Friday the Thirteenth

Today is Friday, July 13th. Leiya is flying to California today, arriving a couple of days earlier than Tetsu and I.

"Maybe the plane ticket was so cheap because it is Friday the Thirteenth."

"Hey! This Friday the Thirteenth will be a great day! It's Tetsu and my 32nd wedding anniversary!"

Yep. Tetsu and I were married 32 years ago today. How long ago that seems. We met within months of my arrival in Japan and dated for two years. At first we could barely speak to each other because of my poor Japanese and Tetsu's non-existent English. (It is still non-existent by the way.) We double dated with a Japanese-Venezuelan couple who spoke to each other in Spanish and by a very round-about way (two translations... from Japanese to Spanish, from Spanish to English) somehow communicated. Talk about Lost in Translation! Often I would carry a Japanese-English Bible with me and would try to point to words I wanted to convey (not all 1 Corinthians 13).

About a year into dating Tetsu started bringing up marriage.

"Um... No. You're a nice guy and I may be falling in love but I do not plan to spend my life in Japan."

For another year we dated and at regular intervals I refused Tetsu's proposals. I could think of all sorts of reasons why marriage wouldn't work! I did not want to live in Japan, Tetsu had never even been to the States, he wasn't Christian, I planned to return to America in two years, we barely understood each other. One of the words I taught Tetsu during our dating months was "impractical".

"The idea of us marrying is just too impractical!" And so we dated...

Our dating revolved around Sundays when we both had the day off... but of course I attended church.

"Okay. Let's meet at a coffee shop near the church in the afternoon."

Later it became,

"Okay, I'll meet you at the church gate after the service."

And gradually attending church together became part of our dating routine. Tetsu was baptized the year before we were married.

The next step was to introduce Tetsu to my family, so he joined me on one of my trips home.

"OH~~!" said everybody. "Tanya's bringing a boyfriend from Japan! Is this something serious?"

Yes, and no. I really felt it was necessary for Tetsu to see where I had grown up, experience what type of atmosphere I had lived in, and meet my friends and family before we could think about anything long-term. Just my telling him about my life before meeting him didn't seem enough...

So Tetsu and I spent one week together in the States while my family waited for us to spring important news.... and we went back to Japan without a word being said.

"What was THAT all about?" was my mother's comment.

But a couple months later I did accept Tetsu's proposal and we were married later that summer. I'm sure many people thought we were being impractical, still a language barrier there... but our families never expressed opposition.

Today's picture is of our wedding invitation. Again, I knew that none of my American friends were going to make it to our wedding, and many had never and might never meet Tetsu, so I wanted to include a picture.

By the way, the invitations were sepia colored when ordered... We're old but not THAT old.  Maybe we are... Who ARE those people?!

Animal care

I'm slowly crossing things off my list of things to do before Tetsu and I leave for the States on Sunday.

One of the biggies is getting things arranged for the animals while we are gone...

Choco has a reservation at our vet's. She will stay there for the 12 days that Tetsu is away. She has kenneled with our vet before and he is aware of her continual barking (I pity his poor neighbors) and her quirks. And truly Choco seems to behave better when visiting the vet so rather than try to break her in someplace else, she will stay at the vet's. Not a fantastic arrangement (no dog run etc.) but she probably wouldn't get much exercise during these hot, sweltering days with me home either.

The cats will all be staying at home. If I tried to kennel my whole menagerie the cost would set me back for two or three years!

My neighbors have two daughters around the age of 20 and 7 little dachshunds. They also seem to be feeding some feral cats (but I don't ask about that situation) and they are all animal lovers. Anyway, the daughters fed my cats for me last year when Tetsu and I were away overnight. But that was one night! The girls said they would be happy to oversee our complicated cat care while we are gone and last night I wrote out Watanabe Cat Care instructions. For example:

• Please keep the four indoor cats and the two "cat house" cats separate. (Toi and Patora live in the cat house.)
• Please feed indoor cats one type of food and "cat house" cats another type of food.
• Please be careful not to let Mi escape. (She tries to go out the front door between people's legs.)
• Please clean the cat toilets. There are two. (There are actually four but there is only so much you can ask of people).
• Please wipe up hair balls when found. It is unfortunately hair ball season and all six cats are urping up hair balls and worse. A terrible clean up job, but it can't be helped. So sorry about that. (I will pay them well.)

My sweet family of kitties.

Four are cuddlers and will miss having people in the house. I know the girls will pet and hold and talk to the kitties morning and night, but the cats won't have humans to sleep with nor to referee their squabbles. I am predicting stress issues at the end of the summer.

