１０月１０日（土曜日）２０２６　
　今日はカフェはお休みにして、午前は多賀小学校の運動会、午後は彦根文化プラザでの「日色ともゑとマリオネットによる朗読と音楽」を楽しんできました。　

　小学校の運動会は去年に続き二度目です。まず子供たちの体つきが私の頃と比べて格段に大きくなっていることに驚かされます。５、６年生になると男女とも背が高い子が多くリレーなど成人顔負けのフォームとスピードで走るので立派だなぁと思いました。低学年の団体演技はテンポの速い難しい振りを皆よく覚えてやっていて、指導なさった先生がたのご苦労は如何ばかりかと思いました。

　午後の文プラでは８５歳?になられた日色ともゑさんのお元気でチャーミングなお話と朗読、それに合わせたポルトガルギターとマンドリン演奏が素敵でした。日色さんが何編か読まれた茨木のり子の詩を私は初めて聞きましたが、芯のあるそれでいて時折ユーモラスな表現の詩に感銘を受けました。日色さんの柔らかな声と確信のある朗読も勉強になりました。ポルトガルギターを聴いたのも初めて。どこかチターの音色と共通したものがあると最初に感じました。音色が抒情的でマンドリンとも似ている感じです。そのマンドリン、生で聴くのは何十年振りです。実はこの楽器を私も手にしたことがあり、思いがけず当時のことを思い出していました。

　秋も本番。甘い香りで足が止まり、どこかしらと探したら見事な金木犀がすぐそばにありました。

Today, I closed my cafe and went to Taga Elementary School to watch the sports day in the morning, and enjoyed a performance of reading and music by Tomoe Hiiro and duo music players at the Hikone Cultural Plaza in the afternoon.

This was the second experience for me to watch elementary school sports day following last year's. First of all, I was surprised by how much larger children's physical sizes are compared to when I was young. Many of the fifth and sixth graders are tall and I was impressed by their running form and speed which was like an adult. Then I looked around, and there was a magnificent sweet olive tree right nearby.

For the group performance by lower graders, everyone did a great job memorizing and executing the fast paced, challenging choreography, so I could imagine the teacher's immense effort to teach kids the movement.

In the afternoon, we enjoyed lively, charming talk and poem reading by the actress, Tomoe Hiiro, who has turned 85 accompanied with Portuguese guitar and mandolin. It was the first time for me to listen to the poem of Noriko Ibaragi by Hiiro. I was impressed by the poetry which were occasionally humorous but possessing a core of substance. I liked Hiiro's calm and gentle voice and learned a lot about her way of reading. It was also my first time hearing the Portuguese guitar. When I heard the sound, it reminded me of the sound of zither.

Autumn is in full swing. On the way home, I stopped my feet drawing by the sweet aroma. Then I looked around, there was a magnificent sweet olive tree near by me.

１０月６日（火曜日）２０２６

　日曜日のマリンバコンサートが無事終了しました。
雨はそれほどではなかったのですが、音板が木のマリンバは湿気を嫌う楽器（厳密には湿気を吸った音板が乾いた後に音質が微妙に変化する）とのこと。部屋のエアコンをドライにしてリハーサルが始まりました。

　開場を待つ間、カフェでコーヒや軽食を召し上がる方も結構いらして、お手伝いくださったスタッフは大忙し。戸は閉めてあるものの、布谷さんがスポット的にチェックするマリンバの音が障子の外で待つお客様にも聞こえるのは古民家ならではで、中の音が遮断される音楽ホールとは違うお客様にとってはお得な時間だと思いました。

　さて、今回もソロで７曲＋アンコール曲の布谷マリンバを堪能しました。１３時と１７時、どちらも６０名あまりのお客様でしたが、皆さん、どんなピアニシモの音も聞き漏らすまいと集中して聴き入る姿に私自身感動。マレットを両手に曲に入る布谷さんを見るところから曲を聴くというよりも、表現の世界に誘（いざな）われると言ったほうがいいような。観客はそれぞれの想像力で風景であったり、物語に包まれていったり。静かな深い世界にいるかと思うと、軽妙なリズムに身体までじっとしてはいられなくなったり、気がつくと家全体がマリンバの音色に包まれていました。途中の布谷さんによるマリンバの説明も分かりやすく、その後の観客と布谷さんとの質疑応答は内容もさることながら、マリンバを聴き入るある種の緊張した空気が一気に和やかなものとなり、布谷さんの謙虚で誠実な人柄がそのまま出て好感度がぐっと上がる時間でした。

　普段はコンサートホールで聴くことが多い布谷さんの演奏を間近で見て聴けるというのが、私ども多賀あさひやでの布谷マリンバの魅力のようで、遠く県外からもマリンバのプロやファンが何人もお越しくださいました。また、マリンバは初めてという地元の方も布谷さんの演奏に感動してくださいました。

　忙しいスケジュールの中、多賀で演奏を聴かせてくださった布谷史人さん、コンサートに来てくださったお客様のお一人ひとり、そして準備から後片付けまでテキパキ抜群の動きで助けてくださったスタッフの方達。皆様のお陰で、今年も素晴らしいマリンバコンサートが開催できました。厚く御礼申し上げます。

The marimba concert on Sunday was over successfully. Although the rain wasn't heavy, the marimba, with its wooden bars, is an instrument that is sensitive to humidity (the sound quality changes subtly after the soundboard which has absorbed moisture dries. Therefore the rehearsal began with the AC of the room to "dry" mode.

