自らを追い込む

　地球上に住む人類の９８％は日本語を理解しません。一方、文明の利器であるインターネットは瞬時に世界の隅々まで繋がります。このアンバランスを埋めるのに拙いフェイスブックとブログでは「英語での発信」も心掛けてます。これは２０代のインドでの日常生活が基になってるでしょう。カルカッタ【現コルカタ】の街中を歩いていても日本語は全く聞こえて来ませんでした。

　私たち日本人が日々、生活するには日本語で何不自由なく生活できます。ですから、もし、英語を身近にするのならば「自分にとって英語が必要不可欠である状況に自らを追い込むこと」でしょう。つまり「必要は発明の母」の環境作りです。一般的に、日本では試験が済めば、日常生活で英語が必要でないです。しかし、世界の人とインターネットで繋がるには英語は不可欠です。

　という私も、生活で英語が必要に迫られないことから、英単語・熟語がなかなか脳に定着しません。このため、日々「英語がどうしても必要な環境を自ら作らねばなりません。」英語でものを考えたり、英文を書くのは「脳をすっかり英語に転換」しなくてはなりません。しかし、一歩一歩ですから、私は天声人語の英文対照版を教科書とし、１日１コラムを課題として語彙を増やしたいのですが、高齢期に入った今、なかなか難しいことです。それでも、脳への定着は「繰り返し実際に使うこと」と感じてます。

　英文を書くとき、高校時代に習った「五文型」に当て嵌め、日本語ではあまりない主語を必ず入れ、三単現では動詞にsやｅｓを忘れず、便利な関係代名詞や関係副詞も使います。常に手元に和英辞典と英和辞典の両方から例文を有効利用し、「英作文は英借文である」と、いい年をして辞書との睨めっこの日々です。

Dear my overseas friends who like both of nature and great music

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

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

As you know, 98% of the people living on Earth do not understand the language of Japan. On the other hand, the Internet, a tool of civilization, instantly connects every corner of the world. To fill this imbalance, I also try to "communicate in English" on Facebook and my weblog. This is probably based on my daily life in India in my 20s as a teacher of Japanese school. Even when I walked around the city of Calcutta (now Kolkata), I had never heard any Japanese.

We Japanese can live our daily lives without any inconvenience by using Japanese. Therefore, if we want to become familiar with English, we should "put ourselves in a situation where English is indispensable to us." In other words, it is about creating an environment where "necessity is the mother of invention." Generally, here in Japan, once we have finished our exams, we do not need English in our daily life. However, English is indispensable to connect with people around the world via the Internet.

Even I, who do not need English in my daily life, have difficulty retaining English words and phrases in my brain. For this reason, I have to "create an environment where English is absolutely necessary" for me every day. Thinking and writing in English requires "completely switching my brain to English world." However, I want to increase my vocabulary step by step, using the English-version of Tensei Jingo published from Asahi Newspaper as my textbook and setting myself the task of writing one column a day, but it's quite difficult now that I'm older. Still, I feel that the key to come to stay it in my brain is to "actually use it repeatedly."

When I write English sentences or English composition, I use the "five sentence patterns" which I learned in high school, always including a subject that isn't common in Japanese, never forgetting to use "s" or "es" with verbs in the third person singular, and also using convenient relative pronouns and relative adverbs. I always make good use of example sentences from both a Japanese-English dictionary and an English-Japanese dictionary, and spend my senior days glaring at the dictionary, reminding that "English composition is English sentence borrowing."

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近未来が楽しみ・・・サクランボが収穫できるか

　昨日は一日中晴れ渡り、私は午前も午後もその大半を庭で作業に没頭しました。枯れ草や落葉し葉を集めると次第に庭がきれいになります。しかし、作業の中心は、半年前に前橋農協で手にした高さ１ｍほどのサクランボの苗木を今まで簡単な鉢に植えたままでした。このため、赤い実が生ったら家の中からその様子が見える位置に植える作業です。

