oozora21のときどき英語blog

I know there are so many issues, but

Sometimes or rather often, my old friend from high school days Taka-kun writes to me introducing books he is interested in and some newspaper articles related to political issues.Almost every email he sends me is with several attachments that are copies o

2024/04/23 20:30

Organizing

I stayed home all day.I organized files in the cabinet.I threw away old and unnecessary papers, grouping documents in bags with notes in order to show clearly what they are.I enjoyed the work, but there are so many files that it will a long way to go to f

2024/04/22 19:30

Sunday meeting

Sunday is our meeting day.In the morning, I studied a Bible related article at home.After lunch, I went to the meeting.One of my friends gave me a lift to the meeting place.If I had gone by myself, it would have taken almost one hour by bus, train and wal

2024/04/21 18:32

Azalea season

I was out half day.Buds of azalea were beginning to open up in red, purple and white.

2024/04/20 18:20

Spring happiness

My friend Yuri brought me some boiled bamboo shoots.She boiled them herself, and she did it very well.I cut a piece off and tried it with a little soy sauce.  It tasted very good.I cooked bamboo-shoot rice with other ingredients such as mushrooms and car

2024/04/19 20:00

Cleaning day

Today,I volunteed to clean the Hall where we use for our meetings.Nine people gathered and we started working at ten o'clock.I was assigned to clean the lobby.I vacuumed the floors, organized the shelves and cleaned the door.When I finished my territory,

2024/04/18 19:04

A busy spring day

In the morning, I had an appointment with my dentist.I needed a minor treatment which ended in fifteen minutes.After having a light lunch at home, I went out again to see my friend, Mari, to work together in the field ministry.  We worked for two hours,

2024/04/17 18:48

Two suppers, my Tuesday routine

On Tuesdays, I attend a Christian meeting which starts at seven in the evening.So, I have supper before the meeting at about five thirty, or I become too hungry during the meeting.It's nine thirty when I return home. Then, I have the second supper, or I

2024/04/16 23:00

My trip companion came to lunch

Mother of my daughter-in-law, Kyu-mama, came to my place for lunch.I made curry and rice and some other vegetable dishes.She brought a delicious strawberry cake.We reflected and summarized our trip to Taiwan, and I paid off the expenses that she had paid

2024/04/15 20:00

Some more soy sauce

For dinner yesterday, I cooked the last pieces of bamboo-shoot with some other ingredients.As my favorite dashi soup stock which I bought through the Internet had run out, I used a very common bonito dashi. While cooking, I tried tasting it and wasn't sa

2024/04/14 17:30

Half leaving

I attended the general meeting of my hobby club, the International Goodwill Exchange, which is held once a year to summarize its one-year activities and make a plan for the upcoming year.I had wanted to leave the club because I was busy on Saturdays, two

2024/04/13 19:30

Dental checkup

I went to my dentist's for a regular cleaning.My hygienist told me that I had been taking care of my teeth very well.I was glad.

2024/04/12 18:00

It tastes spring

Aki, one of my old friends from high school, sent me some boiled bamboo shoots.This has been an event between us for years.He belongs to a volunteer group to take care of his neighboring bamboo wood.  Every spring, members dig shoots out and boil them on

2024/04/11 22:00

In full bloom

My Christian friend Natsu and I worked together in the field ministry this morning.As we were just near a river that is well known for its beautiful cherry blossoms along, we stretched our legs onto the bank.The bank was covered with beautiful cherry blo

2024/04/10 20:00

Rainstorm

I was running out of coffee.It had been raining and blowing, but I braved to go to the nearest grocery shop.My umbrella was almost dancing in the wind.I was very careful not to get it broken.On my way, I happened to see my neighbor."Shall we go for a cher

2024/04/09 19:30

Cherry-blossom day or not

To go out or to stay home?I wavered.It was cloudy, but not windy nor cold.I should go for a cherry-blossom viewing today?It may rain again tomorrow.On Mondays, I am free all day.I like to stay home doing something like cleaning and organizing things.But t

2024/04/08 19:30

Special meeting

My Sunday routine is to attend a meeting at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.But today, we had a special meeting starting at 9:30.Brothers from England and Colombia gave talks on line.One of them spoke about what we could learn from examples of Noah, Daniel and

2024/04/07 21:00

Cherry-blossom lunch was canceled

I had made a promise to have a cherry blossom viewing with one of my neighbors.Under flowers in full bloom, we had planned to eat lunch together.But as it was cold and a bit rainy, we canceled the lunch event. 

