are good, and the 35% flatness allows it to run stably as if gripping the road surface.

　I was hoping that I would encounter deer on the way like before, but I didn't see any deer today. Instead, Dream Center is a famous spot for cherry blossoms in full bloom. Also, there are many cherry blossoms on Mt. Ushibuse that we can see from the bathtub here. Taking a bath while looking at the cherry blossoms makes me happy.

上の英文を聞くには英文をコピーし→　https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

４月１０日の思い出は・・・もう一つ

　昨日は若き日の思い出として、当時の皇太子殿下と美智子さまのご成婚を祝して高崎市内の目抜き通りを吹奏楽で行進し、私はトロンボーン担当で「祝典行進曲」を吹いたことを書きましたが、実は、４月１０日について今一つ忘れてました。

　４月１０日は、私の人生初めての就職でインド・カルカッタ市へ飛び立った日でした。「滞在中、何かあったら大変」と心配でインド行きに賛成でなかった母は「飛行機が飛び立ち、機影が消えるのを見たくない」と、羽田まで見送りには来なかったです。父や兄弟、友人たち、そして恩師は来てくれました。その代わり、帰国したとき、母は羽田まで迎えに来てくれ「本当に安心したようでした。」老いた母はインド滞在中の私を本当に心配していたのです。

　ですから、初めてインドの景色を見たのは４月１１日の今日でした。到着したインドの４月は真夏です。しかし、暑くても水道水は飲めません。水道水は余り清潔ではないので必ずボイルし、冷ましてから飲みました。

　先ず、驚いたのは日本社会と異なり、使用人がいることです。その人たちが家の掃除から雑用、お勝手仕事、門番、洗濯、運転をしてくれます。

　初めは何の音かと思いましたが、門番は一晩中、長い棒で路面を叩いて音をさせ、周囲を見回りしています。しかし、慣れたら音がした方が良く眠れるようになり、慣れとは不思議なものです。

Dear my overseas friends

　Yesterday, I wrote that as a memory from my youth, there was a brass band marching through the main streets of Takasaki City to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince and Princess Michiko, and I played the "celebratory march" as the trombone player. I actually forgot one thing about my important April 10th.

　April 10th was the day I flew to Calcutta-city, India for my first job. But, my mother was not in favor of going to India because she was worried that something would happen during my stay, so she didn't come to Haneda airport to see me off because she did not want to see my flight take off and then disappear. My father, brothers, friends and teachers came. Instead, when I returned to Japan, my mother came to Haneda airport to pick me up and "She seemed really relieved". My mother was really worried about me during my stay in India.

　So, the first time I saw the scenery of India was today, April 11th. When I arrived in India in April, it was midsummer. However, even if it is hot, tap water is not drinkable. Tap water is not hygienic, so we must always boiled it and let it cool before drinking.

　The first thing that surprised me was that unlike Japanese society, there are servants. These people will do everything from cleaning the house to doing chores, guarding the gates, doing the laundry, and driving.

　At first I thought it was some kind of noise during sleeping, but the gatekeeper was patrolling around the area all night long by hitting the road with a long stick to make the noise. However, once I get used to it, I am able to sleep better with the sound, so getting used to it is a strange thing.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

懐かしいお酒「船尾瀧」に再会

　今宵は懐かしい日本酒「船尾瀧」を一人寂しく、しかし、 心豊かに戴くつもりでゲットしました。このお酒はあちこち探しても、なかなか見つかりませんでした。

　私は家では、お酒の量を少なくしてます。この一瓶は１８０㏄ですから一合です。もっと飲みたいところですが、「ちびりちびり飲める」ことに無上の幸せを感じつつです。

　というのは、男性の病の代表格である「前立腺肥大」の原因の一つが「お酒の飲み過ぎ」と考えられることから、最近は量を自粛してます。でも、皆さんと飲む機会があれば、自粛を解除ですからご安心ください。

　一方、「前立腺がん」のＰＳＡ検査では、私の年令では４以下が望ましいところ０．３２１であり、かなり低く、これはまるで青年の数値ですから心配ないと考えます。

　実は、１０年以上前には高崎駅前の「炙りやどんどん」で度々マスターにこの「船尾瀧」を勧められ、時間も忘れ美味しく飲んでました。しかし、残念にも「どんどん」は火災で店を閉め、本当に寂しい限りです。今宵は「昔を偲んで」美味しい群馬の銘酒「船尾瀧」を、ちびりちびり戴きます。

Dear my overseas friends

　Tonight, I will drink the nostalgic Japanese sake ``Funaodaki'' lonely, but with the intention of enjoying it with a full heart. I searched everywhere for this alcohol, but I couldn't find it.

　I drink a little of alcohol at home. This bottle is 180cc. I would like to drink more, but I feel extremely happy to be able to drink just a sip.

　This is because drinking too much alcohol is thought to be one of the causes of prostate enlargement which is a typical male disease, so I've been restraining myself from drinking alcohol lately. However, please feel assured that if I have a chance to drink with you, I will be able to lift my self-restraint.

　On the other hand, as my result of the PSA test for "prostate cancer" was 0.321, which is preferably 4 or less for my age, therefore which is quite low, so I don't worry about it because this is a young man's number.

