Happy Occasion and Sad Occasion in Autumn, Nursery

Happy and Sad things were in the Autumn.

Well, let me tell you the sad thing.  It is funny to say “sad thing” but no more delicious fresh vegetables in Autumn.  It is sad.

There are no more cucumber and tomato plants.  Only sad looking green pepper plants are in the garden. 

Starting to wither are the Konnyaku plants, and trying to get matured cayenne pepper plants are in the Porch Garden.

No more delicious crunchy cucumber and delicious juicy red tomato to eat.

Hot, hot vinegar made with red cayenne pepper.  Putting this hot vinegar and cayenne pepper on the food makes very delicious.

Tsukudani made with cayenne pepper leaves.  It is very delicious eating this with rice

In the Japanese saying, Ogles will be laughing to hear talking of the following year things.  Let me make Ogles to laugh.  Hiroko can’t wait for 2014 summer to eat those delicious fresh cucumbers and tomatoes again.

Now, Happy things!

The Opera season has opened.  This year, Hiroko looked forward to see the Opera, because she would like to test her new eyes.  The first opera in this season was “Otello.”

This is the advertise board hung of the Otello on the wall of Lyric Opera House in Chicago.

No explanation for Otello by Shakespeare, but it is much better to be able to understand the lyric of the songs by reading the English subtitles.  Hiroko could not see any English subtitles last year, and everyone was laughing but not Hiroko.  It was so funny.  However, this year, you would not believe it.  No need to use the glasses to read the subtitle and understand everything.  Two days later of the eye surgery, the letter got blurred, but Hiroko could read them all.  It will be taking around 30 days to settle the vision of those eyes.  Hiroko appreciated so much for this new sight and those wonderful music and singers in the opera “Otello.”  Thanks again!

Since it was our dinner time after the opera, so Hiroko stopped at the restaurant called “Yokozuna” by the train station, and bought sushi called “Ozeki” for Dan-san, and for Hiroko “Una-don (eel-rice). 

Ozeki Sushi and Una-don.

The Sushi from this restaurant is very suitable taste to the Americans, so Dan-san was very happy to eat all those Sushi.  Hiroko has not eaten eel for a long time, so the food made Hiroko happy, too.

It was full-moon that night

It was a very big and beautiful moon, but Hiroko couldn’t take a good photo. 

At the both side of the moon, two airplanes were flying that looks like Venus and Mercury.

Cataract 2nd Right Eye Surgery, Life

The result of the 2^nd Right eye surgery was that everything is fine, said the Ophthalmologist (the doctor).  One more appointment with the doctor will be in one week, and then this surgery will be all done.  Thank you for your prayers.

The surgery was performed at 7:30 A.M. on October 15.  The surgery was finished and went to the waiting room at 8 A.M. after the surgery.  At the first surgery all those preparations made Hiroko surprised, but Hiroko knew what would happen this time, so during waiting for the surgery Hiroko slept about 10 minutes.  Did you think that Hiroko could sleep before the surgery?  Well, if you know Hiroko this is her.  It was well known among her family and friends that she could sleep any place at anytime.  Because of this 10 minutes of sleep or weak anesthesia, Hiroko was awake during the surgery.  It made Hiroko very anxious, nervous and scared, because she could tell what the doctor was doing; felt pain a little, put something in the eye and the doctor asked to put Hiroko’s eyeball down, so Hiroko tried to do that.  Her blood pressure went up so high.  At the waiting room, a cup of water and crackers given by a nurse made Hiroko relaxed, so her blood pressure came down right after.  The doctor came to greet and remind Hiroko for the following day’s appointment, and sign the release paper.  Hiroko felt something in her eye but she wanted to go home as soon as possible, so she didn’t say anything.  Well, it might be my imagination. 

No need to wait for anesthesia to wear down, and her blood pressure came down soon, Dan-san and Hiroko came home at 9 A.M. compared to last time it was 10 A.M.  Feeling of something in the eye faded away, but the diluted eye made Hiroko hard to read and see anything, so she took about one hour morning nap. 

For lunch, Dan-san went to pick up corn beef sandwiches.  Now, Hiroko has to relax and do nothing, but it makes Hiroko anxious.  Not doing anything and sitting still, can you do it?  Well, Pastor John, Devon Church was talking about this.  Many Christians, right now, are very busy and no time for sitting still.  Even in the Bible, Psalm 49:10 said, “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  Pastor asked us to sit still with Jesus as friend, or sit still and keep the Sabbath Day.  It is good day for Hiroko to do this in practice.  It was very hard for Hiroko to do this for even one hour.

Hiroko appreciates your prayers during this surgery.  It will be very good to see everything.  The doctor suggested Hiroko to see the optometrist for new glasses one month later.  It will take about one month to settle the New Artificial eye’s ability to see.  Thank you so much for your concern and telephone calls and prayer.

