Happy MAY!
5/31/2024.
Sometimes, well a quite often, I feel "I wish I could have given our son big-family-experience". We are always family of 3 in the States since he was born in Manhattan, KS in 2002. But we have several close relative-like friends nearby which I'm so grateful for. They give him a nice celebration at his big moments. I hope he remembers that forever.
5/30/2024.
I'm always curious and excited about hummingbirds arrival and the first 'opening' night of fireflies lighting-show. Well, I saw fireflies blinking tonight! How about yours?
You might laugh. I have several things I had to give up because of DEER! Do you?
Tulip, pansy, petunia, any kinds of vegetables, tree-lily, daylily, rose, sunflower and hosta.
I got so sad when it got eaten. It was not one time. Many many times.
Then I didn't care much about my clematis this season. Bad me. One of them, white one, is dying, I guess. No leaves left. I felt sorry for them. I am sorry that I didn't protect you at all. The photo below was several years ago, the victory after I kept covering them each single nights to protect from deer. It was so much work and effort to get this win.
I'm not sure if it's still coming up for next season. Not sure.
The other purple clematis. I put a long pole for them to climb up high. Guess what? During growing time, deer pulled the top of the plant to munch it. Because of the too much pulling, it couldn't grow higher.
I didn't protect them neither. So sorry. The final result is this.
I am amazed their power to bloom. Maybe next season, I have to hustle for them.
Entry#261. 5/28/2024.
Do you have Mulberry trees in your yard? I do. I should have known better about trees when I bought a house in 2008. I had no clue and no idea how a house owner should look at and check, at that time. Well, I have a huge Mulberry tree by the garage. When I discovered about “falling Mulberry fruits”, I was shocked. It’s like falling hails. It was okay before SCI (spinal cord injury) life has started. I cleaned it up with a broom. Deer came to munch them always.
Then I realized that Mulberries on the ground surface in front of the garage might be hazardous to wheels of a wheelchair. It’s sticky and wet. It’s not easy to cleanup from wheels (tires). It’s frustrating. So guess what I have to do every morning? I have to blow all mulberries out of driveways with leaf-blower. Yes, every morning. You know? It’s not so easy though. But I try anyway. Have you thought about it before? Mulberry vs wheelchair.
Oh, how about this question?
“Why aren’t mulberries sold at grocery stores?”
https://www.marketplace.org/2022/07/22/why-arent-mulberries-sold-at-grocery-stores/#
If only deer ate them up nicely. I would welcome them joyfully.
Entry#260. 5/27/2024. Part 1
As a paraplegic professor (since July 2021), my husband has been seeking how he can be a part of “supporting SCI community”. (We haven’t discussed about it deeply. But I can feel that he has been thinking.) He attended several events and exchanged thoughts and ideas with supporters/volunteers/therapists/organizers and paraplegic people. It was not that much big movement/impact at that time, but even a small action matters, I believe.
Then before the Flying Pig 10K handcycle race, there was a wonderful coincidence. I was surprised and even I jumped in amazement.
It started like this way back then when my husband was keeping going to outpatient physical therapy sessions at Drake Hospital in October 2021. We saw another wheelchair user who looked like a paraplegic. You know me. I was too curious and stared at him in awe. And guess what? At the next moment, I walked into him and greeted him. I asked some questions about his paraplegic movements, his way of movements. I bet I looked so awkward surely. But I was amazed and had a good discussion with him.
After that, we haven’t seen each other for a long time.
Then, yes, ta-da! We reunited! at Handcycle practice for Flying Pig 10K. It was such a big surprise really. What a coincidence indeed. How much I was excited and happy to see this familiar face from October 2021!
Well, he was like an expert as a paraplegic to us back then. He has been a para longer than my husband. He showed us how to do floor transfer (from wheelchair to floor). He showed us wheelchair bag and some accessory items.
However he hadn’t discovered Handcycle yet until this spring 2024 right before Flying Pig handcycle race. It was really new to him.