　In fact, more than 10 years ago, I was often recommended this "Funaodaki" by the master at "Dondon'' tavern in front of Takasaki Station, and I lost time due to drinking it so deliciously. However, unfortunately, "Dondon" has closed due to a fire, and I am truly lonely. Tonight, I will "remember the past" and enjoy a sip of Gumma's famous sake "Funaodaki". Of course, I am remembering the faces of all my Facebook friends. Especially you!

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

若き日の「思い出」一つ

　今日は４月１０日ですから思い出の日です。若き日に私はトロンボーンを吹いてました。たまたま手が長いので【これが言いたいのではありません。】スライドを動かすのに都合がよく、最も遠い第７ポジション【hの音が出るところ】まで楽々届きました。

　トロンボーンで何の曲を吹いたかと言いますと、団伊玖磨作曲「祝典行進曲」でした。調性はハ長調で一見楽でもハイトーンがあったり、三連符の連続があったり、他の楽器のように指を動かすのではなく、腕を速く動かさなければなりません。

　トロンボーンで最も印象的だった音楽は、アルフォード作曲「ボゲー大佐」で、別名は映画「戦場にかける橋」で有名な「クワイ川マーチ」でした。曲の途中でトロンボーンが大活躍する旋律があり、今でも、腕の動きを覚えており、途中に高いDisの音があるのが印象的です。

　ところで、今日４月１０日が、何故、思い出の日であるかと言いますと、高崎市本町～連雀町～高崎駅前まで市街地を「祝典行進曲」をトロンボーンを演奏しながらパレードに加わったからです。この日に、当時の皇太子殿下と美智子さまがご成婚されたのです。

Dear my overseas friends

　Today is April 10th, so it's a day to remember my young days. I played the trombone when I was young. I have long hands, so [this is not what I want to say. ] It was convenient for moving the slide of trombone, so that I could easily reach the farthest position, the 7th position where the low h tone comes out.a

　The music I played on the trombone was "Celebration March" composed by late Ikuma Dan. The music is C major, and although it looks easy at first glance, there are high tones and triplet in sequence, and I had to move the right arm quickly instead of moving fingers like other instruments.

　The most memorable piece of music for me on the trombone was Alford's composition "Colonel Bogey", also known as "March on the River Kwai", which is famous for the movie "Bridge on Earth". In the middle of the music, there is a melody in which the trombone plays an active role, and I can still remember the arm movements, and the high Dis note in the middle is impressive.

　By the way, April 10th is a memorable day for me because I joined the parade playing the trombone and playing the "Celebration March" through the city from Motomachi to Renjakucho to Takasaki-Station in Takasaki City. On this day, the Prince and Princess Michiko got married.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

色彩美を呈する「源平枝垂れ」の幼木

【画像をクリックすると、臨場感が出ます。】

　築山の「源平枝垂れ桃」から種が零れて生えた子供が、このように咲くようになりました。花の色は親と異なり、ご覧のように、赤とピンクの絞りです。因みに親はピンクと白です。

　幹がくねっているのは、生後1年の頃、私が少しずつ曲げて元に戻らないように紐で縛っておき、数か月後に紐を解いたら、そのまま曲がったままになりました。このまま生涯に亘り曲ったまま大きくなるでしょう。樹形としては見応えがあります。

　人間の場合も同様に、子は必ずしも親と同じ生き方をしなくても、いくらでも人生として、また異なる花が咲くのではないでしょうか。

　一方、若いうちにしっかり方向性をつけて上げると、そのまま成長するでしょう。それにしても、源平枝垂れ桃は、優しく枝垂れ、華やかな色彩を呈し、一人暮らしの私を応援してくれています。私は水を毎日与えてます。

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my breakfast of tomorrow in Japan time, because I am sleepy now.

...............................

　The seeds that dropped from the "Bicolored Weeping Peach" on the artificial mound for plants began to bloom like this. But, the flower colors are different from its parent, as you can see, it is red and dapple of pink. By the way, the parents are pink and white.

　The reason why the trunk is crooked is that when it was a year old, I bent it little by little and tied it with string to prevent it from going back to its original shape. When I untied the string a few months later, it remained bent. It will continue to grow like this for the rest of its life. The shape of the tree is quite impressive.

　Similarly, in the case of humans, children do not necessarily have to live the same way as their parents, but their lives can bloom in a different way.

　On the other hand, if we give children a firm direction while they are young, they will continue to grow. In any case, Bicolored Genpei weeping peaches gently weep and show gorgeous colors, and they support me who live alone. I give water every day.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

今日から巣立ちの第一歩・・・・・新一年生

　入学式を終えた小学一年生にとって、今日は初めて親から離れ、登校します。しかし、生憎の雨です。その分、通学路で登校指導する私も熱が入ります。

　一年生は黄色の帽子を被っているのですぐ分かります。先ず、挨拶を通して「声掛け運動」します。学校という人生初の見知らぬ世界、見知らぬ友達で不安でしょう。「周囲は見守っていてくれる」という安心感を感じてもらいたいです。

　ところで、南の国からやって来る「燕」は明日からの春の陽気に、そろそろ姿を見せる頃です。燕は軒下に巣を作り、最初は卵を５個ほど生み育て、６月頃の２回目の産卵では３個ほど生み、親は虫を捕って来て雛に与えます。その後、雛は巣立ちし、飛び方を覚え、次第に空中に飛んでいる虫の捉え方を覚え、本格的に独り立ちします。