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Here is the stories how Hiroko’s sleep habit is so well known.

Hiroko has no special memories about seeping in the Grammar schools, but Jr. High, High School and College Hiroko has couple of memories.

In the Jr. High, the lady music teacher asked Hiroko not to sing, because Hiroko’s voice was 1 octave higher than other children in her class.  Hiroko started to read the books, the teacher didn't say anything, so Hiroko slept, too. 

In High School, Hiroko forgot what kind of the lessons she slept through, but she surely must have slept.  In college Hiroko comfortably slept at class in the assembly hall

Hiroko’s High School years, there was a big fire near Hiroko’s house.  Remember Japanese houses are made with wood and paper, so it made everyone nervous because of the sparks from the fire.  Hiroko’s whole family woke up and was nervous about the fire, but Hiroko slept through the disturbance.  Hiroko’s mother came into her bedroom to check how the fire had turned out.  Hiroko’s mother saw Hiroko and said to everyone that Hiroko would not wake up even if the fire were on her feet.

Hiroko’s college was supported by American Christian group, so the college told the whole new students at the first assembly that in this college taking the Christianity study was the   required lesson.  When Hiroko heard that she thought she should study her own religion, so she went to the Enkakuji, Zen Buddhism temple in Kamakura.  The first night, actually the following morning Hiroko slept over two hours.  One of the leaders came to wake Hiroko up with sorry voice for breakfast.  Whole Enkakuji knew about this incident, but everyone came to see Hiroko encouraging continuously coming to Zazen at Enkakuji.  After that Hiroko went to Enkakuji for Zazen for 13 years. 

Many other stories, but Hiroko felt little bit ashamed to tell you more stories.

Cataract Eye, After the First Surgery, Life

On October 15, two weeks after the left eye surgery, right eye surgery will be done.

Here is what I have been doing the past 2 weeks

Eye Drops

These three small eye drop bottles surprised Hiroko.  With many things Hiroko was surprised during the Cataract Eye Surgery.  The cost of these small 3 eye drop bottles was $400.00 without insurance.  Thanks so much for Dan-san’s good insurance and 10% discount coupon from the doctor, Hiroko paid $97.00 for the 3 bottles.

Not only the price of these eye drops, but also it is so complicated to use this eye drops.  Total 7 drops, 3 times a day for 1 bottle, 2 times a day for another 2 bottles of eye drop into left eye every day for 4 weeks.  It started the day before the surgery day.  Hiroko made a schedule diagram, but it made her very nervous if she forgets the schedule.

The day of the surgery, we left home around 5:15, because we had to be at the hospital 6:00 am for 7:30 am surgery.  Many people were already working. 

Registration at the first floor and after that Dan-san and Hiroko would be taken to the surgery room, Hiroko thought.  However, the room on the 2^nd floor made Hiroko surprised for a 2^nd time.

This is the room for the preparation for any surgery.  “Excuse me, Hiroko has only the Cataract eye surgery.” ”Yes, we know.  This is the rule for any surgery.  Please take all the clothes off and put them in the locker and put on the hospital gown.” “WOW, take all clothes off, even the pants?” “Yes.  Everything!”  Hiroko was surprised, and almost said something, but since it's the rule, Hiroko had to say “yes” and obeyed the rules. 

Dan-san was waiting at the waiting room by the surgery unit.

This is Operation assisting nurses’ station.

After changing clothes Hiroko went back to the preparation room, where Dan-san was waiting.

Ten different eye drops were dropped 5 minutes apart.  One of them made Hiroko’s eye very, very burning feeling.  Another one was an I.V.（Intravenous）.  Many nurses, Ophthalmologist, Anesthesia doctor came in to make Hiroko comfortable.  Hiroko became very anxious about the surgery for all these preparations that Hiroko had never imagined.  Closer to the time for surgery, Hiroko was anesthetized, and taken to the surgery room on the same bed.  Cataract surgery is one of the no blood surgery, so the same bed at preparation room is used.

Ophthalmologist, Anesthesia doctor, nurses were saying, “It would be O.K.!”

・・・・・・・・・・

“The surgery was success,” said Ophthalmologist, “Nurses will take you to the waiting room after the surgery.”   Before changing clothes, Ophthalmologist came to see Hiroko and gave comfort, and warning matters; such as following day’s appointment and no carrying heavy stuff, no putting head down, no putting water in the eye.  It will be fine to do walking, using computer, etc.  It was amazing, there was no pain, or any sensation in the left eye.  After changing clothes, one of the attendants asked Hiroko to sit on a wheel chair, and pushed it to the exit of the Hospital to meet Dan-san for the drive home.

It was done.  From 4:30 am to 10:00 am, Hiroko’s surgery was finished.

Ophthalmologist performed six surgeries that day from 7 o’clock, and he called Hiroko around 9 o’clock that night and asked how Hiroko was doing.  It was a very comforting surprise. 