While waiting for the door to open, quite a few people enjoyed coffee or light snacks at the cafe, and staff members who were helping the cafe were very busy.The sliding doors which divided stage area and waiting area were closed while Mr. Nunoya was rehearsing his marimba, the sound of the marimba reached the guests who were waiting in the cafe unlike a music hall where sound is sealed off and that was a special gift for the audience in the old Japanese house.

Well, in the concert, we enjoyed Nunoya's marimba featuring seven pieces of music plus one encore. Both 1pm and 5pm performances had just over 60 audience members. I was deeply moved to see everyone listening to Nunoya's marimba with such intense concentration,determined not to miss even the "pianissimo" sound. We started watching the scene where Mr. Nunoya was just about to start playing with mallets in his both hands. It was better to say that we were being drawn into a world of expression rather than simply listening to the music. Using each one's imagination, the audience was immersed in landscapes or their own stories. We felt we were in a quiet,profound world, then the next, we swung with a lighthearted rhythm and I noticed that the entire house was covered in a beautiful sound of the marimba. During the performance, Nunoya explained about the instrument of marimba and it was easy to understand. After that, the Q & A session with the audience was remarkable not only for its content but also for the atmosphere which turned warm and relaxed.

It is a special point having Nunoya's concert at Taga Asahiya, that is you have a chance to see and listen up close to an artist whose music is usually enjoyed in concert halls, so many professional marimba players and fans came from as far away as other prefectures. On the other hand, many local residents who were experiencing the marimba for the first time were also deeply moved by Nunoya's performance.

I would like to say thank you to Mr. Nunoya who came and performed in Taga despite a busy schedule, every single audience member who attended the concert, and the staff who provided such efficient and outstanding support from setup to cleanup. It couldn't be such a wonderful concert without these people's help. I express my deepest gratitude.

１０月２日（金曜日）２０２６　
　昨日今日と秋晴れの爽やかなお天気です。
１０月４日の布谷史人マリンバコンサートはお陰様で大勢のお客様のお申し込みをいただきました。最初１７時は随分空いていたので、お客様にもそのようにご案内したのですが、後半になって１３時と同じぐらいの人数となり、空いているからとお申し込みになったお客様には申し訳なく思っております。地元の方、県外から来られる方、マリンバを長く弾いている方、マリンバは初めてという方など、いろいろな方が布谷さんのマリンバを楽しみに多賀の古民家に集まってくださいます。ご都合をつけてチケットをお買い求めくださった皆様には感謝しかありません。

　さて、地元の方から秋の味覚のクリをいただきました。私には初ものです。それで、今日のお弁当は栗ご飯にしました。イガイガの中から栗の実を出すのも手間だと思いますが、立派なクリは見ているだけでも落ち着いた気持ちになります。コンサートの段取りをアレコレ考えながら鬼皮を剥き、渋皮を取り除き、炊飯器で炊き上げました。

Both yesterday and today, the weather has been clear and beautiful autumn days.
We have recieved a large number of applications for the Fumito Nunoya Marimba Concert on October 4th. I would like to say thanks to everyone's support. It was quite empty at 5pm initially, so I informed the customers accordingly, but later on, the number of people applied at 5pm and it became the same level as at 1pm. I sincerely apologize to those who signed up thinking it would be less crowded.
A diverse group of people including locals, visitors from outside the prefecture, longtime marimba players, and complete beginners, gather at the old folk house in Taga, all looking forward to Mr. Nunoya's marimba performance. I am deeply grateful to everyone who made the effort to purchase tickets.

Well, I received some beautiful chestnuts, which are typical autumn nuts from a local resident. This is the first chestnut of this year for me. So I decided to make chestnut rice for bento lunch. I guess that it is quite a hassle to get the chestnut out of its prickly outside, but just looking at these beautiful chestnuts gives me a sense of calm. Thinking of the various arrangements for the marimba concert, I peeled off the tough outer skins, removed the inner skins, and cooked the chestnut rice.

９月２１日（月曜日）２０２６

　お待たせしました！多賀あさひやでのロネとジージのコメディMusicショーのご案内です。題名は「HANABI〜最後の打上げ花火にて候〜」。今回は「和」がたっぷり入った新作で、これまでロネとジージを見てきた方は新しいスキルも入って、二人の多芸多才ぶりに驚嘆しながらショーを楽しむことができるでしょう。

　クラウンは初めてという方。口で説明するのはなかなか難しいのです。世の中にはクラウンを生業にしている人は多くいますが、R&Gのように劇場型、つまりストーリーの中でジャグリングやパントマイムなど数々の技やクラウンの動き、そして歌ありダンスあり、笑いあり驚きあり涙ありで完結するショーを見せるクラウンは他にいません。プロ歴３６年の中で生み出したR＆Gならではのステージです。