　専門家の話によると、８月下旬には親が先に南の国に行ってしまい、その後、生後３～４ヶ月の雛たちは大海を渡り見知らぬ南の国に行くとのことです。

　厳しい習性を持つ燕の雛に比較すれば、小学一年生はずっと楽とも言えますが、次第に慣れてくると現実の人間社会には、今や大きな問題となってる「陰湿ないじめ」が存在し、一人悩む子供もいます。周囲の子供も大人も早くそれに気づき「いじめ」を根絶しなくてはなりません。希望に満ちた学校生活が送れるよう、今朝も登校指導を頑張ります。

★追伸・・・今朝のパトロールでは想わぬことが起こり、驚きました。新一年生は無事に学校へ行きましたが、最初なので心配した一人の母親が学校まで子供さんを送り届けた後、帰宅途中で道路上にドスンと音を立て頭を打ち、アスファルト上に倒れてしまいました。しかも、雨の中です。このため、救急車を呼び運んでもらいました。慣れない道を初めて朝から長い距離を歩いたためと想われます。

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my breakfast in Japan time.

..............................

　After the entrance ceremony yesterday, the first graders of elementary school will be away from their parents and go to school today for the first time. However, unfortunately it is raining today. That's why I am so passionate about guide pupils on their way to school.

　First graders are easy to recognize because they are wearing yellow hats in this school. First, we will do a "call out campaign" through greeting. School is a strange world for the first time in their life, and they must be nervous about making new friends. I want them to feel a sense of security knowing that the people around them are watching.

　Not change the subject, but the "swallows" that come from the southern countries are about to make their appearance in the spring weather starting in the near future. Swallows build a nest under the eaves, and at first they lay and raise about 5 eggs, and the second time around June they lay about 3 eggs, and the parents catch insects and feed to the chicks. After that, the chick leaves the nest, learns how to fly, and gradually learns how to catch insects flying in the air, and becomes fully independent.

　According to experts by NHK radio, the parents go first to a southern country in late August, and then the 3 to 4-month-old chicks cross the ocean to an unknown southern country.

　Compared to swallow chicks which have strict habits, the first grader of elementary school can be said to be much easier, but as they gradually get used to it, they realize that in real human society, there is "insidious bullying," which is now a big problem in Japan, and Some children must be worried alone. Both children and adults around them must realize this as soon as possible and eradicate "bullying". I will do my best to provide school guidance from this morning so as to that the children can have a school life filled with hope.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

いよいよ今日から新学期・・・私も気持ちを入れ替えます。

　今年度、故郷・倉賀野町上四地区の役員として、私は「会計監査」を仰せつかり、同時に今年度は、隣近所１５軒の「班長」でもあります。昨日は日曜日だったので全部の家を回り、班長になった挨拶と町内会費を集めました。数軒の家では初めて玄関に入らせて戴き、家の人と話が出来ました。

　町内の役員としては、この他、例年の通り、地元・倉賀野小児童の安全を期して、登下校時のパトロールがあり、新学期が始まることから、早速、今朝から１週間は毎朝７時４５分から８時３０分まで通学路を巡回し、挨拶運動と交通指導を行います。また、月曜と木曜の朝は、一人暮らし高齢女性宅のゴミ出しも続けます。

　実は、これらの社会的仕事が私の「認知症対策」にとても効果的と考えます。ご存じの通り、高齢期を心身ともに健康に過ごす基本は、１にウォーキングを通して健脚であること。２に蛋白質の摂取を中心に低栄養にならないこと。３に近隣との交流を通じた社会性と考えられ、この点でも町内の仕事をやることは私にプラスになるでしょう。

　もちろん、この他の認知症対策では、日々「夢中になれる趣味」が不可欠であり、私の場合は植物を育てること、及び音楽演奏【クラシック奏法によるソプラノサックス、ピアノ】があり、どちらも「音色」に重点を置いてます。

　その点においては写真のように、現在、庭ではシャクナゲが咲いてます。こちらも年間を通じて世話し、究極には「色彩の良さ」を求めてます。これは丁度、音楽演奏の「音色」に共通し、究めても究め尽くせない奥深いもので、時間の経つのを忘れます。

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after radio gymnastics held in nearby park and my breakfast in Japan time.

...................................

　This year, as a board member of the Kami-4th district in my hometown, Kuragano-town, I am tasked with the "audit", and at the same time, this year, I am also the "leader" of 15 neighboring homes. Yesterday was Sunday, so I went to all the homes to greet as the group leader and collect community membership fee. In several houses, I was allowed to enter the front door for the first time and was able to talk to the family people there.

　In addition, as usual, in the town I will be patrolling for the local Kuragano elementary school children go to and from school to ensure their safety. As the 1st school semester begins today in Japan, I will patrol at 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. every morning for a week starting this morning. I will patrol the school routes, offering greetings and providing traffic guidance. Additionally, on Monday and Thursday morning, I will continue to take out the trash at the home of an elderly woman who lives alone.

　Actually, I think these social jobs are very effective for my "senile dementia countermeasures." As you know, the basics of mentally and physically healthy in old age are 1. Keeping our legs healthy through walking. 2. Avoid malnutrition by focusing on protein intake. 3. I think it's socializing through interaction with the neighborhood, therefore working in the neighborhood will be a plus for me in this respect as well.

