Now that we had cleaned our backyard, there were many piles of dried weeds. We wanted to burn them.

We went to the local fire department and asked for the permission to burn weeds at our backyard.

We signed up the form for the permission. The permission is already typed the duration as for two years starting from January 1st of 2018 and ending December 31st of 2019.

The instruction says before we start burning weeds, we are required to call and inform the local fire department. If the wind is 10 miles per hour or higher, we are not allowed to build a fire.

The time for burning weed is set from 6 am to 5 pm. The receptionist said it does not include a small campfire as a get together with family and friends. We can built a small campfire at night anytime. We don’t need to inform them in advance. It was good to know because I didn’t know about that.

***

Today was nice day without strong winds. We informed the fire department before we started the fire.

We used a fire pit to burn weeds. It was a fun process for cleaning up our backyard.

Previously we used to but the dried weeds in a garbage bag. We needed to cut them in small pieces in several bags. Burning weeds is much easier process than the previous process.

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

This morning I was cleaning the back yard. There were dried up tree branches here and there, so I was picking them up. These skinny branches will be perfect sizes for a campfire. I am going to save them for our Japanese friends. While they are here in next month, we can enjoy a campfire at night in our backyard.

I was careless while I was walking around in my backyard. I just wore a pair of beach sandal with barefoot. One of the skinny sharp branches cut my ankle. It was a deeper cut than I thought.

My husband took a look of my wound. He said I should not go to the swimming pool this afternoon. My wound might get worse if any external germs come in through the cut.

I was a little disappointed because I was looking forward to jumping in the cold pool. I guess I should rest up so that my wound will heal quickly.

The good thing is though, I collected a good amount of skinny branches. Our backyard looked better.

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

This morning I had a clear dream. I had a long tangled code with me. I didn’t like staying in the tangled code so that I started trying to untangle it. I could untangle it quicker and easier than I thought.

Then I woke up.

It definitely was the message from my family spirits.

The message is I can solve any issues only if I face it diligently.

***

Today is my dad’s birthday. It might be the message for him too. I know he has untangled and solved many troubles and issues by himself in all his life. I respect him for that.

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

I learned the recipe of fermented water in my macrobiotic online course. I made it one week ago. Now my fermented water looks like done.

I have taken care of it every day. Every time I added the water that has been used to wash rice, as well any edge or skins of vegetables and fruits. Every morning I stirred it gently.

It smells like miso. It does not have too much bubbles on the surface of the water. The recipe contains 8% of salt, so the salt prevents the water from getting too much fermented.

Today I used my fermented water in the fried egg. The egg turned out soft and fluffy. Not to mention, it tasted much better.

I also used the vegetables and fruits that have been soaked in the fermented water for miso soup. It also tasted good.

Tomorrow I am going to use it to wash my hair.

I like my fermented water. I will use it in my daily life. I appreciate my macrobiotic instructor to share this helpful recipe.

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

I watched the Japanese television show of medical information. They focused on fatty liver disease. It is a disease of liver and hard to find from lab test results. People get this sickness even though their liver related values are within the normal range.

One doctor mentioned it can be noticed from the ALT and AST values. A healthy person’s AST value is higher than that of ALT, but if it is the other way around, the person’s liver may have fatty parts developed.  

I reviewed my lab test results. My ALT values of recent years were higher than that of AST.

It was shocking to know, but I need to face it. 

The doctor said “in order to wash out an oil stain, you need to use oil.” She recommended to intake a spoonful of flaxseed oil every day.

I bought it at the local grocery store. I started taking it from today. I really hope it helps to wash out my fatty part in my liver.

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

I received a text message from the realtor. She informed me that a new gas stove has been ordered and shipped. They are waiting for the new unit come in to their place in the following week. Once it is arrived, she will arrange a plumber to install the new gas stove unit to our house.

It is amazing that we have come to this far on the road to a gas stove. We will need to wait just one more step to complete the road.

Thank you so much for everybody whom involved in this project. And thank you always to my family spirits.

— Review of the road to a gas stove so far. —

April 27th: Started cooking with fire by using a propane portable stove for camping.

May 5th: Requested the realtor to switch to a gas stove. She forwarded our request to the owner.

May 13th: The realtor updated me the situation. The owner had not replied back to the realtor yet. But the realtor told me “She was confident we could get it done.” She also asked me to stay being patient for a while.

And today June 4th: the new unit is already on the way to the local hardware store.

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

My tests result for food allergy finally arrived. I submitted my test sample on April 30th. It took them for more than one month until they gave me the test result. Their official website says the result will be delivered within 14-21 days. They should change the description appropriately.

Anyways, my test results are as follows.

 

<Food>

Basil — (I never had an allergic reaction to it.)

