Paid Date -- a Flash Fiction Piece from Water and Earth

[This is a piece I had intended for a flash fiction collection, but the editors decided it didn't fit the anthology style closely enough. Too cryptic, too much happening in one thousand words, too much unspoken history, too much off-beat vernacular, too experimental, not adherring to their concepts of genre. 

If I re-worked it to fit (such as here or here), it would be a different story, and I don't have time right now anyway. So I'm posting it here, in the month I originally wrote it, even though the current form has some more recent editing.

For the curious, this is the seed from which my yet to be published story Water and Earth came.

JMR201807241230]

[There's a possibly improved version, here. JMR201808132019]

Paid Date

by Joel Matthew Rees, November 2017
(written in the hospital)

Copyright 2017, 2018 Joel Matthew Rees

"Hey, Bru, who's your friends?"

Bruce raised his fist for a back-hand bump. "Yo, Kurt. These're my real homies. Rob's just back from his mission in the Ukraine, and Gar's headed for his senior year at college. Have a chair?"

Kurt sat at the table. "Hi, Bru's bros. So what's up?"

Gareth leaned forward. "Bru says you get around."

Kurt gave him a blank look.

"Women!" Robert enthused.

Kurt tilted his head and thought. "Naw, dating a different girl every other week at college is not what you call getting around."

"Do you kiss 'em all?" Robert was not to be discouraged.

"Bruce, homies or tennis team, this is a breach of etiquette. Why am I here?"

Bruce backpedaled. "Guys, I don't know why I let you talk me into this."

Gareth glanced in the direction of the diner's counter and leaned forward, speaking in a low voice, "Got a favor to ask. Could be worth your while, like a fifty spot."

Kurt frowned. "The way this starts, I have doubts."

"Uhm, guys." A girl's voice broke in from behind Kurt. "I don't own this place. Someone has to order something."

Did Bruce think he noticed a flash of recognition in Kurt's eyes?

"Got something 100% from the tree, no added sugar?" he asked without turning around.

"Apple or mango today," the girl replied with a laugh, "if reconstituted's okay."

Was there some unusual color in his twin's voice?

"Mango sounds good. Rob's buying."

Robert looked startled.

"Just kidding." Kurt turned to look at the girl, who was checking her order book. "I'll take a large mango."

She didn't look up.

The brothers laughed, but Kurt's ordering had made it hard for them to delay. So they each ordered something to drink.

"That was easier than usual. Thanks, guys." She returned to the counter.

"Your sister." Kurt observed, watching her retreat. "Bru's twin. Brianna, right?"

"Yeah."

"She looks like you, Bru."

Bruce was looking at his feet again.

"And, if I were guessing," Kurt continued, "you three had the stupid idea to try to pay me to insert her into my dating schedule."

"Is it really so stupid?" Robert asked defensively.

"Ask Bru."

Bruce wouldn't look up.

But, somehow, when Brianna returned with their drinks, the four were talking like old friends.

"Tell you what." Kurt swirled his ice as he turned and watched Brianna's retreating form again, thoughtfully. "I'll forgive you guys if you can take me in a little hoop." He nodded at the park visible through the window, across the street.

"Huh?"

"Three on one." Kurt grinned.

"Bru tells me you're cocky, but, ..." Gareth laughed. "Forgive means what?"

"I refrain from punishing you for asking me to insult your sister by accepting money to take her out."

Robert raised his eyebrows. "If you win?"

"I choose your penance."

"Let's see how good you are." Gareth snickered, but Bruce rolled his eyes.

The boys paid for their drinks and went outside into the summer heat.

An hour later, they filed back inside, sweating profusely and laughing.

"So, what's this penance we have to do?" Robert asked as they sat down.

"Let's see if we can make the punishment fit the crime."

"Ahem!" Bruce signaled.

"Uhm, the boss says, ..." Brianna had come back to their table.

"I could use a small burger and a salad after that workout. What about you guys?"

The three brothers looked at each other.

"Didn't someone mention a canceled project and some leftover funds?" Kurt prompted.

"Uh, I guess so." Gareth hesitated.

"Well, I could think of worse things to do with it, if the money were mine," Kurt said pointedly.

That persuaded the brothers, and they each ordered something, talking while they ate. They all waved goodbye to Brianna as they left.

Some three weeks later, Kurt and the three brothers were playing two-on-two in the park.

"You know," Kurt said as Gareth rebounded, "you guys still haven't done penance."

"Foul!" Gareth called. "Who can play with you tossing comments like elbows?"

Everyone laughed.

Robert leaned on his knees and breathed hard. "Wasn't the penance to quit pushing Bree to date?"

"How many dates has she been on since?"

"Two last week, and she's got one tonight."

"So, basically she just needed less interference from you guys." Kurt stole the ball and passed it to Bruce, who dropped in an uncontested layup. "Let's go for some food," he added.

The four crossed the street.

"Hey, Bree!" Four boys chorused.

"Hi, guys, ya eatin' today?"

"Yeah. Mom'll complain, we know." Robert laughed.

"She might, but I won't!" the chef called out from behind the grill.

Brianna laughed, too.

Talking with the three brothers after they ordered, Kurt watched Brianna thoughtfully.

"I don't get it." Gareth was watching Kurt's expression.

"What?"

"You do like Bree."

"Yeah."

"Kurt says he's going to ask her out back at school, and we should give her static about it.  Reverse psychology. " Bruce explained.

"What's with the whispering?" Brianna called from behind the counter.

"Kurt says he thinks he's in love with you," Gareth called out. "Ouch. Now he's kicking me."

"I'll kick him, too, Ddaear Tywysog." Brianna laughed as she brought the brothers' orders.

"Toy arg divvy what?" three voices asked in unison as she returned to the counter and Kurt watched in a daze.

"Dywysoges Dŵr. Ti'n cofio!"

"Of course I remember," she smiled as she came back with Kurt's food. "And you can call me when we get to school next week and my brothers are mostly out of the way."

Kurt looked chagrined. "You're gonna make me wait 'til we're back at school to figure out why I've been pretending we haven't met?"

"Well, I appreciate it, anyway." Brianna winked at Kurt.

"Wait," Bruce guessed, "I let my twin sister go to Wales without me for a little family history research with Mom and Dad, because I have basketball camp. And she comes home with the coolest boyfriend, but then I have to re-introduce you two a year later?"

"Not exactly." Kurt hedged.

"Close enough." Brianna smiled.

Pink Heels and Rusty

Pink Heels and Rusty

(Current -- 2018.04.30)

Joel Matthew Rees

Copyright 2017, 2018. All rights reserved.

Rusty's electric blue eyes bored into me, his expression a total cipher.

"You're mad at me." I was regretting having trusted Pietra's advice.

"Mmm-mmm," he shook his head without taking his eyes from mine or changing his expression. I couldn't look away. The grass under my feet scratched.

"Then what?" Yeah, I was asking the obvious.

"You said your shoes would match my hair." His voice was matter-of-fact, just a shade cool, revealing no hint of what he was really thinking. "I just want you to know that my hair is not hot pink."

Okay, maybe not the obvious. But my ears burned. I held up my heels, pleading with my eyes.

"And my hair is not fuzzy. Curly, sure. Not fuzzy."

The fake fur ankle straps. Mom had called them excessive. Did the corners of his mouth twitch?

"But they're cute, aren't they?"

"Sure. But nothing on my head is as sharp as those stilts, not even my nose."