　Of course, for other senile dementia countermeasures, it is essential to have hobbies that we can become crazy about in every day, and in my case, these include raising many plants and playing music [classically played soprano saxophone and piano], both of which have "tone quality" is the focus.

　In this regard, rhododendrons are currently blooming in the garden, as shown in the photo. I also take care of them throughout the year, ultimately seeking for "good color." This is just like the "timbre" of musical performance, a profound thing that cannot be fully mastered even if I try to master it, and I forget the passage of time. The new semester is starting today, and I'm changing my mind as well.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

　

歩幅を少々広げ、姿勢を正してウォーキング

　今日はあまりにも穏やかな天気なので、烏川と鏑川の合流点地点の土手をウォーキングしてきました。快晴の中、遠くには榛名山が望め、如何にも群馬らしい光景です。

　烏川は倉渕町の二度上峠付近の「烏の口」に似た岩を源流とし、鏑川はテーブルマウンテンで有名な荒船山付近が源流です。ですから、ここの合流地点では、ご覧のように、土手がカーブしており、写真の右側で合流してます。

　実は、ここ高崎市木部町の東部には「最近、数頭の鹿が目撃されており」、私も出くわすかと期待してましたが、出合ったのは一匹の「イタチ」でした。「イタチ」も普段は見ないので、草むらから出で、一瞬で草むらに入り、シャッターに収めるチャンスを逃しました。でも、凄くきれいな黄土色をし、人間の私を見て「変なものがいる」というような顔つきでした。

　一方、よく晴れ上がったことから上昇気流があるのでしょう。「番と想われるトンビ」が気持ちよさそうに大空をくるくる回ってました。思わず「そこから東京が見えるかい」と訊きたくなりました。

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my dinner in Japan time.

.................................

　The weather was so calm today that I went for a walk along the bank at the confluence of the Karasu river and Kabra river. On a clear day, I can see Mt. Haruna in the distance, a sight that is very typical of Gumma Prefecture.　

　The Karasu River has its source in a rock similar to "crow's beak" near Nidoage-Pass in Kurabuchi-Town, and the Kabra River has its source near Mt. Arafune, which is famous for Table Mountain. So, at this confluence point, as you can see, the bank curves and they join on the right side of the photo.

　In fact, several deer have been seen here in the eastern part of Kibe-town, Takasaki City recently, so that I was expecting to come across them, but what I came across was a single weasel. I don't usually see weasels either, so weasel came out of the grass and went into the grass in an instant, so I missed the chance to capture it by the camera. However, it was a beautiful ocher color, and when weasel saw me as a human, it had a look that said, "There's something strange here."

　On the other hand, there is probably an updraft because the sky is clear. The "kite that is believed to be a couple'' was twirling around in the sky looking comfortable. I wanted to ask, "Can you see Tokyo from there?"

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

遮断機や警報機が設置されていれば

　令和６年の「春の全国交通安全運動」は４月６日(土)～１5日(月)に実施され、今回の【交通安全運動の重点】は次の通りです。

(1) こどもが安全に通行できる道路交通環境の確保と安全な横断方法の実践

(2) 歩行者優先意識の徹底と「思いやり・ゆずり合い」運転の励行

(3) 自転車・電動キックボード等利用時のヘルメット着用と交通ルールの遵守

　ところで、「春の全国交通安全運動」が始まった昨日、誠に痛ましい事故が起こりました。

　ニュースによると、６日午前９時前、群馬県の上信電鉄の踏切で、小学４年生の女児が電車にはねられ死亡が確認されました。現場は上信電鉄の西山名駅の西にある「遮断機や警報機が設置されてない踏切」です。列車の運転士によると「犬のリードを持った女の子が走った犬を追いかけるようにして踏切に入り列車に衝突した」と話しているとのことです。

　調べてみると、「上信電鉄」は明治３０年から、高崎駅～下仁田駅間33.7㎞を、すでに１２７年間、運行してます。しかし、未だに「遮断機や警報機が設置されてない踏切」があります。これらが設置されていれば今回の事故は防げたと考えられます。誠に短い命であった女児のご冥福を心より祈ります。

Dear my friends abroad

　The 2024 Spring National Traffic Safety Campaign will be held from April 6th (Saturday) to April 15th (Monday) in Japan, and the main points of this time's traffic safety campaign are as follows.

　(1) Ensuring a road traffic environment where children can travel safely and practicing safe crossing methods

　(2) Thorough awareness of priority to pedestrians and driving with consideration and mutual concession

　(3) Wearing a helmet and observing traffic rules when using bicycles, electric scooters, etc.

　By the way, a tragic accident occurred yesterday when the "Spring National Traffic Safety Campaign" began.

　According to the news, just before 9 a.m. on the 6th, a 4th grade elementary school girl was hit by a train at a Joshin Electric Railway railroad crossing in Gumma Prefecture and was confirmed dead. In the scene, "crossing barrier and alarm do not installed" west of Joshin Electric Railway's Nishiyamana Station. According to the train driver, "A girl with a dog lead entered the railroad crossing and collided with the train as if chasing the running dog."