Two cats will live with little change out in the cat house. I have a feeling that the girls won't get over in the morning at the cats' regular breakfast time (6:00 am!) so my next door neighbors are not going to be happy about the early morning meowing. Sigh. Oh well, they don't have to listen to Choco for 12 days so it is give and take.

Say a prayer for my animal family?

Yukata

Last week my Tuesday students/friends and I were talking about summer kimonos called yukata.

"Let's get dressed up in yukata! I haven't worn one for years and years."

Mrs. Ide is the only one of the three of us who knows how to put on a yukata, but she was willing to dress us up.

Today Mrs. Ide came to English class wearing her yukata. A few minutes later, Mrs. Okusa arrived bringing her yukata and the implements needed.

Okay, putting on the simple cotton kimono isn't that difficult. It doesn't need all the layers of under clothing that a regular silk or wool kimono might need. It is getting that obi tied, the belt, that is the problem!

Make sure the left side overlaps the right side (the other way is only for the deceased... whoops, we don't want to make THAT mistake.)

Now... how to get that long~~~~ belt wrapped around in an attractive way.

It takes a bit of maneuvering!

And some speedy finger work too!

Push here... Pull there. Pull harder! And.... voila! A pretty little stiff bow that sits up on the back.

And here is a back view of Mrs. Okusa yukata clad. My turn!

"Tanya, could you please take off your bra?"

Ah yes... I am much too busty for traditional Japanese wear. I complied and wore a camisole.

"Oh dear, this padded tie doesn't go all the way around you."

Hmm. I am also too big around the middle for traditional Japanese wear. Not much I can do about that today. (I do want you to know that Mrs. Ide was using her DAUGHTER's padded tie... Her daughter is smaller than many Japanese. Just thought you ought to know that....)

Now MY obi was an "instant" type that I picked up at a recycle shop. I figured that I'll probably never be able to tie an intricate obi by myself, but if I just have to pop into a pre-tied one, THAT I might be able to do! Not that I ever have... The instant obi comes in two parts, a flat piece and a pre-tied stiff bow on a wire that you can shove into the flat piece.

A little bit of tucking and pulling...

And then the tie plops into the back and is secured by narrow strings.

Ta-da! I'm finished too! You can see how there is a slight difference from Mrs. Okusa's obi.

Here is a picture of Mrs. Ide's obi that she tied herself before coming. It is the least gaudy way of tieing and it lies flat, making it easier to drive a car or sit back in a chair.

Now that we're dressed up, let's GO somewhere!

We ended up at a little cafe, a short drive from my house.

Ooh. A bamboo grove! Well, we do have to model in front of that!

Mrs. Ide, by the way, is wearing a yukata that used to be my mother-in-law's. When cleaning out Tetsu's mother's closets a couple of years ago, I came across two or three yukata that I was going to toss (I'm wearing one of my mother-in-law's too) and Mrs. Ide asked if she could have it. Looks nice on her!

And Mrs. Okusa is wearing her yukata from nearly 40 years ago!

"I wore this when I was in high school... What am I thinking trying to wear this at my age!"

The yukata is in pretty good shape, and so is Mrs. Okusa!

The cafe owners were so thrilled to see yukata clad customers! They said it was a first and asked to take our picture while we ate lunch.

Lunch was curry noodles!

And after lunch we went outside to enjoy matcha flavored snow "cones".

A fun day out... sort of like playing dress-up when we were little girls. Yukata can actually be very colorful but it just happened that all three of us had these dark blue ones... I guess I'd really be embarrassed to wear something more gaudy...

If I stand still and don't talk... will I pass for a Japanese?

Chirimen zaiku

I got my hair cut on Sunday.

I've been going to the same hairdresser for nearly 10 years now, an older lady who lives nearby and has her shop behind the great cedar trees so famous to this area. Hair cutting was a pretty normal experience but what I like best about going to this lady is that there are usually no other customers there, (only a few obaachan know she is back there), the price is good and after my haircut my hairdresser/friend will show me what she's been making recently!

This is called Chirimen zaiku, known as crepe crafting in English. My hairdresser/friend has only been going to classes a few years now and she says she doesn't really have much time outside of her lesson days (she lives behind the shop and takes care of her grandchildren too). She looks like she's getting pretty good to me!

Historically, Chirimen zaiku began when noble ladies would use the scraps from their kimonos to make little bags, flowers and toys. The pouches would be stuffed with incense and carried around as fragrant sachets within the folds of their obi (belt) and the dolls and other decorations would be strung and displayed on Girls Day. There are now countless patterns and ornaments and each one has a special meaning... a crane will convey hope for a long life, a treasure bag will add wishes for wealth, a flower will express the desire that a young girl be lovely all her life.

My hairdresser/friend has made Girls Day dolls...

