Green pepper leaves ピーマンの葉

 

Growing 4 green pepper plants and they are doing great! 🌱

I raised these babies all the way from seeds.

The branches were getting a bit crowded, so I gave them a prune.

Since they are home-grown and completely pesticide-free, I couldn't let the pruned leaves go to waste—so I threw them into my red miso soup!

It was so delicious! 

A truly rich and unique flavor.

⚠️ Note: Eating pepper leaves is best for seed-grown plants. 

Store-bought seedlings might have pesticides on the leaves, so please be careful!

ピーマン4株が順調に成長中！🌱

種から育てたお気に入りの子たちです。

枝が込み合ってきたので剪定しました。

自分流の無農薬栽培なので、剪定した葉っぱも無駄にせず赤味噌汁へ投入！

旨かったです〜！贅沢な味わいでした。

⚠️ピーマンの葉を食べるお楽しみは、種から（または食用専用に）育てた特権ですね。市販の苗をお持ちの方は農薬の影響があるためご注意ください。

Pumpkin leaves カボチャの葉

 Recently discovered that pumpkin leaves could be consumed. 

I am beginning to love the taste of it... crunchy, and so refreshing.

I think no other vegetable can offer this type of taste.

Once the plant is establised, there are leaves that can be harvested almost daily.

My missus normally stir-fry them with some meat and condiments.

最近、カボチャの葉が食べられることを知りました。

その味がすっかり気に入ってしまいました…シャキシャキしていて、とても爽やかです。

他の野菜では、こんな味は味わえないと思います。

一度根付いてしまえば、ほぼ毎日収穫できます。

妻は普段、肉や調味料と一緒に炒めて食べています。

My First Surgery Experience 人生初の手術

 

コミュニティだより『あじ』に第16回目の連載を投稿しました。今回は「人生初の手術」について執筆しました。

My First Surgery Experience

"The only way to cure this is surgery." That is what the doctor told me.

It all started around the summer of 2022. I was trying to lift a large stone in my home garden when I heard a distinct "pop" near my lower back. Later, at the end of December, it happened while I was walking up the stairs. A sudden, sharp pain shot through me, and I collapsed on the spot. Since then, a persistent numbness and pain spread from my right buttock down to my toes. At its worst, I could barely walk even a few meters.

I visited various places, including clinics, orthopedic clinics, and chiropractors, but nothing improved. Believing I had to fix it myself, I dedicated myself to yoga, tai chi, stretching, and walking. Yet, the pain remained, and working in my beloved garden became increasingly difficult. I was completely at a loss for what to do.

Then one day, the numbness started spreading to my left buttock and thigh as well. Realizing how serious this was, I decided to do some deep research using AI (Artificial Intelligence) on my computer. Based on my symptoms, the AI actually guided me to a specific hospital and specialist right here in the city of Takamatsu.

I immediately visited that hospital for a thorough examination. The diagnosis was lumbar spinal stenosis. I successfully underwent surgery on 2nd June. Rehabilitation immediately commenced on 3rd June. I was discharged on 12th June and am now taking my time to rehabilitate at home, working towards full recovery. I should be able to resume my normal activities once again in early autumn.

Sakura Sakura on the Shakuhachi

Played Sakura Sakura under our Somei Yoshino Sakura tree with the birds chirping along...  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzfcuyIpoTc

2026 Somei Yoshino Sakura blooms

Our Somei Yoshino Sakura tree in full bloom. 
 うちのソメイヨシノの満開です。