　When I looked it up, Joshin Electric Railway has been operating the 33.7km distance between Takasaki Station and Shimonita Station for 127 years since 1891. However, there are still not installed "crossing barriers and alarms" It is believed that this accident could have been prevented if this had been installed. I pray to the core for the repose of the little girl whose life was excessively short.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

人生は短し、植物の生命は永し

　今を盛りに咲いてるのは左が「クレマチス」で、右が「君子蘭」です。君子蘭は室内の温かな廊下で冬を越したことから、１月上旬から咲き始め、今でもたくさん咲いてます。

　ところで、「この世には本当に不思議なこと」があります。１年ほど前に、西隣のＴ夫人と垣根越しに話していたところ、彼女曰く「彼女の庭に咲いているクレマチスを指して、この花は２５年ほど前にカッキーの奥さんから戴いたものが今でも咲いてます。」というのです。

　私はそのことは全く知らずに今まで過ごしていたので「えぇ～、そんなこともあるのか」と驚いたものです。本人はこの世にいなくても、プレゼントした「クレマチス」が今まで毎年、隣の庭で咲き続けていたのです。これからも咲き続けるでしょう。

　一方、それとは逆に、写真右の君子蘭はＴ夫人のご主人に１０問ほど前に、１鉢戴いたものが私の家でたくさん増え、今日も咲いてます。実は、隣のＴさんも数年前に天に召され、私は誠にショックを受けました。彼は群馬県教育界の重鎮であったことから私は公私ともに本当にお世話になったのです。

　このように植物は人の亡きあとまで、ずっと生き続け、咲き続けます。それにしても、亡き妻はきれいな「クレマチス」をどこで手に入れて隣にプレゼントしたのでしょう。

　実は、隣のＴ夫人は高齢になり、現在、施設に入居中です。最近の傾向で、面会は家族のみが可能で、私はいろいろ話がしたくても会えない不都合な状況にあります。コロナが終息しつつあるので、お会いできるようにして戴きたいです。

Dear my friends abroad

　The flower that are blooming now are "clematis" on the left and "Kaffir lily" on the right. Because the "Kaffir lily" overwintered indoors in a warm hallway, it started blooming in early January and is still blooming in abundance.

　By the way, there are some truly mysterious things in this world. About a year ago, I was talking through the hedge with Mrs. T who lives next door to the west, and she said, pointing to the clematis that was blooming in her garden, "This flower was presented by Kakky's wife about 25 years ago. "It's still blooming even now.

　I had been completely unaware of this fact until now, so I was surprised and thought, "Wow, that can happen?" Even though my wife is no longer in this world, the "clematis" has continued so far to bloom in the neighbor's garden every year. And it will continue to bloom from now on.

　On the other hand, the Kaffir lily on the right of the photo, which was presented from Mrs. T's husband in a pot about 10 years ago, has grown in abundance at my house and is still blooming today. Actually, my neighbor Mr. T also passed away a few years ago, and I was really shocked. He was a major figure in Gumma Prefecture's Board of education, therefore I was truly indebted to him in both my professional and private life.

　In this way, plants continue to live and bloom long after a person has passed away. By the way, where did my late wife get a beautiful "clematis" and present it next to her?

　Actually, Mrs. T, who lived next door, is elderly and currently living in a facility. Due to recent trends, only family members are allowed to visit, and I am in an inconvenient situation because I am unable to meet her even though I would like to talk to her about various topics. Now that the coronavirus is ending, I would like to be able to meet her.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

花は人間のために、それとも、昆虫や野鳥のためにあるのか

　今日は幾分かひんやりしてますが、ここ数日の温かさで蕾が一気に開花し、まるで、楽しくおしゃべりしてるかの如くで、華やいだ雰囲気です。これはサイネリアです。私は前の道を通る人のために室外で育ててますが、雨の日には室内に入れます。そうすると一人暮らしで侘しく生活してる私の生活をパッと明るくしてくれます。

　こう考えると私には花がなくては、生きられないかもしれません。おっと、生きられないと言えば、音楽もなければ生きられません。私の場合、音楽で感銘するのは先ず、旋律が素晴らしいことです。それと共に、良く作曲された対位法で、べト八の第２楽章のように緻密に設計された対位法の美に胸を打たれます。同様に音楽で感銘するのは演奏家の奏でる音色です。

　話しは変わりますが、毎日、近くのスーパーに食材の買い物に行きます。この時、他の客の邪魔にならない程度に、レジの女性と必ず一言話をしてます。これが日常生活での唯一の楽しみで、この世には女性がいるので本当に有難いです。このサイネリアも私にとって誠に明るい女性に見えます。

Dear my friends abroad

　It's a little cool today, but the warmth of the past few days has caused the buds to bloom all at once, creating a gorgeous atmosphere, as if they were having fun and chatting. This flower's name is cineraria. I raise it outside for people passing by, but on rainy days I bring it inside. When I bring it inside, my life, which is lonely and lonely, suddenly becomes brighter.

　When I think it this way, I may not be able to live without flowers. Oh, speaking of not being able to live, I can't live without music. In my case, the first thing that impresses me in music is a masterpiece with a great melody. At the same time, it is a well-composed counterpoint, therefore I am moved by the beauty of the precisely designed counterpoint. For instance, as in the second movement of Beethoven's 8 symphony. Similarly, what impresses me about music is the tone quality played by the musicians.