　講座は、「クラウンって何？」というところから、「お笑い」との共通点と違い、クラウンの着眼点などを、知識と経験豊富なロネが分かりやすく話してくれます。今回はどんな話が聞けるでしょうか。皆さんの素朴な質問も大歓迎です。毎年好評のこのロネの講座をどうぞお見逃しなく！

　クラウンショーの１週間前には、ワークショップも開催します。お子さんから年配の方まで大喜びするこのスキルは驚くなかれ、誰でもできるようになるんです。それは素顔のクラウンたちが丁寧にやさしく教えてくれるからです！！（多賀あさひや）


Thank you for waiting! Here is the detailed information for RONE & Gigi's Comedy Music Show at Taga Asahiya.The title of the show is "HANABI ~It will be the final fireworks~" It is a new release and contains a plenty of Japanese taste. Those of you who have seen RONE & Gigi before will enjoy the show while being surprised by their versatility which include new skills.

For those who are new to Clown--- it is very difficult to explain in words. Although there are many people in the world who make a living as clowns, there are no other clowns like RONE & Gigi who present a theatrical style show. In the middle of the story, they include a wide array of skills such as juggling, pantomime, and others and clowning movements, songs and dances. The audience laughs,is amazed, and cries while watching their show. It is a unique performance created by RONE and Gigi who crafted over a 36-year professional career.

The Clown Lecture will be taught by RONE who has a wealth of knowledge and experience. She covers everything from the basics of "what a clown is" to the similarities and differences between a clown and a Japanese comedian. We look forward to hearing what kind of talk this time. We also warmly welcome any simple questions you might have. Don''t miss this popular talk by RONE!

We will also hold a workshop one week before the clown show. Believe it or not, anyone can master the skills which delights everyone from children to the elderly. That is because the clowns teach you carefully and gently.

９月２０日（日曜日）２０２６
　大型連休が始まり、本日は多賀大社にお参りの方が大勢カフェにもお立ち寄りくださいました。まず餅粉ケーキがなくなり、しばらくしてあんみつ用の寒天も作っておいたものがなくなり、お客様にはご迷惑をおかけして申し訳なく思っております。

　さて、１０月４日（日）は布谷史人さんのマリンバコンサートです。１３時のチケットは満席となりました。１７時のチケットもまもなく販売を終了させていただきます。

　布谷さんの素晴らしい演奏を聴きにお越しくださる皆様には心から御礼もうしあげます。

Five consecutive holidaysa has started, and many people visiting Taga Taisha stopped by our cafe today. First we ran out of the Mochi-ko Cake, and shortly after we also ran out of agar-agar for Anmitsu (Japanese agar jelly dessert). We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to our customers.

By the way, on Sunday, October 4th, marimbist Fumito Nunoya will be having his concert at Taga Asahiya. Tickets for the 1PM slot are sold out and sales for the 5 PM slot will also end shortly.

I would like to sincerely thank everyone coming to appreciate Mr. Nunoya's wonderful concert.

９月１６日（水曜日）２０２６
　今月は、こども園、小学校、中学校のどこかでほぼ毎週読み聞かせの機会をいただいています。

　今日は小２。先週直前にうかつにもメガネを忘れたことに気づき、あわてて職員室で聞いてみましたが、若い先生方には元より老眼鏡など持ち合わせている人はなく、何とか２冊のうち大きめの字の絵本で切り抜けました。今日はしっかりメガネを手提げ袋に。さて、６月に「こども読書ボランティア研修会」で紹介されたスリランカの作品「きつねのホイティ」（松岡享子訳）を読んでみました。時間を測ったら１０分ぎりぎりだったので、少し早口でしたが子供達に聞いてもらいました。最初にスリランカのお話ですと紹介しましたが、子供たちは聞いたこともない国だったと思います。民話ではありませんが、スリランカの暮らしや衣装、食べ物などが大らかに表現されて物語もユーモラスに書かれています。中できつねや村の女性たちが語調良く歌う場面があり訳者のテンポの良い日本語に感心しましたが、私自身はこれは原語でどんなふうに語られるのだろうかと興味津々でした。

　ところ変われば暮らしも変わる。子供達には楽しい絵本だったと思います。

This month I have the opportunity to do storytelling almost every week at either local preschool, an elementary school or a Junior high school.

Today, I went to the second-grade class. Last week, I realized at the last minute that I had carelessly forgotten my glasses, so I hurriedly asked in the staff room if someone had reading glasses. Of course, none of the young teachers owned a pair of reading glasses.
I could manage to get by using the picture book which I brought with the larger print out of the two. Since I don't want to do it again, I made sure to put my glasses in my tote bag.

Now, today I decided to read a story from Sri Lanka named "Hoity The Fox" by Sybil Wettasingdhe, a Japanese text by Kyoko Matsuoka.

When I timed it beforehand, it was almost ten minutes, so I read it a bit quickly, and the children listened intently. First, I introduced that it was a story of Sri Lanka, but I think it was a country the children had never even heard of. Although it is not a folktale, the pictures show the life, clothing and food in Sri Lanka in a spirited, openhearted manner and the story is written with humor. There are scenes where the fox and women of the village sing in a lively, rhythmic manner and I was impressed by the translator's spirited Japanese phrasing. I was also very curious how the people in Sri Lanka read these parts.

