🌅 Signs of Early Summer and a Slow Start to Monday

Morning Scene

Morning Scene

Good morning.

I woke up around 6 a.m. this morning, lingered in bed for a while, and finally got up around 7. I boiled water to make coffee, prepared tea for my mother, and began my usual morning routine.

Even when I called out to her around 8 a.m., Mom said, “I’m still sleeping,” and didn’t seem inclined to get up. When I urged, “Get up, eat breakfast, take your medicine, and then you can go back to sleep if you want,” she finally came out, making excuses along the way.

This kind of back-and-forth is typical with the elderly. It happens every day, and while I think “Oh well,” another day begins.

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🍚 The Flow of Breakfast and Housework

After breakfast, the usual routine continues: “Medicine~ Blood pressure~ Change clothes~”. During that time, I start the washing machine, clear the dishes, and load them into the dishwasher. I add a bit extra detergent, press start, and keep the morning chores moving at a steady pace.

On days Mom feels up to it, she grabs the vacuum cleaner and wanders around the room. Today, she even brought out the Quickle Wiper, moving with surprising lightness.

She was so active from the morning that I thought, “She seems able to move around a bit today.” Normally, she’d doze off watching TV afterward, but on days she can move, she seems to have her own rhythm.

👕 Laundry and Early Summer-Like Weather

After the washing machine finished, I went outside to hang the laundry. The morning air was refreshingly cool, not cold at all—perfect for short sleeves. When the sun hit my hands and shoulders, it felt warm, like early summer weather.

The forecast called for 25°C, with winds at 3 m/s in the morning and 6 m/s in the afternoon.

The temperature felt almost hot for this time of year. The air pressure seemed stable too, and Mom didn’t complain of a headache this morning, which was a relief. She should be able to manage her pre-lunch shower without any issues.

🌸 Cherry Blossoms at 80% Bloom and the Morning View

“The cherry blossoms are almost fully bloomed this morning, maybe 80%.”

The color of the blossoms deepens day by day. Hanging laundry while glancing sideways at the branches swaying in the breeze brings an indescribable sense of calm.

Okinawa’s cherry blossoms bloom earlier than those on the mainland, characterized by a deep pink hue that looks even more vivid in the morning light. Watching the blossoms change their appearance little by little each day is a small luxury that quietly slips into daily life.

Seeing the fluttering petals and the light spilling through the gaps in the branches makes me feel the season truly advancing. This kind of “everyday change” seems to enrich my mornings.

🛒 A Quiet Day Despite the Holiday

Today is a Monday holiday. Since I finished shopping yesterday, I have no particular errands this afternoon and can take it easy. However, when caring for someone, you never know what might happen, so it will be a day spent keeping an eye on my mother.

She might suddenly say she wants to go out, so I’ll handle it as it comes. As preparation for lunch, I rinsed the rice and set it to cook.

🍚 Rice Prices and Household Finances

“Rice is expensive.”

The price has really kept going up lately. The stockpile rice I always buy is 2,900 yen at Sanei. You rarely find it cheaper than that, and looking up, it’s around 4,500 yen. It’s a pretty tough price range for the household budget.

“It’s hard to expect prices to drop much lower. We’ll have to think about cutting costs elsewhere.”

These words reveal the daily reality of balancing caregiving and daily life.