　先ず、スコップで穴掘りですが、畑と違い土が硬いので作業が思うように進みません。それでも表面から２０cmほどの深さになったら多少柔らかくなりました。その後、近くのホームセンターで果樹用の土を購入してきて穴の中に入れ、将来広がる枝の方向を考え植え込みました。普段、肉体作業をしないことから、結構、疲れましたが、作業が済むと今後の成長と「赤いサクランボが生る日を想像」し、夢が広がります。実が生ったら食べにいらしてください。

　実は、サクランボを植える気になったのは山形県に住んでる甥がサクランボを贈ってくれたからです。それが余りにも美味しく、こんなに美味しいなら庭で育てみようと思いついたのです。調べてみたら、サクランボの名産地は山形県です。こんなことでも近未来に期待感が広がります。

　年を重ねてから大切な生き方は「日々、希望や期待感に満ち、次々やることがあること」でしょう。延いては、これが認知症対策に繋がり、本来は「高齢期こそ本当に楽しく暮らせる」と思います。ただ、一人暮らしの私に不足するのは話し相手です。自ら喫茶「さんぽ道」でピアノを弾いたり、高崎の小料理屋「バク」など、あちこちに出かけてみよう。

Dear my overseas friends who are interested in nature and great music

　Yesterday was a sunny day like an Indian summer, so I spent most of the morning and afternoon working in the garden. As I collected the dead grass and fallen leaves, the garden gradually became cleaner beyond description. However, the main task was to plant a cherry tree that bears red fruits about 1m tall that I got from the Maebashi Agricultural Cooperative six months ago in a simple pot. Therefore, I wanted to plant it in a position where I could see the red cherries from inside the room when it bears fruit.

　First, I dug a hole with a shovel, but unlike a field, the soil was hard, so the work did not go as smoothly as I had hoped. However, once it was about 20cm deep from the surface, it became a little soft. After that, I bought some soil for fruit trees at a nearby hardware store, put it in the hole, and planted it while considering the direction of the branches that spread in the future. I was quite tired because I don't usually do physical work, but after the work was done, I imagined the future growth and the day when red cherries would bear, so my dream spreads. Please come and eat some fruit when it bears.

　Actually, I decided to plant cherries because my nephew who lives in Yamagata Prefecture sent me some. They were so delicious that I thought I'd try to raise them in my garden. After investigation, I found out that Yamagata Prefecture is famous for producing cherries. Just this fact fills me with hope for the near future.

　As we get older, it's important to live our life "every day filled with hope and expectation, and we have some works to do after another." This will ultimately help prevent senile dementia, and I think that "it is in old age that we can truly enjoy life." However, actually as I live alone everyday, what I lack is someone to talk to. I'll go out and try various places, such as playing the piano at my favorite cafe "Sampo-michi" or visiting the small restaurant "Baku" in downtown of Takasaki-city.

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ウォーキングで晩秋の倉賀野を満喫したい。

【画像をクリックすると、臨場感が出ます。】

　庭の樹木たちはいよいよ一年の活動を終え、ついに落葉となり、朝から落ち葉を掃く作業です。一方、それとバトンタッチするかの如く、今度は私たちの番とばかり、菊たちが色とりどりに開花となり、まるで庭先で来訪者を出迎えるように咲いてます。

　ところで、今年も残すところ４５日。人間の私も華やかな菊の開花に負けず、剪定など植物の世話、ピアノの練習は音程を考える必要がないので、その分、音色を考えた練習、勉強というより生活に結びついた英作文、スーパーへの食材探しなど、動きのある生活を心がけ、如何にして認知症対策ができるか正念場になってます。それには一人暮らしを満喫せず、いろいろの人とお会いし、対話が鍵と考え実践したいです。

　今日はお気に入り喫茶「さんぽ道」で、ホットコーヒーを味わいつつ、ママさんやお客さんとの会話を楽しんだり、また、故郷・倉賀野の晩秋を味わうためウォーキングし、併せて、筋肉や血流を良くしたいと思います。そうだ、家から「さんぽ道」まで、その名の通り、今日は散歩して行ってみよう。

Dear my overseas friends who like both of nature and music

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

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

　The trees in the garden have finally finished their yearly activities, and the leaves have finally fallen, so I started sweeping up the fallen leaves in the morning. Meanwhile, as if taking over from them, the chrysanthemums have begun to bloom in a variety of colors, as if they are their turn to welcome visitors to the garden.

