Work In Progress Wednesday

Fobs - new start. I came across some small fabric pieces and decided to use them to start making some fobs.

Another New Project

The Great Wave progress

Raccoon Damage

 

More and more, raccoons are causing problems in Japan. Raccoons are not native to Japan, even though they resemble the tanuki, which is native to Japan, but not related to the North American raccoon. 

The first raccoon in the wild in Japan was one that escaped from the Inuyama Zoo in 1962. The main introduction of raccoons to Japan was in the 1970’s through the pet trade, after the popularity of the TV cartoon series, Rascal the Raccoon. 

Raccoon damage is rising sharply all across Japan, with agricultural losses at 700 million yen (4.4 million USD) a year. In addition to damage to agricultural crops, the damage in urban areas is increasing. The animals are eating goldfish from garden ponds and breaking into attics. People are urged not to approach or to feed the animals. Officials report that vacant houses where raccoons can breed are expanding their habitats. The population of the animals is growing so rapidly that it is becoming impossible to keep them under control. Officials say the number of raccoons must be reduced in order to limit the damage.

National Parks Quilt-a-Long - Block 5

I read about this interesting quilt-a-long on this Piecework magazine website. This article directs participants to the Park’s Website for instructions for blocks 1-6.  

The fifth block is the Log Cabin Block.

All blocks are sewn by hand. Here are the first five blocks.

Japanese 4th Grader Passes Top Level English Proficiency Test

 

Erina Honda, a fourth grader in Fujikawaguchi, Yamanashi Prefecture passed Grade 1 (top level) of the Eiken English language proficiency test, a level regarded as the equivalent to advanced university English. 

She said that learning English had never felt like a burden. Her mother said since early childhood Erina thought “English is fun”. Her mother said the girl was introduced to English at age two, through English picture books and Disney songs. Neither of her parents are particularly good at English, but they thought it may be good for children to be exposed to English from an early age. 

From her first year of kindergarten, she began with a picture book series containing short English sentences. Her mother read aloud to her and she borrowed additional books from the library. Erina became immersed in reading. By her final year of kindergarten, she was reading full length books such as Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. At this time she took and passed Eiken Grade 3 for the first time. 

She continued to build her vocabulary and grammar skills through reading books, including Harry Potter books in the original English in Second Grade. 

When she was in Fourth Grade, she took the Eiken 1 for the first time, but didn’t pass, partly because she didn’t have the stamina for the long test. In August, she attempted to climb Mt. Fuji and reached the summit. Erina said by reaching the top of the highest mountain, she could conquer other barriers. 

She took the Eiken 1 test again and passed. She continues to improve and is expanding her dreams. She wants to become an international lawyer and use her English skills. I am in awe of this little girl and wish her all the best in the future. 

(Eiken is Japan’s most popular English proficiency test).

Man Arrested for Keeping Illegal Crocodile

A 34 year old Osaka man was arrested on Monday for keeping a saltwater crocodile without permission from local authorities. According to police, Soma Satomi, who runs a pet shop, is alleged to have kept a 1.5 meter crocodile in a tank in his shop, in addition to an alligator snapping turtle and 21 common snapping turtles. 

He has admitted to the allegation. He said he kept the animals as pets and did not plan to sell them. The police are investigating how he came into possession of these restricted animals. Saltwater crocodiles can grow 4 to 5 meters in length and the prey on mammals and other animals. 

This story made me remember a family I knew when I was young. The parents were friends with my parents and the family had three boys close in age who had an alligator in the bathtub in one of the bathrooms. I don’t remember where the creature came from or what ever happened to. I remember it was very small at first, but it grew and its teeth grew and it was scary.

Friday Finish - New Home Gift

My friend recently purchased a new home and I made this gift for her. The pillow is 30 cm square. I hope to give it to her soon!

EF English Proficiency

The 2025 EF English Proficiency report is available now. (Check it out in the link.)

Japan is tied at 96th with Afghanistan in the Very Low Proficiency category.

The report is long, but the Table of Contents is helpful and there are many maps and charts. The Forward to the report is “English in the Age of AI”. I found it very interesting.

Work In Progress Wednesday

Sneek Sampler progress

The Great Wave progress

Paisley Purse progress - rings and beads attached.

Stitch Group Sunday

We met on Sunday and did what we always do. They are getting close to finishing the gardens, so next time we meet, we will start a new, simpler project.

Tea time

I love stitching with my friends!

National Parks Quilt-a-Long - Block 4 The Schoolhouse Block

I read about this interesting quilt-a-long on this Piecework magazine website. This article directs participants to the Park’s Website for instructions for blocks 1-6. 

The fourth block is the Schoolhouse Block. I am using small scrappy pieces of fabric that I have and am hand sewing the blocks. 

Previous three blocks -