Relief flooded me. "Oh my gosh. You had me going."

He tilted his auburn head. "You dance in those tonight and your ankles'll be killing you before you leave." I couldn't tell if he was warning or joking.

Maybe both. Then he squatted down without changing his expression, and without looking at my legs.

"Uh, what should I do?" I asked as I watched him. I didn't know whether to squat down with him or remain standing. Either way was awkward.

He pulled one of his own shoes off. "Well, you could go barefoot. Me, I never pass up a chance to go barefoot." Then he pulled his sock off and wiggled his toes. I know it sounds stupid, but his feet were as perfect as his face.

I think I would have died if he had let his focus drift even for a moment to my thighs.

When I was choosing my outfit, my thoughts were different. Pietra had told me I shouldn't hide my body. So I chose the tight cutoff denim hotpants and loose, short, light blue v-neck tee-shirt specifically to keep Rusty's attention on me. But when I arrived at his house for the party, I could see I was out of place. None of the other guests were dressed in anything nearly as skimpy.

He had met me on the front sidewalk before I could quite decide whether to say I must be at the wrong house, and had stared, just for a moment, at my high-heeled shoes before saying, "Nice shoes! Wanna take a look at the back yard? It's where we'll be dancing later."

Not really knowing what to do, I had removed the heels and followed him off the sidewalk and around the corner of the house, before both of us came to stand in the soft but scratchy grass.

And now he had removed his shoes.

I do not know how he managed it, but he straightened up without looking once at my legs.

"Let's leave our shoes on the porch."

"Rusty!" A girl's voice called through the back door. "What ..." The door swung open and Rusty's sister stepped out. "Ah, you must be Cheryl. Rusty said you would be coming."

"Hi."

I didn't know what else to say -- I was planning on seducing your little brother? Right. That joke would not fly in this house, not in this group.

"Cheryl, this is Reba, my big sister."

"So nice to finally meet you." She looked me over, not disapprovingly. "Lovely outfit. Where did you find it?"

" Just stuff I had.”

"Could you come with me? I could use an opinion. Mom wants to talk with you, Rusty."

"Thanks, Reeb."

"Uh, ..." I looked back to Rusty.

He just grinned, and my awkward feelings seemed to vanish like mist. "Reeb's a good friend. I'll go see what my mom wants."

Reba came down the steps and hugged me, with a grin of her own. "Bring your heels. Wouldn't want'em walking off without you."

I followed her up the stairs, carrying my shoes.

"I'm gonna change out of this dress, to make it easier to dance," Reba said as she led me into her room.

"Uhm, ..."

"Mmm?"

"I'm dressed wrong."

She started pulling pairs of jeans out of her closet. "Whattaya think of this pair?"

"I guess I misunderstood when Rusty said casual. Those look nice. Loose enough for dancing in."

"Think so? I have another pair that matches these. Not your kind of casual? ”

“Maybe … not my ... usual casual.”

“Here. Do you think they'd fit you?"

"Fit me? May I?"

Ten minutes later, we descended the front stairs in matching jeans and tees. She had found me a pink camisole to go under my tee-shirt, and picked a tee for herself that matched the blue of mine. And we were both barefoot. And friends.

I don't exactly know how Rusty's family made me feel so at ease so quickly, but I had even forgotten to worry what Mrs. Ellison would say.

"Ah, Reeba, Cheryl, there you are. Come help me with the finger food."

Of course Rusty was right. I would have broken my shoes or my ankles or both, dancing in the grass.

The music was loud enough to dance to, but not loud enough to bother the neighbors. In fact, some of the neighbors joined the party at different times.

And it was fun. Reeba and her date led a bit of formation street, and some of their church friends showed us how to dance ballroom style. And there were parlour games, which are kind of like drinking games without the drinking. And nobody paired off to go submarine racing in the bushes or anything.

I got to help clean up, and I found myself driving home thinking that she who had come to conquer was the vanquished. And I didn't exactly hate the idea.

[JMR201804301216: Backed up here. ]

Asking for a Letter of Reference

A letter of reference is a lttle different from a letter of recommendation, and a reference is not a guarantor.

reference:
  参考、参照、参照できる人、参考になる人など

letter of reference:
  参考になってくれる人からの参考になる（手紙などの）文

つまり、推薦状でもなく、保証人の申し出でもありません。

You provide a letter of reference to give someone an idea of what sort of person you are.
人柄を考えるときに参考になる為に、この文を送ってもらいます。

A referee is completely irrelevant to letters of reference. When you think "referee", think of the guys who call the plays in football and other sports.
"Referee"  と言うのは全く関係ありません。審判のような者です。

[This is not exactly true in the field of law. I'm talking about letters of reference for school and job applications.]
[法律の分野ではちょっと違うことがある。入学志願届けや求職の応募などの話です。]

So I have put together a little sample conversation to help understand the concept and the usage.
以下は概念とその利用について説明するための対話実例です。

-------------

Hana: Professor Williams!

Prof.: Uh, hello.

Hana: Do you remember me? Hana Kinoshita.

Prof: Uhm, sorry, give me some more clues.

Hana: I took your class in foreign language teaching methodologies at Nanboku University seven years ago.

Prof.: Nanboku University ... Ah, yes, I remember teaching there. I was also teaching at Touzai University at the same time.

Hana: Oh, dear. I was hoping to ask you for a letter of reference.

Prof.: You would get a better letter of reference from a tenured professor, I'm afraid.

Hana: But I was hoping for a letter of reference for the methodologies class. I'm applying for post-graduate teacher training at a college in the US.

Prof.: Well, if I were at my desk where I could look at my records, I might remember better. Can you send me an e-mail to refresh my memory?

Hana: Oh, well, I guess I can.

Prof.: And maybe you should get a letter from one of the tenured professors, as well.

Hana: I'll try. Can you write down your e-mail address for me?

Prof.: Got a pencil?

--------------

Don't worry. Forgotten but not forgotten.
忘れていると思うのは仕方がない。記録はあるはず。記録を見たら、思い出せるでしょう。ただし、さらに一人、違う人にも頼んでもいい。

--------------

To: jill7williams (at) groupmail.net
From: hana.yesterday (at) rose.readmail.ne.jp
Subject: Letter of reference I asked for today

Dear Prof. Williams,

Thank you for taking time for me this aftenoon.

I was a student in your foreign language teaching methodologies class at Nanboku University in 2010.

One of the things I remember you teaching were methods of engaging the student. You demonstrated how pretending to forget what words mean can be used to invite the students to help in class.

I really appreciated the teamwork assignments. You had me leading a team twice, once in techniques for elementary schools and once in techniques for high schools.

Sometimes it was hard for me to finish on time because I was also taking a class in using novels as a teaching tool, and had to demonstrate use of four novels for that class over the semester. You helped me several times when I was having trouble getting projects ready to turn in.

I need a letter of reference for Southwestern Teachers College in New Mexico. Could you write one for me? I am asking one of the tenured professors, as well, at your suggestion.

The address to send the letter to is

Admissions Office
Southwestern Teachers College
Santos Pisces, New Mexico 99999
USA

Please let me know if you can.