Rye Bread – (Recently I had an opportunity to eat Rye bread. As soon as I started chewing a piece of it, I got a rush all over my body. I stopped chowing and spitted out the piece. Then 20 minutes later my rush got disappeared. I am glad that I didn’t swallow the piece. So, yes, I am allergic to it.)

Buckwheat – (This was shocking to me. Buckwheat soba noodle is one of my favorite foods, and I eat once or twice in a month. I never had allergic reaction to it.)

Butter lettuce – (I had an allergic reaction to a butter lettuce before. As long as I buy an organic one, I am fine.)

Carambola – (I’ve never eaten and will ever eat it, so it is fine with me.)

Cardamom – (I have this spice at home and use it once in a while. I never had an allergic reaction to it.)

Cashew nut – (Again, this was shocking to me. I love casher nuts and eat them almost every day. I never had an allergic reaction to it.)

Clove – (I have this spice at home and use it once in a while. I never had an allergic reaction to it.)

Cornflakes – (This is understandable for me. I used to eat it every day and I had headache. I should avoid eating it.)

Lactose – (This is understandable for me. I haven’t drank cow milk since my early 20s. I never liked cow milk. I sometimes eat a small amount of yogurt or cheese, but they were never my favorites anyway. I can avoid it easily.)

Margarine – (I had stop buying or eating margarine since the beginning of the year 2017, so it was good for me.)

Oyster sauce – (I once had a really bad food poisoning by eating raw oyster when I was small. Since then, I never liked oyster and oyster sauce.)

Soy sauce – (Again, this was shocking to me. I am Japanese and soy sauce is essential for my daily cooking. I guess I am allergic to some chemicals that the manufactures use. As long as I use the soy sauce that is manufactured by the traditional way without any unnecessary chemicals, I should be fine.)

Thyme – (I have this spice at home and use it once in a while. I even have it in my garden. I never had an allergic reaction to it.)

Ground Wheat – (This is understandable for me. I will incorporate alternative flour such as rice flour or quinoa flour for bread and pasta.)

 

<Non-Food>

Apple Tree — (We have it in our backyard.)

European lime — (I don’t think we have it in our neighborhood area.)

Parrot Feathers — (I don’t have it anymore. One of my friends had a parrot and she used to give me lots of parrot feathers. I never had an allergic reaction to it.)

Penicillioyl (Penicillin) — (So, does this mean I should tell the doctors not to use penicillin in case I need to have antibiotic?)

Red fescue (Festuca rubra) (I don’t think we have it in our neighborhood area.)

Storage Mite (house dust mite) — (I am aware of it. Whenever I go to the place with dusts and mite, such as in the grocery store and wholesale store, I get rushed all over my body.)

 

<Nutritional Deficiencies>

Biotin — (It helps avoiding skin rushes.)

Chromium — (It helps producing insulin.)

Folic acid — (It supports teeth, bone, and heart.)

Gallic acid — (It contains in flaxseeds and watercress.)

Iodine– – (It contains in yogurt, seaweeds, kelp, strawberry, and potato.)

Niacin — (It deals with high-cholesterol.)

Pantothenic acids — (It supports immunization system.)

Potassium — (It supports dry skin and fatigue.)

Pyridoxine — (It supports the brain and nervous system.)

Saponins — (It lowers cholesterol.)

Vitamin B6 — (It supports protein and metabolism.)

 

<Metals>

Aluminium (Al) — (It contains in soda can, aluminum foil, and window frame)

Copper (Cu) — (It contains in electrical generators and motors.)

Gold (Au) — (It contains in jewelry.)

Nickel (Ni) — (It contains in stainless steel.)

Tungsten — (It contains in light bulbs and turbine blades.)

Zinc (Zn) — (It contains in paints, rubber, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, plastics and soaps.)

 

<Hormonal Imbalance>

Estradiol (estrogens) — (It makes sense to me. I am at the early stage of menopause.)

***

The test results are interesting. Do I recommend this test to others? My answer is No.

The reason is the wrong description of the test.

I purchased the allergy test that contains 800 test items. But I received only 39 test items that showed 85% and above. The company says their machine omits any test items that I had 84% and lower.

I requested to sent me a list of all the items they tested. I wanted to know which item I am tolerant.

The company sent me a file that includes all the test items for my test. They had only 286 test items. Not 800 items as they write in the description.

They should be honest with what they write in their official website. I wanted to have my test results with all the 800 test items so that I will analyze my allergy patterns in details.  

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

Our swamp cooler stopped working this morning. I lost count on how many times it got malfunction. It seems to go bad a couple of times on each year. Two years ago they replaced the motor to a brand new one, but it still goes bad from time to time.

We called the realtor and informed about that.

In the late morning the realtor’s husband showed up at our house to fix the cooler. He is cheerful and fun to chat with. I like him.

Our last time to see each other was right after we moved in this house, so it was five years ago. He was surprised at how tall my daughter has grown.

