July

7/01/2022.  
I picked up a book from the Lane public library using a drive through pickup. Two very familiar faces welcomed me right away, they lightened my heart quickly and brought back our good old memories to me vividly. I realized how much I loved our conversation and how much I missed whole bright atmosphere at the library. Wow, my voice tone got higher and my talking rhythm got happier. I'm sure I sounded so oddly joyous. I was so chatty in my car, talking to myself, right after I left the drive through window. It was a happy moment indeed. Photo: today's evening ride was nice. But we finished with a face and head full of sweat. 

7/02/2022.  
When you found very familiar faces, not only one but two! at the bike shop (Bikewise), they made your day brighter. One college boy used to play hockey with my son when they were tiny. Another college boy used to run Cross country with my son. Then at the coffee shop (Kofenya), my husband's cappuccino cup "dressed up" the fanciest ever!! See? It's gonna be a great Independence Day weekend. 

7/04/2022.  
My husband’s and I, we went for the 3rd of July biking. The route was: From our house -> Sycamore st -> Morning Sun rd -> Somerville rd -> Oxford-Milford rd -> Bonham rd -> Leonard Howell park bike trail -> Covered bridge -> Kramer elementary -> home

There were two happiest highlights on the road. The cute couple (cyclist boy + musical singer girl) drove by, opened their car window shouting out “Mrs.T!” and left. I yelled back at them saying their names even though they were already far from us and couldn’t hear me.  On the Bonham road, the super cool bicycle lady noticed us, stopped and came back to us to give us hugs. She was our son’s 4th grade teacher. She introduced me “how much fun Running is”. She was the reason I started to run/jog. Her bicycle looked so stylish and it made us, both my husband and me, smile plus jealous.  
I do love “coincidence” very much. She told my husband this, too. “You are making lemonade out of lemons.” My best friend (veterinarian, having two kids) told me the similar one before. Now, this is one of my mottos. Let’s make good lemonade out of lemons! 

Entry#62. 7/05/2022.  
Your eyes would be wide open when your son shared his bike trip plan with you and that plan was “biking 100 miles on one day”. Our son was so excited telling us about his “cool awesome” plan. He purchased his own touring bicycle by himself a while ago imagining his future biking adventures with long distances.  
FYI. 
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touring_bicycle

To me, personally, my running/jogging hobby has switched to biking hobby in these days, you know. I need to calculate times and distances with cycling brain. It took about 2 hours for 17 miles to me. “Biking 100 miles” = taking 10 hours at least, yes, at least, maybe 1-2 more hours. Keeping to bike for 10 hours sounds so tiring and exhausting. And our son decided to do it “solo”. He looked proud of himself already before the trip started. His destination was Columbus, OH because he wanted to visit his best friend there. The day he took off to Columbus was a hot day. My “mama soul” was busy to think of him all day long.  He made it! We all were super excited. I’m so proud of him, so as my husband. Our son looked so satisfied and happy after he came back home. Now, it makes my husband think of his own handcycling long distance trip. (Wait, will we do it?!) 

7/07/2022.  
We found another new coffee shop in Trenton. Lovely. Then I found a very interesting jar of jam. Haskap Jam!! It brought me back some Japan scenery. Seems Haskap berries were brought into US in 2008. We moved into Ohio from Kansas in 2008 as well. The most haskap berry produce city is near my hometown. These coincident stuffs made my day. I attached a video about Haskap berry. It's in Japanese but it has English captions which you can read. Oh, the jam was delicious. Lovely mixture of sourness and sweetness. 
BONUS:  In Japan, July 7th is "the official Haskap Day". Yes, that's TODAY!

Entry#63. 7/08/2022.  
My best friend in Olsburg, KS shared with me her hollyhocks seeds a while ago. (She shared her larkspur and white German Iris with me, also. We have gardening-bond!)  I also bought a seed bag of hollyhocks in this town. She taught me “it won’t bloom at the first year or two.” It was a bit hard to myself to wait for blooming for whole one year or two. But I wanted to see my own hollyhocks bloom badly, so I tried to be patient. Then I learned more. I saw the young leaves come out. The next day, somebody ate it up completely. That repeated. It must be really really tasty because my hollyhocks never grows 1 feet high, never. Then one hollyhock survived this season somehow, it had several buds on the stalk. Can you imagine how much I was excited and happy to see the buds. I didn’t know which colors this one was at all. Then one morning, I saw something RED. Yes, at last!!! It bloomed. Next morning, two were blooming and one bud was almost open. Leaves on the stalk were already eaten up. So it looked so strange but it made me feel so delightful.