2024/04/06 20:30

Japanese-Brazilian friend

I worked in the field ministry this morning.The friend with whom I worked together was a second generation of Japanese-Brazilian.Her Japanese is not perfect sounding a bit short and sweet.We enjoyed working and talking all through the morning.

2024/04/05 18:00

He likes girls

One of my old friends from high school sent me pictures of cherry blossoms in Ueno Park.Flowers there were in full bloom, though they were not of that kind which are known as Somei-Yoshino. They were in redder color and very beautiful, no need to say.Few

2024/04/04 16:30

Earthquake in Taiwan

Taiwan was hit by a big earthquake.I got to know the news by a text sent from my old friend.He said, "You could have been involved in the disaster if you had stayed there a few days longer."That's right, but my feeling was not only relief but very complic

2024/04/03 19:00

Too big gratitude

I made packages of small presents for my friends.In a package were small cakes and tea bags from Taiwan.There were four friends in the car going to the Christian meeting, I handed each of them a package.They showed big gratitude but it was too much for me

2024/04/02 22:30

Do people tell a lie today?

When I was a child, I liked today, April Fools' Day.Over a few days before the very day, I spent time to consider plans how I would cheat my family and friends. It was fun.But now, I never think of telling a lie.How can it be fun?Is that because I am a gr

2024/04/01 16:35

My Sunday routine

I attended the Christian meeting in the afternoon.As I was absent from the Tuesday meeting, I hadn't seen my friends for almost one week.I was happy to be there, to see friends and to hear the Bible speech.

2024/03/31 20:00

I'm back

I'm back from 6-day tour to Taiwan.

2024/03/30 18:30

Komo Castle

Tansui was our destination today.We took a train from the station near our hotel to Tansui.Then we took a taxi to Komo castle, or Fort Red Hair.It was originally built in 1628 by Spanish Empire as a fortress, which they named ‷Fort Santo Domingo."Later i

2024/03/28 21:30

Traveled around Jyufun and Kyufun

Unfortunately, it was a bit rainy today.We traveled around by taxi.First, we visited Jyufun, which I don't know how to pronounce actually.Then we went over to Kyufun, where we enjoyed tea at a cafe which had a wonderful view.In the evening, we loitered ab

2024/03/26 23:00

I'm off

I'm leaving to Taiwan with my daughter-in-law's mother.It's our individual tour.

2024/03/25 06:30

Annual event

Today,The most important ceremony in a year for Christian was held.It's called "the Memorial of Jesus Christ's Death."In the first century, just before Jesus was killed, he instructed his disciples to continue to remember his death by eating bread and dri

2024/03/24 23:00

Packing

I wanted to work in the Christian field ministry, but I stayed home all day.I had to check the things I would pack for the tour.It was easy and didn't take time actually, but somehow, I felt rushed.

2024/03/23 22:29

It's a mess

I chose changes of clothes, makeup and other things to pack for the coming 6-day Taiwan tour.As I am not a good traveler, I get tense to think of what I'll probably need in case of this and that. My suitcase is wide open and almost buried in various thin

2024/03/22 19:00

Coffee time without coffee

It was very cold because of the strong north wind though it was sunny.After my friends and I worked outside in the Christian activity for an hour, we dropped in a convenience store for some coffee to warm ourselves.I bought a cold drink containing iron in

2024/03/21 20:30

A double rainbow

My smartphone sounded a line message.There was a picture of a rainbow and a text saying, "a double rainbow!"It was from mother of my daughter-in-law.I wondered if it was just from some website or not.I wrote her back."Is it real?""Yes.  Right now!  Look

2024/03/20 19:00

Interest rates will be raised?

Today,The Bank of Japan announced that it would end its policy of negative interest rates.What does that mean?Will interest rates for bank deposited money be raised?Will it affect the stock market negatively?I don't know well about how things will go.We

2024/03/19 20:30

Home lunch with another "mother"

This morning, Mother of my daughter-in-law came to my place.We had a lot to talk about our coming tour to Taiwan.I made lunch and she brought some sweets and Costco pizza.Our lunch table was gorgeous!