Life changes depending on where you are. It was an entertaining picture book for the children.

 ９月６日（日曜日）２０２６

　多賀あさひやではお馴染みとなったロネ＆ジージの今回初演の「HANABI」を東京の表参道で観てきました。

　内容を大まかに伝えるなら、戦争・独裁・爆弾・火事など昨今の生々しい世情へのクラウン流の(?)メッセージ、洗練されたコメディと技法の連続、そして久々に見る「和」の魅力満載のステージでした。観客がノリノリで参加できるところもバッチリ。効果に使われる音楽も迫力いっぱい。流石です。また、表現力あふれる二人の感動的な歌や演技も観客はしっかりと受け止めました。立派な素晴らしいステージを観に行けたことを心から嬉しく思っています。

　さあ、次は１１月末にロネとジージが多賀あさひやに登場する番です。まもなく詳細をお知らせします。お楽しみに！

I went to Tokyo to watch the latest production "HANABI" by Clown Rone & Gigi who are becoming a familiar presence over the past few years at Taga Asahiya.

     If I tell you the rough idea of the contents, it contains a message with irony from a clown regarding war, dictatorship, bombs, fires which are all happening these days. They also performed sophisticated comedies and well trained techniques and it was a stage performance packed with the traditional Japanese culture which I hadn't seen in a long time. It was also well planned for the audience, who were enthusiastically involved. The music used for the effects was very powerful. The director, Gigi's talent is amazing. We, the audience, fully embraced the heartful singing and powerful acting by RONE and Gigi. I am very happy that I could appreciate such a magnificent and wonderful performance.

     Now, RONE and Gigi will be performing at Taga Asahiya at the end of November. We will provide the detailed information shortly.

Stay tuned!

９月４日（木曜日）２０２６　
　カフェで使う果物と調理に使う日本酒が切れたので、お昼前から雨になるとの天気予報ながら、まだ大丈夫との判断で午前９時開店の一番近いスーパーに出かけました。着いたのが開店１５分前。店内はまだ暗く駐車場には車はありません。少し雨がパラついていたので軒のあるところに自転車を止めて開店を待っていると、やがて店内の電気が付き、９時きっかりに係りの人がドアのロックを外して私は中へ。目指す棚に直行するも目的の物は品切れ。日本酒だけ買って、その先のスーパーへ行ってみると、そこは９時半が開店時間。２０分も時間待ちしなければならず、道を挟んだ向かい側のドラッグストアが開いていたので、文房具を買いに行って戻るとちょうど９時半で中へ入ることができました。

　開店早々ながら、惣菜売り場に年配の人が集まっていたのは驚きでした。ある意味、朝のスーパーの顔。そして、私が期待したものは、ああ、ここでも見当たらず、さすがにこれ以上先へ進むことは諦めて家へ帰ることにしました。

　買いたかったものは何かって？それは白玉あんみつの上にアクセントで乗せる枝付きのさくらんぼ。帰ってからネットで調べるも送料が高いので購入は諦めました。さくらんぼがなくても、多賀あさひやの白玉あんみつは美味しいですよ！

Since I had run out of the fruit used for care and Japanese sake for cooking, I headed to the nearest supermarket which opens at 9:00 although the weather forecast predicted rain starting before noon. I arrived there fifteen minutes before opening time. The inside of the shop was still dark and there were no cars in the parking lot. It was drizzling a little, so I parked my bicycle on an overhang and waited for the shop to open. After a while, the lights inside the shop turned on, and a staff member unlocked the door exactly at 9:00 and I could step inside. I headed straight for the target shelf but the item I was looking for was out of stock. I was very disappointed but after I bought Sake, I decided to go to another supermarket which is a little farther. It was 9:10 when I arrived at the next store, but 9:30 was the opening time and I had to wait another 20 minutes at the door. I didn't want to waste time, so I went to the drug store which was across the street to buy some stationery items. When I came back to the supermarket again, it was just 9:30, so I could get in.

I was surprised to see elderly people gathering at the prepared food section. It was just after the store opened. I felt like I saw the reality of elderly people's lives. And what I was wanting for ----ah, it was not on the shelf either. I was so disappointed and decided to give up on going any further and returned home.

Do you want to know what I wanted to buy? It was a can of cherries with its stem attached, placed on top of Shratama Anmitsu as an accent. I looked it up online after I got home, but decided not to buy it because of high shipping costs. Even without the cherry, the Shiratama Anmitsu we serve is delicious!

