文化の日 BBQパーティー A barbecue gathering

いろいろ異なる分野にいる人達の
集まりは話が広がって興味深い

翌朝の陽光を浴びたBBQ跡

今年は文化の日が４日になって一寸ぴんと来ない。文化の日というと夫が退官したときに子供たちがアレンジしてくれたディナーパーティーで感謝状ではなく表彰状を夫婦で授与された時の事を想い出して感慨深い。もう１０年前のことになる。
今年は我が家の前のせせらぎに面した庭で一寸したBBQパーティーを決行。地元のジャーナリスト、コンサルタント、アーキテクト、元パブリックオフィサーの方々の集まりであったが、分野の異なる人達が議論すると視覚が異なるため、大変面白い。男女共同社会とはいうものの、男性の集まりと女性の集まりとではやはり公的話題への関心度が異なると思ってしまう。女性が集まるとつい世間話、私的な家族の話などになり、気持ちを共有することで安心感を持つのだろう。むしろ家庭での忙しさから解放されることでいろいろな気持ちを吐き出したいというのがあるのだろう。そこには議論はない。私としては、両方があるからこそ切磋琢磨出来ると思っている。野外でカジュアルに心を開いて自由にしゃべって楽しめるのがBBQの効用である。しかもこの我が家の近辺は今紅葉の真っ盛り。紅葉あってますますの効用がある。。。
　This year's Culture Day happened to be on the 4th of November. This particular day reminds me of the special dinner party organized by our four children (one of them is our son-in law) given in appreciation of their father's long-term services. He just got retired from MOFS. We were given a Testimonial each not a Letter of appreciation, which made us feel very humourous and moved. It has already past ten years since then.
 On the occasion of this flag day, we organized a BBQ for several friends specializing in different areas such as journalism, consulting, architecuture, former public affairs. We enjoyed very much our discussion-like conversation over BBQ concerning not only domestic affairs but also international. The companies were free to say their opinions from their own experiences in their working areas, which made the discussion more interesting. If it was women's gathering, the conversation would go toward more private and individual to share their own sentimental feelings. They need to go out to join their friends' groups to get rid of their busy everyday life or some frustration in their minds. I appreciate my situation for the both. BBQ party is very effective to feel open to talk and enjoy being together with friends.
 Now it's a beautiful season. Our premise is surrounded by "autumn colors" which means KOYO in Japanese. KOYO makes BBQ party more KOYO which means "effective"....good language joke!