Respectfully yours,

Hana Kinoshita

--------------

That's a little formal for e-mail, but this is a formal request.
e-mailにしてはやや形式に染まったものですが、礼儀に従うところです。

Note that prompting the memory, as Hana does here, is okay, especially because Professor Williams asked for help remembering.
華さんがここで思い出してもらうために情報を足しているのは特に問題ありません。ウィリアムズ教授が「手がかりください」って言っているし。

Asking the professor to say specific things is usually considered a breach of protocol.
教授に書いていただきたい内容を特定するような発言は気をつけるべきです。礼儀だけではなく、ルール違反になりかねるのですから。

--------------

To: hana.yesterday (at) rose.readmail.ne.jp
From: jill7williams (at) groupmail.net
Subject: Re: Letter of reference I asked for today

Dear Hana,

I have checked my records and refreshed my memory.

I recall encouraging you to work hard on the novels class.

I also recall you falling asleep a couple of times in class because you had been practicing late for the drama club. Remember to use those drama techniques in your classes.

I will be happy to send your letter of reference (and I won't mention the falling asleep in class ;-).

I checked the address for Southwestern Teachers College. The best place to send letters of reference for graduate school applicants is the graduate admissions office, so I will send it there.

Let me know how things go at STCNM.

Sincerely,

Jill Williams

--------------

This is where Hana's involvement ends.
これ以上は、華さんが関わって行けません。

The letter should usually be sent by regular post (physical mail) directly from the professor to the school.
大概は、教授本人がこの letter of reference を直接その学校に送るべきです。

If a professor can't send a positive letter of reference for some reason, the professor should decline, to allow the student to find someone who can.
なんらかの事情があって生徒のためになる letter of reference を送ることができない場合、教授は控えて、生徒が別の方に、参考になる人になってもらえるようにするべきです。

Snow White, as a Play, scene 14, A Woman of the Camp

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TOC

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[Scene 14, A Woman of the Camp -- 

N: Narrator, K: King, 

J(SW): Snow White, in disguise as the servant, Jane,

C: Councilor, S1 & S2: two Soldiers,

AB: the King's armor bearer, R/M: Runner/Messenger,

P: Prince of the Enemy camp]

S1: The Queen's Maid is a sight to be seen.

N: The young woman was watching the night sky at the edge of camp.

C: You should keep your thoughts and your eyes in check, soldier.

S2: But you have eyes for her too, I think.

C: I am bound by the Queen's orders. I must watch her.
    If she comes to any harm, I come to the same.

S1: Cruel. They say the Princess and the Maid look alike.

C: I can tell them apart when they are together.

S2: They say she is only inferior in beauty to the Queen.
    And the Princess, of course.

C: They have loose lips.

N: Both soldiers busied themselves with the camp fire for a moment,
    then returned to watching the soldiers on guard duty around the camp.

S1: The Slow Moon is high.

N: The Councilor looked quickly at the soldier who had spoken,
    then at the other, who was again watching the young woman.

C: I don't know that I would say that.

N: The soldier who had spoken only nodded.

C: Jane. Isn't it time to retire?

J(SW): Yes, I suppose it is.

N: In a prearranged signal, Snow White, in her disguise as Jane,
    stretched and looked first at the larger Slow Moon,
    then at the smaller Fast Moon.
    Having thus told her friends trailing the camp that she was safe,
    she returned to campfire.

J(SW): I will retire now.
    With both moons high tonight, I think I could read,

C: The Princess spoils you, teaching you to read.

J(SW): It is only that I may better serve their Majesties.

C: So they say. So they say.

N: The trip to the battlefront took most of a week.

C: Your Majesty, I bring supplies and news.

K: That is good.

J(SW): And the Princess's Maid,
    with a charge to serve you as you need.

K: I see.

N: And the King saw more than the Councilor, of course.

C: I don't see how she can help.

K: You must be tired from the journey.

J(SW): Shall I tend to your wounds?

K: I think you should. Councilor, how about the supplies?

C: I shall see to them, sire.

N: When the Councilor was out of hearing,
    the King's Armor Bearer signaled to him.

K: I must say, I am not surprised, although it is against my orders.

J(SW): You have not had your wounds properly dressed.

K: I am not the only man with wounds in the camp.

AB: I will send for bandages and medicine.

J(SW): I shall need help by the river.
    There are herbs for dressing wounds there.

AB: Then I shall call for someone.

J(SW): See that the Councilor is made aware that I go.

K: He did not use the signs.

J(SW): He does not trust your Advisor.

K: Then he is not

N: Snow White put her fingers to the Kings lips.

J(SW): We work with whom we must.

K: You've learned your lessons maybe too well.

N: On the third day that Snow White, in disguise, was in camp,
    the enemy Prince raised a flag of parley.

C: It's a trick.

K: See that our allies are informed.

C: Soldier!

S1: Sir!

C: Send signals to the camps of the allies.

S1: What shall I inform them of, sir?

K: I am meeting with the Prince of the enemy to arrange parley.
    Jane, you will attend me.

J(SW): I hear and obey.

C: She will just be in the way, Sire!

K: I thought you knew, Councilor, that the servants of the Palace
    are trained in all the arts and service of the court.

C: I shall prepare to attend.

K: I think I won't need your help.

J(SW): But, M'Lord, he would take news back to the Kingdom.

K: Then, Councilor, I must put you under oath.
    You must remain silent during the meeting.

C: By the King's word.

K: And there may be news which you will not be able to tell.

C: Understood.


[JMR: Written between 21 January and 7 July 2017, and posted on 7 July.]

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Snow White, as a Play, scene 13, The Bad News

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[Scene 13, The Bad News -- 

N: Narrator, A: Advisor,

Q2: the 2nd Queen,

M: Mayor, C: Councilor, 

R/M: Runner/Messenger, Jane: Snow White's personal servant,

MM: Magic Mirror]

Q2: Councilor, we must send you to the battlefront for information.

C: What? Battlefront?

M: Your Majesty. It is our pleasure to serve.

C: Where is Snow White?

Q2: She did not take the news very well.

M: What news?

C: Is there trouble?

A: You sent for me, Your Majesty?

Q2: Thank you for hurrying, Advisor. I know you are busy.

A: The Queen's word is my only command.

Q2: Runner, please tell these men the news you have.

R/M: The King is wounded, and the soldiers do not fight.
    There are shortages of food and supplies in the camp.

C: We must send someone!

Q2: Who but yourself would you suggest?

M: Quite right, Councilor. Quite right.
    Who else would be free to go?

Q2: Advisor, you will see to it that the King knows
    he can trust the Councilor.

A: Your Majesty. Not that.

Q2: How else shall he know whom he should trust?

A: Very well. I shall see to it after preparations are complete.

Q2: The Princess is very disquieted. No one is allowed to disturb her.

A: No one, M'Lady?

Q2: Only I and her personal servants may see her.

J: Your Highness?

Q2: Yes?

J: If it please the Queen, I seek permission to attend the King
    for the Princess in the camp.

Q2: Is this by the Princess's request?

J: It is.

Q2: Then you shall also represent me in the camp.

J: I hear and obey.

C: Your Majesty!

Q2: See that there is sufficient preparation.
    Jane must be allowed to attend to the King in every need,
    and she must be brought back safely.

M: Is it wise?

C: She will be in danger.

J: I am understand the dangers.

Q2: If she comes to harm, I will require it of you.

C: It is a hard thing you require.

N: But Snow White disguised herself and traded places with Jane.
    And Jane resigned herself to staying in the Princess's rooms,
    occasionally showing her silhouette at the window.

R/M: See how the Princess worries.

M: It is past midnight. She should be asleep.

