He used to follow me from room to room like a shadow, and sleep next to me every night. I really feel his absence. I hope his soul is at peace.

I do miss that dog a lot. We still have another dog, so my family is not dogless. But the one who died liked ME best. He gave me his unconditional devotion.

Every year I imagine my father-in-law's spirit "returning to Heaven." The annual event did not make a strong impression on me before, but that changed after he died. Now I find the ritual to be moving. (He lived his entire life in Kyoto and his grave is there.)

Many people attended anyway. There were tents for people to sit under. (It was a very small local matsuri.)

Hi! All well, thanks. You?

May I also add that in today's political climate, as a feminist who avidly supports civil rights (including LGBTQ+ rights)...I am VERY glad that I'm self-employed/semi-retired now, so I can continue to enjoy saying whatever the fuck I want.

This is what I’m most afraid of — not that Sanseito will ever become politically powerful in its own right, but that it will become politically influential enough to pull everything else further to the right on issues I care most about.

By that I mean, there cannot be any valid reason for shortening the visa period of a person like yourself.

I'm so sorry. It really seems random. 😞

(NOTE: This is not a sponsored post. I'm just ridiculously enthusiastic about the things I like.)

I decided it was time for an upgrade. Shouldn't I be willing to pay as much for a bottle of good olive oil as I pay for a good bottle of wine? A Tokyo carpet shop, www.persian.co.jp, also sells excellent Greek olive oil at a very reasonable price -- highly recommend!