A Busy Weekend

This is Tomone (nickname: Tomo-Chan) sleeping in the car on the way to Sendai Station where she and her mother took the Shinkansen (Bullet train) to Tokyo. They were met there by Tomo-Chan's father and they returned to Kawasaki where they will live from now on. They have moved out of our house completely although they will come to visit accasionally. It is really quiet around here without them, but Masayo and I are gradually getting back to our old routines which makes life easier if not so interesting.

Sendai Station was having an exhibit of decorations for the Tanabata Matsuri, the Sendai summer festival, so it looked quite festive. It was almost like it was special for Tomo-Chan. In any case she seemed to appreciate them. At least she smiled and stared at them.The Shinkansen wickets are under the green sign. During Tanabata, these colorful, paper objects hang inside the shopping arcades that begin just outside the station.

Last Friday, Naomi left Tomo-Chan with us and she went to Kawasaki where she got their apartment ready for Tomo-Chan to move in. On Saturday morning I had art class and Masayo was babysitting. After my class I met one of my all-time favorite students and, after lunch, brought her back to our home. She was supposed to come with her husband, but he had a cold so he stayed at home. The student was in the first class that entered Miyagi U when it opened 12 years ago. She went to Australia with us and gradually became a family friend. We have not seen her for a few years because she is in San Francisco studying nursing for cancer patients in a graduate program. She has passed the American nursing license test so she can work there. I wonder if she will stay after she finishes school. Anyway Naomi returned late in the afternoon. Then on Sunday afternoon we all went to Sendai Station and separated there.

However, before we left Masayo made brunch: waffles with maple syrup, sausages, bacon, and pots of coffee. It was really good.

In the morning before brunch Ian and I walked as usual. On the way we found on stretch of sidewalk that reminded me of the yellow brick road in the Wizard of Oz.