　By the way, there are only 45 days left in this year. As a human being, I am trying to keep up with the gorgeous chrysanthemums, taking care of plants such as pruning, practicing the piano without thinking about the pitch, I think about the tone quality. Writing English compositions that are more related to life than studying, looking for ingredients for longevity at the supermarket, and other activities. I am at a critical point now in my life to think about how I can take measures against senile dementia. To do this, I don't want to enjoy living alone, but rather meet various people, so that dialogue is my key, and I must put it into practice.

　Today, I will enjoy conversations with the proprietress and customers at my favorite cafe, "Sampo-michi," while tasting hot coffee, and also take a walk to enjoy the late autumn of my hometown, Kuragano, and at the same time, improve my muscles and blood circulation. That's right, I will take a walk from my home to the ``Sampo-michi'' (it means Walking Path), as the name suggests.

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

今日から「家族の週間」です。

　菊のことを英語では舌を噛んでしまいそうな発音でchrisanthemumです。庭には数種の菊が咲いてます。また、近所でもあちこちで色彩の異なる菊が咲き始め、何とはなしに侘しい晩秋の佇まいにホッとする瞬間です。昨日の写真といい、今日の菊といい温かな印象を与えてくれます。これからは今まで以上に年間を通じて菊の世話をし、種類も増やしたいと思います。

　ところで、今日から「家族の日」が始まります。私の場合、一見、一人暮らしですが、2人の娘に恵まれ、比較的近くに住んでるので、すぐに会える状態です。また、年に数回ですが、食事会をしてます。この時は父親として本当に楽しい時間です。二人とも正式な社員として毎日働いており、その点、私は安心して見ていられます。

　私としては、娘たちに負担がかからぬよう健康には人一倍考え実践してます。そのためには、人生一度きりなので、一つの場面のみでなく、いろいろに興味を持つと結果的にそれなりの知識も必要となり、研究し、結果的に体も動かすので健康に効果があるでしょう。「何でも見てやろう、いろいろしてみよう」は認知症対策に最も効果があると考えてます。

Dear my overseas friends who like both of nature and music

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

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

　The English pronunciation of chrysanthemum is tongue twister which is a bit difficult to pronounce for though an American. There are several kinds of chrysanthemums blooming in the garden. Also, chrysanthemums of different colors are starting to bloom here and there in the neighborhood as well, and it's a moment of relief to see the lonely late autumn appearance. Yesterday's photo and today's chrysanthemums give us a warm impression. From now on, I would like to take better care of my chrysanthemums throughout the year and increase the variety of it.

　By the way, as you know, today is the start of "Family Day". In my case, I seem to live alone, but I am blessed with two daughters who live relatively close by, so I can see them easily. We also have dinner parties a few times a year. These are really fun times for me as a father. Both of them work every day as official employees, so I can watch over them with peace of mind.

　As for me, I think about and practice health more than anyone else so that my daughters haven't a burden, I guess. To achieve this, we humans only have one life, so if we are interested in many fields, not just one scene, we will need to acquire a certain amount of knowledge, doing research, and ultimately moving our body, which will be beneficial for our health. I believe that "trying to see everything, trying different things" is the most effective way to combat senile dementia.

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生活にも必要な「変化と統一」の概念

　一般的に、物事には「変化と統一」がバランス上、大切と考えられ、例えば、朝食一つとっても、これによって生活に変化が起こり、気持ちの面から「潤い」が、そして、健康面から「栄養バランス」が摂れ、朝食が楽しく、しかも、しっかり戴けます。

　毎日一人で食事をしてる私は、朝食では通常、ご飯の上に「納豆にメカブを混ぜ」食することが多く、これが意外と美味しくて飽きません。しかし、常に同じものを食するより、栄養面から「変化が大切」です。今朝は近くのコンビニで、ご覧の通り、「昆布と紅しゃけのおむすび」を買ってきました。そして、野菜の多い味噌汁を作り、朝ドラ「おむすび」を見つつ食します。

　実は、この「変化と統一」ということは、その昔、作曲を勉強してたとき先生から教わったことです。ご存じの通り、音楽にはメロディーや和声、そしてテンポやリズムといった「変化」があります。一方、形式の上では、一部形式　二部形式　三部形式　複合三分形式　ロンド形式、ソナタ形式などあり、これが美を形成する「統一」と考えられる概念です。