C: She must be very worried.

N: Before they left, the Advisor privately gave the Councilor
    secret signs to give to the King.

A: These will assure the King that you speak for us.

C: Are they necessary?

A: It is by arrangement with the King, to show
    how much he can trust your reports.

C: Thank you. I shall go now.


[JMR: Written between 21 January and 6 July 2017 and posted 6 July.]

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Snow White, as a Play, scene 12, Rumors

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[Scene 12, Rumors -- 

N: Narrator, A: Advisor, SW: Snow White, 

Q2: the 2nd Queen, who was no longer a confused and scared Woman,

M: Mayor, C: Councilor, 

R/M: Runner/Messenger, Jane: a Servant, Tom: another Servant,

MM: Magic Mirror ]

M: Is the King alive? Has he been injured?

R/M: The King is alive and leading the armies.

C: Are the women of the camp tending to the injured?

SW: You are both of you just horrid.

M: Oh! Snow White! I didn't know you were around.
    I'm sorry to cause you to worry about your father.

SW: I don't think you are sorry at all.

Q2: Be careful how you speak of such things,
    in the castle, or in the hearing of the people.

C: But you must both prepare yourselves for the eventuality.

Q2: What eventuality?

M: That the King might not return.

C: Or that he might not return alone.

SW: You have both disobeyed a direct order of the Queen.
    Leave now.

M: But we have business with your majesties.

Q2: Why do you talk of a war which you yourselves will not fight?

C: It is about the war. We must send supplies. We need money.

M: Or, indeed, the King might not return.

SW: Jane, call the Advisor.

J: He is outside the castle, M'Lady.

T: The Mayor and the Councilor asked him to see to the crops
    when he returned with the Runner.

Q2: Then send for him.

J: I go.

Q2: Until he comes, you two may sit in the conference chamber.
    Tom, you will see that these two gentlemen are made comfortable there.

T: I will see to them, M'Lady.

N: The Mayor and the Councilor left with Tom, though not willingly.

Q2: I am afraid for us all.

R/M: Fear is a careless messenger. It is useful, but not as a commander.

SW: Don't be afraid, Mum. Things will work out.

Q2: What if they don't work out very well?

A: If we do our best, only God can judge us.

Q2: Oh! Advisor!

SW: And He will judge us well and faithfully, in the end.

Q2: You weren't gone?

A: I obey the Queen. But I have sent some men we can trust,
    to check the crops.

Q2: Tell us the full news, faithful Runner.

R/M: The King has been injured.

SW: How badly?

R/M: The wounds are not mortal.
    He still leads both in battle and in parley.

SW: Is ... how ...

Q2: Is he recovering well?

R/M: He is. Do not lend your ears to rumors, my Majesties.

SW: Thank you.

A: How goes the war?

R/M: All parties grow weary of the fighting.

Q2: Why does it continue?

R/M: Our agents tell us that our enemies are being paid to fight.

SW: Of course. Is it clear yet who buys their service?

R/M: Rumors, your Majesties.

SW: These are rumors we must hear.
    We will judge for ourselves of their truth.

R/M: Indeed. The money seems to come from partisans
    within our own country and the countries of our allies.

A: Are these rumors reliable?

R/M: Proof is hard to come be. There is one more rumor.

Q2: Let us hear it.

R/M: The money is drying up and the partisans are seeking new sources.

Q2: That explains why the Mayor and the Councilor come asking for money.

SW: Do not speak of this last rumor outside this room.

R/M: I hear and obey.

SW: You are all my good friends. Tell our friends I will miss them.

Q2: Miss them?

A: We must protect the Queens.

N: And the Queen, the Princess, and the Advisor made plans
    with their most trusted servants and court officials.


[JMR: Written between 21 January and 6 July 2017 and posted on 6 July.]

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Snow White, as a Play, scene 11, The Plotters Plot

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[Scene 11, The Plotters Plot -- 

N: Narrator, 

M: Mayor, C: Councilor]

N: Some people think plots are more important than kingdoms.

M: How much longer can we pay the enemies to keep fighting us?

C: Not much. We are running out of money.

M: What about the kingdom's treasury?

C: The Queen and the Advisor check the accounts.

M: You said she would be easy to control.

C: She was once.

M: She thought she loved you once. What happened?

C: I guess the King is a better man than I am.

M: She really loves the King, I guess.

C: Snow White has more control over the Queen than I do now.

M: Fear makes it easy to control people.

C: Fear?

M: We must make them afraid for the King.
    Fear turns people's hearts.

[JMR: Written and posted 5 July 2017.]

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February PTA -- Forgot to Mention Temperature -- 体温・気温

Oh. One more thing. I forget to mention the temperature relative to weather. I guess you can't cover everything.
アァッ！もう一つを、気温のことを忘れました。まあ、全部を取り入れるのは無理でしょう。

I talked a little about body temperature a year ago, in the January 2016 lesson.
一昨年、 2016年１月のクラスで体温をちょっとだけ取り上げました。

And I explained about Fahrenheit vs. Celsius/Centigrade in a post on my math and English blog, several years ago.
そして、華氏と摂氏の違いを数年前、ボクの数学と英語のブログの投稿で取り上げています。


Just for fun, I'll put a short conversation about both body and environmental temperature up here.
まあ、ここで皆が楽しめる、体温と気温のことを取り上げる短い会話の実例を投稿しましょ
うか。

---

Jun: Hi, Honey, I'm home!
只今！

Sherry: Jun, I'm not feeling very good.
アタシ、ちょっと元気ないよ。

Jun: Oh, dear. You don't look so hot, either. Where does it hurt?
元気無さそう、寝。どこが調子悪い？

Sherry: All over.
どこも。全身。

Jun: Have you taken your temperature?
体温見ている？

Sherry: I took it an hour ago, but it wasn't especially high.
一時間前見たけど、特に高くなっていなかった。

Jun: Let me check.
診せて下さい。

(Jun touches Sherry's forehead, then her neck under her chin, with the inside of his wrist.)
（ジュン、手首でシェリの額を、また首の下を触れて診ます。）

Jun: You're kind of warm. Where's the thermometer?
温そうです。体温計は？

Sherry: It's on the table.
テーブルの上。

Jun: Well, let me get the futon out so you can lie down, and let's take your temperature again.
布団出すから、寝てて。それからもう一度体温を診てみましょう。

(Jun spreads the futon in the tatami room and puts the feather quilt on it while Sherry sits in the kitchen.)
（シェリが台所で待っていて、ジュンが和室に布団を敷いて、羽根布団をかけます。）

Sherry: Is it cold outside?
外、寒い？

Jun: Yes. It's very cold out there. I think it's below zero.
とても。零下と思う。

Sherry: Really! Oh. Wait. You mean zero degrees Celsius.
あらま！アッ、待ってて。それは摂氏の零度ですね。

Jun: Yeah. Sorry. What is that, below thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit?
まあ、そうですね。すまん。華氏ではどうなる？32度以下？

Sherry: That's still cold, but not as cold. Suddenly I want to know what the temperature is outside.
華氏零ほどではないけど、それでもまだ寒い。突飛なのに、外の気温が気になります。

Jun: We'll check after we check your temperature. Get under the covers and put this under your arm. Get it snug in your armpit.
きみの体温がわかってから見てみよう。潜り込んで、体温計を脇の下に入れてね。しっかり脇の下に、ね。