　This is a different topic, but I go shopping for ingredients at a nearby supermarket every day. At this time, I make sure to have a word with the lady at the cash register without disturbing other customers. This is the only joy I have in my daily life, and I am truly grateful that there are ladies in this world. This cineraria also looks like a bright lady to me.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

今日の太陽高度は、ついに６０°

【左は西洋シャクナゲ、右は源平枝垂れ桃】

 今日、４月5日の日の出は５時２４分【群馬県】、日の入りは１８時０９分ですから、昼の長さは１２時間４５分です。正午の太陽角度は地面に対し６０°です。因みに冬至では３０°でしたから、太陽はずいぶん高くから地上を照らすようになりました。これは地軸が北極星に向いたまま、公転面に対して約２３．４°斜めに傾いて公転してるからです。

　昨日書きましたように、現在、地球の公転上の位置は黄道十二星座の「乙女座」の東端にある一等星「スピカ」の方向に来ています。珍しいことに、今年８月１０日の夕刻、この「スピカ」が月に隠れる「スピカ食」が起こると計算されてます。月の後方にも星があり、星が隠れてますが、明るい一等星「スピカ」が隠れることが時に起こります。

　この理由は、全天で２１個ある一等星のうち「乙女座」の「スピカ」のみが黄道上にあるからです。

　ところで、前述の通り、太陽高度が高くなったことと、時々降る春雨の影響で、植物たちは生気が漲り、我が家の庭でもシャクナゲを中心に開花が進んでます。写真の西洋シャクナゲには目が奪われます。日本シャクナゲの開花は５月です。見にいらして下さい。

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my breakfast in Japan time.

...............................

　Today, April 5th, the sun rises at 5:24 [Gumma Prefecture, Japan] and sunsets will be at 18:09, so the length of the today is 12 hours and 45 minutes. The sun's angle at noon is 60° to the ground. By the way, at the winter solstice it was 30 degrees, so the sun began to shine on the earth from a much higher sky. This is because the Earth revolves at an angle of about 23.4 degrees with its axis pointing toward the Polaris.

　As I wrote yesterday, the Earth's orbital position is currently in the direction of the first-magnitude star "Spica" at the eastern end of the zodiacal constellation "Virgo." Unusually, it is calculated that on the evening of August 10th of this year, a "Spica eclipse" will be occurred, "Spica" will be hidden by the moon. There are stars behind the moon so that stars are often hidden, but sometimes the bright first-magnitude star "Spica" is hidden.

　The reason for this natural phenomenon is that there are 21 first-magnitude stars in the universe, only Spica in the constellation Virgo is on the ecliptic.

　By the way, as mentioned above, the higher angle of the sun and the occasional spring rain have made the plants more vibrant, and the rhododendrons and other plants are blooming in our garden. The Western rhododendron in the photo is captivating. Japanese rhododendrons will bloom in May, I guess. Please come and see it.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

　

「清明」になり、野鳥も楽しそうに飛来してきます。

【画像をクリックすると、ピントが合います。】

　庭の「源平枝垂れ桃」を眺めていたら、1羽の野鳥が蜜を吸いに来たました。しかし、その動きが素早くて１秒としてじっとしてません。写真はシャッターを数回切った中から、枝に止まった瞬間をたまたま捉えたもので、私の腕がいいのではありません。それにしても野鳥は姿は誠に美してものです。

　ところで、今日は二十四節気の一つ「清明」です。「清明」とは何かと言えば、太陽からおよそ１億５千万ｋｍの距離を保ちつつ、反時計回りに、やや楕円に公転してる私たちの地球が「乙女座」の一等星「スピカ」の方向に差し掛かってる日です。

　ですから、今の時季に午前０時に真南を見ると明るい「スピカ」が確認できます。「スピカ」は黄道上にあることで有名な一等星です。逆に、太陽は「魚座」の中を進んでいます。

　「清明」となると、太陽はいよいよ天の赤道を超えて北半球上空にやって来ますから、北半球では、気温が本格的に温暖になって来る季節です。

　さて、話題は変わりますが、【NHK】連続テレビ小説「虎に翼」では伊藤沙莉さんが、日本で初めて女性弁護士、のちに裁判官となる人物を演じ、毎朝、私は楽しみに見てます。

　子供の頃、私は姉たちに「男のくせに」もっとちゃんとしなさいと言われたもので、この言葉は嫌でした。また、「女のくせに」という言葉も耳にしました。しかし、これらの言葉は、今やジェンダーフリーの世の中で在ってはなりません。

　一方、孔子の「論語」の中には、「４０にして迷わず」や、「５０にして天命を知る」とありますが、今振り返ると、４０才になっても私は迷ってばかりいました。でも、この頃になると娘たちも成長し始め、４０才頃から、精神面では今までの殻から脱皮しつつあったように思います。そうです。論語で思い出しました。写真の野鳥は「シジュウカラ」です。

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my breakfast in Japan time. This time the sentences are very long, therefore I summarized the interpretation.

.....................................

　When I was looking at the "Bicolored Genpei weeping peach" in the garden, a wild bird came to suck the nectar. However, its movement is fast and it doesn't stay still for even a second. The photo was taken several times, and I happened to capture the moment that it perched on a branch, so my technique isn't good at it. However, wild birds are truly beautiful.

