Victoria Oyama
@victoria-o.bsky.social
J-E translator, knitter, lover of nature, former potter. Came to Japan in 1974 and I'm still here more than fifty years later.
It was minus 9C here this morning. I just looked up how cold it was in past years and see that in 1990 it went down to minus 13C. I don't have any recollection of it though. At least today is a Sunday and I could enjoy the luxury of spending a bit longer under the covers. #cold #hurkle-durkle
February 22, 2025 at 11:47 PM
It was minus 9C here this morning. I just looked up how cold it was in past years and see that in 1990 it went down to minus 13C. I don't have any recollection of it though. At least today is a Sunday and I could enjoy the luxury of spending a bit longer under the covers. #cold #hurkle-durkle
Yesterday was -8C and this morning it was -7.4C in my neck of the woods. We are on the verge of warmer spring weather but winter still has us in its freezing cold grip. At least I don't have to deal with snow where I live. Off to the dentist for a 9:30am appointment. Longing for warmer days.
February 20, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Yesterday was -8C and this morning it was -7.4C in my neck of the woods. We are on the verge of warmer spring weather but winter still has us in its freezing cold grip. At least I don't have to deal with snow where I live. Off to the dentist for a 9:30am appointment. Longing for warmer days.
Came back from a short walk with the dog just now to find lots of hitchhikers attached to my fleece pants. In Australia we used to call them cobbler's pegs. In Japanese they are hittsukimushi although this term broadly covers seeds that attach themselves to people and animals.
February 6, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Came back from a short walk with the dog just now to find lots of hitchhikers attached to my fleece pants. In Australia we used to call them cobbler's pegs. In Japanese they are hittsukimushi although this term broadly covers seeds that attach themselves to people and animals.
Trump said he wanted the U.S. to take over Gaza in an ownership position. He said he would seek to permanently relocate the entire Palestinian population (2 million) from Gaza to countries like Egypt and Jordan because of the devastation wrought by Israel’s war with Hamas.
Someone stop this maniac.
Someone stop this maniac.
February 5, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Trump said he wanted the U.S. to take over Gaza in an ownership position. He said he would seek to permanently relocate the entire Palestinian population (2 million) from Gaza to countries like Egypt and Jordan because of the devastation wrought by Israel’s war with Hamas.
Someone stop this maniac.
Someone stop this maniac.
Not on my bingo card: my daughter's mother-in-law coming to live with us after her dementia diagnosis. I will do what I can, extra food shopping, extra cooking, take her to dr and dentist appointments, etc. I hope we can be one big happy family. Until she comes, I will enjoy this peaceful existence.
January 28, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Not on my bingo card: my daughter's mother-in-law coming to live with us after her dementia diagnosis. I will do what I can, extra food shopping, extra cooking, take her to dr and dentist appointments, etc. I hope we can be one big happy family. Until she comes, I will enjoy this peaceful existence.
Ten-year-old granddaughter just had to be picked up from school due to a fever. This does not bode well. Hope it's not the dreaded Influenza A. We have all been vaccinated but it is still possible to get it.
January 27, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Ten-year-old granddaughter just had to be picked up from school due to a fever. This does not bode well. Hope it's not the dreaded Influenza A. We have all been vaccinated but it is still possible to get it.
Last night I went to Hama-zushi for the first time. I have been to other places like that previously but Hama-zushi was a first. I can see why kids like it as they have deep-fried potato chips and other deep-fried things and desserts as well as the sushi. But I'm quite happy to not ever go again.
January 26, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Last night I went to Hama-zushi for the first time. I have been to other places like that previously but Hama-zushi was a first. I can see why kids like it as they have deep-fried potato chips and other deep-fried things and desserts as well as the sushi. But I'm quite happy to not ever go again.
My ex-MIL is still alive at the age of 97 but unfortunately dementia has hidden a lot of her memories from her. She didn't recognize my daughter, her granddaughter, on a recent visit. But she seems happy enough in herself and is being taken care of by my ex-sister-in-law.
January 26, 2025 at 12:47 AM
My ex-MIL is still alive at the age of 97 but unfortunately dementia has hidden a lot of her memories from her. She didn't recognize my daughter, her granddaughter, on a recent visit. But she seems happy enough in herself and is being taken care of by my ex-sister-in-law.
Thinking about it now, that was about 30 years after WWII had ended and to me the war seemed like ancient history. But now 30 years doesn't seem so long ago. (Yes, I'm an oldie now.) My ex-MIL wasn't allowed to go to senior high school and had to work hard on the family farm. She had a tough life.
January 26, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Thinking about it now, that was about 30 years after WWII had ended and to me the war seemed like ancient history. But now 30 years doesn't seem so long ago. (Yes, I'm an oldie now.) My ex-MIL wasn't allowed to go to senior high school and had to work hard on the family farm. She had a tough life.
This morning I randomly noticed the lid of an Aohata jam jar in my kitchen and I remembered when my ex-MIL asked me (around 1977), when I was staying with her before getting married, which country's flag that was. At the time, I thought "How silly, she doesn't know it's not a country flag." TBC.