８月３０日（日曜日）２０２６　
　１月に左股関節の手術を受けて順調に回復しつつも、実は反対側の足、腰、肩が不調で日常生活は送れていますが、病院の整形外科で診てもらったほうがいいと、先日意を決して市立病院に向かうことにしました。昨年診てもらっていたので診察券は手元にあり、かなりの時間待つことを覚悟して、水筒とお菓子、本とノート、目薬もバッグにいれて出発！何しろ炎天下、病院まで自転車で片道５０分ほどかかります。

　１０時過ぎに病院到着。マスクを忘れたことに気がつき、自動販売機で購入して受付へ。診察券を見せると何と整形外科だけは医師の紹介状が必要とのこと。去年見てもらっていたことを話すも通らず。しかも前の診察から１年経過しているので、これもダメ。（正確には１０日すぎている）。「えーっ！多賀から自転車で来たんです。」と思わず口に出てしまいました。受付の女性は気の毒そうに「すみません、規則なんです」と。揉めても勝ち目がないので諦めて再び自転車でUターン。

　帰ってビショビショになった衣服を取り換え、しばらくゴロンと横になり、その後、気を取り直して栄養たっぷりのソーメンを作って食べました。ついていない日とはこのことです。

I had a surgery on my left hip joint in January and have been recovering well, but I was uncomfortable with the leg, lower back and shoulder on the opposite side. Although I was able to do my daily work, I decided to have an orthopedic specialist examine me at the hospital. Since I went to see the doctor at the same hospital last year and I have the patient registration card with me, I was expecting to wait to see a doctor at the hospital. I put a water bottle, some snacks, a book, notebook and eye drops in my backpack.
I left my house after 9 a.m. under the scorching sun. It takes about 50 minutes by bicycle.

After 10 a.m. I arrived at the hospital and I realized that I didn't bring a mask, so I bought it at the vending machine at the entrance.

Then I went to the front desk. After showing my registration card and saying that I would like to see an orthopedic doctor, I was told that a doctor's referral letter is required specifically for the orthopedics department. I said to her that I saw a doctor last year, but she said it has already been one year (ten days after one year). I blurted, "What? I came here all the way from Taga by bicycle!". She looked like she was sorry and said "I'm sorry, but it's the rule.". Realizing there was no chance of winning an argument, I gave up and made a U-turn to go home.

When I got home, I changed out of my soaked clothes and lay down to relax for a while. Then, I made some nutritious somen noodles, and ate them. It was an unlucky day for me.

８月２８日（金曜日）２０２６　
　第３回リベルタンゴ国際音楽コンクール１位(2009)、アメリカのIma Hogg コンクール１位（2005)、国際マリンバコンクール２位(2003)、ほか多数のコンクールで数々の受賞暦をもつマリンバ奏者の布谷史人（ぬのやふみと）氏。毎年、この時期ドイツから帰国して各地で演奏会や個人指導、またコンクールの審査員を務めるなど活動をしています。昨年１月にTV番組「ぐっと地球便」で紹介されてから日本でも一般の中で布谷さんを知る方が増えました。

　さて、そんな世界的に活躍する布谷さんが古民家の多賀あさひやで演奏会をして、かれこれ９年になります。ある音楽雑誌に「布谷史人が何故多賀あさひやなのか？」と書かれたことがあります。普段、立派なホールや音響設備の整った会場で演奏する布谷さんが田舎の古民家の前数列は座布団席の会場で演奏会をするのですから不思議に思われるのも無理はありません。主催者の私自身が布谷さんとのご縁に驚いているのですから。

　布谷さんの創り出す叙情的な音楽表現は世界的に高く評価され、彼の息遣いやマレットの動きなどを間近で見てその音楽に浸りたいという方が県外からも多数来られます。普段のコンサートにはない、途中の質問タイムも多賀コンサートだけで、お客様はもちろん演奏者自身も大変楽しみにしてくださっています。

　コンサートは１０/４(Sun)１３時と１７時。１３時は残りわずか。１７時はお席にまだまだ余裕がございます。お申し込みはFBか0749-48-0186（多賀あさひや）まで。

Marimbist Fumito Nunoya, who has won First Prize at the 3rd Libertango International Competition (2009), First prize at the Ima Hogg Young Artists Competition (2005), Second Prize at Percussive Arts Society International Marimba Competition (2003). and other numerous awards in a large number of competitions, will be coming to Taga Asahiya for his concert. He is usually living in Germany, but comes to Japan for his concerts, private lessons, competitions where he serves a judge. Since he was introduced at the Japanese TV program last January, he became more popular in Japan.

It has been nearly nine years since Mr. Nunoya, who performs on the global stage, began holding concerts at my place, Taga Asahiya.

A few years ago, there was an article in a music magazine asking why an internationally recognized player, Nunoya, had his concert at Taga Asahiya which is a simple Japanese traditional house. I totally agree with the writer of this article. Indeed I, the organizer myself, am amazed at my connection with Mr. Nunoya.

The music which was created by Nunoya is highly acclaimed worldwide. In order to listen to his marimba music and watch his breathing and the movement of the mallets closely, many people come to the concert not only from inside Shiga prefecture but also from outside Shiga. During the Taga concert only, there is a Q&A session which is unlike typical concerts. The performer himself, as well as the audience, are greatly looking forward to it.

Concert will be held on October 4th at 13:00 and 17:00. To sign up, please call 0749-48-0186 (Taga Asahiya). 

