Memorial Day and my memory

I started blogging last Feb. and in May I first learned about the memorial day from friends' blogs. Now I knew how much the day means for American people; as is the day when summer starts.  Some of my old friends might think you have read this last year but would you let me tell you a bit again.

I'd like to express sincere prayer to all the war victims in the world.

"Gone With The Wind" was the very first movie I've seen at the theater when I was a Junior high school girl. This movie gave me the deepest impact on my mind; both the strong character of the heroin and the devastation war can cause as well as the historic background of north and south. The cute black maid was really lovely one humorous character who brightened the movie. 

My father who fought World WarⅡcame back suffering from malaria never mentioned about his traumatic memories, except one moment;

I clearly remember the words he uttered blankly or rather his tone of voice etched into my memory .

When TV movie show put the movie on the air later, movie lover father and daughter were watching it together. Seeing me watching it so intensely, he murmured, "War leaves a permanent scar on our mind.....". His sad looking expression still is unforgettable for me. The movie left striking image to me at the time knowing the war brings hardship not only for men but also for women; especially from the scene which the heroin promising to live strongly in the vast field with carrot in one hand.

Watching these movies and dramas were one of my favorite sweet memories with him. His favorite was war story called "Combat". This made me feel a bit bizarre even today, thinking he was a living witness of tragedy. Well, he had no reaction when I let him hear the sound of the impressive voice saying "staring Vic Morrow" at the beginning  through smart-phone using You-tube.

I hope friends in America have a wonderful holiday and friends in other parts will have a marvelous new week.

PS> I'm not sure yet, but I may be away from PC for several days (only with smart-phone).  So frogive me not being able to visit you, my friends.

  

PC Day

Yesterday, one of my friends, who recently started blogging with other Japanese blog-site, came to my house. I invited her as I wished to give her some tips for using PC. She took a city-supported computer class for a while and she said opening the blog was in the curriculum during the several months course. We have many these classes for variety of fields like calligraphy, flower arrangement, many crafts classes and so on. We sat side by side and both did our best for a one day's lesson. If only her pc could be connected with internet.

These were the small tips;  some short-cuts (for copy and paste etc). how to open tubs and windows with right click. As she had already had "picasa" downloaded at the class, some tips for how to use it more like "collage".  If I hadn't started blogger I wouldn't have known the site.

As I've already known through teaching English, helping others are not just for that person. I thought it helped me to put these things into my mind more concretely. I am not sure if this proverb is the right way of putting it but "He that gives lends".  We say "nasake wa hitono tamenarazu"　Yes, your kindness sure will be rewarded to you in some way later .

After she came home, I've made several more files in my favorites.  Still have a long lists of the sites, whew.  I always wonder how my friends have learned how to use pc.  I owe T-company's support center a lot, they provide a free phone service. Haha, I was so amazed with the remote operation when I first had it. I might have been in their blacklist p;) 

It certainly was a pc-day for me, I hope it won't be the cause of the nerve-wreck for us all, friends☆☆☆

Teru teru bozu and Annular Solar Eclipse

(posted; Japanese culture)

My husband was so excited to observe the annular solar eclipse this Monday (wow, TV said the former one took place 932 years ago) and all prepared having bought a glasses for it.  Unfortunately, we heard the sound of rain that morning (it was supposed to be seen around 7:20 in the morning). Poor husband looked quite disappointed to have missed such a rare chance.

*Teru teru bozu 

His discouragement reminded me of one of traditional Japanese doll or amulet used to ward off rain. A little traditional hand-made doll made of white paper or cloth that Japanese farmers began hanging outside of their window by a string. It is called teru teru bozu ←link　 and literally translates to "shiny shiny monk".  "Teru" is a Japanese verb which describes sunshine, and a "bōzu" is a Buddhist monk, or in modern slang, "bald-headed"; it is also a term of endearment for addressing little boys. (quate from the link)

This doll is supposed to have magical powers to bring good weather. I DO remember my late mother made it for me the night before two-nights three days' school excursion when I was in the last year of elementary school. As are the other traditions, I don't think we can see this lovely doll much  in Japan. 

What is more, it is funny enough that if you hang it upside down, it will act like a prayer for rain. I found some cute ones here, so I'd like to show you some of them.

      If I had made it, it might have worked (*^_^*)

Pink Saturday, Wish to have a pinkish mood...

The other day, I seemed to have a temporary amnesia or an early stage of ......

When I went grocery shopping, I came home one thing without bringing it back home which I had already paid  and the other thing inevitable for me without buying it, whew(^^;)

*Flower for family altar

I hate to see without flowers for our family altar. My husband's father died a couple years later after he came back from world warⅡ when he was five years old. And his mother also died in the middle of her 50's after she brought up two boys by herself.  The flower shop is outside of the big one-building shopping mall. I always go there first and take the flower after I finished shopping.  Hehe, I called hubby who was waiting for me finish shopping at home, and then forgot stopping by...