　私のように年令を重ねると、食事においても、つい、いつも同じようにものになる傾向に陥りやすいです。このため、病気を避けるためには運動と共に、栄養バランスを考えつつ、工夫して楽しい食事にしたいと思います。延いては、この「変化と統一を工夫すること」が「認知症」を未然に回避する意外な術かもしれないと思ってます。

Dear my friends who like reading in English

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

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

　In general, it is believed that "change and unity" are important for balance in our daily life. For example, even breakfast can "moisturize" our life from the emotional standpoint, and "nutritional balance" from a health standpoint. It makes breakfast enjoyable and satisfying.

　As I eat alone every day, I usually have "natto mixed with sliced seaweed" named Mekeb on top of rice for breakfast, which is surprisingly delicious and I never get tired of it. However, from a nutritional standpoint, "variety" is more indispensable than always eating the same thing. This morning, as you can see in the photo, I bought "komb seaweed and red salmon rice ball" at a nearby convenience store. I then made miso soup with lots of vegetables and ate it while watching the NHK morning drama "Omusubi Rice Balls."

　Actually, this "change and unity" is taught by my teacher when I was studying composition a long time ago. As you know, music has "changes" such as melody, harmony, tempo, and rhythm. On the other hand, in terms of form, there are one-part form, two-part form, ternary form, compound third form, rondo form, sonata form, etc., and this is the concept that can be thought of as the "unity" that creates beauty.

　As I got older, I tend to always eat the same meals. To avoid getting sick, I should exercise and think about nutritional balance, and I make meals enjoyable. Furthermore, in my age, I think this "creating unity through change" may be an unexpected way to avoid senile dementia.

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マンネリ化しない生活を求める

　既に２０年も一人暮らしを余儀なくされてます。このため、日々、気をつけてることは「がん対策」を中心に病気にならない工夫です。また、若い人から高齢者まで、将来は誰でもその可能性があるといわれる「認知症対策」です。後者に対しては、自ら考え、実践してます。しかし、そうは言っても私の未来はどうでしょう。心配するより実践と思ってます。その一つは、「してもらう生活でなく、してあげる生活」をめざしてます。

　具体的には、マンネリ化しない日々です。食材の買い出しは毎日スーパーへ行き、健康に良い食材を求め、今宵の夕食は何にしようか考え、野菜や魚など「新鮮なもの」を選びます。毎日行くのでレジの女性たちと知り合いになってることから、迷惑にならない程度に、必ず一言を会話してます。

　生活のマンネリ化を防くため、足腰を鍛え、可能な限りウォーキングで「あちこち」に行きます。この利点は、景色はもちろん、新たな情報が視界に飛び込んできます。一方、一般にはあまりやってないかもしれませんが、和英辞典を使い「これを英語で何と言うか」の観点で、生活に結びついた英単語の復習です。また、一日に一回はピアノに向かいます。これらにより文字を書いたり、指を動かして表現でき、心の世界が広がる感じです。

　前者に対しては、朝起きたての空腹時に、コップ一杯の「塩分無添加のトマトジュース」又は「人参ジュース」あるいは「グレープフルーツジュース」を日替わりで飲んでます。これにより一気に消化器に行き渡る感覚です。ご存じの通り、これらには抗酸化作用があるリコピン、β―カロチンが多く含まれてるからです。

　一方、皆さまと繋がっている「文明の利器」であるフェイスブックや、瞬時に世界のどなたとも繋がる「ブログ」で、「人間の喜びとは何か」のテーマの下、毎朝、ない頭を絞って、発想力を培うようにしてます。

Dear my friends who like reading in English

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

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

　I have been forced to live alone for 20 years due to my wife's death. For this reason, I pay attention to ways to avoid getting sick, focusing on "Cancer Prevention" every day. I also take measures against senile dementia which is said to be a possibility for anyone, from young people to the elderly in the future. I think about the latter myself and practice. However, what about my future? I think it's better to practice than to worry. One of them is to aim for a "life of giving to others, not a life of receiving from others for me."