So it was “a ringing a bell” to my husband. Since he has been a handcycler (he bought his very 1st machine in December 2021.) longer than him, we invited him to our house to show my husband’s 2 handcycles. In fact, it was our very first time to have a paraplegic guest in our house. We all were excited. Especially me. Then I have to admit my disappointment. Guess what?
I invited him saying “Come inside. This way. There at the table.” You know, they don’t need chairs because they are on wheelchairs. I just made enough spaces for them. However in next moments, I was embarrassed. The height of the table didn’t fit him. His knee didn’t go underneath. It was blocked. There was no way for him to set himself at the table. It’s a good height for my husband. We did adjusted the height before to make sure of clearance underneath. Of course each individual paraplegic people have different settings of wheelchair.
I was too confident for having a paraplegic guest in our house. I was wrong. Well, it was a good lesson for myself.
To be continued.
Entry#259. 5/26/2024.
I’m 50 now. My college graduation time was a long time ago. I’m not so sure about the latest information about Japanese college graduation outfit. But I can write a bit about it from my era (over 25 years ago). In these days, I think Japan is a quite interesting country in many ways. A connection of family is very light (not so deeper connection compared with American families). I like the American way more about this family stuff.
For college graduation, Japanese people don’t celebrate big with families. Sounds so odd, I guess. It’s more like celebrating with only friends.
Over 25 years ago, there weren’t social media. We took photos with film cameras or digital cameras (maybe). I don’t have any college graduation photos with my parents at all. I feel a bit sad about it thinking back then. I wish I could have taken some as family photos. That was the usual way for Japanese college graduates at that time.
College graduation outfits in Japan are different than the States. They don’t wear graduation caps and gowns. (There are several top top colleges doing “caps and gowns”, I’ve heard.)
You might wonder now “so what to wear”??
https://tokyobling.wordpress.com/2012/05/24/parade-of-kimono-university-graduation/
Here (above ) is a photo gallery. You would love to see them.
This (below) site says; Graduation ceremonies are formal events. Attendees wear suits or uniforms. Also, it is customary for female college students to wear kimono and hakama, and many are featured in newspapers and on television.https://www.japanesepod101.com/lesson/culture-class-holidays-in-japan-9-graduation-and-entrance-ceremony#
Here you see an interesting part. “It is customary for female to wear hakama.” Why only female? Why not male? I feel the same now here in the State, at age 50, it looks like only females look so special.
Another website (below) says (and this is about female attire);
Traditional Attire: The traditional attire donned during graduation is called hakama, and features wide-legged trousers worn over a kimono. This practice harks back to the Meiji era, when Japanese students wore hakama as their school uniforms. Today, opting to have students wear traditional attire during a Japanese graduation ceremony serves as a tribute to cultural heritage and customs, symbolizing a deep respect for tradition.
Well, there is a type of kimono for male called “montsuki hakama”. Nowadays it’s used at the traditional wedding ceremony for a groom. Also male graduates can wear this type of kimono of their own choice.
Very interesting, isn’t it?
Then I found out something about Kyoto university graduation. You wouldn’t believe it. You would be surprised. I’m in shock.
https://www.boredpanda.com/kyoto-university-graduation-outfits/
a video here.
https://youtube.com/shorts/QLG-X2wuLWI?feature=shared
Well, Japan is definitely an interesting country. Don’t you think?
A photo from a website. College graduation female outfit nowadays in Japan. P.S. Yes, I wore the traditional hakama when I graduated. I don't have photos with me here, though. Funny part is that I didn't care about male outfits at all at that time. Even I didn't think "why they don't want to wear kimono?"
P.P.S. Here I am in the States. I'm grateful that our son experienced Graduation in the States with his cap and gown! Funny?
5/25/2024.
I need to go to shop some annual flowers. I'm so behind. Right now in my yard, peony is still blooming. My most favorite, larkspur just started. Red hot poker (torch lily) is up. How about yours?