*Milk for me

When I was a third grader of elementary school, skimmed milk for the school lunch changed into bottled milk. I remember it gave me quite an impression with the better taste and I came to like it, p;) 　We never knew how richly we were benefited from them.  Anyway, I have a glass of milk for every meals. My late mother used to say that why my craving for milk wouldn't help me increase my height when I was little. In Japan, there will be few who have milk with meals except breakfast. So people who eat at my house tell me "you are cute" when they see me having it with dishes.

My husband had to make two round trips. Although he seemed surprised and looked worried about me, I appreciated my sweet understanding husband not getting cranky at me. I hope my writing the blog will work as an advantage for my brain.  

I think I will keep my chin up and have a pinkish mood. 

          Have a marvelous pinkish weekend everyone♡♡♡  

I'm linking this post with Beverly at "How Sweet The Sound"

Hand-Made Soba-Making Tool

(posted; Soba Noodle page)

      (I've already posted about his plates, you can see them from here)

appreciate it if you enlarge the picture

messy working corner, he doesn't want me to tamper with his things there

My Australian Baby and "American Blue-eyed Dolls"♬

(posted; Japanese culture page)

Hello, my name is Cony♪

I'm from Australia and now I am an only beloved baby girl for my Japanese Mom called Orchid. Mom's city and the city I came from has a sister city relationship. And she used to have or developed a really lovely ties with the couple of the former deputy Mayor. I was chosen as mom's girl from the wife of the couple as she knew mom hasn't blessed one. When she was coming back to Japan with me, she seemed SO worried if I was OK for the trip both physically and mentally. As you may guess from my pouty face, I am a tough girl; I enjoyed the airline journey to Japan♡♡♡ 

And mom told me that her late mother having been a big children's song lover; when I was handed to her, I instantly made her reminded the famous children's song called American Blue-eyed Dolls which she sang with her mom a lot. Mom treats me with great affection and also I'm a bit strong-minded, haha; so it is kind of opposite from the history of the story and song.  It was her who had trouble with my Australian accent (she said almost all her hearing ability came from American dramas and movies). When I say number 8, it sounds like "aight" not "eight" for her.  

Mom said she would be so appreciated if you read the history of the "American Blue-eyed Dolls" from the link in the story below, as it was moved her a lot when she was little. Mom visited her mother's grave yard and told her about this post, she said she became a bit sentimental. But today being mother's day, I know her mom is listening the song with her smiling.(^^;)

American Blue-eyed Dolls

When the 12,739 American Friendship Dolls with blue eyes arrived in Japan in 1927, they made a profound impression on Japanese children. Even today, these dolls continue their mission of friendship and peace in almost 300 elementary schools and kindergartens throughout Japan.

	Four Remaining Dolls in Ehime Prefecture

The history of the American Blue-eyed Dolls did not run smoothly, with most of them destroyed or lost during World War II. However, starting in the 1970s, many dolls have been found that were previously hidden away and forgotten about.

Each of the individual dolls has a fascinating history. Many schools have created web pages to tell the history of their Blue-eyed Dolls. In addition, several web sites in Japan have been established to tell the fascinating story of the American Blue-eyed Dolls. One web site seeks to connect by Internet the schools throughout Japan that have Blue-eyed Dolls.

Even though many of the American dolls sent in 1927 did not have blue eyes, they soon became known as "Blue-eyed Dolls" based on a popular children's song entitled "Blue-eyed Doll."

Over the past two decades, Sidney Gulick, 3d, and his wife Frances, in addition to other Americans, have sent new dolls to Japanese elementary schools and kindergartens. These new American dolls continue the tradition of friendship started in 1927.

aoi meoshita oningyo ha    amerika umare no seruroido
nihon no minato he tuitatoki   ippai namida wo ukabeteta 

watashi ha kotoba ga wakaranai  maigoni nattara nantoshiyo
yasashii nihon no jyouchan yo

nakayoku asonde yattokure    nakayoku asonde yattokure

English translation

A blue-eyed doll,   Made of celluloid,  Was born in America.   

When she arrived at a harbor in Japan, She had many tears in her eyes. 

I do not understand the language.  If I get lost, what should I do?

Warm-hearted Japanese girls,
Please be my friends and play with me.  Please be my friends and play with me.

                           
                           Thank you so much for reading today's long story,

ps> I understand that a couple of my friends are having physical problem at the moment. I do hope their pain will be eased with the help of the medicine soon. Take care my friends and I'll catch up with your posts soon.