The following morning, Dan-san and Hiroko woke up as usual at 8 o’clock, and went out for a walking for 40 minutes.  Nothing happened.  After breakfast, Hiroko started to do the devotion as usual, reading Bible and Bible commentary called “Clay” for one and half hour.  After finishing the devotion, Hiroko noticed and was surprised that there was no need to be using the magnifying glass to read Japanese Kanji, Chinese character which has many, many strokes in those books.  No magnifying glass!  Great!  Wonderful!

At the afternoon’s appointment, the doctor checked Hiroko’s eye and said no problem at all with the results of the surgery.  In the morning, Hiroko saw bright shinny rings around the eye, but the doctor said it was typical for a couple of days.  The shinny rings were gone within a couple of days, and was able to see very well.  There are a couple of problems, one is glasses.  Looking for the old glasses and Hiroko is very comfortable using glasses made around 30 years ago.  Another one is very funny thing that Hiroko used to hold the books or paper away (about 15 inches) from the eye, but it is better to hold them close (6 or 7 inches) form the eyes.  After the right eye surgery is finished what will be happening.  It is a wonderful question.

The doctor friend in our church said, “If you can see so well, you don’t have to do the right eye surgery.”  Hiroko agreed and thought to herself not to do the surgery, and said “Hiroko doesn’t want to do unnecessary surgery, and change the natural lens to artificial lens.”  The doctor was surprised and said, “I will check your eyes ability to see.”  He put the card on Hiroko’s right eye and asked “Can you see?” “I can see very well,” said Hiroko, and then, changed the card on Hiroko’s left eye, “No, I can’t see with the right eye.”  “Well, now you know.  You have to do the surgery.”  Well, Hiroko can’t escape this 2^nd right eye surgery.

At the one week appointment, Hiroko was told her left eye has close to 20/20 vision without glasses.  After the right eye surgery you will have perfect eyes, said the Ophthalmologist.

Tomorrow, it will be Hiroko’s right eye surgery.  Please continue to pray for Hiroko and give thanks to the Lord for His loving caring hands. 

Dave's B-Day Dinner, Journal

Dave/Lisa opened their home for Dave’s B-Day dinner, and Dave grilled steak and sausages.  Because of no harvest of any vegetable from the porch garden, Hiroko mentioned to Lisa to quite growing any vegetable plants on the porch garden next year, and instead of the porch garden Hiroko wants to cook on the grill like Lisa’s.  Because of that Lisa wants to show Hiroko the grill and to teach how easy to cook on the grill.

Here is Dave/Lisa’s grill

This is whole grill, it is not big like Steven, but it is very easy to handle and fitting well on the small porch.  Lisa said that don’t worry anything if you follows the rules.  Hiroko thought about it, if she forgot to follows the rules.  Recently, Hiroko heard the explosion of the grill caused fire and damaged two houses.  Well, well there are big question to have the grill on the porch.

Any hot day, it is very nice to cook outside on the grill, and to eat them on the porch, Lisa, said.

Hiroko forgot to take photo as usual, but this is flank steak cooked on the grill.  Lisa gave us left-over meat for Dan-san/Hiroko’s following day’s dinner.

B-day Candle for Dave.  It is too dark to see Dave.

Dave was meditating with the candle.  What was he wishing for his life.

This knife set was given by Amanda/Steven’s for Dave as his B-Day present.

The carton of cigarette presented to Dave by Elsa/Richard.  It is very expensive to buy the carton in Chicago.

New York is most high $14.50 (16% tax) and Chicago is next $11.59 (13% tax).  This is the price of per box, so if 10 boxes are in the carton, it is over $100.00 per carton. 

Dave was checking Lotto cards given by Dan-san.

Everyone called Lisa, that Lisa, Dave needs you for a good luck.  WOW, Dave said, here are winning tickets.  Total about $50.00 he won.  Dave has always been lucky for the Lotto tickets.

Another presents were Tamales and Sukiyaki ingredients requested by Dave..

Here is the photos of Steven/Amanda, Richard/Elsa, Dave/Lisa, and Dan-san.

Thanks to Dave/Lisa for opening their home, and cooking the dinner.

Happy Birthday, Dave!  Let's celebration many more Dave's birthday!

The Cataract Eye Surgery II, Life

Chicago time, October 1, at 8 am. Hiroko's left eye Cataract surgery has been finished.  Doctor said the surgery was succeeded.

Thank you for your prayer.

Hiroko can't see well right now, because of dilated eye, Hiroko thinks.  Hiroko has to go seeing the doctor tomorrow morning.  If there is anything wrong, she'll report to you again.  Other than that, Hiroko will post another article regarding Cataract surgery after the right eye surgery.

Thank you for your continuous prayer for Hiroko's Cataract surgery.