　By the way, today is "Seimei", one of the 24 solar terms in Japan. What is "Seimei"? Our Earth, which orbits counterclockwise in a slightly elliptical way while maintaining a distance of approximately 150 million km from the Sun, is located in the direction of the first-magnitude star "Spica" in the constellation Virgo. Today is a day that the earth is floating in the direction of the Virgo.

　Therefore, if you look due south at midnight this season, you can see the bright "Spica". "Spica" is a first-magnitude star famous for its location on the ecliptic. Conversely, the Sun is moving through Pisces when we look from the earth.

　When it comes to "Seimei" the sun finally crosses the celestial equator and reaches the sky of the Northern Hemisphere, so it is the season when temperature in the Northern Hemisphere begin to warm up gradually.

　Changing the topic, in Confucius's Analects, there are passages such as "Don't be puzzled at 40" and "Know your destiny at 50." Looking back to my life, certainly I ever got lost even at the age of 40. However, around this time, my daughters have grown up, and around the age of 40, I think I could break out of my shell mentally. That's right. I was reminded of this from the Analects. The wild bird in the photo is a Shijewkara titmouse. Another meaning of Shijewkara in Japanese means from forty years.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

満開の東洋錦に照らし合わせ、振り返る人生

【画像をクリックするとピントが合います。】

　二色に咲き分けるボケの一種「東洋錦」がついに満開になり、バランスの取れた色彩を表現しています。まるで育ててる私に対し「カッキーも人生に花を咲かせなさい。」と言わんばかりです。

　比較的大きな植木鉢に植えてあるので数年間はこのまま大きく成長させたいと思います。また、樹勢は良いので肥料は油粕を年に２回ほど施すのみで、水を時々遣り、あまりいじらず、余分な枝を剪定する程度で、自然に成長させる方が賢明でしょう。

　あるいは音楽演奏にも共通し、一本調子にならず、緩急を取り入れたり、明暗をつけたり、音色によって心の内面を表現し、この東洋錦のようにバランスを取りたいものです。

Dear my friends throughout the world

　"Toyo Nishiki" that is a Japanese quince and a type of bicolor bloom, is finally in full bloom now, expressing well-balanced colors. As if she said to me "Kakki, please make your life bloom."

　As you see, I am planting it in a relatively large flowerpot, so I would like to let it raise for several years. Since the tree is vigorous, it would be wiser for me to only apply fertilizer with oil cake about twice a year, water occasionally, and prune excess branches, and do not tamper with it too much, allowing it to grow naturally.

　Also, as common with musical performances, I want to maintain a balance like this Toyo Nishiki, by being not monotonous expression, fast and slow movements, adding light and shade, and expressing inside of my heart through tone quality.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

花桃の色彩は遺伝的に分離する

　元々の「源平枝垂れ桃」は築山の頂上にあり、現在、「ピンクと白」の二色で咲き始めてます。近いうちに写真をアップします。この写真はその子供であり、現在、次第に成長しつつ、色濃く咲き始めてます。

　しかし、不思議なことがあります。それは親の形質と異なり、ご覧の通り、花の色は紅のみであり、親より目立ちます。昨年も紅のみ咲いたので、おそらく今後もずっと紅のみで咲き続けるでしょう。現在、仲良く親と並んで築山の端で咲いています。

　庭にはこの他、この花桃の兄弟も咲き始めてます。やはり不思議にも、その兄弟はこれとは別で３色となり、ピンク、絞り、紅です。ところが、花の色は異なっても「枝垂れる」という形質は親兄弟皆同じです。

　私たち人間の親子とその兄弟でも、これに近いことは起こるようです。私には二人の娘がいます。長女は今でもサクソフォーンと車が大好きで、私の以前の車に似て黄色のスポーツカーに乗ってます。

　一方、次女は母親に似て、陸上競技の短距離が得意であり、高校時代には４×１００ｍのアンカーとして県で３位になったことがあります。現在、二人とも母親に似て仕事熱心であり、身長が高いという形質は私に似てます。近いうちに次女の長女の誕生会があり、皆、顔を合わせるので一杯飲めます。

【上の花桃の親で、未だ３分咲きです。拡大してご覧ください。This photo is the parent of the flower peach above, and has still 30 percent of bloom. Please enlarge. 】

Dear my overseas friends including Ms. Sarah in NZ

　The original "Bicolored Weeping Peach'' is located at the top of the Tsukiyama that means an artificial mound for plants, and she is currently blooming in two colors "pink and white". I'll upload her photo soon. Today's photo is of that child, which is now gradually growing and beginning to bloom brightly.

　However, there is something strange. She differs from her parent's traits. As you can see, the flower color is only red, making it more spectacular than her parent. Last year, only red flowers bloomed, so she will probably continue to bloom only in red colors. Currently, she is blooming at the edge of the tsukiyama alongside her mother.

　In addition to this, the siblings of this flower peach are also starting to bloom in the garden. Strangely enough, her siblings come in three colors such as pink, dapple, and red. However, even though the flower's colors are different, the trait of "Weeping" is the same for both parent and siblings.

　Something similar to this phenomenon, it seems to happen to us human parents and children. I have two daughters. My eldest daughter still loves alto saxophone and cars, and she drives a yellow sports car, similar to my old car.