2024/03/18 18:00

Dangling

Maybe, I was tired.I rarely irritate.I think  ( or I rather boast?) I am a patient woman.But today, I was annoyed by a woman sitting next to me in a meeting.She sat with her legs crossed, and kept dangling her upper leg throughout the 2-hour meeting.Mayb

2024/03/17 19:30

My special old friend died

I got email telling me an old friend of mine had died.He was my classmate in high school, and we were close to each other in a group of five.I had deep feeling of sorrow about him all day long.

2024/03/16 22:00

A boxed-up meal for my friend

For dinner,I cooked rice with chicken and some vegetables.I also cooked other dishes good for digestion and health.I put them in a lunch box and took it to my sick friend who lives nearby.

2024/03/15 20:30

My Brazilian friend

I called up my Brazilian friend who lives in my neighborhood."Can you work in house-to-house ministry with me today?""OK, I'm glad."We hadn't seen each other for more than a week."How have you been?" I asked."I was confined at home because I was infected

2024/03/14 20:00

Sesame dressing mixed with peanuts

Today' s spinach Gomaae salada was a trial, and a failure.After grinding sesame well, I added some peanuts and pounded them into sesame dressing.I supposed the salad might become savory when spinach was dressed with it.It was not bad, but not as good as I

2024/03/13 21:00

In the cold rain

This evening,I shivered in the cold rain until I got into my friend's car.She picked two more friends in front of their homes and drove to the meeting hall.At the entrance, everyone was a little wet and exchanged greetings by just one word, "Cold!"But ins

2024/03/12 22:00

To comfort my co-believer

In the evening,I went out to buy some gift wrapping goods.One of my Christian friends has lost her husband recently.He had been seriously sick and needed care in hospital and at home for years.They say she has been in deep sorrow since her husband passed

2024/03/11 21:30

Curry and rice feast

One of my friends' family gave a feast for us.15 people gathered.I bought some bottles of drinks, strawberries and pineapples for the party.I shared the payment with another friend.The host family prepared curry and rice, a lot.Some attendees cooked and b

2024/03/10 23:00

Meeting to learn about South Africa

This morning, I went to Begin, an international goodwill club, travelling one hour of walking, train and bus.The meeting started at 10 o'clock.Today's guest speaker was a woman from South Africa.It was her fifth time to be a speaker there, but for me it

2024/03/09 20:58

A very long name, "Nebuchadnezzar"

This morning, I had an online meeting with two friends of mine, which is my Friday routine.We study Bible publications written in English.Today's article was about Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon about 600BCE.Babylon was a strong kingdom and Nebuchadnezza

2024/03/08 20:39

1 cm long shrimps

This morning,I visited an old woman in my neighborhood with my friend.The woman was my friend's friend, whom I met for the first time.She was a very fine woman.Her room was so nicely organized and clean.She had a dozen midsized aquariums on a low table in

2024/03/07 20:00

My friend's Engllish

Today,I worked with one of my Christian friends in the field ministry.We met a householder from Philippine and her Japanese was a bit broken.Then my friend began to speak in English.I had known that she had been in Canada and New Zealand for years, so I h

2024/03/06 17:55

Going out in the rain

Every Tuesday,I have a meeting, not on line but in person, starting at 7 in the evening.It was cold today, actually very cold plus rainy.I took an early supper and went out.I shivered while I was waiting for my friend's car to pick me up.

2024/03/05 22:00

Long time no see

"It's been a while!"I went to a cafe which a young man originally from Taiwan ran.I used to be a regular customer there.The master was a single man in his early 20s when I last had lunch there.He said he had gotten married and now had two daughters.His el

2024/03/04 19:00

Smell of sunshine

Last week,We didn't have a single day when I could spread out futon to air.Every morning, I found it very windy, which made me disappointed.I like my bedclothes clean and dry.But this morning, it was clear, warm and windless.I was happy to take a lot of f

2024/03/03 22:00

Cherry blossoms or...

