７月２０日（日曜日）２０２４
　家族から「『ギャツビー』やってるよ。でもチケットは売り切れだって。」との情報。フィッツジェラルド作の「グレート・ギャツビー」はアメリカ文学を代表する作品の一つで、そのミュージカル版が上演中であることを知りました。ニューヨークでも同名の別のミュージカルを上演中で二つは競い合っているとのこと。ボストンの方はフローレンス・ウェルチ（Florence Welch）というイギリス人のシンガーソングライターが音楽を担当しているのがもっぱらの話題になっているとか。

　観たい！という私の欲望が募って、劇場の窓口に行けば何とかなるのではと土曜でも仕事に出るという娘に帰りに窓口に行ってもらうことに。昼ごろ、ウエイティングリストで待っていたらチケットが買えた！との連絡が入り急ぎ劇場へ。

　席に着く前に携帯を使えないように特殊な袋を渡されロックされるという初めての経験。オープンステージはメタルの岩肌の装置の中央少し低い所にピアノ。そこから左上に向かって岩に隠れるようにオーケストラの楽器が見え隠れしています。

　娘によると「グレイト・ギャツビー」は高校で教材として使われて名文が多いとのこと。作品を知らないない私は開演前に大体の物語を聞いておきました。長くなるので省略しますが、ひとことで言って「今」のアメリカのミュージカルを観たという印象です。演出はトニー賞受賞者、レイチェル・シャブキンで、装置、照明、音楽、ダンス、演技の全ての力が２時間４０分に集結した舞台でした。歌もダンスの振りもかなり難しそうでしたが、主要人物やアンサンブル一人ひとりの実力は言うまでもなく凄かったです。

　終わってのスタンディングオベーションと歓声に加わりながら、切符を取ってくれた我が娘っ子に感謝しました。

I got information from my family that "Gatsby" is being performed by ART now, but the tickets are all sold out. "The Great Gatsby" is a 1925 novel by F.Scott Fitzgerald and it represents American literature. The musical version was created and has been showing in Boston. Another Gatsby has been showing

in New York by a different production and people say that these two are competing with each other. There is also a hot topic that Florence Welch who is a British singer songwriter made music and lyrics in Boston's Gatsby.　

Even though I heard that tickets were all sold out, I couldn't control my desire to watch it, so I asked my daughter to stop by the window of the theatre on her way back from her work to check if they still had available seats. Then she sent a message to me that she could get tickets from the waiting list. It was a Saturday at noon. I went to the theatre in a hurry.

At the theatre, we were handed a small bag which was for a cell phone and we should put the phone there so that we would not use it during the show. It was my first experience.

I saw a piano in the middle of the open stage, and it was on the stage set of which the surface looked like rock made of metal. I saw parts of other instruments which were at the upper left on the set.

My daughter told me that she read The Great Gatsby in her high school and she learned many excellent excerpts in it. Since I haven't read the book yet, I learned the story of the book before the musical started. I cannot write about the story of the stage performance in detail here but I thought that it was different from musicals I have seen previously. It was directed by a Tony award winner, Rachel Chavkin, and each theatrical role such as stage sets, lights, music, costumes, dance and acting showed their artistic talent in the 2hours 40 minutes-long musical stage performance. Both the main characters and ensemble were powerful and amazing.

I enjoyed it very much. The audience, including myself, gave a standing ovation at the end of the stage. I also thank my daughter who got the tickets.

７月２０日（土曜日）２０２４
　飛行機の長旅で私が一番に願うのは食事や機内サービスではなく満席でないこと。友人や家族と一緒なら隣同士で楽しいが、エコノミークラスで単独旅なら願わくは隣は空席、それが無理ならマナーが良い人を希望します。ですが今回はそれが残念なことに。


　満席で私の隣は大柄の若いアメリカ人の男性。さぞ窮屈だろうとは思いながらも、両者の間にあるアームレストには早々と彼の腕が乗り、手首には富士山かどこかの山に入山したと思われる腕輪が見えました。よほど疲れていたのか飛行中は最初から最後まで食事も取らず眠ることほぼ１４時間。それは私には関係ないことですが、困ったのはかれの無造作に後ろで一つにまとめた長髪の頭が境界線のアームレストを超えて私のほうに倒れてくることです。これは明らかにマナー違反。私が居住まいを正すと相手は驚いたように体を元に戻すのですが、しばらくするとまた同じ。しかも通路の方ではなく、いつも私の方に倒れてきます。私が「侵入ヤメて！」の意を込めて座り直しを繰り返すと、今度は前のテーブルの上にうつ伏せになりまた眠り続けます。私は窓の方に体を寄せながら、本を読んだり機内映画をみたりして数時間先の目的地到着が縮まることを願い続けました。