　Specifically, I try not to make my days monotonous. I go to the supermarket every day to buy ingredients, look for healthy ingredients, think about what I'm going to have for dinner tonight, and choose "fresh" things like vegetables and fish. Since I go there every day, I've gotten to know the ladies at the register, so I always have a conversation with her as long as I don't bother other customers.

　To prevent my life from getting monotonous, I strengthen my legs and walk "here and there" as much as possible. The advantage of this is that new information jumps into my field of vision, as well as the scenery. On the other hand, something that may not be common among many people, I use a Japanese-English dictionary to review English words related to my daily life, asking myself "how do I say this word in English?" I also play the piano once a day. By doing this, I can write letters and express myself with my fingers, which I feel broadens my inner world.

　For the former, when I wake up in the morning I drink a glass of "unsalted tomato juice," "carrot juice," or "grapefruit" alternating basis on my empty stomach,. This gives me the feeling that it is reaching my digestive system all at once. As you know, these contain a lot of lycopene and beta-carotene, which have antioxidant properties.

　On the other hand, I rack my brains every morning to cultivate my imagination under the theme of "What is human's joy?" through Facebook which is the "tool of civilization" that connects me to everyone including you all, and my "weblog," which instantly connects me to anyone throughout the world.

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

高齢期の生活はどうあるべきか・・・日々課題があること

　植物の色合いにより、一日一日と秋が深まって行く様子が手に取るように分かります。数日前にも写真のマユミを掲載しましたが、今朝は、一段と赤くなってることに気づきました。実は、このマユミ自身も種から自然に生えたもので、今では親兄弟よりも元気です。それにしても、急に色濃くなり、思わず人間を立ち止まらせる魅力があります。

　ところで、庭で樹木を育ててると、この文章を書いてる間にも、野鳥がひっきりなしにピーチクパーチクさえずっており、平和な朝を一人感じます。同時に、写真を撮るために庭に出ると朝露に濡れた樹木に接し、新鮮でちょっと冷たい空気を胸一杯吸い込みます。この瞬間に感ずることは、もしかして健康に生き続けるには、この新鮮な空気環境こそ心身の健康基盤と感じます。

　一方、ご存じの通り、高齢化の進展とともに認知症者数は増加しつつあり、65歳以上で何らかの介護・支援を必要とする認知症の人は、６年後の2030（令和12）年には約523万人になると予想されてます。この数字は私の群馬県の人口の３倍ほどです。

　認知症は特別な人がなるのではなく、ごく一般の人、現役時代に社会で活躍した人も罹ります。ですから、これを防ぐためにはどうしたらよいでしょう。それには、樹木の中で新鮮な空気を吸う生活は脳への栄養です。また、好きなことで課題がある日々であり、進取な気持ち、柔軟な生き方、何より「眼や耳の健康管理」、近隣社会にあって人との交流こそ必須と考えます。

Dear my friends abroad who are fond of reading in English

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

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

　The colors of the plants show how autumn is deepening day by day. I posted the photo of this Mayumi a few days ago, but this morning I noticed that it was redder. In fact, this Mayumi itself grew naturally from a seed, and is now healthier than its parents and sibling. Even so, the sudden darkening of the color has a charm that makes me stop and look.

　By the way, as I raise trees in my garden, wild birds are chirping incessantly even during I write this Facebook, and I feel a peaceful morning alone. At the same time, when I go out to the garden to take photos, I feel morning dew and take a deep breath of fresh, slightly cool air. What I feel at this moment is that in order to continue living a healthy life, this fresh air environment is the foundation of physical and mental health.

　Not change the subject, but as you know, the number of people with senile dementia is increasing with the aging of the population, and it is thought that the number of people aged 65 or older who need some kind of care or support will be about 5.23 million in 2030 (Reiwa 12), six years from now. This number is about three times the population of Gumma Prefecture where I live.

　Senile dementia does not suffer special people, but it can affect ordinary people, even those who were active in society during their working years. So, what can we do to prevent this? To do this, a life surrounded by trees and breathing fresh air is nourishment for our brain due to photosynthesis. Also, I think that daily life with challenges in the things we like, an enterprising attitude, a flexible way of life, and above all, "eye and ear health care," and interaction with people in the local community are essential.

