Already in the Chuuka season (the season from June 6th to July 6th), the sunrays that shine through the gaps in the rainy season have been growing stronger day by day. However, the white clouds beyond the sky are not the clouds of midsummer. When entering the shade, it still feels chilly, almost as if a cool breeze is blowing. In the photo sent from Shimoda, Izu, vibrant hydrangeas are depicted in colors that cannot be seen here. I wonder if there’s even a drizzle of rain falling, and in the distance, Shimoda fishing port appears faintly veiled. It seems that Shimoda is currently having a hydrangea festival. As it’s a place I have visited several times since I was young, a sense of nostalgia wells up within me.
Today is the day for my injection, which comes once every three months. Upon entering the Red Cross Hospital in Osaka, Uehommachi, I noticed the names and words of encouragement of the staff members who have been dispatched for Ukraine support displayed. In hopes of their safety and an early ceasefire in Ukraine, I instinctively boarded the escalator and headed towards the reception.

もう季節も仲夏。梅雨の晴れ間にさす日差しも日増しに強く成って来ました。しかし空の向こうの白雲は真夏の雲ではありません。日陰に入るとまだ肌寒ささえ感じるほどです。伊豆の下田から届いた頼りにには、咲き乱れた紫陽花がこちらでは見られない彩りで写っています。こぬか雨でも降っているのか、遙か向こうの下にはおぼろに霞む下田漁港が見えます。下田では今あじさい祭りだそうです。小さい時から何度か訪れた場所なので、懐かしさが蘇ってきます。今日は３ヶ月に一度の注射の日です。大阪上本町にある赤十字病院を入ると、ウクライナ支援に派遣されている職員の名前と激励文が張り出されていました。思わず職員の無事とウクライナの一日も早い停戦を願ってエスカレーターに乗り、受付に向かいました。