　ただ一つの救いは機内で観た「カサブランカ」1942年と「フォレスト・ガンプ」1994年。どちらも不朽の名作で、「カサブランカ」はハラハラドキドキの中でのハンフリー・ボガードのイングリッド・バーグマンへの利己的でない愛に感動し、二度目に観る「フォレスト・ガンプ」ではトム・ハンクスの演技力の幅広さに只々感心。どちらも流石と言える作品の構成で余韻がいつまでも残る素晴らしい映画で、席での不快さを忘れさせてくれました。


　エコノミーと言えど高い飛行機代なのに、どうしてあれほど混むのだろうか不思議です。日本人ではないアジア系の乗客が多かったのは他の航空会社とのシェア便で乗客をまとめているのでしょうか。悪いクジを引いた感じですが、無事目的地に着いてほっとしています。

What I wish for the most about a long trip by airplane is a not fully-occupied plane, rather than a good meal or cabin service. If I am traveling with my family or friend, I would be happy to sit side by side, but I wish nobody would sit or somebody with good manners would sit next to me. This time, however, it didn't go that way.

My flight to Boston was full and a young big male passenger took the next seat to me. I thought it must be so cramped for him in such a narrow seat. He put his left arm on the armrest which was in between two of our seats. I saw his wristband used to gain entrance to Mount Fuji (?). He seemed very tired and kept sleeping during the whole flight for hours without taking any meal. It was ok, but the thing I was uncomfortable with was that his head, which had long hair tied back, came over the armrest and leaned towards me. It was obviously out of manner. I did reseat myself to let him know that he was encroaching into my space. At that moment he was surprised and got his back straight but soon he did the same thing again. He kept bothering me. I leaned myself towards the window and read a book or watched movies to forget his annoying movement. I really wished that the remaining flight time to Boston would decrease.

Watching nice movies were the only things that relieved me from uncomfortable situations. I watched Casablanca (1942) and Forrest Gump (1994) which were both masterpieces. I was moved by Rick (H.Bogart)'s unselfish love toward Lisa (Ingrid Bergman) in Casablanca. This was my second time watching Forrest Gump, and I was amazed by the acting of Tom Hanks. Both of these movies were really wonderful.

Even though it was an economy seat, the airfare was still expensive and it was full of passengers. Last time when I was on the plane in February, there were many vacant seats. I don't know why it was so crowded on this flight. I felt that I drew a bad lottery this time but I am relieved to be able to arrive in Boston anyhow.

７月１２日（金曜日）２０２４

米国にいる家族に日清食品の「完全メシ」を依頼されました。
完全メシ？！衝撃的な商品名です。調べると日本人の食事摂取基準に設定された３３種類の栄養素が含まれているとのこと。カップ麺と大して変わらない外観ですが、値段はカップ麺より高価です。定番は「カレーメシ」で焼きそばやハヤシメシ、スムージーなどバリエーションもいくつかあるようです。スーパーにはなかったので、ネットで注文することに。いつも使う通販サイトは何と軒並み「売り切れ」。それで製造元の日清食品の通販サイトで注文しました。


　試食はまだなので味はわかりませんが、よくカフェに来る若いO君にこのことを話すと、彼は２年ほど前にどこかの展示会で発売されたばかりの「カレーメシ」を無料でもらったそうです。美味しかったとのこと。
　O君は海洋堂というフィギュア制作で有名な会社が「カレーメシくん」という精巧なフィギュアを販売していると写真まで見せてくれました。４４００円という値段に驚きましたが、かなり楽しそうなフィギュアです。
　「完全メシ」だけでは栄養は完全ではないでしょうが、フードテクノロジーを発揮したこの商品。忙しい人や若者に人気のようです。普段、この手の商品には縁がない私ですが、遅ればせながら「今の時代を見た」という感じです。

My family member in US asked me to buy "Perfect Food" produced by NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS CO., LTD. Perfect Food?! What a shocking name of the product! I checked it on the net, and it contains 33 kinds of nutrients which are based on Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese. It looks the same as the regular Instant cup noodle but the price is higher than the regular one. The most popular "Perfect Food" is "Karee-Meshi (curry rice)" but there are several variations such as Fried Noodles, Smoothies, etc.. At the market I went to, they didn't have one, so I ordered some from the product company online.

