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.