On the final day of Japan’s long holiday, I visited the famous nemophila fields at Hitachi Seaside Park. Although the flowers had already passed their peak season, the pale blue hills were still beautiful enough to make the trip worthwhile.
The cool weather suited my dog Ann perfectly, and she happily walked far more than usual. After several days of genuine rest — something increasingly rare in modern life — I found myself thinking about work, family, and the exhausting uncertainty of world affairs. News from the Middle East changes by the hour, and trying to follow every development no longer feels meaningful.
On the way home, I stopped to see my son, who works in Ibaraki. Seeing that he looked healthy and was doing reasonably well brought a quiet sense of relief before returning to the reality of another demanding workweek.
On the final day of the holiday, I went to see the nemophila flowers at Hitachi Seaside Park.
Their best season seems to have ended in late April, but they were still more than beautiful enough.
The temperature never rose very much today, and it remained chilly throughout the day. Still, it was perfect weather for Ann. She looked comfortable and happily walked much farther than usual.
During this holiday, aside from doing a little work last Saturday, I spent almost the entire time resting.
Working constantly is not everything. Taking life slowly once in a while should help give us the energy to move forward again.
As for the situation involving America, Israel, and Iran, things have fallen into complete confusion, constantly shaken by President Trump’s abrupt reversals and contradictory statements. At this point, trying to follow every development no longer seems particularly useful.
On the way back from the nemophila fields, I stopped by to see my son, who works in Ibaraki.
He seemed reasonably well, and that gave me some relief.
Well then, back to work tomorrow.
An overwhelming amount of work will probably come rushing in again, but I need to wake up this holiday-softened body and do my best not to be crushed by it.
Rest does not solve everything, but sometimes it gives us just enough strength to begin again.
・・・
Vocabulary for Learners
- nemophila fields — ネモフィラ畑
- passed their peak season — 見頃を過ぎた
- chilly throughout the day — 一日中肌寒い
- once in a while — 時々は
- abrupt reversals — 朝令暮改、突然の方針転換
- contradictory statements — 矛盾した発言
- reasonably well — まずまず元気に
- come rushing in — 押し寄せてくる
- holiday-softened body — 休みでなまった体
- be crushed by it — それに押しつぶされる
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