These days,I often see trees with pink flowers in full bloom in residential gardens or parks.Those flowers seem like cherry blossoms, but my friends say they may not.They can be ume, Japanese apricot, or those that have nearly red colors must be peach. F

2024/03/02 19:30

I resisted coffee

A little before noon, I got a call from a close friend in the neighborhood asking to go lunch together.We like sushi, so we went to a casual sushi restrautant nearby.On our way home, she wanted to drop in a cafe.I used to agree, but now, I can't take caf

2024/03/01 19:30

Getting over insomnia

These days,I have been able to sleep.Has my decaf life been working?Maybe, yes.I don't mean I can sleep "very well," but I can't complain really.Telling the truth, I had had trouble sleeping for years and it was getting worse.  That's why I made up my m

2024/02/29 20:00

Gift for my grandson

Today,I made a gift parcel for one of my grandchildren.While packing, I was happy to imagine his joy when he opens it and find things I gathered for him.

2024/02/28 20:05

Right weather for winter

Today,It's been very cold.I like it.I don't mean I like a cold day,I think it should be cold like it is today because it's still winter.If it's abnormally warm in this season, I become anxious about the earth to break up.

2024/02/27 19:30

Is "more" better?

It's Monday.I'm free all day on Mondays!I'll write back to my friends today, I thought.I had two PC mails to return. They were from my old friends from high school. My texts should be long because emails I had gotten from them were long."I write longer t

2024/02/26 19:16

I cooked Yurinchi

For dinner today,I made Yurinchi, fried chicken with scallion soy sauce.Chicken thigh might have been better for the cooking, but as I had frozen chiken breast, I used it.It was good, as well.Yurinchi sauce is delicious, which goes well with everything.I'

2024/02/25 21:30

Life in Boston, 1980s

Today,I attended a meeting held by an international goodwill exchange club.It took more than an hour to get the place but I didn't care.It was a very mild weather and I felt comfortable while walking.Furthermore, the gathering is the one I've been loving

2024/02/24 19:16

English and the Bible

It's Friday todayEvery Friday, I meet  two friends of mine on line to read English stories together.Those stories are based on the Bible.Today, the article we chose was about Daniel.We know that story very well, but everytime we read about it, we can lea

2024/02/23 23:12

Freezing activities

Today,It was very cold.Maybe, my friend who wrote me, "It's getting colder and colder," was right.It drizzled in the morning.Another friend of mine visited me walking and taking the bus from her place.It must have been freezing!We had hot tea together and

2024/02/22 17:42

Trojan Horse

Today,My PC suddenly began crying out loud that it had just caught a computer virus,Trojan Horse.The warning was from, according to the text shown, Microsoft and asked  to call the Microsoft service center for rescue.I doubted it and tried to leave the s

2024/02/21 21:00

It's getting...

Yesterday evening, I got a line message from one of my old friends.It read, "It's getting colder and colder, so take care of yourself."I appreciated it.  But actually, it's been getting warmer and warmer here these days.He lives in Shizuoka Prefecture.

2024/02/20 11:30

I enjoyed Joyful

The other day,When my friend came to my place,I wanted to replace the filter of my kitchen ventilator.I thought I had one or two spares in the sink cabinet.But actually, I didn't have any.So, I went to Joyful Honda nearby to buy a set this morning.Just re

2024/02/19 17:55

The little girl's adorable return

The other day,I gave a three-year-old girl a present.It was just a small present of some candies and a pretty colored notebook.Today,I met her at the Sunday meeting.She ran toward me with an envelope in her hand.That was a thank-you note for my present.I

2024/02/18 19:24

A spinach dish

For dinner today,I intended to make blanched spinach with sesami sauce.It's called "horenso no goma-ae," which is one of Japanese traditional veggie side dishes.Blanch some spinach and drain it well.Cut it into suitable length.Pound some parched sesami se

2024/02/17 20:30

A lazy day

Today,I stayed home all day long.But I was not bored at all.I love to do something or not to do anything indoors. 

2024/02/16 21:30

A car or a small house

Today,A friend of mine came to see me.We met at a sushi restaurant nearby for lunch.After lunch, we went down to the parking lot to get in her car.Her car was so big that it looked like a small hut.I almost burst into laugh."You don't need such a big car!

