First skin diving of 2026 初のスキンダイビング

My first skin diving of 2026 after recovering from surgery!

The underwater world is just magical.

I was pretty moved to be back in the sea that I love.

It's been a while, so I carefully checked my gear and weights first.

A little bit of current and swell early in the morning, but good visibility!

My favorite Nabeka-chan (elegant blenny) welcomed me back, and the Koke-ginpo (mosshead blenny) and Kuroshitanashi-umiushi (black dorid nudibranch) were super cute as always.

Life is good! ❣❣❣

手術から体調が回復して、2026年、初のスキンダイビング。

水中はやっぱり別世界ですね。

「またこうして大好きな海に潜れたんだ」と、じんわり感動が込み上げてきました。

しばらくダイブしていなかったので、まず器材やウェイトの確認から。

早朝の海は、流れとうねりが少々ありましたが、透明度は良好！

お馴染みのナベカちゃんは「お帰りなさい！」と言ってくれたよう〜。

コケギンポやクロシタナシウミウシも、相変わらず可愛かったです。

最高❣❣❣

Pumpkin flower petal soup カボチャ花びらスープ

 

Craving for hot soup in the peak of summer.

My early morning routine: patrolling the garden.

After hand-pollinating the pumpkins, collected the petals.

Tried adding them to my morning egg soup.

The petals absorb the flavor beautifully—soft texture and a deeply comforting taste❣

真夏こそ、スープが飲みたい。

毎朝の早朝畑パトロール。

カボチャの受粉後、花びらを回収。

朝食の卵スープに入れてみた。

スープが染みたトロッとした食感、滋味深い味わい❣

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.