I went out with my husband during the day with uplifting mind thanks to my RED hollyhocks. When I came home, I I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was gone!! All buds were gone. Nothing left. Noooo. I gotta laugh out though. At least I had joyful moments for two days. You know? I have countless DEER-episodes. 

7/10/2022.  
I used to use Strava when I jog/trail run. It’s very useful tool to track my pace and progress. My husband keeps using it after he started riding handcycle. Then something caught my eyes. The sport type ICON!  Have you noticed that Strava has many kinds of Icons for any sports activities. I’m amazed and my eyes are wide open. There is a handcycle icon and a wheelchair icon as well. It made me smile a lot. I never knew if I didn’t know about SCI and wheelchair/handcycle. 

I usually look for the blue wheelchair sign at the parking lot. When I see it, I feel thankful for that space, extra space, because my husband needs the enough space for transferring from/into wheelchair. Then I found an interesting article about the accessibility icon. 

https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/03/06/new-handicapped-museum/19167/

Have you seen this different type of icon?

I found this one at Miami U. This is another different design. 

7/11/2022.  
While my husband's foot fracture is healing, our visit to Louisville, KY has been stopped. We are eagerly waiting for resuming Louisville visits. On the other hand, he drives with hand controls most of the time (with me on passenger seat) and going to his office/lab in Biology department building more often. I've gotten chances to visit his lab/office more than ever. It's all good to me seeing more reserach stuffs, atmosphere and people. Noticing that his computer screens' wallpapers are photos of him handcycling was a bonus to myself. It made me smile, you know? photos: my view in his office. 

7/12/2022.  
I love my larkspur very much. I usually spread seeds (from my bloomed flowers) end of the summer, then leaves survive for the winter and they blooms early spring. However I didn't spread the seeds last summer. I couldn't do any garden cares at all at the end of last summer because of the accident. So my larkspur looks different this year. But they still bloom for me in different ways and I still love them. It's not at front yard but they are blooming at back yard. Bonus: my hummingbird drinks from larkspurs, too. Coneflowers entertain me now. Black-eyed Suzan are following them. 

7/13/2022.  
These cappuccino cup ART started around Christmas 2021. Just because it was a bit hard to get into the coffee shop (Kofenya in town) for my husband in the cold winter. So I have taken "to-go-cappuccino" home almost every morning since December 2021. I guess I need to stop collecting these cups because it's overflowing in our house. It's kind of quite a view. I love it.

Entry#64.  7/14/2022.  
My husband has known several SCI people (both paraplegic and quadriplegic) by now, through YouTube/article information. Yes, they all are really such an inspiration. At one point, he taught me about Quinn Brett. Her October 2017 fall (from 120 feet high on El Capitan) in Yosemite left her paralyzed from the waist down. She continues to advocate for the wilderness she loves. She is also a writer and activist living in Estes Park, Colorado.  
Meet Quinn Brett here.  
“Quinn Brett and the Tour Divide”.  https://youtu.be/EE696qDOy-Y
"Quinn Brett is pushing the bounds of cycling after Spinal Cord Injury”.  https://www.bicycling.com/culture/a35937693/quinn-brett-hand-cycle-white-rim-trail/

During my reading about her, simply and naturally I saw the similarity between she and my husband. I could imagine that my husband would nod in agreement with her opinions and feelings, nod along a lot. She says “I just want to be treated like I’m normal. When I’m out on my handcycle, I don’t want to hear that I’m such an inspiration.” on the article. My husband would say that. He loves to be in the woods or in the trails with wilderness. It seems very natural that he seeks for adaptive off-road mountain biking. I’m still learning about it. One of the adaptive mountain biking styles is Kneeling Handcycle. I do hope that my husband could get it someday in the future. That’d be so awesome to see him riding on the keeling handcycle at some off-road mountain biking courses, just like Quinn Brett does. Now it made me curious more, I need to know “how to ride on” it. How do paraplegic people get the riding position on the kneeling handcycle?  
FYI. "The types of Adaptive MTB”. https://www.adaptivemtb.co.uk/

7/18/2022.  
I have 2 hummingbird feeders in my backyard. I've learned several things since I started putting up feeders. Ants are always coming and "staying" in sugar water. Once I tried putting "cream of tartar" on ants' ways, it worked. However I cannot keep it on. So it was one time experience. Now I know there are ants-guards. It's interesting to know about these stuffs. I saw many times deer drank from a feeder directly. Squirrel and raccoon did also. Well, I always feel "yay, wildlife!!" Usually I have only one or two hummingbirds here. Two was the most number in my backyard so far. Today I think I saw one or two more with them, I believe. But it was too quick and I was too excited to make sure. If I have more than two here, that'd be super awesome. I'll keep watching. Photo: something summery.

