A present from a radio show

I feel dizzy when I watch TV more than I should.  Maybe this comes from my menopausal disorders.  So, I enjoy listening to radio programs instead. 

My most favorite is Radio Kansai station's Saturday program which starts from 8 a.m.  The 2-hour program introduces local events for the weekend so that listeners who doesn't have any plan may visit some of them. 

They also offer one quiz to listeners.  They announce the question around 8:15 a.m. and listeners can send their answers by 9:30 a.m.  At the end of the show, they announce the correct answer and they choose three winners among the listeners who sent the correct answer. 

Please start editing below.  Thank you!

In the past, I sent my answers for many times, however, I didn't have any chance to be the winner until last week, Apr. 23.  So, I was amazed when they announced my name as one of their winners.

I got the present Apr. 27.  Three packs of ramen noodles which are for 6 servings.  My husband, a ramen fan, was also delighted with the present.

The black packages are pork taste while the red one is shoyu taste soup.

Apr. 26 - Himeji Castle, Zoo, and Hiokayama Kouen Park

My husband had an appointment with his doctor the national hospital this morning.  We left our place at 8:30 a.m. and arrived at the hospital 30 minutes later.  

As soon as we arrived, my husband headed to the respiratory department.  He has been told that one of his health problems comes from COPD (=Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) because of his 40 years' heavy smoking habits.  I left my husband at the hospital so that I could take pictures of Himeji castle.  The hospital is located just a few blocks away from the white castle.  

Viola, the winter season flower here, were still in bloom.

I could smell the sweet fragrance when I passed by.

Some travellers on the boat were passing the bridge where I was staying.

The castle is surronded by the pond. 

I walked a few minutes more to visit Himeji City Zoo because I really wanted more pictures of the while owls.  I found the lovely owls earlier this month when I accompanied my husband who had an appointment with his doctor at the urology department at the hospital.   

The male owl looks like he is winking all the time.

I never get bored looking at him. 

This owl with black is a female white owl. 

Ural Owl or Fukurou

Tawny Eagle or Sougen Washi

I found a duck which just come out of water.

Flamingo

Cockatiel

Here is another pig in wild!

After finishing lunch at our favorite restaurant in Himeji, we both enjoyed visiting Hiokayama Kouen Park in Kakogawa city.

The yellow is the youngest and the busiest looking at each direction.

The owner must be very good at handling these French Bulls. 

Apr. 25 - The Neck Warmer

We have a Seria, the 100 yen shop, in our town.  When I stepped in there last March, I noticed that they started selling summer yarns.  I was attracted to buy some of them, but I didn't buy any at the time.

When I visited the shop a few weeks later, I found that some rolls which I was attracted were already sold out at the store.  So, I asked my husband to drive another Seria shop in Takasago city earlier this month.

I felt lucky when I found the rolls I wanted were still on their shelf, so I bought three rolls to knit a neck warmer. 

I referred to the design from their website.

I started knitting that day.

However, knitting takes more time compared to crochet.

It took me three weeks to finish knitting the neck warmer.

It is already warm enough, so we don't need neck warmer in daytime.

I use it only early in the mornings or late at nights.

I find knitting makes me feel relaxed.

I am on my menopausal stage now, and I feel easily irritated by somthing.

Maybe I feel irritate because I try to finish household chores when I feel tired.

I don't have a habit of doing meditation, but knitting has similar effects like meditation for me . 

While knitting, I forget about something I don't want to do.  The needles and yarn seem to be telling me like, "You must be tired now.  Take a rest.  Enjoy knitting for a while.  You can do housechores later."