5/24/2024.
Last night was wonderful at THS graduation 2024 at Millett Hall. I brought 10 orange roses with me, hoping to see faces that made me smile all the time. Cross country runners, choir singers, mock trial champions... And yes, I handed roses to them (I made it!) except for two boys. (It all worked out because I asked two girls to give it to their boyfriends. Those were the two boys, anyway.) The most exciting moment was knowing the lady who gave a speech on the stage. My heart was dancing with joy. Congratulations to Class of 2024!
Entry#258. 5/23/2024.
After my husband's accident and Spinal Cord Injury, at the time we decided to have our lab party again, I was a bit worried about fun-game activities for everyone. In spring, we used to go outside in our backyard to play all kinds of fun stuff. Most of the time, these games are physical games including slack-line, frisbee, badminton, and so on. On the other hand, in December, we used to play billiards, darts, huge jenga, etc.
Things have been changed drastically into Wheelchair life to us, we gave up some of these activities (most of them). It was okay for us, I just felt "what to do, what to do?", like that kind of worrisome at that time. I didn't need to worry about it at all because we had fun anyway.
I was simply happy that we were able to continue our tradition "lab gathering party" every end of the semester at our house, no matter what. (Ohhhh, however last December, we had to cancel because our sweet boy-dog, Ranger, died right before.)
This time, we wanted to introduce our latest favorite games to my husband's crews. And it was a hit! you know? Popdarts and ORBITO. Yes, my husband found these games and it's so fun to play without any concerns thinking of SCI. Well, we need to set up the table and space around. That's it.
Here is a video of how to throw POPDARTS. You would love it. Fun. Of course, my husband tried huge jenga inside and frisbee outside. It's still fun. There are several limitations for movements, you know? Discovering new games is much more fun, that is one of things I learned in these days.
This is Orbito. Are you curious?
5/20/2024.
Officially the summer has begun (Professors' grading tasks were still on today). Our town got quiet and less human beings. My husband's 2nd office (!) got cozier and spacious. Most of undergrad students went back home. My husband's lab became a summer mode with 2 grad/PhD students, 1 undergrad and 2 summer guest students. Summer projects sound fun and creative. I'm happy for them. Here is to fun summer to everyone!!
Photo: my husband's Summer Crews
Entry#257. 5/19/2024.
My mind is full of thoughts. But here are several photos of the graduation day. Big commencement ceremony at the stadium in the morning and CAS ceremony at Millett Hall.
If you have good eyes, you can spot my husband in the second photo.
I was lucky to spot this good-friend family.
It was amazing to see how the entire floor was fulfilled with red color.
See the area where all faculty members are seated.
These photos are taken by my husband's colleague professor in faculty seating row. I was grateful to see these shots.
5/18/2024.
He did it!!! I am proud. Details come later.
5/17/2024.
Final exam week is over. All classes ended. Tomorrow is the graduation. To all professor, grading is still on. I'm grateful for their hard work as well. Thank you, all educators.
Our son. Biology major with Art minor. He will get a bachelor's degree tomorrow. Exciting. Then your eyes would be wide open when your son brought tons of ceramic bowls/cups/plates/vases into your house as college class assignments. Yes, our son did that here. See?
These are not all. It might be 1/3 of them from this semester. Yes, only from this semester. He took ceramic classes for 4 years (8 semesters). That says our house has "tons" of his creations literally. How do we store them? Hmmm.
Surely he was loving doing arts in Miami University. I admire his work and effort (plus his enthusiasm!) I'd tell him "Well done" tomorrow repeatedly.
Entry#256. 5/16/2024.
Things I learned today. An accessibility of Millett Hall in Miami University. Because the CAS (College of arts and science) has Divisional Ceremony at Millett Hall. It is a Graduate Recognition Program.
https://miamioh.edu/pfd/event-spaces/millett-hall/index.html
I know Millett Hall. However I’ve not noticed accessibility at all. So my husband went there today to figure out how he can wheel around in that building which is 3 stories structure.