Entry#65.  7/19/2022.  
The adaptive mountain biking TRY-IT event was held at the Lebanon Bike park on 7/16/2022. I’ve been thankful and amazed for these adaptive sports events. There are so many thoughtful organizations and volunteer people out there. I’ve not noticed these kinds of things/people before. It made me feel shame about not knowing great things. Now I know them, I see them and I’m grateful for them.  
The bridge adaptive sports and recreation https://www.thebridgeadaptive.org/
Catalyst sports
https://catalystsports.org/

CORA : Cincinnati off-road alliance  
https://coramtb.org/

My husband told me about this event while ago and he said he registered it. I was very excited about it because not only mountain biking sounded exciting but also it was held on the date 7/16. In fact, we didn’t talk about it much. That was just a natural way for both of us. We were not sure and we didn’t know what kinds of mountain handcycles were there and how many were available for participants. Of course, my husband has been searching and checking YouTube videos about adaptive mountain biking and he knew several types/brand-names/styles already. However looking at actual models with his eyes was the top thing on his wishlist. Plus “TRY-IT” part was just great. At the park, I was super excited, probably a little bit more than my husband, looking for a “kneeling handcycle” somewhere. I just wished if he could ride on a kneeling handcycle. Then I saw it! The event group brought one at the park. My eyes were twinkling, you know? thinking “yes, yes, that is the one my husband should try!".  Funny part was he tried to ride on “Lasher” first. And he loved it very much. This time, I didn’t have my own bike to follow him, well, I don’t have my own mountain bike at all. I couldn’t go into the woods and documented his ride. But he smiled huge and sounded so happy/excited/satisfied.  After two full rounds biking in the course with creek crossing on the wooden bridge(!), he had a chance to get on a kneeling handcycle (Bomber). I was excited, but my emotion had changed quickly into “nervous” mode when he started to transfer himself from his wheelchair to Bomber seat. He needed someone’s assist/help to bend/fold knees onto knee pad-places on the bike. It was a bit tricky because his hands were holding handles, his chest was on chest pad and he was on prostrate position. I hadn’t tried moving his knee for that specific angle on that position at all. I was scared and hesitated. Well, I need to practice more for these kinds of “body parts movement”, that’s one of my goals for sure. At this event, one of volunteers helped him quickly and it was wonderful. Once he got on the Bomber (kneeling handcycle), however, it looked not so comfortable to myself. He managed it great anyway. He tried two kinds and learned/felt about actual feelings plus pros/cons. He was sweating a lot from his head/upper body and gave us his brightest smile. I kept telling my husband and son “wow, it was such a wonderful event indeed!” again and again for the rest of the day. 

7/21/2022.  
Tomorrow, my sweet friend will leave this town to Japan. She will live in Japan at least 2-3 years. Living in Japan has been her dream for a long time. I'm super excited about her new adventure. I'm gonna give her something different before her departure. Japan money (coins and a bill). I know it's not much but I thought she might be interested in having these before she enters in the airports. I hope I can make her smile. Have you touched Japanese paper currency? Feels a bit different, you know? 

Entry#66.  7/22/2022.  
We moved into US for the first time from Japan in 2001. Our first town was Manhattan, KS. We moved to Ohio from there in 2008. Our present town is Oxford, OH. My husband works at Miami University. It might sound a little bit “interesting” about our hometowns in US. 

Manhattan, KS

Miami University in Oxford, OH 

Because so many friends in Japan said around 2001, “Wow, you live in NYC. Sounds so cool and stylish. You are now a big city person!”  No. Not that “Manhattan”. Around 2008, people said, “Wait, did you move to England?” No. Not that “Oxford”. Also people said, “Wow, that’s Miami Beach, Florida? It must be hot and nice weather.” 
Even at the rescue time for my husband, local volunteer peoples a bit confused. I had a casual conversation with them to calm me down. They got my husband’s information from his ID. Once I mentioned that my husband is a professor at Miami University, their words traveled to other person with “They came from Florida to climb”, even though they saw his driver’s license. 
Well, I love both our hometowns in US. And especially this time of my husband’s driving adjustment with the hand control system. Shout out to our local elementary school (Kramer!) and City of Oxford (and maybe Police department)! They set up the orange cones at the parking lot for the official maneuverability driving test for most of teenagers. It was all set for the position and spacing, I was amazed and delighted. During the summer, that cones sit there for someone to come to practice. It’s so thoughtful and helpful. I love this town very much. 