I haven't tasted it yet, but Mr. O, who came to the cafe, said that he got it for free at some exhibition hall when it first went on sale and he said it was good. He also showed me the figure of "Karee-Meshi kun (Mr. Curry rice)" on his cell phone.　It is a well-crafted figure and worth 4400 yen (about 40 dollars?) which surprised me very much.

This "Perfect Food" must be not perfect in terms of nutrition, but this new type of instant food made by new food technology is very popular among the busy business people and young generation. I usually don't eat this type of instant food and don't know very much about them, but now I feel I am walking a little bit behind, I recognize "the current era".

 

７月１０日（水曜日）２０２４
　図書館で借りた１０冊以上の絵本の中から今日は小２の子供達に岩崎書店「さんねん峠」（李錦玉・作）を選びました。朝鮮の昔話を日本生まれの李さんがリズム感ある日本語でしっかり書いてくださっています。また昔の朝鮮の暮らしをほのぼのと描いた朴民宣さんの絵も素敵です。

　途中おじいさんの命がどうなるのかというところは皆んな固唾を飲みながら、そして最後のほっとしたエンディングで笑顔が戻っていました。体育座りの男の子も女の子も先生お二人も朝の読み聞かせの時間は楽しいのでしょう。私自身も楽しませてもらっています。蒸し暑い毎日ですが、皆元気で過ごしてもらいたいものです。


Among more than ten picture books from library, I chose "Sannen Tohge (three years mountain pass)" for the second graders at Elemetary School. It is a Korean folktale. Ms. Lee who is Korean born and raised in Japan wrote in rhythmical very good Japanese. Ms. Park, who is also Korean and born in Japan, drew pictures along with the stories which expressed old Korean living.


At the scene where the old man, the main character in the story, might have been dying, kids in the class showed their seriousness but it turned to the happy ending and everybody looked relieved. All of the class sat on the floor and looked at me. I was glad they enjoyed my storytelling. It has been very warm these days but I want them to have a happy and healthy time at the school.

７月８日（月曜日）２０２４
　ベッドを新しいものに変えました。これまでは、昔、祖母が具合が悪かった時に実家にきた叔母たちが世話をしやすいように父が購入したセミダブルのフランスベッドでした。祖母の後は父がそれを使い、父も亡くなり、３０年間空き家になっていた実家に私が帰ることになり、古い家具を動かしながらの家の改修中も、ベッドは昔の箪笥と一緒に2階に置いたままでした。処分するつもりが、ヘッドボードやマットレスは古くて汚れていたものの、まだ使えるのでそのまま私のベッドになりました。ただスプリングが私には柔らかすぎるのが難でした。


　先日、右脇腹を強打して、当初はベッドに横たわるのも、寝返りを打つのも辛くて、眠りも浅い日が続いたのですが、今はほぼ普通に横になれるようになりました。寝付きが悪いのはいつものことですが、床の中でこの先どのぐらい寿命があるか分からないけれど、毎晩眠るベッドはもう少し快適なものが良いと考えて買い替えを決断。車も人手もないため、配達や古いベッドの引き取りが頼める彦根の家具店に行って新しいベッドを購入しました。

　予算は大幅に超えましたが、アメリカの友人にもらったドリームキャッチャーのそばで、これからは安眠熟睡を楽しみたいと思います。

    I changed my bed to a new one. Up until now, it was a very old one which my grandma used when she was not well. My father bought it for her and this made it easy for my aunts who came to take care of their mother to do their work. After my grandma passed away, my father used the bed for himself. Then he passed away, and it stayed in my house for thirty years. Eight years ago, I decided to come back my native house and while the old house was being renovated, the bed was still in my house with other old furniture. At first I was planning to throw it away, but I changed my mind to use it for my bed although the headboard and mattress got dirty and had stains, and I didn't mind them except for one thing. It was that the spring of the bed was too soft for me.