In these days, I feel “accessible = limited” more often. I am grateful for accessible settings in my any building/place. However it’s not so convenient for wheelchair users especially in a huge event-hall.
As always, “checking out in advance” is a must for my husband. And it was a nice visit there.
My husband won't be in Arena seating this time. But it was good to know this setting.
Entry#255. 5/15/2024.
Today was the day! My husband’s Lab gathering party at our house. It’s our “Tradition!” I’ve been loving the whole process of it, from the preparation to group pictures at the end.
In the morning of the Lab party, your house decided to do Sewage Backup AGAIN!!? What would you feel? Yes, that sewage backup happened again here in the morning today. In the very middle of cooking for 12 people.
My brain had to think hard about the situation. It was kind of “camping cooking time” to me, I needed to finish cooking somehow using less water. Minimum amount of water. It was interesting though, comparing situations campsites and my house this morning.
Well, luckily (yes, we were lucky enough.) plumber guys came to rescue. I was relieved deeply. (Our house definitely has serious issues everywhere. Sigh.
Anyway a quick report here. Our Tradition was a success! Wheeew I was simply happy for everything happened today at our house. I will write details later. But here are some photos.
Note: I stopped posting photos of foods which I baked or cooked long time ago, just because it got boring without human beings. But today, I feel like I must post foods for Lab party. I managed to cook 5 things plus 1 dessert with sewage backup. Ha!
This is us. 2024 spring version.
I certainly need a deep good sleep tonight. Each of them made me so smile tonight. Good kids (I sound like an old lady, even I sounded like a "mom" when I talked to them, each of them.)
Entry#254. 5/14/2024.
Did I tell you before that my husband and I are a big fan of Charley Harper? There is an art studio of Charley Harper. Have you been there? After my husband's injury, we haven't visited a while. We were not sure about accessibility of the entrance and inside building. I was glad that he was able to enter the shop and wheel around.
5/13/2024.
Mural updates:
I love street murals. I haven’t visited many cities in the States. I haven’t known much. At least I have several friends out there, in KS, NC, IN. The one article caught my eye the other day.
https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-city-for-street-art-2024/
Title : 10 US cities with the best street art collections
Did you guess which city was the #1?
10. New York City, NY
9. Washington D.C.
8. Nashville, TN
7. Miami FL
6. Portland, OR
5. Detroit, MI
4. Oklahoma City, OK
3. Philadelphia, PA
2. Richmond, VA
Then
1. Cincinnati, OH!!!
Funny though. I was excited to know that Cincinnati was #1. On the other hand, my brain was mumbling “Wait, how about Indiana? Kansas? North Carolina?” This article says “10 cities” so it might have to be a city.
At least they have several nice murals. I used to live in Manhattan, KS. I lived for one semester in Chapelhill, NC. Recently I read about Indianapolis murals.
Well, there are countless street murals out there, for sure. I’d love to discover more someday in future.
My latest tiny excitement is knowing the “mural project” on Oxford bike trail. Have you read the news?
5/12/2024.
You have to laugh at me. People in the States must know about college graduation tassel, correct? In fact, I am not familiar with it at all, I'm a bit embarrassed. So I learned about tassel colors. Also I'm learning about cord colors and meaning. Well, there are still lots of things to learn. See? You are laughing?
Note: Our son had to get a black tassel.
5/12/2024.
If a coffee shop (you visited for the first time) had this kind of thing, would you try it?
Entry#253. 5/11/2024.
The Celebration-weeks on several topics (to my husband's works, his students and our son) kicked off!!! I cannot stop smiling. More stories to come. One of joyful parts is a photo-share from our son. Then I can ask him "how he is feeling about his 4-entire college years". He doesn't smile much in front of camera lenses but he surely shared tons of laughter with his best friends and cherishes tons of great memories forever. Hurray for the beauty/power of young people.
5/09/2024.