８月１７日（月曜日）２０２６　
　昨日の夕方、閉店後、裏で草取りをしていると、物置小屋の入り口でゴソゴソ音がするので、何かと思ってそっちを見ると、なんと戸の破れ目からヌーッと顔を出しているネコを見ました。相手も私も互いに訳が分からず３秒ぐらい目を合わせた後、私は思わず「あっ！」と声を出したら、相手は当然驚いて中へ引っ込みました。さあー大変。誰もいないと思っていた場所に知らないネコが入り込んでいたのです。しかも大きいのが。ネコ好きの人には申し訳ないけど、ペットを買ったことがない私には恐怖でしかありません。

　子供の頃、家族と家にいた時、台所でスーと小さな音がして何かと思って行ってみると、調理台の上に野良ネコが上がって晩御飯に用意したものに手をつけていたのです。見つけた祖母がコラっ！と言うと、ネコは慌てて外へ出て行きました。台所の戸は閉めてありましたが、ちょっとした隙間を開けて入ってきたのです。食べ物はネコがかき乱していました。盗人猛々しい失礼なネコの被害にそれからも何度か逢いました。　

　また。大きくなってからですが何の気無しに裏小屋の戸を開けると、ドドドドッともの凄い勢いで二階からネコが降りてきて私の脇を外へ駆け抜けて行きました。あの時の恐怖と言ったらありません。

　さて、私と目が合ったネコはふっくらして、何だ？という感じでこっちを見ていました。ネコは外へ出ようとしていたのですから、あの時、黙っていればそのまま破れ目から外へ降りたに違いありません。それが、逆戻りしてまた中に入ってしまったのですから、私はネコに出ていってもらわないと困るのです。そっと戸を開けると、白い動くものがヌウっと奥へ行きました。中へ入るなんて私にはとてもできません。夜になったらどこかへ帰るだろうと、そのまままた戸を閉めて、昨夜はネコ対策をアレコレ考えました。

　朝になって、一番にしたことは、お菓子の箱を適当なサイズに切って、それで破れ目を塞ぐこと。恐る恐る小屋の戸を開けたら、ネコは潜んでいない感じ。多分、夜中に破れ目から出て行ったものと思われます。急いで、応急処置をしてネコの侵入を防ぎました。私にとっては、ちょっとした事件でした。

When I was removing weeds at the backyard after closing cafe, I hard some noise from the storage house. I wondered what it was and looked in that direction. I saw a strange cat looking through a tear in the sliding door. Both the cat and I were looking at each other for a few seconds because both didn't know what was going on. Then I said "Oh no!". She (or he) was surprised at my voice and went back into the house. I was very much confused because it should be vacant but while I was out of the house for about a month, a strange cat entered and moved around! I apologize to cat lovers, but I am not familiar with cats so this situation was really scary for me.

I had several bad experiences with cats. When I was a child, I was with my family at home, then we noticed someone was in the kitchen. When I followed my grandmother into the kitchen, a stray cat was on the kitchen counter and messed up the food for the family dinner. Grandma said "Hey, go away!" to the cat, and the cat went outside. The kitchen door was closed but the cat opened it and entered.
The rude cat came into my house more times after that.

As for another experience, when I opened the sliding door of the storage house without any thinking, suddenly a strange cat was dashing down the stairs of the second floor and ran away, passing me on the side. I was truly terrified back then.

Well, the strange cat which I saw in the backyard had a big round face and looked at me like what was happening. She was intending to go out, so she must have gone away if I didn't say anything. But the opposite happened, and she went into the house again. I was in trouble if the strange cat kept staying there. I gently opened the door a little bit, then I saw white animal was moving slowly deeper inside. I couldn't bring myself to get inside. It is too scary for me to do. I closed the door again. I hoped it will go away during the night.

Next morning, the first thing I did was seal the tear with a white rectangular cutout. When I opened the door tentatively, I didn't feel that the cat was still inside. She left during the night. I was relieved to seal the entrance of the cat. It was quite an incident for me.

 

８月１３日（木曜日）２０２６　
　１３日は「盆の入り」。私の地域では朝早く（早い人は５時ごろから６時すぎになるとお墓は大賑わいといった感じ）先祖のお墓にお参りする習慣があります。私はアメリカから帰ったばかりでお供えの花も用意していないなど勝手な理由でお参りは後日ということに決めました。自宅の仏壇に手を合わせた後、墓参のために普段は空き家の実家に帰ってこられたご近所のT家のお仏壇にもご挨拶ができました。

　お昼前に義弟が跡を取ってくれている主人の実家に久しぶりに行ったら、玄関の引き戸の取手の上に小さな雨蛙がちょこんと乗って出迎えてくれました。あまりに可愛いので写真を撮ろうとモタモタしていたら、取手からスルスルと上の方に上がっていき、かろうじてシャッターを押すことができました。

　家に上がって仏壇のご先祖にご挨拶をし、義弟夫婦とあれこれおしゃべりをして帰ってきました。神社の前は観光客で賑わっていましたが、今日はそれぞれのご先祖に感謝しながら過ごせたことで落ち着いた一日になりました。

Aug. 13th is the start of Obon which is the Japanese tradition to honor our ancestors. In my area, people visit graves early in the morning (some people visit very early at around 5 a.m. and it is very crowded past 6 a.m.). However, I decided to do it after the day because I had just returned to Japan and didn't have a chance to prepare the offering flowers. I prayed for my ancestors at the Buddhist altar in my home instead. I also visited my friend's house which was usually vacant but on a special occasion such as Obon she came back to her parent's home. I prayed for them at their Buddhist altar in her home.

