Piano Lesson(PART 1 OF 3)
Subj:Summer is
just around the corner!
From: diane@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Thu, Jun 30, 2011 4:37 pm.
Pacific Daylight Saving Time
Hi Kato,
Well, well, well ... my skinny Socrates!
You ARE a deep thinker, aren't you?
I quite agree that we often waste our time in idle chatter, and I'll be the first to admit I'm guilty on that account myself.
Often, I will ask myself what the best use of my day will be and, for a great part of it, I do manage to accomplish worthwhile activies ... like exercising, time in nature, contact with friends, rest, reading and contemplating ...
BUT there is still wasted slack time that's for sure.
...guess it's a dance we all have to learn---the dance of living a worthwhile life, don't you think?
■"Net Love"
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
I loved the above article ... very thoughtful.
I'm sure that chatroom lovers can eventually learn to love each other, while face-to-face might produce the opposite affect.
But when you think about it, a chatroom lover can't hold your hand, or kiss you or hold you or go with you to a movie very well now, can they?!
Nothing beats a face-to-face even thought there are no guarantees it will work out ... no guarantees either way, so might as well go for the real McCoy, I'd say.
Most chatroom love would be pseudo-love, I'm guessing.
Ah, it's all so very interesting, anyway.
Thanks so much for the above article, kiddo,
Love, Diane ~
SOURCE: "Complicated Love"
(May 22, 2011)
Kato, how come you've brought up my old mail?
Will...I re-read your mail the other day.
Did it impress you in any way?
Yes, it indeed impressed me.
What part?
The following part made me think twice.
Often, I will ask myself what the best use of my day will be and, for a great part of it, I do manage to accomplish worthwhile activies ... like exercising, time in nature, contact with friends, rest, reading and contemplating ...
BUT there is still wasted slack time that's for sure.
...guess it's a dance we all have to learn---the dance of living a worthwhile life, don't you think?
I don't think it should impress anybody that much.
Well... you wrote the above mail on Jun 30, 2011.
Yes, almost seven months ago.
Then I wrote the following article.
(diane509.jpg)
■"Diane in Paris"
(August 9, 2011)
In the above article I quoted the following passage:
Memories of
Saint Germain des Prés
In spring, I was sitting in the cafe of Saint Germain des Prés.
It was raining and cold.
I've taken two cups of café au lait.
Soon it started downpouring.
Nobody walked outside.
I looked out blankly when an old woman came in with a mandolin, followed by two dogs with drooping ears.
The old lady in a shaggy overcoat and the two dogs were soaked up in the rain.
The lady sat down at a table near me.
After wiping her dogs, she then wiped herself.
She was about 70 years old, apparently one of the street artists of Saint Germain des Prés.
Both dogs were gentle, tightly wrapped up for protection with a tiny blanket.
When a boy came in, the old lady ordered two café au lait, hot milk, and a snack.
The boy didn't throw out two wet dogs.
In Paris people care about dogs as much as themselves.
When the boy brought the drinks, the old lady took out a pan from her luggage, and poured some milk into it, then gave each dog some food.
Both dogs started licking warm milk happily.
The lady also sipped café au lait, holding the cup with cold-numb hands.
Relieved somewhat, I glanced at the adorable dogs once in a while.
Aftre half an hour, the old lady took out her purse and cheked into it, then she called the boy and asked for a favor.
Apparently, she didn't have enough money.
Although I was poor myself at the time, I couldn't ignore the scene, and walked up and paid on her behalf.
It wasn't much anyway.
The old lady thanked me a lot, saying that she would pay later after doing her performances on the street.
"Oh, don't bother. It was my present for your adorable dogs."
I like animals. So, I really meant it.
"Well, they are brothers, and I love both," said the old warm-hearted lady.
Whenever I walk through Saint Germain des Prés, the lady and the dogs come into my mind, warming my heart.
(Note: Picture from the Denman library
Translated by Kato)
SOURCE: "My heart's in Paris"
by Fujiko Hemming
５７ページ 『我が心のパリ』
著者： フジ子・へミング
２００５年２月２５日 初版発行
発行所： 株式会社 阪急コミュニケーションズ
(To be continued)