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A Simple Joy in My Garden: Homemade Mugwort Tea (Yomogi-cha)

 Mugwort tea — known as yomogi-cha in Japanese — is a traditional herbal tea with a gentle aroma and many believed health benefits. These days, I don’t often find many things that bring me joy. But recently, I discovered something quietly delightful — mugwort growing abundantly in my garden. Mugwort tea is said to have many health benefits. It’s comforting to know that I don’t need to buy expensive herbal teas when I have such a rich resource right at home. There are also some mugwort plants growing near the roadside, but I avoid using them since they might have been exposed to dog urine. Luckily, we don’t have a dog, and the plants in our garden grow safely inside our gate, so I feel confident using them. For the past week, I’ve been picking the fresh, tender tips of the mugwort and enjoying them as tea. After doing a bit of research on YouTube, I noticed that most people dry the leaves before using them. Inspired by their methods, I started gathering the taller stalks and ...
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Japanese Colored Pencils

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 I recently bought a set of Japanese colored pencils at Seria, a 100-yen shop. The pencils are small and adorable, and the colors are rich and vivid — I fell in love with them right away. Now I’ve started using them in my journal to create what I call my mind weather map. Each color represents a different mood or level of satisfaction for the day. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to reflect on how I felt. ① Kincha (Golden Brown): Warmth, abundance, nostalgia. Suggests human connection and comforting memories. ② Anzu-iro (Apricot): Youthfulness of spring, vitality, lightness. A color of energy and hope. ③ Beni-iro (Crimson): Strength, passion, symbol of life. Suited for important matters and emotionally stirring events. ④ Botan-iro (Peony Pink): Glamour, femininity, elegance. Perfect for things you love and take delight in. ⑤ Ayame-iro (Iris Purple): Intelligence, dignity, quiet strength. Reflects learning and respectful admiration. ⑥ Ruri-iro (Lapis Lazuli): Truth, deep wisdom, ser...
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A Quiet Life of Care, Hope, and Pensions

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 Dear readers, I hope this message finds you well.  Today, I would like to share something personal—about elderly care and financial hardship in Japan, especially among people in difficult life situations. Before I begin, let me say this: what you’re about to read is a long story about Japan’s pension system.  It may sound boring, and it might not be useful at all to someone without Japanese citizenship.  So if you want to skip it, I won’t blame you.  But if you’re curious about what daily life is like for some people in Japan, especially those facing financial and emotional struggles, please read on. In Japan, the amount of pension people receive varies greatly depending on their work history.  For example: Self-employed people, like small business owners, receive only the National Pension.  The average amount is about ¥130,000–¥140,000 for two months (about $840–$900 USD). Company workers receive the National Pension plus Employees’ Pension (Kōsei Ne...
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A Bowl of Summer Vegetable Curry and a Jar of Sunshine

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Yesterday, I made a summer vegetable curry, filled with potatoes, carrots, zucchini, eggplant, and onions.  I took my time sautéing everything gently, letting the flavors melt together.  The texture turned out soft and kind on the teeth, and every bite had a comforting depth to it.  It was rich, colorful, and nourishing—just the kind of food that makes you feel grounded. On my way home from the market, I picked up a few things: honey, lemon, and fresh ginger.  I usually drink my coffee black, but this morning I tried something different.  I added just one teaspoon of honey into the pot while brewing, and that small touch turned my ordinary cup into something a little luxurious.  It felt like giving myself a small reward for simply showing up and trying my best today. I also made a jar of homemade ginger-lemon syrup. I love the spicy clarity of ginger—it wakes me up and clears my thoughts.  I added lemon for brightness, and just a pinch of salt, thinkin...
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Early May Thoughts

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 In early May, we usually see colorful koinobori (carp streamers) flying in the wind to celebrate Children’s Day in Japan. But this year, I didn’t see a single one. I feel that some old traditions are slowly disappearing. It makes me a little sad, though I understand that times are changing. This spring, I’ve started growing flowers like petunias and calibrachoas, and vegetables such as cherry tomatoes and bitter melon (goya). For the first time, I’m also growing basil, a lovely herb with a fresh scent. I’m also taking care of 40 strawberry plants! Watering them every morning takes time and effort, but the reward is sweet. I can harvest around ten ripe strawberries every day. It brings me quiet joy. I pick the strawberries when they turn bright red. But I recently bought a new variety called “Angel Eight,” which produces white strawberries. I’m still learning the best time to harvest them—maybe when they become slightly glossy or soft? It’s an exciting little mystery. The weather h...
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The Café Next Door: A Little Bit Lonely, A Little Bit Glad

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Our next door is a charming, retro-style café that used to have a warm Showa-era atmosphere.  Sorry, but I can’t say the name of the café.  Until just recently, it was run by an elderly owner who had worked there for over 20 years.  Every day, the rich aroma of freshly roasted coffee would drift through the air, and I loved that scent more than anything. However, around 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy of the shop began to fade. About three months ago, it finally closed down.  I had never actually stepped inside, but still, I felt a quiet sadness when it was gone. Then, a month ago, the property was sold, and a new café opened under a young owner.  I don’t know if it will last 20 years like before, but this time the menu focuses on large portions aimed at younger people—portions that feel a bit overwhelming for those of us over 50. Even so, I often see the new owner working hard. Though the café is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., he stays until 9 p....
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A Visit to the Optician

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Good morning.  I'm feeling a bit sleep-deprived this morning, but yesterday I made a trip to the optician in Shikama for a routine check-up on the glasses I bought there three months ago.   A young, pleasant female staff member kindly assisted me with the inspection. It took about forty minutes to get there by bicycle, one way.  Since I’m not very familiar with the area and rarely go to that part of town, I relied on Google Maps for directions.   Even so, I ended up taking a few wrong turns and made a bit of a detour.  But in the end, it turned out to be good exercise, and I didn’t have any other plans for the day—so perhaps it worked out just fine. The photos have nothing to do with the optician, but I took it on my way back.  The violas were colorful and beautiful.
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