7/23/2022.  
Heading to the west.

Down to the East.

Entry#67.  7/24/2022.  
Recently there seems to be some good accessibility-movements for disabled people in Japan. It says it has happened in these 10 years. I’ve not visited my parents house much, not so often. Plus I haven’t paid attention about accessibility before, not so much. I sound like a no-good citizen in Japan. I’m learning now. In these days, after Tokyo Olympics 2020, it looks Japan is getting better with some technology and service for making disability access. These are quite interesting articles below.  
“Japan’s Transit System Gets Serious About Disability Access” https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-02/in-japan-transit-accessibility-gets-an-overdue-boost

“Basic Guide to Accessible Travel” 

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2301.html

You can see a photo of Wheelchair accessible toilet on board of a shinkansen (bullet train). And a photo of Inside a city bus, also.  I attached photos from the article below. 
During Public accessibility system has evolved gradually in big cities, on the other hand, there is a problem remaining in common family-houses. You might need to know about “Genkan”. Here is Wiki info about it. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genkan
Also you can learn more about Genkan here. https://www.accessible-japan.com/japanese-genkan-accessibility/

7/25/2022.  
I attended the wonderful wedding. I took my husband with me. It was the highlight of my summer because I love atmosphere of wedding always plus this couple's family is meaningful to me. 

Entry#68.  7/26/2022.  
Wedding is always wonderful and nice to attend. I love an atmosphere of wedding and I always enjoy uniquenesses of each. It’s fun to think about what to wear, as well. (And I always need to make sure about “what not to wear”.) I was thrilled when I got a wedding invitation from this couple because I know both, Bride and Groom, plus I know their family as well. I wanted to bring my husband with me there, so I asked him. It was just because of my egoism/satisfaction, though. I wanted to have a little bit fancy moment with him at this nice opportunity. But I kept thinking whether it was a good decision on a good timing or not, when he got foot fractures. And it seemed ok for us to prepare for attending the wedding after all.  
I was so grateful and thankful for the bride and her mother. They checked the accessibility and even reserved a handicap parking spot for us. They were thoughtful indeed. I cannot thank them enough.   Luckily we got to see and check on the parking lot and the accessible slope at the wedding venue on the day before wedding day. People might chuckle about me, but I felt much better when I saw the places with my eyes beforehand. I’m still a newbie as a wife of paraplegic husband. I don’t mind to wander around the place on the day of event, not at all. However I’d prefer to visualize the situation beforehand for smooth transition for everyone, especially for my husband. Eventually I’d get used to it and I’d be able to “play by ear” for any situation, that’s my hope.  
After we settled in the wedding ceremony, I was relieved. I enjoyed seeing some familiar faces in bridesmaids and groomsmen, sending huge smiles to them, thinking “I want to give them hugs”. After the wonderful ceremony ended, my husband and I were heading home, leaving our son for the reception. Sadly we couldn’t talk to the bride and groom. But bride’s mother and father walked to us and checked on us even they were super busy for the professional photoshoot. That was sweet.  
I didn’t take photos much. I tried not to do jumpy acts. (See? It doesn’t sound like me at all, doesn’t it?)  But I was satisfied very much and I was thankful for everyone’s kindness and patience. My husband’s cooperation, as well. It was a wonderful beautiful wedding really. Bride and Groom were shining together. Everyone’s smiles were precious.  
On that night, it made me think “I can attend more weddings with my husband.” wink wink. 
P.S. I forgot to take a photo of "my husband and me". Funny.

7/27/2022.  
Things that make you smile. Photo#3 is from the mother of bride. She shared it with me after the wedding. It's one of bridesmaids' bouquet. Love it so much. 

7/29/2022.  
My husband's minivan has a sticker like this photo. Just in case if you are interested in. 

7/30/2022.  
Our son has two jobs right now. One is related with climbing. He told me there was a baby shower which he is going to attend, it's for his boss. Baby shower! That means "diaper-cake" time. Since I've known this lady for several years plus I know her husband (both are climbers), yes, I made a diaper-cake for the baby shower! Fun fun fun. 
P.S. Do you see a tiny white figurine?? Our son made it with small strings. It's a tiny climber!!