January 26, 2025 at 12:42 AM
This morning I randomly noticed the lid of an Aohata jam jar in my kitchen and I remembered when my ex-MIL asked me (around 1977), when I was staying with her before getting married, which country's flag that was. At the time, I thought "How silly, she doesn't know it's not a country flag." TBC.
Minus 3.6C here this morning, a tad warmer than it has been recently so counting it as a win. And the sun is shining so it should reach 12C, a double-digit maximum! Yay! Taking the 11-year-old to her ballet class this afternoon and I shall wait in Starbucks with the 10-year-old until the class ends.
January 14, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Minus 3.6C here this morning, a tad warmer than it has been recently so counting it as a win. And the sun is shining so it should reach 12C, a double-digit maximum! Yay! Taking the 11-year-old to her ballet class this afternoon and I shall wait in Starbucks with the 10-year-old until the class ends.
@psephy.bsky.social I see The Bruce is in the news today with the PM's cash splash to upgrade it again. The everlasting upgrades.
January 14, 2025 at 10:53 PM
@psephy.bsky.social I see The Bruce is in the news today with the PM's cash splash to upgrade it again. The everlasting upgrades.
While I am lucky enough to celebrate another journey around the sun in relatively good health, my daughter's mother-in-law has been diagnosed with a form of dementia. When my time comes, I'm hoping to pop off like my mother, as she sat and did the daily crossword early one morning.
January 13, 2025 at 11:28 PM
While I am lucky enough to celebrate another journey around the sun in relatively good health, my daughter's mother-in-law has been diagnosed with a form of dementia. When my time comes, I'm hoping to pop off like my mother, as she sat and did the daily crossword early one morning.
This summer, please leave the sea shells by the seashore
theconversation.com/this-summer-...
theconversation.com/this-summer-...
This summer, please leave the sea shells by the seashore
Taking that beautiful snail shell could increase the cost of housing for a hermit crab or small shrimp that needs it next. The beautiful conch shell that calls to you is actually an octopus caravan.
theconversation.com
January 8, 2025 at 10:31 PM
This summer, please leave the sea shells by the seashore
theconversation.com/this-summer-...
theconversation.com/this-summer-...
Back to 6am wake-ups from today with the start of the third school semester. At least it is not so cold this morning. Grateful for small blessings.
January 7, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Back to 6am wake-ups from today with the start of the third school semester. At least it is not so cold this morning. Grateful for small blessings.
I finally caught the cold that all the other family members have had. I struggled yesterday and today but I went for my usual 3.6 km walk as I want to keep that up. I've just made myself a strong cup of black tea with milk and sugar. I gave up tea a few years ago but it really bucked me up today.
January 5, 2025 at 7:01 AM
I finally caught the cold that all the other family members have had. I struggled yesterday and today but I went for my usual 3.6 km walk as I want to keep that up. I've just made myself a strong cup of black tea with milk and sugar. I gave up tea a few years ago but it really bucked me up today.
Best wishes to everyone for the festive season!
Hoping for peace around the world in 2025.
Hoping for peace around the world in 2025.
December 24, 2024 at 10:57 PM
Best wishes to everyone for the festive season!
Hoping for peace around the world in 2025.
Hoping for peace around the world in 2025.
This morning’s pose. At minus 5C, it’s one degree warmer than yesterday so that’s something I suppose.
December 23, 2024 at 11:29 PM
This morning’s pose. At minus 5C, it’s one degree warmer than yesterday so that’s something I suppose.
I went to a talk yesterday afternoon with Higeta Tadashi who runs the indigo-dyeing place in Mashiko. He is the ninth generation to run the workshop. I wonder if there is anyone who will take over from him. www.japanhouselondon.uk/read-and-wat...
Aizome Indigo Dyeing from Mashiko
Indigo dyeing has a long tradition in Japan. It is particularly well-suited to dyeing cotton, a material that grew in popularity during the Edo period.
www.japanhouselondon.uk
December 15, 2024 at 2:59 AM
I went to a talk yesterday afternoon with Higeta Tadashi who runs the indigo-dyeing place in Mashiko. He is the ninth generation to run the workshop. I wonder if there is anyone who will take over from him. www.japanhouselondon.uk/read-and-wat...
Outside my window this afternoon. I planted this maple tree in 1977.
November 28, 2024 at 5:57 AM
Outside my window this afternoon. I planted this maple tree in 1977.
Not sure if my son-in-law is walking the dog or the dog is walking my son-in-law. 🤣
November 23, 2024 at 11:40 PM
Not sure if my son-in-law is walking the dog or the dog is walking my son-in-law. 🤣
Kakistocracy is government by the shitty apparently. And I'm sure you know which government I'm talking about.
November 21, 2024 at 11:17 PM
Kakistocracy is government by the shitty apparently. And I'm sure you know which government I'm talking about.
A little fun diversion before going for a walk.
November 17, 2024 at 2:44 AM
A little fun diversion before going for a walk.