2024/02/15 21:00

Abnormally warm

It was a warm day.I worked along with the sunshine doing the laundry, opening up the closets to take all the things outto air and organize.I appreciate such a fine day, but I'm afraid of it at the same time as I think the climate has been changing its no

2024/02/14 20:30

Even in this area

Today,It was warm during the daytime, but it turned out to be cold in the evening.Finishing an early supper, I went to a Christian meeting.The sky was beautiful with stars and the crescent.We can't expect in this area to see many stars twinkling.And yet,

2024/02/13 21:30

A sweet little girl

Today,The group of mine working together in the field ministry had a very cute little girl.Sometimes the girl and I walked together hand in hand, which made me very happy.It was a warm and beautiful day.What she sometimes tried tellig about the Bible was

2024/02/12 22:30

Drowsy evening

It's getting dark.I'm eating icecream,I'm browsing the web,and I feel drowsy.I'm just back from a Christian meeting.Before getting to fix dinner, I want to warm myself at the kotatu heater.

2024/02/11 16:30

They want another Mandela

This morning,I attended a meeting held by an International goodwill exchange club.Today's topic was "South Africa Pro-Apartheid."The guest speaker was a black lady from South Africa, who introduced South Africa today.She was very well educated and has ee

2024/02/10 17:47

Decaf stuff

This evening,When I returned home, I found a bag of food hanging on my entrance door knob.In the bag were caffein-free coffee, caffein-free honey tea, caffein-free camomile tea and a sweet.It was from one of my friends, to whom I had told that I stopped

2024/02/09 18:55

Christian activity

Today,In the early morning,I was out doing Christian activity with my friends in front of the nearest station.It was a cold day.My fingers got so cold that I felt they would be torn off.In the afternoon,I went out with my friends again.It was warm and win

2024/02/08 20:48

A reunion trip

This morning,I got an email from a friend of my high school days.He is the organizer of the next reunion trip of the group of more than dozen classmates, clubmates and others. The previous one was that we had had before the covid 19 broke out.He is thin

2024/02/07 20:43

Silence

I've finished translating the letters from Africa.I want to see them once more before sending them back.It's a very silent afternoon.Silence in the snow.Nobody is speaking or walking outside, though it's not snowing any more.We rarely have snow here.As I

2024/02/06 14:04

A snowy night

Now,It's snowing.It's been snowing since early evening.Cars and the driveway that I can see from my place have been covered white.It's beautiful.

2024/02/05 21:19

Got letters from Africa

Yesterday,I got letters from children in an African country.The letters are not addressed to me but to Japanese foster perents who support them by paying their school fees.I am just a volunteer translator.I like to read those letters.Everytime I read the

2024/02/04 18:18

My insomnia is gone?

When I saw my doctor about my health check result three days ago,I consulted him on my insomnia.He told me to stop eating in the middle of the night.I knew I should have, but I didn't have any other option to cope with the uncomfortable feeling on my leg

2024/02/03 16:42

What?

This morning, I had an online meeting with two friends of mine.We read an English article based on the Bible together and talked about it.That was our once-a-week event, which we really enjoy.But today, I thougnt one of the two was a little less lively t

2024/02/02 16:56

ATM rejects money

This morning, I tried to send some money through an ATM.But, the machine didn't accept the bills.I tried several times, but I couldn't get them go in.There were two ATMs there, so I moved to the other one to try.But It rejected the money, too.The money I

2024/02/01 17:49

My health check results

Today,I went to my doctor's to get my health check results.Figures for cholesterol level, blood pressure and blood sugar were all good.The tests for lung cancer and cancer of large intestine were negative.I was very happy especially about my bad cholester

2024/01/31 17:53

I love hot, she loves cold

This morning,I went to a post office to buy some stamps.On my way back, I dropped in a convenience store.I bought a bottle of cold coffee.  I had to buy it for my friend who will visit me tomorrow.I never drink cold coffee, even in the midsummer.  I d

2024/01/30 18:00

A highschool girl and a race horse(3)

The race horse, a beautiful blood horse, started to walk with me on its back.It was very well trained.If I gave a tap at its sides with my legs, it trotted.  And if I tightened the reins, it slowed down.How nice my first horseback riding was !It was easy

2024/01/29 15:54

Be my hero, Yakult1000!

