Work In Progress Wednesday

 The Fashionable Ladies might be done, or I might add a few more purses.  Next I will decide how to finish finish them.

The afghan stitching is done, but the fringing is still left to do.

A Few Updates

 The baby panda at the zoo in Washington DC is over a month old and is starting to get really cute.  

My ballot for the 2020 US presidental election was accepted!

New Prime Minister in Japan - Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigned due to poor health on August 28th and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga became the new prime minister, without any fuss or drama, three weeks later.  He was the chief cabinet secretary under Prime Minister Abe from 2012, and his salary as prime minister is 26,860,910 JPY per year.  (Also, his wife is from my town.)

Coronavirus Cases in Japan - There have been about 81,000 total cases confirmed in Japan, with about 1560 deaths since the outbreak began. In my prefecture, Shizuoka, there have been 532 cases and 2 deaths.

Typhoon News - there has been only one storm to hit Japan so far this year.  It passed over Kyushu, not near where I live.  

If there is something else you'd like an update on, let me know in the comments.

Monday Morning Star Count - Week 21

Year Four of the temperature quilt  

Week 21 

September 13 - 19 

79, 81, 81, 79, 82, 88, 79

I am reporting the high temperature each day.  My Year Four temperature/color (Fahrenheit) scheme remains the same: 

100 + Brown 

90-99 Red  

80-89 Orange 

70-79 Yellow  

60-69 Green  

50-59 Blue 

40-49 Purple 

30-39 Pink 

20-29 White 

10-19 Black  

You can see my finished Year One Quilt here.

Japanese Census 2020

I received this notice in my mailbox announcing the 2020 census last Saturday, but I did not get the actual survey packet with my identification number.  I went online to respond to the survey, but wasn't able to without the identification number.

Friday evening, the actual packet with ID number was delivered.  The packet material is in Japanese, so it was too difficult to fill out the paper form.  Luckily, the online form is available in many languages. I chose English, of course, and was able to answer the 16 questions in just a few minutes.  I'm glad that is done!

In Japan, the census is taken every five years and covers everyone that has lived or plans to live in Japan for more than three months, regardless of nationality.  Everyone that is covered is legally obliged to respond.  Here is my post about the 2015 census.

Bravo Diego Mentrida!

 With so much bad news and cheating/lying/dishonesty going on, this is a much needed feel good story. The 2020 Santander Triathlon was held in Spain on September 13th (last weekend). British athlete James Teagle was on course to win the third place when he made a wrong turn just meters from the finish. The person in fourth place, Diego Mentrida, overtook him, but noticed Teagle's error and allowed him to cross the finish ahead of him. Mentrida said, "He deserved it." Teagle shook hands with Mentrida as he crossed the finish line before Mentrida.

Later, Mentrida was awarded honorary third place by the organizers and given the same 300 euro prize money as Teagle. He has been congratulated on social media by many people, and he said this is what he has been taught and he would do it again.  Thank you Diego Mentrida for reminding us how people should act.

Friday Finish - Ainu Coasters

 

After finishing the Ainu stitching, it didn't take long to finish them into four coasters.  I used the same fabric on the backs of the four and a very thin batting in the middle. I'm happy with how they turned out.

Throwback Thursday

 This is a lookback on what I wrote about on September 24th since coming to Japan. (Click on the year to see the full post.)

In 2019, I wrote about the Relay for Life Event in Nagaizumi.

2018 was a Monday post and Week 20 of the temperature quilt.

In 2017, I wrote about a day spent in Nagasaki, including the Bekko Craft Museum.

My 2016 post featured a famous Shizuoka Snack.

In 2015, I wrote about a visit to the Sapporo Science Center and Planetarium with my student Miyu.

2014 was a simple post about a small finish for the Smalls Stitch A Long.

In 2013 ,  I was busy with buttons.

And finally in 2012, I was working on Queen Elizabeth's sleeves.

It is sometimes good to look back.  What an interesting time I've had here.

Work In Progress Wednesday - Bess, Coasters, Afghan, Ladies

A little more time with Bess of Hardwick

Progress on the Ainu coasters

More on the afghan bouquet

And the Ladies

Kane Tanaka Sets Guinness World Record

Japanese woman Kane Tanaka set the all-time Japanese age record Saturday at age 117 years and 261 days. She celebrated by drinking coke, her favorite drink and wearing a t-shirt with her face printed on it, which was a gift from her 60-year old grandson Eiji.  

