Monday

Traci had to work, so I was left to spend the day as I pleased.  It was a nice warm day, with the sun peeking out occasionally, so I decided to wash sheets and air bedding.  Usually she hangs her laundry inside on hangers from the door sill in her wash room, but she also has a 2 nice clothes rods mounted outside her bedroom door to the balcony. See photo above. I'm in a hurry and they got put at the top.

I also dusted, washed dishes, and made myself useful in between receiving emails and a phone call from my mom.  It was my birthday on this side of the world. :)  And now it is my birthday back home.  Guess I can celebrate twice! ha ha 

Later in the afternoon, Mt Fuji peeked out for awhile!  I had thought it was just a figment of Traci's imagination, but it really is there! 

I biked to meet Traci after work, and we rode past the train station to the store, then home before going out for dinner at Cafe Gusto.  They have Canadian beef, which is hamburger patties.  We had the same dish--hamburger patty filled with cheese, small scoop of mixed veggies - corn, broccoli and cauliflower, two tater tots, one panko-breaded shrimp, one cream cheese croquette (potato). 

After dinner we biked to the lake.  Even when it's too dark to see the water, it is pretty, because the lake is ringed with city lights.  We didn't stay long, as it was a little windy (understatement).  We went home, started to watch a movie, but went to bed early.  Traci had been needing to get some extra sleep, and she is today off for Showa Day, which is a national holiday.

I am going to take pictures of the sidewalks and curbs around here.  When I am biking, I can't enjoy the scenery, or look at the buildings, because I have to keep my eye on the ground.  It is treacherous.  I almost crashed into Traci yesterday morning, but the only thing that got hurt was my pride.

In this neighborhood, there are several plots of land that have a small orchard or garden instead of a house or two. Next to the apartment building, are some very old apple trees.  There were two men pruning them, so they must still be producing.  Traci's apartment building is named "Apple Arbor", which is "Pomu Aruburu" in Japanese.  Very fitting.

I was too tired to post last night, this is now Tuesday morning, and we are heading to Matsumoto for some shopping.  If we catch the right local train, it will only be a 30 min ride.  The fast train, which takes 15 min, costs a lot more.