Wakey Wakey

“If you don't pick up your toys and put them away what is papa going to do?”

“Sell them on the Internet!”

“And what is papa gonna do with the money?”

“Buy beer!”

I know I don't have a particularly refined approach to parenting, but I think it's better than yelling or nagging.

Kenzo's friend from school gave him a new lizard, and he tried to make a break for it this morning.

Eri thinks it’s weird that I’m so into fresh air. Not the NPR show, though I have to admit Terry Gross's voice has been a part of my life for longer than I can remember. Eri’s more of a close the windows and turn on the air conditioner type of person. Even in the car I love having the windows down when driving, unless it’s some big road that’s really noisy or if there are lots of trucks. I just love being outside. 

And when I’m inside I like having all the windows and curtains open so that the outside can come in. I don’t know what it is. It doesn’t really matter to me if it’s hot or cold, as long as it’s not dangerously extreme.  I really don’t have anything against humidity either. I embrace it. I feel like it's our natural state as humans to be hot, sweaty, and possibly even moldy.

I’m strolling along the road, enjoying the beautiful air and the freedom of being outdoors. My mind wandered to a memory from a country music festival many years ago in Kyushu. I had stayed at a friend's house, a true outdoorsman and a master of Japanese gardening. What struck me about that morning was his contentment while making pancakes. Outside. Despite having a perfectly functional kitchen, he chose to cook in the open air, embracing the connection with nature. That day, as I savored those pancakes, I fully realized the joy of cooking and eating outside like never before, chilly as it was in the autumnal mountain air.

That guy told me he cooks all his meals outside. I'll bet he's cooking his dinner out there as I write this.

Unlike my friends who are avid outdoor enthusiasts with their cool camping gear and Patagonia jackets, I don’t feel the need to reach that level of dedication. What truly matters to me is the simple pleasure of embracing the outside, feeling the sun's warmth balanced by a gentle breeze. Today, with the sun shining and the cool breeze soothing my skin, I relished the perfect harmony of the elements. 

I could go for some cool gear, though. I need to start a wish list.

The morning rush with Kenzo and Osamu preparing for school is usually chaotic, often punctuated by stress and noise. However, today was different. While Osamu enjoyed his well-deserved beauty sleep-in, Kenzo greeted me with a cheerful "good morning" and an unprecedented “wakey-wakey.” Although our routine was far from efficient, we managed to get outside just in time before the other children gathered for school. Hastily helping Kenzo brush his teeth, ensuring he had all his things, I reflected on the challenges and joys of morning preparations with two little boys.

As the day progressed, I took a late lunch break and went for my walk, heading northeast towards 7-Eleven initially. But plans change, and I found myself walking southwest, towards the Dounji temple area. Looking up at the sky, I noticed the absence of clouds. However, when I turned down a street I rarely venture, clouds appeared in the distance. It made me think that the presence or absence of clouds didn't define my journey; rather, it was my awareness of the path I chose and the surroundings I observed. 

Sometimes, circumstances beyond my control, like road construction, alter my route.

And then it struck me, like my unconventional approach to parenting and my love for fresh air, life is filled with choices and unexpected twists. I may not always have the perfect plan or the smoothest path, but I appreciate the revelations that unfold. It doesn't matter if I'm threatening to sell toys online to buy booze or eating pancakes outside; what matters is finding joy and contentment in the small moments and accepting life’s epically ordinary journey.

Even in unexpected circumstances, there's always an opportunity for a revelation. Just like the clouds that appear or disappear along my daily walks, life is an ever-changing journey that I can navigate with open eyes and an open heart.

Bringing an umbrella is sometimes good, too.

Plums for dessert. Last year the boys weren't fans. Now they steal mine.