Before noon, I visited my husband's younger brother after a long time. He is taking care of his parent's house now. When I came to the entrance of his house, I saw a tiny tree frog sitting on the sliding door handle. I tried to take a picture of it, since it was so cute. While I was searching for my camera, it moved up to the door, but I was lucky to catch it.

After putting my hands together in front of the Buddhist altar in his house and enjoying talking to my husband's younger brother and his wife, I came home. When I passed by the Taga Taisha, I saw many tourists there. It was a quiet and pleasant day for me to thank both sets of parents and ancestors and my friend's one, too.

８月４日（火曜日）２０２６
　ボストン郊外で友人に会うため、２日間レンタカーをしました。
　前日にオンラインで予約を入れて、バスで近くまで行ってレンタカー屋へ着いたのが１２時前。小さめの車を予約しておいたのが、今回もやっぱり予定より大きい車。しかもクライスラーのJeep Dooge Ram。４輪駆動。もちろん今まで乗ったことはありません。車体は鮮やかな青で駐車場で見つけやすいのはいいのですが運転席が結構高くパネルの操作もわかりにくく不安に思いながらも、エンジンが掛けられ、エアコンの操作がわかれば、まあいいかと思ってゆるゆるとスタート。次第に慣れてハイウェイも使って何とか４０分後には目的地のモールの駐車場へ車を止めることができました。
　コーヒーショップで飲み物とケーキで３時間あまり昔の友達３人とおしゃべりの後、もと来た道を家へ。無事帰れたことに安堵しました。

I rent a car for two days to meet my friends who are living in the suburbs of Boston.

First I made a reservation online one day before, and went by bus to a nearby rental shop and arrived at around 12 noon. Although I reserved a compact car, they rented me a larger car than I expected. It was a Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram 4WD. I hadn't driven it before. It was a beautiful blue color and I thought I could find it easily at the parking lot, but I felt uneasy because the driver's seat was quite high and the high tech panel was confusing for me. As long as I understood how to start the engine and operate the air conditioner, it would be good enough, so I slowly set off the car. Then I gradually got used to driving and even entering the highway, I could reach the mall's parking lot where there was a goal point and parked the car.

I got together with my two old friends and enjoyed talking for about three hours with coffee and cake. Then I headed home along the same way I came. I was relieved when I returned home safely.

 

７月３０日（木曜日）２０２６　
　日本が戦後のまだ貧しい時代に田舎で生まれて兄妹が５人いたこともあり、我が家には誰かの誕生日を祝うというおしゃれで華やかな習慣はなく、唯一母が「今日はあんたの誕生日やね」とそっと混ぜ寿司を作ってくれたことを覚えているぐらい。ですから、兄たちや親の誕生日を知ることも、お祝いをすることも我が家にはまったくありませんでした。

　それが、時代もすっかり変わり、家庭を持ち子供が生まれる頃には家族はもちろん友人の誕生日を互いに祝うのは当たり前になりました。

ボストンで久しぶりに家族の誕生会をしました。といっても、大したことはしません。私がまぜ寿司と揚げ物を作り、昨日の残りのビーフシチュー、主人がケーキとアイスクリームをネットで注文して、娘が仕事帰りに買ってきたボストン名物のクラムチャウダーが食卓に並ぶだけ。それでも、面白かったのはケーキとアイスクリームの組み合わせ。日本ではあまりないと思います。つまりアメリカでは定番のデザートだったことです。

Having been born in the countryside during the postwar era when Japan was still poor, and one of five siblings, there was no tradition of celebrating birthdays in my family. I only remember that my mother made mixed sushi rice saying "it's your birthday, isn't it.". Therefore we never knew the date of the birthdays of my family members, nor did we celebrate them.

However, times have changed completely and by the time I had a family and child of my own, it became more natural to celebrate the birthdays of family members and friends.

We had a family birthday party in Boston for the first time in a long while, but it wasn't anything special. I made mixed sushi rice and deep fried-food, my husband ordered cake and ice cream online, and my daughter bought clam chowder on her way home from work which is well known as Boston style. We just put them on the table. Even so, the combination of cake and ice cream was interesting, because you don't see it very often in Japan. It is a very popular combination in the US.

