Leaking of rain

Leaking of rain started around the top light window on the top roof.
The result of inspection by a professional was that there are only 2 way to repair, one is a repair by sealing between the glass and sash, another is to replace complete top light window assembly with new one because the window was already discontinued production so only sash (without base) cannot be replaced with new. The cost for sealing is not cheap, moreover, the cost for scaffold is much more expensive than repair cost. Therefore, I decided to re-paint roof tiles together to save scaffold fee for next time of roof maintenance.
The original color of the roof tiles were dark green, but I selected dark chocolate brawn this time to coordinate the color with main house and main garden which are typical Japanese.
There is no concern of rainproof of the roof for about 10 years after this time of maintenance, but I have spent unexpected huge cost for the maintenance.

Unshaped Sushi

In Osaka, this kind of formless sushi (like Sushi Bowl) is called "Bara-Sushi" as it is called "Chirashi Sushi" in Tokyo. I think because it is not rolled, grasped or pressed.You may enjoy viriety of toppings such as fresh Sashimi (raw fish), sliced egg crape, Denbu (cooked tuna powder) and/or carving seaweed, etc.Mostly a kind of Japanese soup is served together, it is called "Otsuyu" in Osaka. The picture is Japanese Clam soup without Miso.

Sebastes

There are two houses in our property.My parents lives in the main house.I rebuilt the annex house for my family.Both houses have kitchin for our individual meals.My mother gave us a simmered sebaste with typical Japanese soy source taste.It was best fit as a appetizer for me before dinner.

Repairing mosquito screen

Now it is the season that mosquito appears, we have repaired mosquito screen on windows.

In the last year, the screen partially come out from its sliding door. The reason of it was that dogs pushed the screen easily.

This time, after we replaced screen on its sliding door, we have installed a wire-net rack with the poles which stretch between the floor and the ceiling. This protects mosquito net from dogs and avoid damage from attacking by dogs.

My son's birthday

Some people says they are afraid of BSE with US beef, but my family does not mind.

When my sons came to visit us when I was in USA, they were so supplized that Beef available in USA was so delicious and cheaper than in Japan. We can now buy the same quality of beef at Costco in Japan.But the price is almost double of it in USA. The cut steak like picture is around 400 to 500yen only.Incidentally, delicious portion for steak is Rib Eye, not sirloin. Of course, Fillet is very good. The soup in picture is Vichyssoise. The cut cake is from our neighbor cake shop which is famous in taste.

I just remember I already had a son when I was his age.

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps All-One!

When I was in LA with my family, my wife heard from her friend that there is a liquid soap　which can be used as hair shampoo and body shampoo. Since her husband knew it he has been using the shampoo only. She told it was sold in Whole Foods Market. I visited there serveral times but could not find it there. At last I found it was sold Trader Joe's where we often visited.　I liked and used Peppermint the best of all fragrances, other available in Lavender, Almond, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Unscented Baby-Mild, Rose and Citrus Oranges.

When we returned to Japan last June, we brought one bottle of peppermint but it was out soon. Therefore, when I was in Ohio as business trip last fall I bought one bottle and took it to Japan.　When I just arrived my home and had a brief recess, unknown liquid was dropping out from mysuitcase. What??? In haste, I opened my suitcase and found that the cap of the bottle of "Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps All-One!" opened itself and contents already was spilled out from the bottle.

Later I found it was sold in a shop at Ario Yao but it was too expensive so I did not buy it.
Peppermint soap is very good especially for summer season with its cooling feeling. I will not have a chace to be USA for some time, so I am considering to buy a galon bottle at internet shop in Japan.

Garden maintenance

My house is typical authentic Japanese style house.The front and rear gardens are unreasonably wide. The garden needs to be maintained twice a year, it causes very high cost. In addition, lots of debris by pruning trees is our headache. If we asked gardener to dispose it it causes extra cost so we usually clean out by family members.Usually the lawn and weed grows very quickly as they like.
It is too much for average person. The property come from a blooded family and it is my destiny. But the most terrible thing is very expensive fix asset tax. Somebody may be angry and says "do not complain on your luxuary situation" but I did not select this by myself.
Recently I have been worked on garden in weekends.
Anyway, I will try to enjoy this as luxuary since people who lives in complex cannot do it.

Stag Beetle

The other night, when I was talking with my parents at their house, something dropped onto my head.
Oh my god!!!! Is it a centipede??????
I did slap it away by reflex and found there was a small Stag Beetle.
"Oh, why you are in the house?"
After I took its photograph, I released it in my garden.