...little soldiers (I guess)...

...and a beautiful hanging of flower buds and a bunny! This summer she is working on making colorful goldfish. I'm looking forward to getting my hair cut again in a couple months!

Blueberries

Yesterday morning Tetsu came back into the house after a little gardening, munching on something.

"We've got blueberries!"

Five or six years ago (or has it been longer?) I planted a couple blueberry bushes. Little things about knee size. I didn't give much thought to where I was planting them, but they went behind the hydrangea bushes in the back by the forest. I think I planted another little bush by the driveway but that one seems to have disappeared.

For the first two or three years... nothing.

"Where are those bushes? Are they even back here behind the hydrangeas?"

Then, maybe four years ago, the bushes started flourishing and we've been able to gather berries. One year a great haul, the next, not so many. This year looks like it's going to be a good year for blueberries!

Tetsu and I spent about 10 minutes picking a little Tupperware full. (Actually Tetsu picked and I took pictures.) And this morning we enjoyed fresh blueberries in our granola! Yum! I'm thinking I'd like to plant more bushes just because it is so much fun to see the purple-blue beads clustered within the leaves. A tangy burst of wonder!

The only unfortunate thing is that I am usually away in the States during the blueberry season, so Tetsu gets all the fun of picking them. And this year I'll have to remember to tell my cat sitters to eat to their full!

On the mend

Boo!

I'm back.

I crashed out since Wednesday night and moaned and groaned a lot with a stomach flu of sorts. I'm such a wimp. Tetsu came to my rescue, took off time from work, was a fantastic nurse and I kept thinking,

"If he was in this condition, could I nurse him without just making him annoyed?"

Probably not. I've never been good around sick people though after being on the weak end I wish I could get my compassion skills up to par.

I missed English classes. I missed a luncheon. I missed a patchwork gathering and a trip to a fabric shop with friends during a sale. The computer stayed closed for three days, Choco didn't get walked. I ate mostly frozen sherbets which was the only thing I could keep down (and Tetsu filled the freezer with enough sherbet to last us a couple months).

I spent much of my bed-time making lists of what needs to get done this week... and bemoaning the fact that I've been procrastinating. Tetsu and I are headed to the States next Sunday and the house has to be cleaned (people coming in to take care of the cats), arrangements made for various people to take over my duties at the crosswalk and as the neighborhood block leader. The only positive thought for three days while I was laid up was that it was THIS week and not NEXT when Tetsu and I are supposed to be on an airplane.

I sure hope I didn't give the bug to Tetsu... This week I'll have to keep him healthy and treat him good. He's done enough for me for awhile.

Did you know...

Wednesday, so I'm off and away.

Monday when my friends and I were trying out sewing machines, one friend (who knows almost nothing about sewing machines) said, even before she sat down at the machine.

"I don't think I want to buy the Janome."

"You haven't tried it yet. Why not?"

"I don't like the name."

The name? Oh! The name!

Did you know that Janome means "snake eyes" in English?!

Yes, it does. I checked on-line and find that because Janome was leading in sewing machine technology they were one of the first to use a round bobbin rather than a shuttle, and because the bobbin looked like a snake's eye, that's what they named their company.

I too can think of other names I'd prefer... though it doesn't seem to bother most sewers. Janome machines are the top sellers in Japan.

It's just as well that my friends bought Brother sewing machines. A little brotherly love goes a long way.

Tempted... but resisted

You'll have to forgive me. I spent a fun day playing with sewing machines AND FORGOT TO TAKE ANY PICTURES!!! I can't believe it! As I was walking out of the store I thought,

"Oh my gosh! And I especially brought my camera today and forgot to take it out of the bag!"

Too many other things on my mind.

I met my friends at the sewing machine dealer at 12:00 noon. I went equipped with an Omnigrid ruler, a couple handfuls of two inch squares, a practice quilting sandwich and my free motion foot. Whether anyone else is or not, I AM READY! The clerk was a little taken aback...

The first machine was brought out. And I insisted that my friend Mrs. Nakazawa thread the thing herself WITHOUT ANY INSTRUCTION FROM THE CLERK and without looking at the user manual. A sign of a good machine is one that is easy to thread and easy to figure out HOW to thread. Sure as anything, that user manual is going to get mislaid and if you can't thread a machine without it what are you going to do?

I may have gotten into people's way as I poked my head into the "driver's seat" watching how the needle threader worked.

"That's so cool! My machine doesn't do that!"

And we tried out winding the bobbin...

I mentioned that I really liked the bobbin thread cutter there, but my friends couldn't understand what was so neat about it. And the clerk seemed to think that most of the expensive machines have those nowadays.