    About a month ago, I hit my right side strongly and I had a hard time lying down and rolling over onto my other side on the bed. I also couldn't sleep well but I have been getting well and now I am able to lie down normally. Even so, I have trouble falling asleep and it has been like this for many years. The other night when I was in bed, I thought that I should change my bed to the new one more suitable and will lead me into a good sleep. Next day I went to a furniture store in Hikone to buy a suitable bed where I can ask for delivery and take away my old bed.

    It was actually over my budget, but I am happy to get my new bed. There is a Dreamcatcher beside the window which is from my friend in Boston. I am sure I will enjoy my sleeping time to get a more comfortable and deep sleep.

７月２日（火曜日）２０２４　
　伊吹の方で豪雨による土砂災害が出ているニュース。多賀町も鈴鹿山脈が滋賀と三重の県境に走っている地形で山間部に暮らす住人の方たちはさぞかし心配なことでしょう。

　今日も相変わらず曇りと雨が交互にやってくるといった不安定なお天気。取り敢えずカフェを開けてコトコトと奥で自分のことをしていると、表の戸が開いて「カズコさぁ〜ん、助けてくれへんかぁ〜」との声。びっくりして出てみると近所のCさん。何かしらと思ったら手にインゲン豆。お年寄りの集まりでたくさんもらったのでお裾分けして下さるとのこと。「助けて〜」とは何とも謙虚なお言葉。勿論、喜んでいただくことに。可笑しかったのは、手に持っていたのは少しで、つぼめた傘に手を突っ込んで残りの豆を台の上に出し始め、そのうちに青い傘がパアッと開いて外に飛び出してしまうものも。雨が止んでいたので傘をバッグ代わりに持ってきて下さったのですが、もう楽しくてお豆を一緒に拾い上げながら笑いました。

　ところで、この野菜を私はインゲン豆と思っていましたが、Cさんは「アメリカささげ」と。違いがよく分かりませんが、元気がよくて老若男女誰にでもやさしく人懐っこいCさんは近所でも人気者です。会うたびに励まして下さり気遣いも人一倍細やか。本当に素敵で有難い方です。


I heard the news of the landslide caused by the heavy rain at Ibuki district in Shiga. Mountain side of Taga town is a part of Suzuka Mountains which runs at the border of Shiga prefecture and MIe prefecture, so people who are living in these areas must be worried about the same situation.

Today was unstable weather which was rainy and cloudy. I opened the cafe anyhow, and when I was doing houseworks in the back kitchen, someone came in the cafe and said " Kazuko, do you mind helping me?". I was surprised at that voice and rushed into the cafe. It was Ms.C with green beans in her hands. She came to bring green beans for me because she got many from her acquaintance at the local senior gathering. I appreciated her humble way of offering. I was pleased to receive her gift.

It was funny that she had more beans in her closed umbrella instead of carrying a bag and started placing beans out on the table. Then suddenly her blue umbrella opened and some beans went outside the umbrella to the floor. I could not help laughing at this incident while I was helping pick up beans with her.

My neighbor, Ms. C is very popular among young and old in town because she is warm and friendly. Every time I see her on the street, she cheers me up. I thank her very much because she is a very considerate woman. Ms. C is a really nice and wonderful person.

６月２９日（土曜日）２０２４　
　ここ数日の天気予報を見ると、曇りや雨のマークが並び芳しくないお天気が続くようですが、本日は晴れ間も見えて蒸し暑いぐらいでした。
　さて６月は衣替えの季節で衣住を夏仕様に変えますが、寒い日もあったし、私の怠けグセで延び延びに
なっていました。一昨日、何とか戸や襖を夏用に変えました。やはり「見た目」を変えると気持ちも少し変わります。
　今年は暑い夏になると言われているし、電気代も上がるので不安もありますが、少しでも快適に過ごしたいものです。

According to the weather forecast, it will continue to be cloudy or rainy. Today, however, it was clear and a little bit humid.

In Japan, we have a custom that we change clothing and other items to summer style in June. We call this "Koromo-gae (seasonal change of clothing) ". However, I postponed it because we still had chilly days in June and simply because I was too lazy to do so.

The day before yesterday, I changed the guest room and entrance sliding doors into summer ones. Before doing so, I was hesitant but now I am satisfied with these changes. It looks much more spacious and cooler.

Many people predict that this summer will be very hot and I am personally concerned about the electricity bill going up from July. I would like to stay as cool and comfortable as possible.