I am glad he could fix the swamp cooler. I hope it will keep on working well for the rest of this summer.

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

Last night before I fall asleep I asked my family spirits to guide me through about whether I should visit my parents right away. I don’t remember exactly about the dream details, but when I woke up I was sure I don’t need to go back to Japan right away. I was confident my mom will be protected and fine for the hospitalization and surgery. I made my mind on not going this time.

I called my mom.

My mom confirmed me I don’t need to visit them at this moment. My mom wanted me to visit her after she gets well so that she is not at the hospital. My mom told me my dad hired a professional house maid for one month. With this improvement, my mom said not to worry anything. They should be fine.

My family spirits were right. I got relieved that I don’t need to go right now. I have some reasons for that.

Recently in this past March, I visited Japan for 10 days. During my visit, I had suffered from jet lag and sickness.

I believe the main cause for my sickness was the smell of cigarette. Everywhere I went, I could smell cigarette, from people’s mouths, clothes, bags, elevators, trains, and taxis.

Another cause of my sickness was food. I am allergic to many food ingredients. I could not fully control my diet during my travel because I needed to depend on the restaurant foods.

Furthermore, I have a little child. I cannot leave my daughter behind. If I take her with me, she will have to come with me busily for going back and forth between the hospital, the grocery store, my parents’ house, and our staying hotel. She is still small. I don’t want her to spend one month with me taking care of my parents without any fun activities. I want to honor her summer break.

It might sound being selfish. But I have to protect myself and my daughter of our physical and mental health.  

Back in my younger days, when I was still small, my mom would go out of town for more than month to take care of my dad’s side relatives. She would stay in the hospital and couldn’t come back home. I know she did a very good thing to take care of my paternal grandma, aunt, and uncle. But I needed my mom with me in our house. I always wished my mom had been strong enough to say no to them and stay with us at home. I decided to follow my heart and desire to honor my physical health and my daughter’s mental health. That was why I decided not to go this time.

I know both of my parents will honor my decision.

***

This morning we had an appointment of a recall repair for our car. We have two cars that they both are from the same manufacturers. Last month we had a recall repair for the airbag and this time we had a recall repair for the brake lights.

This time they were done on the repair within two hours.

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪

This morning I went to the local outdoor swimming pool with my daughter. The water in the pool always stays cold no matter how hot the outside gets. It takes our courage to first jump in the pool. Other than that, we enjoyed swimming under the clear blue sky.

***

In the evening while I was taking a routine walk with my family, I kept thinking about my mom in Japan. I thought I should give her a call right after I go back home from the walk.

After I got back home, I noticed an unread mark in my LINE app. It was my mom who sent me some messages through LINE as well as a couple of calls during I was walking.

It took me courage to call her back, because I knew it would not be a good news. I knew it would be something about the examination results of my mom’s health.

I called her back a couple of times through LINE app, but she did not pick up the phone. So I called my parents’ home phone. My dad answered the phone.

As soon as my dad recognized my voice, he told me about the examination results of my mom’s health. The doctor found out a colon cancer. He mentioned about my mom’s surgery and hospitalization for one month. He also asked me if I could come back to support them.

While he was talking, I noticed an incoming call through LINE app. It was from my mom. I told my dad I would answer the phone from my mom and hung up the home phone with my dad.

I answered the LINE phone from my mom. I could tell from my mom’s voice that she was crying. She said she was in the grocery store. I understood she wanted to go out and be by herself instead of staying at home.

I told my mom that I just had a short conversation with my dad on the home phone and that my dad asked me to come back for one month to support them. My mom on the other hand told me not to worry and not to come back for that. She said she would talk into my dad to hire a professional house maid to support them while her hospitalization.

I asked both of my parents of the stage of the cancer, or how bad it has gone. None of them remembered. I can understand that. While they were listening to the doctor, they must have been so shocked that they could not remember everything.

As of now their plan is like this.

My mom will be hospitalized from June 5th. The doctor will give my mom some medications through an IV for one week. Based on my mom’s condition, the doctor will decide the date of the surgery. The surgery will be someday after June 12th.

***

After we hung up the phone, I thought about it. I want to go back to Japan and support my parents.

First of all, I prayed my family spirits to support my parents.

Then I called the travel agency about the flight tickets. Since it was already Friday evening in our time, the travel agency store was closed. I could talk to the worker who worked during their off-office hours. He said they can’t issue the airplane tickets during the off-office hours. The soonest tickets that I could buy today was to leave here on June 3rd. He put the tickets on-hold for one night for free of charge. I will need to confirm and pay until tomorrow evening. I also reserved the hotel for our stay.

***

After these were done, it was already close to midnight. I was exhausted. I will sleep on it to decide whether I will visit my parents right away. I believe my family spirits will guide me through this in my dream.

♬ Any feedback? (^^♪