夕食前に倉賀野の鯉池一周ウォーキング

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

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

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

Dear my friends

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

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

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

その昔、今日は船出の日

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

楽しみな「いきいき健幸クラブ」が開かれる

 

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

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

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

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

Dear my Facebook friends who wish peace of the world

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

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

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

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

　　

今朝の冷え込みに負けず、咲く紫陽花

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

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

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

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

Dear my friends who like a hydrangea

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

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

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

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

　　

不思議な縁

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

今日は世界保健デー・・・健康生活を重点に

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

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

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

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

Dear my friends who like health and music

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

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

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

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

The way of anti-constipation

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

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

　

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

Dear my friends who are suffering from constipation.

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

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

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

植物の色彩は変化し、社会は動き出す。

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

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

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

　　

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

Dear my friends who began the new fiscal year.

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

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

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

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

今日は二十四節気の「清明」です。

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

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

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

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

Dear my friends as earthling

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

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

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

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

夕食が美味しくなることを期して！

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

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

Dear my friends

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

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

今朝も朝から楽しい交流

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

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

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

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

Dear my friends who like listening to guitar music

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

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

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

  　

高齢者の必須科目・・・日々仕事があり、目標があること、そして発見

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

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

　　

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

倉賀野で最も大きな桜の木を発見

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

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

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

Dear my friends　

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

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

不便になった倉賀野の街中

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

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

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

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

Dear my friends who are crazy about admiring cherry blossom

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

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

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

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

Anti agingの基盤・・・歯磨きの励行と牛乳

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

Dear my friends

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

常に未来を見据える

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

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

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

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

Dear my Facebook friends who welcomed the new fiscal year

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

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

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

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