Sherry: You're tickling me.
こそばい。

Jun: Sorry.
ごめん。

Sherry: That's okay. Back in America, we put the thermometer under the tongue. The armpit doesn't transfer heat very well, so the temperature tends to read low.
いいよ。アメリカでは体温計をベロの下に入れる。脇に挿すと熱がきれいに伝わらないので、低く診れるのが多い。

Jun: Maybe that's why you guys think thirty-seven is normal, where we think it's a low fever.
もしかして、日本では37度が微熱と思うのに、アメリカでは通常と言われるわけ？

Sherry: Maybe so. There's a song my dad liked, called Ninety-eight Point Six. It wouldn't be the same in Japanese.
そうかも。父の好きだった歌がある。ナイんティーエイトポイントシックスというの。日本語では通じない、ね。

Jun: I guess it means normal body temperature?
通常の体温のこと？

Sherry: Yeah. Healthy. Feeling fine. He's happy to have her back.
ん。元気。調子いい。彼女が戻って嬉しい。

Jun: There's the thermometer.
体温計がなったよ。

Sherry: It's beeping.
鳴るね。

Jun: What's it say?
何という温度？

Sherry: Hey, ninety-eight point six.
通常やで。

Jun: Then what could be the problem?
なら、どうした？どこが悪い？

Sherry: Maybe it's not a problem. I think I want to throw up.
悪くもないかも知れない。げが出そう。

Jun: Oh! Wow! What do you want me to do? Pickles and ice cream?
あそう！ワオ！どうしたらいい？ピックルスとアイスクリーム？

Sherry: Hawaiian pizza with Canadian bacon and jalapeños would be nice. If I can hold it down.
ハワイアンピザにカナダ産のベーコンにハラペーニョが好さそう。胃が持つなら。

---

Notes:　注釈：

Honey

愛称（甘い人）

I'm home!

家に戻っているよ。

Hi, Honey, I'm home!

只今。

feel well

体の調子が良い

feel good

"feel well" の砕けた言い方

look hot

暑そう => 気持ちを熱くする外見をいう意味で使うこともある。

don't look so hot

大体は、相手の元気が燃えていなさそう意味で使う。

What's the matter?

「物体はなんだろう？」 => 「どうした？」、「何があった？」など

What's the problem?

「問題はなんだろう？」 => 「どうした？」、「何があった？」など

Where does it hurt?

どこが痛い？ => どこが悪い？ => What's the problem? と同じ

temperature

温度、体温、気温

°摂氏

(（°華氏） - 32 ) × 5 ÷ 9

°華氏

（°摂氏）× 9 ÷ 5 + 32

摂氏零度

華氏 32度

put 〇〇 under □□

□□の下に〇〇を入れておく

snug

しっかりと合わせたまま

armpit

脇の下

tickle

こそばく感じる、いじってこそばい感触をさせる

transfer

熱の場合は、伝う、伝わる

fever

病気の熱

heat

物理的な熱さ

read

（読めるように）表示する

that is why

それが理由

where 〇〇

〇〇のに、〇〇なのに

low fever

微熱

high fever

高熱

華氏 98.6度

摂氏 37度ぴったり

be the same

同じである、同じように通じる

mean

意味する

happy to 〇〇

〇〇に嬉しい

have her back

彼女が戻ってきているようになって

beep

ピーと鳴る、機械が鳴る

say

表示する

What could be the problem?

仮定文を利用した、考えようという気持ちを言い、「どうしました？」

throw up

上に投げる => 胃袋から投げると考えて、吐き出す

hold it down

抑える => 食べても吐き出さないこと

Useful phrases: 便利な表現：

Do you feel well?

体調大丈夫？ => Are you okay?

I ache all over.

全身がズキズキする

high/low temperature

高・低温（度）

normal temperature

通常体温、気温

Are you hot/cold?

熱いですか？・寒いですか？
（場合によっては「ついている」・「ついてない」意味では使いますが…）

Is it hot/cold outside?

お外が熱いですか？・寒いですか？

PTA February Notes -- Seasons and Weather

These are the notes for the February 2017 lesson.
2017年２月のレッスンの覚え書きです。

[JMR201702211306: I forgot to talk about temperature in the lesson, so I posted some extra material about that. 
レッスンの間に温度の話を忘れたので、追加資料を投稿しました。
]

We talked about the weather and the seasons for about an hour.
天気と季節の話をだいたい一時間しゃべりました。

weather

天気（気候）

season

季節（特に、四季）、時期、熟させる、味をつける

climate

気候

Do you like ○○?

○○が好きですか？

I like ○○.

○○が好きです。

I don't like ○○.

○○が好きではありません。　（○○が嫌です。）

snow

雪

rain

雨

sun

太陽、日当たり

wind

風

time

時間、時期、時（時刻ではない）、回数の「回」や「度」

time of year

季節、年内の時期

spring

春、ばね、飛び跳ねる、湧き出る、（芽が）生える

rainy season

梅雨

summer

夏、夏を過ごす（夏を越す）

fall

秋、落ちる、倒れる、流れ込む

autumn

秋、秋の季節（を過ごす）

winter

冬、冬の季節を過ごす

them all

それら皆を、それぞれを

... spring into summer, fall into winter

春から夏へ、秋かる冬へ季節が巡り替わって…

Spring into summer, fall into winter.

夏へ飛び跳ねて、冬へ落ちていく。
（季節の順番を覚えるダジャレのことわざです。）

Which season do you like ((the) best)?
Which is your favorite season?

季節のどちらが好きですか？
どちらの季節がお気に入りですか？

I like ○○ ((the) best).
○○ is my favorite (season).

○○（の季節）が好きです。

I like them all.

どれも好きです。

I don't like the cold. (heat)

寒さが苦手です。　(厚さ・熱）

I like warm weather. (cool, hot, cold)

暖かい天気が好きです。　（涼しい、暑い、寒い）

Rain makes me feel clean.

雨は私を清く感じさせる。（清くしてくれる。）

I like the rain because it makes me feel clean.

きれいな感じがするから雨が好きです。

I love the rain, for it cleanseth my soul.

雨が大好きなわけは、私の魂を洗い清めてくださるのです。　（諺）

sweat

汗、汗かく

perspire

汗かく、汗が浮かぶ　（上品な言い方に思われる）

perspiration

汗、汗の潤い（上品な言い方に思われる）

Men sweat.

男なら汗かく。

Women perspire.

女性なら汗が浮かぶ。

glow

輝く、光を放つ

Men sweat, women glow.

男性は（動物らしく）汗をかくが、女性は潤しで輝く。　（諺）

make

作る、状況を作り出す

Summer makes me sweat.

夏は汗をかく。

get to ○○

○○をやらせてもらえる　（○○してもいい、○○ができる）

In summer I get to sweat.

夏は汗かいてもいいです。

Winter makes me cold.

冬は寒くなる。

In winter I get to ski. (go skiing)

冬はスキーをやってもいいです。　（スキーに行ける）

On Valentine's Day, I get to give my friends chocolate.

バレンタインの日にはチョコレートを友達に上げてもいいです。

I get to _____.

