Canon's Diary

Friday, June 27.
Once again, the weather was strange today—sunny, then cloudy, then sudden bursts of rain. After getting up and taking a bath, I had a lettuce sandwich for breakfast. Today, I planned to take my mother to the Pension Center near Machida Station to apply for the conversion of my late father’s pension into a survivor’s benefit for her.

I carefully checked each required document and explained them one by one, guiding her as she filled them out. Everything went smoothly, and since we had some time left, I also helped her fill out the paperwork for the life insurance claim. Even such small interactions felt like meaningful moments of connection between us.
For lunch, I made soba noodles with cabbage and vegetable tempura. Well, to be honest, I only used about 70 grams of dried noodles, so it was more like a Japanese-style soup with green onions and cabbage. Still, I really like this dish.

In the afternoon, I drove with my mother to Machida.
Thankfully, it didn’t rain while we were out, but the heat outside was a bit exhausting. Though it was a weekday, Machida was as lively as ever, full of young people.
Thanks to the documents I had prepared in advance, the procedure at the Pension Center went smoothly. The staff member who assisted us was kind, but he spoke rather quickly—too quickly for my elderly mother, who’s hard of hearing. On the way home, she quietly muttered, “I couldn’t understand a word he was saying.”
Just as we got home and sighed in relief, the sky suddenly turned dark and a heavy, gunshot-like downpour began. The rain splashing off the neighbor’s roof was so intense it bounced high into the air—it looked like it would really sting if it hit your skin. But it only lasted about ten minutes before the blue sky returned.
What a strange day.

Around 4:30 p.m., I decided to catch up on some work and opened my email. I was shocked by how many messages had piled up.
Since I had taken yesterday and today off, the volume of tasks I left behind wasn’t small—and judging by the tone of the emails, my boss didn’t seem too happy about it. I could sense the frustration between the lines.
…Not good.
Instead of motivating me, it completely deflated my spirit, and I closed my laptop almost instantly.
Ah, I’m done. Really. I’m just too tired.
I’ll eat and go to bed.
Please forgive me.
I promise I’ll give it my all starting tomorrow.

I went to the kitchen and started preparing dinner with my wife.
We sautéed squid, shrimp, and bacon, then added chopped Chinese cabbage and cooked it until tender.
Next, we poured in a ready-made white sauce and let it simmer gently.
The aroma rose softly—like it was melting away the fatigue of the day.
As we cooked, we shared a few laughs and lighthearted conversation.
We scooped rice into a gratin dish, poured the hot sauce over it, sprinkled cheese on top, and baked it for about five minutes.
And just like that, our Chinese cabbage and bacon seafood gratin was done.
We served it with the Chinese-style soup I had made the day before.

The bold flavor of the bacon paired beautifully with the gentle sweetness of the cabbage. Yet, it didn’t overpower the delicate taste of the squid and shrimp. It was a healthy, well-balanced dish.
Yes, I did my best today.
Thank you, me.
Tomorrow, I’ll do even better.
Good night.