Every week, I make and replace the offerings. I enjoy making them, and I feel like visiting the grave every day. It was pink and ice cream last week, and I’m in the mood for purple bellflowers today. I can hear my husband Shuzo in heaven, laughing and saying, “Michiko, you make everything into a fun game.” (Michiko)
It’s pouring today, and it’s cool and relaxing. My ears are filled with Bach’s pipe organ CD and the sound of rain. However, my eyes crave the refreshing blue sky. This photo was taken 12 years ago in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Michiko)
I made a summer snack using green tea (matcha). The topping is red bean paste. The bitterness of the matcha sherbet goes well with the sweetness of the bean paste. I made this tea bowl about 30 years ago. The color has a deeper flavor. (Michiko)
I visit orthopedic clinic once a week to rehab for my osteoarthritis of hip. I found a newly-opened cafe near the station after rehabilitation. Food was delicious and the atmosphere was also good. I was able to relax and the pain turned into pleasure. (Michiko)
Today’s tea time is red perilla juice and sherbet that Baba-san gave me the other day. I put the juice in ice cube trays and froze them. I put them on a Koa tray that I brought back from Hawaii. Hawaiian Koa (Koa wood) is called a sacred tree. (Michiko)
The owner of “Japanese Antique Shop Semimaru”, Baba-san made and brought me delicious red perilla juice. This is the perfect gift for the summer and it will help me get through the hot days. Thank you! (Michiko)
Just when I thought it was getting hot, but it’s raining today. With each rain, the green of the trees that have finished flowering swells. The beautiful green of various shades is God’s artwork. So I had some fun writing “Swelling green, the work of God” in Japanese calligraphy. (Michiko)
The summer swells have come to Hawaii with much force, On the south side of Oahu there has been big waves every day in June. The North side of the island is now very calm but the South side has been the scene of very big swells to the point that many snorkel and other boat tours have had to cancel because of the rough conditions. In a swell only the shallow areas are affected but the problem is the boats have to go through the shallow areas when leaving the harbor so it can be dangerous if the waves are too big. According to the weather reports this summer will be unusually rough.
Back living in Sydney and loving it ! On April 30 I relocated from Toowoomba with Bali to Sydney. After settling in and finding a nice granny flat close enough to the CBD in an area called Marrickville, Bali and I have the habit of enjoying lunch out together on Sundays. We do this after church and then we try to spend a couple of hours looking around Sydney or come home and give the house a clean before relaxing for the evening and getting ready for the next week’s work.