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

　

高齢化社会では「一人で遊べる習慣」を持つ

　　人口推計によると、日本の高齢化率は2024年に30.1％になると予測されてます。これは全人口に対する６５才以上の割合です。ですから、年々、高齢化率が高まってます。

　私自身、年を重ねて実感するのは、以前はいっしょに遊べる友達がいましたが、現在はもういません。倉賀野で生まれ育ったのに倉賀野の街中を歩いても、２００名程いた同級生に会うことは先ずなく、皆、どこへ行ってしまったのでしょう。

　それでも、男性に会えば「やぁ～」と、すぐに話しますが、女性の同級生に会うことは皆無に等しく、このような社会状況では、高齢になっても「一人で遊べる習慣」こそ大切でしょう。若いうちから熱中できる何か一つや二つの趣味を身につけておくことが不可欠です。

　また、年令を重ねても夢を持つことが大切で、こうなりたいという「具体的な目標を持つこと」です。目標なくしては生き生きして生活することに繋がりません。目標に少しずつでも近づき達成感が生ずれば張り合いができ、きっと、毎日が楽しくなるでしょう。また、いつになっても近隣社会と関わりを持ち、小さなことでよいから、「人のためになる仕事」の継続は責任が生じ、社会の一員として生き甲斐に通じるでしょう。

　前述の通り、好きなことに没頭できる遊びこそ高齢者の特権ですが、その中で冒険も大切です。多少の危険が伴なっても、怖いことや危険なことが一切なく、用心深くなってしまうと、おもしろい体験ができません。冒険は若者や壮年のものでなく、有り余る時間を持つ高齢者の特権でもあります。常にチャレンジし、いつまでも「錆び付かず、魂を揺さぶられる体験」を持ちたいものです。

Dear my friends abroad

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

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　According to population estimates, Japan's aging rate is expected to be 30.1% in 2024. This is the percentage of the total population over 65 years old. Therefore, the aging rate is increasing year by year.

　As I get older, I realize that I used to have friends to play with, but now I don't. Even though I was born and raised in Kuragano-town, I hardly meet any of my 200 classmates in Junior High School, when I walk around the town of Kuragano. I wonder where they all went.

　Even so, when I meet a man, I immediately say "Hi," but I almost never meet a female classmate. In this social situation, it is important to have the "habit of playing alone" even when we get older. It is essential to acquire one or two hobbies that we can be passionate from a young age.

　It is also important to have dreams even as we get older, and to have purposes. Without purposes, we will not be able to live a lively life. As we get closer to our goal and feel even a small sense of accomplishment, our days will surely become more enjoyable. Also, we should always be involved with our local community, even if it is something small, continuing to do work that helps others will give us a sense of responsibility and will give us a sense of purpose in life as a member of society.

　As mentioned above, being able to immerse ourselves in the things we love is a privilege of the elderly, but adventure is also important for us. Even if there is some risk, if we become cautious and there is nothing scary or dangerous, you will not be able to have an interesting experience. Adventure is not just for young people or middle-aged people, but also a privilege of the elderly who have plenty of time. We want to always challenge ourselves and continue to have ``experiences that never rust and shake our souls.''

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人間にとって大切な「表情豊かさ」

　季節は夏から秋に向ってます。この長い期間に亘り咲いてる植物には「サルスベリ」と「ねむの木」があります。一方、写真のように、一見、似てる「ハイビスカス」(左)と「芙蓉」は今でも次から次へと蕾が膨らみつつ開花中です。どちらも植木鉢で育ててるので、私としては水遣りを怠らないように気を配ってます。

　このように植物を枯らさないよう気を配り、長い期間、開花させようとすることも「日々の認知症対策」として大切かもしれません。私の場合、近未来に直面する認知症対策として、ある一つの分野のみでなく、いくつかの場面で「喜びに結びつくこと」が効果があるように考えてます。現役中は一つの分野を高めることが大切でも、退職後は他の分野への挑戦も良いように考えます。