７月２８日（火曜日）２０２６
　家から車で１０分ほどのところにショッピングモールがあり、買いたいものがあったのでバスで出かけました。欲しいものがあったり、なくて無駄足になったところもありましたが、最後にTrader Joe'sというスーパーで食材を買ったら一気に持ち物が増えてバッグパックと手さげ袋がズシリと重くなりました。歩いて５分ぐらいのバス停に向かっていると、バスが前方を行くのが見え、走ればなんとか間に合う感じでしたが、荷物が重いのと今はまだ走ることができない私の足を考え、無理はやめようと取り敢えずは次のバスを待つことにしました。

　バス停にはベンチがなく、立ちっぱなしで待つのは厳しいので近くに買い物袋を置いて、私は木陰の芝生にヨイショッと腰を下ろしました。バックパックに入った買ったばかりのお菓子の袋を開けて、通り過ぎる人や車を見るともなくぼんやりしていると、２０分ぐらい過ぎた頃、声がしたので、何？とそちらを見ると、車が止まって窓を開けて誰かがこっちに話しています。周りに人がいなかったので、その人は私に話していたのです。はっきりとは聞き取れなかったけれど、車に乗せてあげると運転席の女性は話していました。勿論、手振りも加えて「大丈夫です。ありがとうございます！」と言ってお断りしましたが、わざわざ声をかけるなんて、今時優しい人がいるものだとその方の親切に感謝しました。

　バスを待つ人なんて他にもいるだろうに、よっぽど私のバス待ち姿が目立っていたのでしょうか。カラリとした気候でそれほど苦痛ではなかったけれど、結局４０分待ってバスはやってきました。

There is a shopping mall which takes 10 minutes from my house by car and I went there by bus to buy something I need. I visited several stores and I could get what I wanted but at another store I couldn't get anything. I went to Trader Joe's in the end and bought many groceries. Then, my backpack and shopping bag got very heavy. When I was walking toward the bus stop to return home, I saw the bus ahead of me heading to the bus stop, I could have caught it if I dashed, but I gave up running because my bag was too heavy and I still have problems with my legs. I decided to wait for the next bus.

There was no bench at the bus stop and I didn't want to stay standing while waiting for the bus, so I put my shopping bag beside the tree and sat on the grass in the shade. Then I opened the snack pack in the backpack which I had just bought and I was just looking at people or cars passing by me. In about 20 minutes, someone stopped the car and opened the window and said something toward me. Since nobody was around me, I noticed that she was talking to me. I couldn't hear clearly but she was offering the ride for me. Of course I declined her offer and thanked her with the gesture. After she left, I really appreciated her kindness.

I wonder why she stopped her car for me. Did I stand out while I was waiting for the bus? The weather was fine and I didn't feel unpleasant waiting for the bus, but after 40 minutes, the bus finally came.

     

７月２７日（月曜日）２０２６
　ボストンに来て、激しい夕立が一度ありましたが、あとは晴天続きです。気温は摂氏２３度から２５度ぐらい。暑い日もありますが
湿度が６０％ぐらいで低いため、室内にいる時は寒がりの私は長袖をもう一枚着て過ごしています。

　さて、気になっていた家の周りの生垣を数日かけて綺麗にしました。生垣の植物の名前は分かりませんが棘があり侵入者を防ぐには良いかも知れませんが、刈り込みをする時は注意が必要です。この生垣に近年Black Swallow Wortというツル科の多年草の雑草がはびこるようになり、ツルが生垣の枝にまとわりつき、元気な枝を締め付けて相手を枯らしてしまうので、新聞などでも捨てる時は別にして広がらないように注意喚起を行っています。この雑草のやっかいなところは絡まりながら緑の実をつけ、それが弾けて風にのると別のところで根をつけて本来の植物を次々にダメにしてしまうので、本当にいやらしく北米では深刻な侵略的外来種となっているようです。実が弾ける前に取り除いてしまわなければという脅迫観念にかられながら、毎朝2時間ほど少しずつきれいにしていきました。

　軍手を二重につけ、鎌やハサミを使ってトゲが刺さらないよう気をつけながら雑草の根を起こし、絡まったツルを外していきます。若い元気な枝からグルグル巻きのツルを外してやるとこちらも命を救った気持ちでほっとします。根気強く手作業でやるしかありませんが、生垣の足元がすっきりすると達成感も湧きます。後は、表面の飛び出た新芽をトリマーでガーッとやって終わりです。

We have had a heavy evening shower since I came to Boston, but it has been fine these days and the temperature is around 75°F, humidity is 60% to 70%. I even need a long sleeve cardigan inside the house. It's pretty comfortable compared to Japan which is very hot and humid during the summer.

Well, I had been working on the hedge for the past few days which is surrounding my house. I don't know the name of the hedge but it has thorns and we need to be careful not to get pricked by them when we trim the hedge. In addition, we have another troublesome problem about hedging in these years. A special weed named Black Swallow Wort has been propagating under the hedge. It's a perennial vine and the vines twine around the plant and make the hedge die. Experts advised us to separate this Black Swallow Wort when we throw it away. It has many 2~2.5 inch green fruits and when it opens brown seeds fly on the wind and take root elsewhere. Therefore it is called invading foreign species. Being consumed with an obsession which I need to hurry to eliminate the annoying weed, I was working to remove it for about two hours everyday.

Wearing double-work gloves for protection from the thorns, I tried to cut the weeds and pull off the roots with scissors and sickle. When I could remove the vein from the hedge, I felt good because I saved the life of the young hedge. I had to do this work all by hand patiently but after I cleaned up the hedge, I felt accomplished. Lastly I ran a trimmer over the new shoots sticking out from the surface, and all my work was done.