• go on vacation with my family
  家族と休みに行く
• go to hanami
  花見に行く
• go swimming
  泳ぎに行く
• sleep late
  遅くまで寝る
• make snowmen
  雪ダルマを作る　（複数かも知らない）
• walk the dog
  犬を散歩させる

花見

hanami, flower (cherry/plum) blossom(s) festival

花見に行く

go to the cherry blossom festival
go watch the cherries blossom
go watch the flowers bloom

blossom

花、開花、花が開く　（若い花、実が生る前の花）
（開花の季節を指摘することもできます。）

bloom

花、開花、花が開く　（一般の花や実が生らない花）
（開花の季節を指摘することもできます。）

花粉

(flower) pollen

花粉症

hay fever, pollen allergy

I like fall because it's not (so) cold.

秋は（それほど）寒くならないので好きです。

I don't like spring because of flower pollen. I get hay fever.

花粉症のせいで春は好きではない。花粉症になるからです。

give

与える、おこす

Spring gives me hay fever.

春は花粉症にかかる。

I like to take walks in (the) spring.

春に散歩するのが好きです。　春の散歩が好きです。

I like to take walks in the rose garden in spring.

春のバラ園での散歩が好き。

get ○○

○○をもらう（がもらえる）、○○（の状態）になる

get cold

寒くなる

get warm

暖かくなる

get crazy

荒れていく、狂いだす、遊んでしまう

go crazy

狂う

drive

追い立てる

It drives me crazy.

そのせいで気が狂う。

It drives me up a wall.

（壁に登るに追い立てる）俺を狂わせる。

Winter is more fun when you have a nice warm place to go home to.

戻れる暖かい家があった冬が楽しい。
暖かい家に戻れる冬（のほう）が楽しい。

It's like, skiing is more fun when you can go inside and get warm after skiing all day.

ちょど、一日をスキーに尽くして、その日の暮れに（スキー場のキャビンなどの）中に入って温めるほうが、スキーが楽しい。

熱帯低気圧（に伴う風が回る大嵐）

• hurricane: ハリケーン（カリブ海やメキシコ湾を中心に）
• cyclone: サイクロン（インド洋を中心に）
• typhoon: 台風（日本などを中心に）

竜巻

tornado, twister, cyclone
地面から伸びて雲に接するように言われる。

medium

中ぐらい、中間、仲介、媒体

intermediate

中級、中間（の範囲）

For the last half hour, we played the card game AGO.
最後の三十分 AGO というカードゲームを遊びました。

"AGO" is pronounced "A-go".
"AGO" の発音は「エイ・ゴ」です。

The rules are simple and the cards give the players a chance to practice speaking English.
簡単なルールで、それぞれのカードは、英語でしゃべる機会になります。

I hope to see you all in March!
三月もよろしく、ね！

February PTA English -- Seasons, Weather

So. Let's talk about the seasons of the year and weather, I guess.
季節及び天気について話しましょう。

Or anything else. I'm also preparing a little game.
まあ、何でもいいでしょう。ちょっとのゲームぽいものも準備しておきます。

The notes for the lesson are now up.
レッスンのノートをもう投稿しました。

I put up some extra material for temperature, both body and weather.
温度のための追加資料を投稿しました。体温も、気温も。

---

Conversation example:
界隈実例：

Student: Matthew Sensei, What's your favorite season?
マシュー先生のお気に入りの季節は？

Matthew: Oh, winter, ... spring, ... summer, ... and fall.
  And the rainy season, too.
  I love the rain, for it cleanseth my soul.
さて、冬かな…　春かな…　夏かな…　秋かな。
  梅雨も、ね。
  雨は、我が魂を洗い清めてくださるので、大喜びです。

Student: Huh? Speak Japanese, please!
エェッ！日本語を喋って下さいよ！

Matthew: I like them all. Rainy season, too.
皆好き。梅雨も。

Student: All? Why? Isn't winter cold?
すべての季節ですか？なんで？冬だって寒くない？

Matthew: Sure. But if we spend all summer trying to get cold, why not enjoy the cold when we have it?
正に。ただ、夏はずっと、寒いところを求めているばかりではありません？寒いところがたっぷりある季節は楽しまな損じゃないですか？

Student: You're kidding.
冗談だよ！

Matthew: Well, winter is more fun when you have a nice, warm place to go home to.
まあまあ、暖かいお家に戻れるこそ冬が楽しいでしょう。

Student: Oh. Like skiing is more fun when you can go inside and get warm after skiing all day.
アッ！わかった。スキーの楽しみの一つは、一日中スキーに乗って寒くなってから中に入って温めることですね。

Matthew: Right.
そのとおり。

PTA English January Notes -- New Year's Words and Phrases

Notes for the January 2017 PTA English Class

We talked about Seijinshiki, New Year's resolutions, and New Year's celebrations.
成人式や新年の個人決断およびお正月を取り上げました。

---

Seijinshiki:

成人する

come of age, become an adult

成人式

Coming of Age Ceremony

成人の日

Coming of Age Day

adult

成人、大人

minor

未成年者　（小さい、少ない、二流）

major

大部分、大多数、過半数

legal

適法の、合法的な、法律上に

成年

age of majority, legal age

選挙権年齢

voting age

(legal) drinking age

（法律上）飲酒可能年齢

cancel class(es)

学級閉鎖

学校閉鎖

cancel school, cancel classes for an entire school

学年閉鎖

cancel classes for an entire grade, cancel the grade

３日間ずっと雪が降っていた

It was snowing (there) for three days.

まるでスキー場（のように）になってた.

It was like a ski resort.

運転免許

driver's license

celebration

祝賀、行事、賞賛など

general

一般

local

近状の、局地の、地元の、個人的な

general celebration

一般的に、どこにも祝う祝賀や行事

local celebration

範囲の限られた祝賀

How do you celebrate 〇○?

○○（の行事）をどういう風に祝う（覚える）のですか？

We celebrate ○○ with □□.

□□をもって○○を祝う（覚える）のです。

普段着

street clothes, everyday clothes, daily wear, plainclothes (police officer), usual dress

formal

形式上の、お決まりの、型にはまった

礼服、式服

formal dress/wear/clothes

日曜服装

Sunday best, Sunday dress/clothes

教会に着る服装

church clothes/dress

dress up

仮装（衣装）する、改まった服装にする、式服などを着る

dress down

普段着を着る、砕けた服装にする

成人式は式服を着て成人することについての説教を聞いて祝うのです。

We celebrate Seijinshiki (Coming of Age Day) by dressing up and attending a lecture on the duties of adults.

top

コマ

spinning tops

コマ回し

---

resolution

決意、決断、決議

New Year's resolution

新年の決断（決意）

weight

体重

lose weight

体重を落とす、軽減する

lose ten pounds

十ポンド（およそ4.5kg）軽減する

My new year's resolution is to ○○．

私の新年の決意は○○です。

整理整頓

clean up, straighten up, organize

organize my life

人生を整理する（整える）

dust the furniture

家具のほこりをふき取る

床のほうきかけをする

sweep the floor

（床に）モップを掛ける

mop (the floor)

wipe the floor

雑巾などで床を拭く

meet

試合

competition

競技

tournament

競技の大会

Each sport has its own words for a meet or game.

それぞれのスポーツはそれぞれの言葉で試合や競技を示すのです。

大会を勝つ

win a tournament

内外

inside and outside

be beautiful

美しくある、美しくなる

内外美しくする

be beautiful both inside and outside

beauty is as beauty does

美しくあるのが美しい
（技とするものじゃない）

gain strength

力をつける、鍛える

---

Then we made up a dialog, imagining picking up a foreign friend at the airport on January 1st:
お正月に、空港で外国の友達を迎えに行ったことを想像して、会話を皆で作りました。

---

Friend: Happy New Year!