  

Mother's Day♪

Hello Mom,

12 years has passed since you have gone to heaven. I cannot forget  March of the year 2,000.  However, I know how you bravely fought against the cancer about a year. I really am proud of you and glad to be born as your daughter.

I will visit you and bro at the grave yard with carnations on Sunday. Are you two peacefully together in heaven? We will have memorial service this fall; for you the 12th  anniversary and the 2th for bro. I think this will be the last big event for you two, I decided to follow your sister's advice.  Will you please give me some more time to take father with you. 

I was really happy to see you in my dream at the beginning of this month. I know you came to see me and wanted to say take good care of father. I am doing fine myself, glad to see your delightful look. 

*Mother's Hand

Dear gentle hands have stroked my hair
And cooled my brow,
Soft hands that pressed me close
And seemed to know somehow
Those fleeting moods and erring thoughts
That cloud me day,
Which quickly melt beneath their suffrage
And pass away.

No other balm for earthly pain
Is half so sure,
No sweet caress as filled with love
Nor half so pure.
No other sould so close akin that understands,
No touch that brings such perfect peas as Mother's hands.
-- W. Dayton Wedgefarth

 

Two Convenient Japanese Phrases

(posted; Etymology page) 

We have really useful two phrases in Japanese; 

One " 宜しくお願いします。Yoroshiku onegai shimasu ",   The other " 頑張って。　ganbatte", both of which we always have trouble to translate into English.  I wonder if I can send the concepts of them to you correctly,

*Yoroshiku onegai shimasu………This phrase is kind of a all-rounder in  many situations. 　Main concept of this phrase is asking favors to others. Culturally,  politeness and　modesty is our virtue. So, these English phrases might be close.

I beg your kindness.  I thank you for your kindness.  I thank you for your hard work in advance.  (To someone 'whoever they are' going to do some job for you; doctor. gardener. painter. carpenter...) You are asking good job from them euphemistically, in a generous way in advance.

I beg your kindness for my children. (to your children's teacher)     Send my regards to ~. （sending regards can be also said "yoroshiku" in Japanese）

*Ganbatte………This is the phrase we use to back up people or cheer them up for whatever the situation of hardship they are in. 

Keep your chin up.  Go for it!   Hang in there! 　Keep it up!

I know these phrases are used in some different situations, but this phrase can be used for all of them.

I'd appreciate it if you tell me somewhere you think it not correct here. Or, I am really glad if teach me some English phrase that you think it useful if non-English speaker to learn. Thank you very much from bottom of my heart for reading(^^;)

super moon

Pictures from this site←link;

I wish I have more time to get around to use "Pinterest"  p;)
I hope you will have a wonderful new week♪♪♪

Our Gardner came and our neighbor's lovely kids

Yesterday, our gardener who is really a skilled person has done his usual wonderful work for our tiny garden. He used to be my late brother's friend and we are lucky to be able to ask him pruning job personally. He pruned 7 trees in a day.  We had one more big pine tree but it's dead because of weevil damage. Well, maintaining pine tree in good shape sure must requires expertise. 
I needed to do the cleanup job and so exhausted... I had a long hot bath to comfort my body last night (worked well for my tired muscles).   I'm not a person for the outside job, p;)　
 

These 2 top pictures; how our garden looks now, 

far better looking without weed, haha

These pictures show how he does his job 

Our next door neighbors

My next neighbor's mom and 2 kids visited us to try making soba this morning and had lunch together.  They were observing how hubby does at first then tried it later. Their mom is kind of hesitant about her kids showing up in the blog so one shot from the back.  Haha, another soba guests you saw many times in my blog you might think...  wanted to introduce our neighbors' cute little kids who pop over to our house knocking our back door when they have time.   

Whew, busy 2 days... but rewarding!

Dream♪

This morning,　I woke up with a sweet, warm feeling. 　

In my dream before waking up,　I was in the familiar little kitchen with my late mom and imaginary little daughter. Haha, she was one of my favorite students I happened to run into a few days ago. And I was letting her slice cabbage, which was my regular job when little. And mom was smiling beside me seeing both of us.　

Reading some of my friends here have wonderful family and grandchildren, my wish to have one might be a lot stronger than I expected. And being in the kitchen with my mother was really nostalgic to me; just yesterday looking at the calender, I thought that 'mother's day' is coming just around the corner.  

Well, normally I don't remember dreams much, but this one was kind of vivid and couldn't help write about it soon p;)   Loved to see mom in motion♪

Our brain is a mystery; however for this dream I could decipher where it came from. I wonder if you tend to remember your dreams.

        Wishing everyone having marvelous new month of May from east.