Once again, and believe me, it's gonna be the very last one. My Christmas cactus update:
I am giggling. I think it's all "settled" and they are going to a building-up-energy phase. I believe so.
A different type of Iris and peony are up. (However my peony in this year isn't so healthy, unfortunately.)
5/08/2024.
Yippee! My hummingbird came by this morning! How are your hummingbirds doing? My German Irises are still up. I'm waiting for my larkspur next. They are growing with some help of rain.
Entry#252. 5/06/2024.
If you want to read "chronologically", please scroll down to find Part1 and do read 1->2->3.
Part3.
I’m not sure how much nervous he was at the starting line. After he went off with other 13 handcycle/para athletes, I was in rush to the 2nd bridge “Taylor Southgate Bridge”. I tried to jog there. Because he said to me “aiming to finish in 25 minutes”. So I caricatured his pace and tried to catch him on time on the bridge. I wanted to watch him at that place, I loved watching him there last year. It’s really nice view, you should try to be there watch them. I don’t have a super-zoom lens. Couldn’t take a good shot from my standing position but here are two photos, one from last year and one from this year.
Then I was in rush to the finish line to catch him.
I was all smiling to watch him cross the finish line!
He won! His time was 24:10! He enjoyed everything very much. No flat tire!
Winning was not so important, I would say. This time, it was more joyful and enjoyable because of all other 13 para athletes. Each of them encouraged each others, pushed each others and had a blast all together. More than last year, I can say that. I think they (including my husband) represented their desire and strength to the public pretty well. I wanted to say “thank you” to them for the excitement! How do you think? Note: It is always tough/tricky to take a group photo of all athletes all together at the same time because of their finishing timings and flexibilities of being around and etc. Hopefully we can get a shot of everyone someday.
This is a wonderful shot. Top 1,2,3 finishers together.
Part2.
My husband rode his 2nd machine this time, his road-racer type. Do you remember his 1st machine at the race last year? This one.
All setting was different from last Flying Pig, about his handcycle. (But it was a same setting as Air Force Marathon in Dayton.) I felt calmer than last year, I can say that.
Plus we were at the parking lot on time with extra spare prep times. That made me feel easier.
Most of all, the weather was holding at that time. I was super relieved. After he set himself on his machine without any trouble, my mind got lighter. It was all set.
All 14 handcycle/para athletes were at the starting line. All escort cyclists in their cool professional jerseys were ready with them. It was such a nice view indeed, all of them all together. My heart was racing with joy.
And off he went!!!
Entry#251. 5/06/2024. PART 1.
Wheeeew, I’m still in a phase of recovering from my ‘good’ exhaustion after that much excitement @Flying Pig 10K handcycle race. My husband had more energy than I had yesterday because he pedaled post-race handcycle ride 7.8 mile. He said “it’s an easy slow ride.” But 7.8 mile was a good distance, you know? This ride wore me out really. However I felt nice breeze and birds’ calls. It was a nice recovery ride indeed.
Okay, here goes “Everything about Handcycle 10K race @Flying Pig 2024”.
First of all, whole process in this year was much better than last year, especially to myself. Because it was his SECOND time at Flying Pig 10K. Knowing the places to go, the course, the timing and all helpers made me feel comfortable very much. I was still nervous, you know?
We stayed in a hotel the day before the race day. It’s always just because of his morning bowel movement program which most of people won’t think and imagine process of. Before he puts clothes on and is ready for going out, it always takes one and a half hours. (at least. And we cannot shorten this process at all.). This cannot be done at our house for this 10K race, because we need to drive up there for one hour.
Well, we get used to this routine, kind of. We went to the expo and got his bib and t-shirt. Enjoyed the exciting atmosphere just like we did last year.
Met several different “Pigs” of course.