　ピアノで知ってる懐かしいメロディー、好きなメロディーを右手で弾きつつ、それに合った伴奏を瞬時に左手で弾くのは和声を考慮しなくてはなりません。これは楽譜からも離れ、音だけの創造性に結びつくでしょう。どの分野でも、この「創造性や発想力」が認知症対策に効果がありそうです。誰でも年令を重ねると直面する課題です。多くの場面で喜びを得て、花のようにいつまでも表情豊かに暮らしたいものです。

Dear my friends who seek anti-senile dementia

　The season is moving from summer to autumn in Japan. Plants that bloom for such a long period include the Crape Myrtle and the Silk Tree. On the other hand, as shown in the photo, the Hibiscus (left) and the Confederate rose which look similar at first glance, are still blooming with their buds swelling one after another. I am raising both in flowerpots, so I make sure not to neglect watering them.

　Taking care not to let plants wither and trying to make them bloom for a long period like this may be important as a "daily dementia countermeasure". In my case, I think that "connecting with joy" in several situations, rather than just one area, is an effective way to counter senile dementia, which everyone will face in the near future. I was important to improve one area while working, but, I think it would be good to challenge myself in other areas after retirement.

　For instance, playing a familiar and favorite melody by the piano with our right hand while instantly playing the appropriate accompaniment by our left hand requires consideration of harmony. It will also lead to creativity in sound alone, away from musical scores. In any field, this "creativity and eccentric ideas" seems to be effective in preventing senile dementia. It is a severe problem that everyone faces as they get older. We'd like to live a life full of expression, like these flowers, by finding joy in many areas.

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

工夫すれば、解決策はあることを実感

　今月もいよいよ残すところ３日になりました。私の住む群馬県は今日も猛暑が予報されてます。しかし、この気温は中国南部が故郷とされるサルスベリにとっては誠に生活しやすいのでしょう。開花はいよいよ５分咲きになりました。私としては、四方八方から樹木全体を眺め、井戸水を与えたり、天敵で幹の中を空洞にして巣作りする「赤い小さい蟻」を排除したりで、樹木を成長させる作業を怠ってはなりません。

　サルスベリの天敵「小さな赤い蟻」を５月頃より排除してますが、数千匹と想われるその数は一体どこから来るのでしょう。排除しても全く効果がありません。来る日も来る日も、行列して木に登って行きます。

　「人間は考える葦である。」とは、パスカルの言葉です。どうしても埒が明かないので、私もよくよく考えた末、ご覧の通り、幹にガムテープの粘着部分を表にして幹をぐるっと巻いてみました。

　そしたら、何と、一昨日より蟻が地上より幹に昇って来なくなったのです。「粘着物があってもう登れない」と、互いに連絡し合っているのでしょうか。めっきり登って来なくなりました。おまけに、最近、梨など果物農家に被害を与えニュースになってるカメムシまでガムテープに貼り付いてます。これからも、ない頭を使い、常に「今までの考えから変化を求め」生活しようと思います。

Dear my overseas friends who are enthusiastic about raising plants

　There are only three days left this month throughout the world. Today is forecast to be extremely hot day in Gunma Prefecture, Japan where I live. However, this temperature must be very comfortable for the crepe myrtle, which is native to southern China. The tree is now 50% in bloom. I must not neglect the work of raising this tree, such as watching the tree from all sides, giving it well water, and eliminating the "little red ants" that are its natural enemy, because of making their nests hollow spaces inside the trunk.

　I have been eliminating the "little red ants," which are the natural enemy of the crepe myrtle, since around May. Where do they come from, which seems to be in the thousands? Eliminating them has no effect. Day after day, they line up and climb the tree from morning till evening.

　As you know, "Man is a thinking reed," which is the famous Pascal's word. I couldn't get a solution no matter what, so after thinking about it, I wrapped the trunk with adhesive tape, sticky side facing out, as you see.

　Then, to my surprise, the ants stopped climbing up the trunk from the ground since the day before yesterday. Perhaps they are informing each other that they can't climb anymore because of the sticky stuff. As the result, they have stopped climbing altogether. What's more, even stink bugs, which have been in the news recently for causing damage to pear and other fruit farms, are stuck to the adhesive tape. I intend to continue to use my limited brain and I will always try to live my life by "seeking to break away from my fixed idea..

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