In the past, I have helped a number of white men at the supermarket.  Early on, I wondered why it was always white men.  Each one, like a cheetah in an African savannah, made a beeline to me once he had spotted me.  When it happened the first time, I was like, “Me?  Why?  What … More Socializing at supermarkets

I sobbed quietly when the number of deaths from COVID-19 exceeded 100,000 in the U.S.  Until then, I didn’t know how to mourn for such many lives lost in just three months.  Most of them died alone in the hospital.  I thought about the pain that their family and friends felt.  And they had to … More Tolerance of inconvenience

My eyes get tired fairly quickly when I read books.  So, I watch TV programs more often these days.  One of my favorite programs is NOVA.  I love learning about nature, outer space and engineering feats.  And I want to watch it with my kids.  But when I suggest watching an episode of NOVA, they’ll … More Cultures at home

Looking at heart-shaped leaves amongst the grass on July Fourth, my husband and I stood silently sharing an enormous sense of defeat.  We spent a few thousand dollars to deal with them the previous summer.  I didn’t even know the weed’s name, although I’d dealt with it since 2002 in my flower beds. What I … More Wild violet and surrendering

When I came to the U.S., I was befuddled by the word “great”.  Everything seemed to be great in the U.S.  A great weekend, great restaurants, great kids and dogs.  I wondered if “great” meant that things were actually great?  Or were people just saying “great” in order to gloss over their true feelings and … More Pride and love

I don’t clean my kitchen until my kids come home from school.  Obviously, I don’t aspire to be a good homemaker.  But I have another reason for not being tidy. If the kitchen is clean and their snacks are ready, my kids will quickly eat it and disappear into their rooms.  But if I’m busy … More Baby steps

If I were a millionaire, I would hire someone to shop for me.  I don’t mean a personal shopper who buys fancy clothes for you.  What I desperately want is a person who helps me with shopping, catering to my family’s mundane needs.  Everything from groceries and light bulbs to shoes, cold medicine, and clothes.  … More Shopping in the suburbs

“This is strange,” my daughter said as we sat in my father’s living room, “Why do Japanese need to find a Japanese in a remote foreign country?” “I don’t know.”  I felt a pang of guilt; I should know why. We were watching TV in Japan and the program went like this.  A Japanese comedian … More Imagine that!

Japan is a very good place to live if you have friends or family there.  There’s a lot of kindness and good will to go around. I recently spent time with my father in Northern Japan.  My daughter needed to practice piano, but my father didn’t have one.  I casually mentioned this to one of … More Aunt Sato and her hydrangea