One-of-Us: Welcome back to Japan.
  And Happy New Year to you, too.

Friend: Long time no see!
[「久しぶり」という意味に使っていますが、冗談らしい言い方です。
文字通りに考えたら、半年とか十年ののような長い間に思われる。]

One-of-Us: Hungry? Let's go for lunch.
[(Are you) hungry?]

["go for lunch" => "go to lunch"]

Friend: Sounds good.

One-of-Us: Whaddaya want?
[What do you want (to eat)?]

Friend: Sushi! Soba!

One-of-Us: How about o-sechi?

Friend: What's that? What's o-sechi?

One-of-Us: O-sechi is new year's food.

Friend: Sounds interesting. I'll try it.

[ここで、　"try" => 「試食」]

Notes:
注釈 :
(But think flexibly. あやふやに考えて下さい。
These are not rules, just suggestions. ルールよりも、提案と考えて下さい。

(It has been a) long time (with) no (chance to) see (you).
  => しばらくして会う機会がなかったのね。

It has been a long time since I've seen you.
  => 会って久しぶりですの。

I haven't seen you in a long time.
  => 長い間、出会っていません。

It's been a while.
  => しばらくの間ですね。

(Are you) hungry?
  こういう表現は会話の場合に、主語も動詞も省略することがあります。

Let's go for lunch.
  => 昼を食べに行こう。

Let's to to lunch.
  => 昼ご飯に行こう。

Food that we eat at New Years
  => お正月に食べる食べ物

A special dish for new years
  => お正月のための特別お料理の一品です。

I have a similar example here.
ここにも似た対話例があります。

---

While we were waiting to start, I played Gavin Sutherland's "Sailing", both the Sutherland Brothers version and Rod Stewart's version that was a really big hit.
始めるのを待っていた間、 "Sailing" という曲を流しました。これは作曲・作詞の Gavin Sutherland to 兄弟の Sutherland Brothers が出したバージョンも、有名歌手の Rod Stewart が出した大ヒットになったバージョンもあります。

Snow White, as a Play, scene 10 (redirect), The Stepmother's Feelings Change

[JMR201707051658: Moving things around:]

This scene was in the wrong place. It has been moved to here:

Snow White, as a Play, scene 10, The Stepmother's Feelings Change

(Please update your bookmarks, if any.)

]

Snow White, as a Play, scene 10, The Stepmother's Feelings Change

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[Scene 10, The Stepmother's Feelings Change -- 

N: Narrator, C: Councilor, M: Mayor,

Q2: the 2nd Queen, who was a vain and confused Woman,

SW: Snow White, MM: Magic Mirror, A: Advisor ]

N: The Mayor and the Councilor teased Snow White and her Stepmother incessantly.

C: I wonder when the King will return?

M: Where is he now? Is the battle going well?

N: The Councilor taught the Queen some finer points of horse riding.

C: You are far too delicate a creature to ride this way.
    Why does the King leave a woman such as yourself alone so long?

Q2: Maybe I should not let you teach me to ride horses.

N: The Mayor discussed the course of the war.

M: The women of the camp need more medical supplies.
    I wonder who is tending the King's wounds?

SW: Mum, I would like to join the women of the camp.

Q2: I would, too. But it's too dangerous, my dear.

N: The New Queen felt the weight of responsibility keenly.

Q2: Oh, Snow White, they ask me to make decisions that I don't understand.

SW: We should leave those decisions to Father's Advisor.

Q2: The Advisor is always out on the business of the court.

SW: Then we should make the Mayor and Councilor wait.

N: Sometimes, the Stepmother Queen consulted her magic mirror.

Q2: Mirror, mirror, on the wall, ...

MM: You keep asking me questions that you should be asking yourself, or God.

Q2: But I have no confidence.

MM: You are the Queen. You have the King's Advisor. You have Snow White.
    You need patience. And to be careful of whom you listen to.

Q2: It is hard to be patient.

N: Little by little, the Mayor and the Councilor poisoned
    the Stepmother Queen's heart.

M: If he really loved you, I'm sure he could make time
    to take a break and come home to visit.

C: Maybe he has found someone more beautiful than you.

Q2: There is no one alive more beautiful than I to the King.
    Snow White explained to me how the King feels.

C: And what about your step-daughter?

M: If the King ever does return, and if he should give you children,
    won't she come before your own children?

N: The Stepmother Queen made herself distant from Snow White.

SW: Mum, can we go for a picnic?

Q2: I am so tired. Maybe not today, honey.

N: Then the Mayor made a shocking suggestion.

M: If Snow White should meet an accident in the forest,
    there would be no one between you and the King.

Q2: You are evil. Leave, now.
    Never say such things to me or anyone else, again.

N: The Stepmother Queen mentioned this to Snow White.

SW: They are not friends of my father.
    I once asked him why he allowed them to remain in office.

Q2: What did he say?

SW: He said that the people had chosen them.

Q2: But surely the King could overrule the choice.

SW: The people must be free to make bad decisions.

Q2: He said that?

SW: If the people will not choose good, the King cannot save them.
    If he tries, it will only spoil the people and ruin the kingdom.

Q2: Your father's wisdom is greater than I knew.
    Are you afraid of me?

SW: I am a little afraid. Not of you. For you.
    But I must trust you.

Q2: Is it wise for you to trust me?

SW: If we fight, it will destroy both of us.
    And it will destroy the kingdom.
    We have no choice but to trust each other

Q2: How did your father train you so well?

N: But the Stepmother Queen could not shake herself loose
    of the Councilor and Mayor's influence.
    Eventually, she asked the King's advisor a shocking question.

Q2: What would happen if you and Snow White were in the forest hunting,
    and she should meet with an accident?

A: The Mayor and the Councilor have been teasing you again.

Q2: They have. But is it safe for her to go hunting with you?

A: I wonder whether it would be safer to leave her here with
    only you against the wolves.

Q2: I see what you mean.

A: Sometimes I think I should take you with us, as well.
    But the duties of the court demand otherwise.
    I really am sorry to ask you to fight these battles alone.

Q2: I think I'm learning, but I'm scared.

[JMR: Written and posted 21 January 2017.]

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Snow White, as a Play, scene 9, Insecurity, Accidents, and Intrigue

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[Scene 9, Insecurity, Accidents, and Intrigue Plague the Royal Household -- 

N: Narrator, VW: the 2nd Queen, who was a Vain Woman,

M: Mayor, C: Councilor, A: Advisor, SW: Snow White ]

N: The New Queen became distraught, waiting for the King.

VW: There must be no one more beautiful in the kingdom than I when he returns!

SW: Mum, Daddy will be okay.
    And, to him, no one living is more beautiful than you.

M: Besides yourself, Snow White, of course.
    You worry too much, my Queen.

C: I'm sure he has hasn't found anyone new.

M: He would be too busy on the battlefield.

C: Of course, he can't be fighting all the time.

A: Can't you two leave well enough alone?

VW: Snow White, I need to think. Can we go for a picnic?

SW: That sounds like a great idea, Mummy.

A: I'll come with you.

VW: No need. We won't go far.

SW: Let's go pack some yummy food.

N: The New Queen thought she knew a place in the woods where Snow White had never been.

VW: Isn't this a beautiful place?

SW: Yes, it is. I like to come here when it snows.
    But don't tell Daddy, he would worry.