I worried about raining very much because my husband never rode his handcycle in the rain, never. I had to prepare two versions, a dry course and a rainy wet condition. I couldn’t imagine clearly though “how to manage rainy course”. To able bodied people, (to myself as well) they could run/walk through puddles and any obstacles on the course in the rain, you see? To handcycle athletes, I still need to figure out about this kind of issues. I don’t think the officials of Flying Pig marathon know and care about this much because the handcycle division is still NEW to all.
So I slept mumbling “please no rain, please no rain.” on Friday night.
5/04/2024.
I am still smiling and feeling the excitement repeatedly. I can attach photos of my husband's 10K handcycle race endlessly. (You might say "whoa, that's enough.").
I am so proud of him. I am sorting out my thoughts tonight, so all details will come out tomorrow (maybe).
5/02/2024.
I love watching lris. Mine is German Iris (most of them). Now yellow color is added. Then dark purple is coming up. Do you have Iris in your garden?
Entry#250. 5/01/2024.
The exciting news (to myself)!! I am planning to go to watch “Oklahoma!” the musical in June! Just because there are (at least) two young Musical actors/actress/singers whom I know(!) in this show. Plus, this production has the fabulous wonderful amazing “costumer” who lives in our town!!! It will happen at Sorg Opera House in Middletown. (I love that theater! So double exciting.)
So here I am starting my motivation high up, doing “my homework”. Now is the cue for laughs.
I got books! Ta-da! I am such a geek.
Before I checked out these books from our library, at first, I looked for Oklahoma! Music sound track and found 2019 Broadway cast recording in a music app.
Then I listened to them again and again. Usually I found my favorite one in tracks quickly. This time it is “I Cain’t Say No.” This one is sung by Ali Stroker, so it says. However I don’t know her at all. (I’m embarrassed a bit). Anyway I was falling in love with ‘her voice’ and ‘her singing style’ right away from a music app.
I listen to this song, in one song repeat, everyday. Yes, I love it that much already.
Then coincidentally I found the video, this. It’s sung by Kristin Chenoweth. I do know a little about her from Wicked the musical. Song “For Good”. I love her voice, too. (In fact, I never watched the real show though.)
So I started listening this video song again and again.
Then finally, I got two books with me, all about Oklahoma! I learned a bit by bit about this musical show, including the history of it.
Well, it’s almost the climax of my story(!).
I discovered the video of 2019 Tony awards. The name caught my eyes, it says “Ali Stroker”. I knew this name!! Then next moments I froze. She is a broadway musical actress in a wheelchair in that video. And she won Tony awards for her role in the musical “Oklahoma!” See? How much I was shocked and amazed at the same time knowing about her. Do you know all about her? Everyone in the US knows it? Was this her award news very popular at that time in 2019?
I’m still in a good shock learning all about her and The Musical “Oklahoma!”. Her message on the stage is so strong and meaningful indeed. I cried.
This is the detail news article. In case you wonder about her injury level, she is C7-T2 spinal cord injury, paraplegic (I think I could say that).
https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/ali-stroker-wins-tony-award-first-wheelchair/
Now I’m beyond excited, feeling so fantastic and lucky. I cannot wait to watch “Oklahoma!” in June. Especially listening and watching Ado-Annie, her song “I Cain’t Say No.” I wonder though. Young theater kids in these days know about a history of Oklahoma! and this 2019 production as well?
Entry#249. 5/01/2024.
Do you know the city, Xenia in Ohio? Since my husband and I started handcycling/cycling, Xenia has been the one goal place we want to reach for pedaling.
Once our son biked up to Columbus by himself, passing through Xenia. At that time he talked to us all about it including the area of Xenia and bike trails around.
The other day, we finally made it to Xenia station!!!!
Oh, to be corrected, we didn't bike from home. We picked the starting point (bike trail head). Yes, we drove there and started pedaling to Xenia. It was 28.5 mile! The 2nd LONGEST ride ever.
Here is an info about Xenia station.
http://www.xeniastation.com/about-xenia-station.html
It was so much fun ride. The triple combination of "Downhill x Headwind x dropbar" made me smile a lot.
Go back to last month.
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