Okay, Mrs. Nakazawa can thread the machine and the bobbin without too much trouble. Now take it all off and let Rumi-san try. So far so good.

Next machine. A bit more expensive. A quieter machine, more power. But the threading was more difficult and it was hard for my friends to get the thread in the last groove. Even with many demonstrations by the clerk and me... it was still a pain for a new-to-be sewing machine owner to master.

One more machine came out... The cheaper of the three, thus minus some of the little extras (the automatic needle threader.) That was quickly put back on the shelf as without the needle threader it took way too much time for my friends to get that thread through the needle.

Pretty soon the three of us were sewing my two inch squares together and I was measuring seam allowances. Why does this machine have a mark for 1/4 on it while this machine has a mark for 7?

Uh-hum. I know the answer to that. (The clerk didn't). This machine is showing the 1/4 inch seam line, and that machine is showing the same seam line in millimeters. (But I don't know why this machine would show it in inches as Japanese sewers usually use metric measurements.)

And lastly I pulled out my quilting sandwich and free motion foot... figured out how to lower the feed dogs and tried out free hand quilting. Feathers, flowers, leaves. The clerk got very excited about that as she had never seen free hand quilting before. (I'm afraid I showed off a bit...) Good. Both machines do a nice free motion stitch. I had my friends try to quilt their names and then we even let the clerk have a try. (I gave her a quick free hand quilting lesson... "Hold your hands like an embroidery hoop. Decide which direction you want to go. Coordinate the speed of your hands with the foot controller speed and go!"

So the bottom line? My friends both bought Brother Soleil 70 machines. (I don't know what the counterpart is on the American market.) I probably would have gone with the Juki just because of the bigger throat, more power, and quieter motor... but it WAS more difficult for my friends to thread. And more expensive. I was tempted.... but resisted.

I think my friends will be VERY happy with what they have bought... especially if I can get them making simpler things and gradually expand their expertise.

Actually, the machines were ORDERED yesterday, and will be paid for this Sunday because of Special Point Day at the store. Got to get all the points one can get! Then delivered to their homes the next Wednesday. And no time for us to play with the machines before I go off to America. Ah well... Maybe I can give them homework of making string blocks or something...

Oh such fun to play with those machines. Maybe I want to quit teaching English and work in a sewing machine store!

Birthday Sunday

Thank you for so many birthday wishes yesterday! I spent a quiet day at home after church as Tetsu had to work, but my friends sent me cards and Tetsu and I went out to my favorite restaurant for dinner.

One friend gave me this pretty little mobile of goldfish! Won't this be refreshing to look at in the humid summer months! I love these three dimensional cards that we can often find in Japan.

And this is a cute birthday card of kitty pictures in booklet form. Of course my friends are all aware that cats play a major part in my life. Ah, to be so relaxed as a cat!

The restaurant was a bit dark but I embarrassed Tetsu by taking pictures anyway. You've probably seen this same meal at this same restaurant for the past three or four years on my birthday. I'm not so skilled at eating curry with nan but still, a birthday dinner at this restaurant has practically become tradition!

Leiya won't like this photo. She wants to know why I always cock my head when I have my picture taken. She says I always look crooked! (I have a feeling it is a subconscious way to cover up a double chin...)

Great start to year 57!

Another finish

Last night I finished my Alabama Beauty quilt. Yeah! Just in time to put away quilting for the summer! I had Tetsu hang this in our entry this morning. (Yes, that is Choco's sleeping kennel in our entry. No midnight thief would dare come in the front door at our house!)

I chose to stitch-in-the-ditch by hand on this quilt but you can't really see any of the work. I look at these pictures now and wonder why I chose this lay out... or if I made a mistake when putting the blocks together. Some of those blue blocks really stand out.

This quilt was started two summers ago... Almost three years in the making! I saw the pattern on someone's blog but they seemed to be using Inklingo which I don't have so I made my own pattern. I quickly found that all those tiny points and the center seams made this a more difficult quilt than I'd imagined, but nice things take hard work.

I was working with batiks at the time and batiks seemed to go together with the darker colors. Later I started raiding my scrap box and pretty soon I had two piles dark background and light background blocks. On the final placement, I tried to move the backgrounds from dark to light but a couple of those blocks seem out of place now. Not wrong, just maybe not what I'd planned. Oh well.

********************

Fifty-seven.

That's what I am today. And as a birthday present I requested having hand rails put in on our stairway. Foot problems still persist and I limp down the stairs in the morning (after that I'm pretty good) so I thought hand rails might be a blessing. Tetsu spent one day streaming with sweat putting in hand rails in two places on the stairs and now I can gracefully glide down... hanging on the handrail. Another gift of love from Tetsu (he wouldn't think of asking a professional to install them!)