N: They finally found a place where Snow White didn't say she had been before.

VW: This looks like a nice spot.

SW: I don't remember having come here before.
    It's a little wild, but that makes it all the more fun.

N: They ate their picnic and watched the woods animals and talked for a while.

VW: Do you really think that the King thinks I'm beautiful?

SW: My father sees the real you, just like I do.

VW: That kind of scares me.

SW: I'm not sure you see the real you when you look in the mirror.
    You are more beautiful than I think you know.

VW: Thank you for coming with me. I feel much better, now.

SW: I'm glad.

VW: Do you miss your mother?

SW: Sure I miss her. But you're my Mum, too.
    I think Momma likes you.

N: When she heard that, the New Queen repented.
    And they returned to the castle together, laughing and singing.

C: Back already?

A: They've been gone for four hours.
    I was about to organize a search party.

M: You worry too much.

N: One day, while the King's Advisor was out hunting, the Mayor and the Councilor suggested another picnic.

VW: Is it safe?

C: I'll go with you. See, we've packed a picnic already.
    We can ride horses, to run fast if there is trouble.

SW: We haven't been outside the castle grounds for a while.
    It might be fun.

N: Snow White's horse was not feeling well.

SW: She's off her feed. Poor girl.

M: You can ride mine.
    He's well trained.

VW: Maybe we shouldn't go.

C: You both need a bit of diversion.

N: They rode into the woods.
    Suddenly, something spooked the Mayor's horse.
    The horse ran away, carrying Snow White deep into the wilder part of the woods.

VW: Oh, dear! I knew we shouldn't have come.

C: Don't try to follow her. It's not safe.
    We'll have to go back.
    I'll send some guards to find her.

VW: I really should learn how to ride a horse better.
    I could try to catch up to her.

C: I can teach you.

N: Back at the castle, the Mayor and the Councilor made elaborate search plans.

VW: Can't we hurry?
    She must be frightened!

M: We have to ensure everyone's safety, of course.

N: By the time they were ready, the King's advisor was back.
    Snow white was with him.
    They were carrying the game he had taken on their horses.

A: Well, I'm glad everyone made it safely back.

C: What?

M: Oh, dear ...

VW: Oh, thank you, dear God!
    Snow White! You're okay!

A: She knows more about the woods around here than most of the people in our kingdom.

SW: Mum! Councilor! I found the most wonderful spring in the woods.
    Is the picnic still packed? Let's go back!

A: I trust there will be no more accidents?

C: I'll make certain of that.

N: And they had a nice little picnic.
    That night, the Stepmother Queen talked with the King's Advisor.

VW: I don't think I am to be trusted.

A: I trust you more than I trust certain others.

VW: I am not sure I can defend myself from them.
    I know I can't defend Snow White by myself.

A: We'll have to be more careful.

[JMR: Written and posted 21 January 2017.]

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January PTA English -- Ringing in the New Year Again

Again, we are going with the season.
また、季節に従ってやります。

We'll probably talk about New Year's resolutions and winter holidays.
たぶん、新年決意や冬休みの話をします。

Maybe we'll play some of the parlor games we have been learning.
もしかして、やってきている居間遊びもするかも知れません。

Maybe we'll sing "Auld Lang Syne".
もしかして、「蛍の光」の元の曲になっている「オールド・ラング・サイン」を歌ってみるかも知れません。

Maybe. I never know for sure.
どうなるでしょう？

At long last, here are notes from last years lesson.
やっと、去年のこの頃のレッスンのノートが（ここに）出来上がりました。

[JMR201702101227:

And, at long last, here are the notes from this years lesson.

Also, here is a sample New Year's greeting conversation.

]

Practice Conversation -- New Years and Winter Holiday

[JMR Posted February 6th. Should have been posted early in January.]
 
At the airport, Nanami is heading home for winter vacation:

Alice: Do you have everything, love?

Nanami: Just my backpack and my carry-on bag.

  It really is okay if I leave everything else?

Alice: It's no problem, love.
  It won't be in our way.

Art: Don't worry 'bout it, mate.
  It'll all be waiting here for you when you get back.

Christopher: I promise I’ll stay out of your stuff!

Julie: If he so much as peeks into your room,

  I’ll take his head off!

Christopher: Mom! She’s threatening me again!

Alice: Oh, behave yourselves.

  There’s your flight, Nana.
  Take care of yourself.

Nanami: Thanks for everything.

  Goodbye. I’ll see you in two weeks.

Art: Have a merry!

Nanami: Everybody have happy holidays!

Julie: See you next year!

Christopher: Take care!

At the airport, two weeks later, Nanami is returning to her home stay family after winter vacation:

Christopher: There she is!

Nanami: Alice!

Alice: Nana, love! Over here!

Nanami: Art, Julie, Christopher, Happy New Year!

Christopher: Oh. Yeah. Happy new year.
  You missed the fireworks.

Julie: Ignore my brother. Happy New Year, Nana! 
  How were your holidays?

Nanami: I had a wonderful time at home.
  But I'm glad to be back.

Alice: Tell us about it on the way.
  We must have your family come visit sometime.

Art: Indeed.  Got your stuff? Let's go.

Landmark: Kōmyōji in Takino-chō (Katō-shi)

Landmarks (a sample)

Kōmyō-ji

in Takino-chō (now Katō-shi)

Kōmyō-ji Temple
Photo by Corpse Reviver, edited by Joel Rees
Courtesy Wikipedia:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Komyoji%28Kato%29_42.jpg
Licensed under GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0

(Version with Japanese 日本語入りのバージョン)

Example Presentation (minimum level):

Komyoji is a Buddhist temple. 


It is located in Katō City, Hyōgo, Japan.


You can throw plates off of the mountain for good luck.

It has a nice view.


The autumn leaves at Komyoji are beautiful.

The nearest train station is the JR Takino Station.

You should visit Komyoji Temple.
 

Example presentation (high level):

Kōmyōji is a Japanese Buddhist temple in Katō City, Hyōgo, Japan.

It is located near the top of Mt. Gobu.

It is also called “Gobu-san”, after the mountain.

I used to live at the foot of Mt. Gobu.

There was a war between the Ashikaga brothers near the temple around the year 1352.

There is a memorial for the war behind the temple.

The image of the founder rests in the henjōin commemorative hall.

Throwing plates off of the mountain is a tradition for bringing good luck.

There is a deck that you can throw the plates off of.

The deck has a nice view.

The autumn leaves at Komyoji are beautiful.

The nearest train station is the JR Takino Station.

It takes about an hour to hike to the temple from the station.

The view from the parking lot is spectacular!

You should visit this temple.

JR Takino Station
by 沙羅星人, edited by Joel Rees
Courtesy of Wikipedia:
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%95%E3%82%A1%E3%82%A4%E3%83%AB:%E6%BB%9D%E9%87%8E%E9%A7%85.JPG
 Assigned to the Public Domain

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This is an example of projects I sometimes use in teaching English.
英語の授業に使う一つのプロジェクトの例です。

The students choose a landmark (in this case) outside of Japan and find information about it.
学生は外国の（この場合は）名所を選んでその名所の情報を調べます。

Then they make a poster and present some of their research during class.
ポスターを作って、研究の一部を授業の間に発表します。

We use it to help the students gain confidence in composition and in making presentations in English.
このプロジェクトによって、学生は英語の作文や発表を経験し、若干の自信が着きます。