Last night,or rather early this morning, I couln't get to sleep until a little after four thirty.I've written before that I have trouble sleeping.Actually, I can't sleep well.Even I get to sleep, I soon wake up and can't get back to sleep without eating

2024/01/28 18:39

A South African nomadic lady

Today,I got to know a woman from South Africa.She's been working here in Japan at an international school for years.She introduced herself as having a  "nomadic" life.Nomad is a member of a community that moves from place to place.She said "nomadic" as s

2024/01/27 18:29

Our English online meeting

This morning,I enjoyed an online meeting with my friends.We have this meeting every week, and it's a meeting where we enjoy English conversation,though it's a bit broken.We usually study here an English article based on the Bible, and talk about it.Today'

2024/01/26 18:53

as idle as

I am an indoor person.I can stay home all day, reading, watching TV and dozing off at a kotatsu.A little before noon, one of my friends called me up.Are you free?  Why don't we go for lunch?Actually, I had already eaten an early lunch because I was to jo

2024/01/25 16:10

My lunch dessert

Today,I ate this for lunch desssert.I opened a paper package that held two same things.I picked one out of the package with my fingers and began to eat.It was cold.It was hard at first, but soon became soft.While eating, my fingers got cold.Do you know wh

2024/01/24 13:00

A high school girl and a race horse (2)

I was in the first year of high school.I don't remember if it was in April or much later, in the beginning of winter.Anyway, it happened on a day during an off season for race horses."They are all at the stable, my father will let you ride one of them!"My

2024/01/23 11:38

My spaghetti

Today, Hikko, mother of my son's wife, came to see me.We have a plan to go to Taiwan together this March.Today, we made the plan more specific.We picked places we're going to visit there.We enjoyed seeing pictures of local foods introduced in a guide boo

2024/01/22 18:08

A high school girl and a race horse (1)

I ran a horse when I was a freshman of high school.One afternoon when the last class was over, one of my friends came up to me and said,"Why don't you come to my house and ride a horse?"Her family business was to raise race horses, thoroughbreds.I don't r

2024/01/21 19:57

Not good at cooking

Yesterday,I sent a message to the mother of my daughter-in-law.I asked her to come to my place for lunch.She wrote me back saying she would come next Monday.I'm not a good cook, nor good at having someone at home.I usually become tense. But with her, I ca

2024/01/20 12:44

My peculiar habit

This morning,I ate a meal at 2 o'clock in the morning.Actually I eat around that time every day. I hate to eat so early. It's thought to be bad for health.I know that, but I have no choice but to eat.I go to bed around 12 midnight, but soon I wake up. 

2024/01/19 14:31

29 years

Yesterday,I thought about the victims of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995.More than 6000 people were killed.Many people lost their houses.I lived near Kobe those days.That morning I was wakened by a jolt followed by a kind of roars from the eart

2024/01/18 15:22

Happy futon

Yesterday,I was almost frozen.As I was to go to a meeting in the evening, all through the daytime I kept sliding open a bit the balcony door to look the cold and windy outside, murmurring "Maybe, I cant go."But I did go, of course.  It was a very importa

2024/01/17 10:39

Lunch with a friend

Yesterday morning,When I finished doing the laundry and hung it all out on the balcony, I was hungry.I wanted to eat sushi.It was 10:30.Is she home?I thought of one of my neighbors who sometimes asks me to eat out.I made a call to her.  She didn't pick i

2024/01/16 09:55

ぬか床を作りました

ぬか床を作りました。すぐに手が荒れる人なので、作ってもかきまぜるのを怠って、たいていダメにしてしまいます。作ったぬか床が、年を越したことはありません。それでもこの時期、お店でぬかを見ると、買ってきてしまいます。朝晩、木べらの助けを借りながらかき混ぜ

2023/06/17 17:10

パソコンも、iPadも

朝、6時半起床。夕べの帰宅が10時頃でしたので、この目覚めは調子のいい証拠です。よし、よし・・・と。そんな風に始まり、そんな風に調子よく物事のすすむ日になるかと思いきや・・コーヒーカップを手にパソコンの前で、という朝のルーティンが思いっきりくずれまし

2023/06/14 14:35

シソが育っています

「ピアノ発表会」は大成功。友人は「愛のロマンス（禁じられた遊びのテーマ曲）」と、もう一曲題名を忘れました。私は「太陽がいっぱい」を映画のシーンを思い浮かべながら、けだるく弾きました。冬ソナの「あなただけが」はもうずい分ながいことかかっていますが、こち

2023/06/11 08:41