　On the other hand, my second daughter is similar to her mother, so that she is good at short distances in track and field, and she once placed third in Gumma prefecture as an anchor in the 4 x 100m when she was in high school. Currently, both of them are enthusiastic about their work, just like their mother, and both of them are tall, which is similar to me. There will be a birthday party for my second daughter's eldest daughter soon, and we will all meet at my home.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

別世界の「百円ショップ」・・・孫娘と行く

　先日、次女の次女(小一)を一日預かったとき、午後になってから彼女は「百均」に行きたいと言い出しました。私の家から比較的近くに「１００円ショップ」が２店舗あるので、その１店舗へ連れて行きました。

　店内には数多くの品物があり、すべて１００円の安さに驚きます。店内をぐるぐる回ってるうちに私も写真のお皿が目に付き、毎日使うものだからと購入しました。消費税込みで２２０円です。今までお皿など買ったことはありません。

　いつものスーパーやコンビニとは異なり、時には「１００円ショップ」も楽しいもので、値段が「別世界」です。普段、買い物と言えば、すぐに１０００円以上になります。

　数か月前にも一緒に行き、彼女は自分の小遣いで好きなものを買ってましたが、私は水を入れると「青くなるコップ」を買ったことがあり、今でも概してお酒を入れて飲んでます。百円ショップは時には楽しいでが、安さ故、ややもすると不要なものまで買ってしまいがちです。

Dear my friends abroad

　The other day, when I took care of my second daughter's second daughter (1st grade) for a day, in the afternoon she said that she wanted to go to "100 yen shop". There are two 100 yen shops relatively close to my house, so I took her to one of them.

　As you know, there are many items in the store, all of which are surprisingly cheap at just 100 yen. While wandering around the store, I noticed the plate in the photo and bought it because it was something eye catcher I would use every day. The price is 220 yen including consumption tax. I have never bought a plate before.

　Sometimes 100 yen shops are fun. Unlike the usual supermarkets and convenience stores, this is a "Different world". Usually when I go shopping, I end up spending over 1,000 yen.

　We went together a few months ago as well, and she bought something she wanted by her own pocket money, but I once bought a cup that turns blue when filling it with water, and I still use to drink alcohol in general. Sometimes, hundred yen shop is fun. However, because they are excessively cheap, we tend to buy things we don't need.

https://ttsreader.com/ja/...

いよいよ新年度がスタート・・・夢を持ちましょう。

　今日４月1日から新年度です。小中高生は進級し、クラス替えもあり、新たな友達、新たな担任、新たな教科担任との出会いなど新たな事づくめです。

　一方、学校を卒業し、今日から会社勤めになる人もいます。今までの友達付き合いから、今度は年齢の異なる人との交流になり、全く今までの環境と変わります。転勤になる人は、今までと先ず通勤路が変わり、職場環境はもちろん、人との出会いなど新たなことだらけです。これを機会に心機一転し、新たな目標に向かって前進です。

　また、退職した人は今日から生活が一変します。すべてに於いて自己管理となり、大きなことは今月から給料が来ません。経済と健康は生活の基盤ですから、計画性ある生活を心掛ける必要があります。と言っても、時間が生まれるので今まで出来なかった大きな「夢の実現」というチャンスが到来です。

　という私も、年齢を重ねつつあり、新たな気持ちで今年度を過ごさなくてはなりません。今年度は地区の役員(上四地区会計監査)を仰せつかったことから、地区の方々との交流を一層密にします。個人的には、学生時代のように、如何に「記憶力を増進」させるかチャレンジします。また、ピアノでモーツアルトなど新たな曲に挑戦し、ピアノを弾く時間を増やします。でも、聴いてくれる人がいないので困ります。これは迫り来る認知症対策です。このように、多くの人にとって「今日は人生の節目の日です。」

Dear my friends abroad

　The simultaneous interpretation for your understanding will be after my breakfast in Japan time.

.........................

　The new fiscal and academic year starts today in Japan as different from your nation. April 1st. Elementary, junior high, and senior high school students advance to higher grades, change classes, and have new experiences such as meeting new friends, new homeroom teacher, and new subject teachers.

　On the other hand, some people graduated from school or university and start working at a company today. From the friendships you had before, you will now be interacting with people of different ages so that the environment will be completely different. For those who are transferred, there are many new things to do, such as a change in commuting route, a new work environment, and new opportunities to meet new people. They will take this opportunity to make a fresh start and move forward toward new purposes.

　Also, if you retired the company, your live will change completely from today. Everything will be self-managed, and one of the most big thing is that your salary doesn't come from this month. Economy and health are the foundation of life, so you need to keep a well-planned lifestyle in mind. That being said, now that you have plenty of time, you will have the opportunity to make a big dream come true that you have never been able to do before.

　I am also getting older, and I have to spend this academic year with a new mindset. This year, as I have been appointed as a district officer (the Kami-4th district accounting auditor), I will be working more closely with the people of the district. Personally, I am trying to strengthen to "improve my memory of English new words and phrases" like I did when I was a student. I will also try to play new pieces such as Mozart works by the piano and increase the amount of time for playing the piano. But I'm in trouble because there's no one to listen to my performance. These are cures against senile dementia for me in advance. For many people, today is a turning point in their lives.

ネイディブの発音を聞くには上の英文をコピーし、次に貼り付けます。→　https://ttsreader.com/ja/...