She was born in 1903, the seventh child of nine.  She married Hideo Tanaka in 1922, and they were the parents of five children. At the age of 103, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. She has lived in a nursing home the last two years in Fukuoka and is in good health. She plays Othello occasionally and takes short walks in the facility's hallways.  She credits family, sleep, and hope for her longevity. She has five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She would like to live to the age of 120. Best wishes to her!

Monday Morning Star Count - Week 20

Year Four of the temperature quilt  

Week 20 September 6 - 12 

82, 84, 93, 93, 86, 90, 77

I am reporting the high temperature each day.  My Year Four temperature/color (Fahrenheit) scheme remains the same: 

100 + Brown 

90-99 Red  

80-89 Orange 

70-79 Yellow  

60-69 Green  

50-59 Blue 

40-49 Purple 

30-39 Pink 

20-29 White 

10-19 Black  

You can see my finished Year One Quilt here.

Japan's Newest Mascot

Japan has a new mascot fighting the Coronavirus.

It (he? she?) has a big red "X" marked across Covid-19, it has a purple heart shield with its name and of course, it wears a mask.  Recently it has been seen handing out disposable masks in Tokyo.  It can also be booked to visit schools or companies to share its message on keeping safe. What do you think - cute or creepy?

The Holiday Weekend

This weekend, Japan will enjoy a four consecutive day holiday weekend. Monday and Tuesday are national holidays.  

Monday is Respect for the Aged Day and is observed the third Monday in September.  This is a day to honor elderly citizens and celebrate longevity. The holiday began in 1996 and was originally held on September 15th.  Since 2003, it became part of the Happy Monday holiday system to give people a long weekend.

Tuesday is Autumnal Equinox Day and is observed September 22nd or 23rd, depending on the year. This day announces the change of season. Traditionally this was a day to visit the graves of one's ancestors, but not as many people follow this ritual now. 

In a normal year, I would probably travel somewhere.  This is a good year to stay home and continue working on my stitching projects. While it is probably okay to take a trip somewhere in Japan, I think it is better to be safe than sorry.

Friday Finish - USA Map

I think it's finished.  There are so many little pictures with backstiching.  

This is the second USA map I've stitched.  Here is the first one I did a few years ago.

The new one was very easy - all full cross stitches and easy counting.  The first one I did was larger and much more detailed and difficult, but I think I like it better. 

Have you ever stitched a map of your country?

I Voted!

As probably everyone, everywhere knows, this is the presidental election year in the United States. As an American who lives outside of the country, I am eligible to vote in the election. Election day is November 3rd, but this year it seems like election season. Depending on which state you vote in, you can vote in person on the day, and you may be able vote in person early or vote by mail or vote by email or online (as I did). I wanted to do it as early as possible to make sure my vote is counted.  With the coronavirus and possible problems with the US Postal Service, I didn't want to wait.

If you are eligible to vote in the election this year, I highly encourage you to do so. It is so very important!

Work In Progress Wednesday - the Afghan, the Ladies, and Bess

The afghan was my main project again.  It's coming along, but still a lot left to do.  

The Ladies are my lunch time stitch project.

I also pulled Bess out this week and spent one evening with her.

Stitch Group Sunday

The stitch group met on Sunday.  One stitcher was unable to attend, but we had a new member this time. 

Two stitchers had finished their Ainu projects -- 

One is a coaster and one is a mask holder!

Here is the inside of the mask holder. Great idea!  I'm thinking I might make one of these.

I haven't finished my Ainu coasters, so I worked on them while the others started their eyelet/rhodes stitch projects. (I finished a bag and a round box top with this technique recently.)

I should have taken a better picture of the finished pink top with chicken scratch. Another wonderful stitching finish!

Here are the four starts.  Homework is to continue working on them.

As always, tea time was delicious!

I love my stitch group!  Until next time....

Monday Morning Star Count - Week 19

Year Four of the temperature quilt  

Week 19 

August 30 - September 5 

95, 90, 79, 90, 90, 95, 91

I am reporting the high temperature each day.  My Year Four temperature/color (Fahrenheit) scheme remains the same: 

100 + Brown 

90-99 Red  

80-89 Orange 

70-79 Yellow  

60-69 Green  

50-59 Blue 

40-49 Purple 

30-39 Pink 

20-29 White 

10-19 Black  

You can see my finished Year One Quilt here.