【Michigan Travelogue Special Reels Vol.12】Zachariah's in Mackinaw City

"This is the final day of my 12-day special Michigan reels series.

Thank you so much for joining me and enjoying these memories!"

This is a special spin-off featuring video reels from my earlier days in Michigan, prior to my ongoing travel blog. I hope it brings back the beautiful atmosphere of that time.

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This video features Zachariah's, a charming white building with a quiet cafe atmosphere in Mackinaw City. You can also enjoy their flower-decorated outdoor seating. Across Langlade St, you can spot the historic Dixie Saloon and Mackinaw Bakery & Cafe. If only I were a local, I could visit all these places every day and try everything on their menus! This is truly one of my absolute favorite corners💕

Early Summer Stroll in Higashi-Gotanda and a Verse for Your Soul

On a bright sunny day in May, I walked this path in Tokyo, surrounded by the city buildings. Moving forward under the lush green leaves filled my heart with hope and energy.

Nicely landscaped walkway next to Park Tower Gran Sky
in the Higashi-Gotanda area of Shinagawa. The wide,
tree-lined path makes for a very pleasant stroll, and
there is an Aeon Food Style supermarket right next to it.

Walking through such a vibrant, green path always reminds me of the power of refreshing our minds. Whenever you need a little encouragement today, I hope these words comfort your soul.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.

あなたの道を主にゆだねよ。主に信頼せよ。主が成し遂げてくださる。

Psalm 37:5 NRSV

May your day be filled with peace and light.

Soft Snow, Soft Slippers, and a Soft Heart

❄️ A Gift Waiting in the Snow

When I visited Collie in Michigan last year, I saw his old pair of slippers at home — they were completely worn out, with some parts almost coming apart. They were the men’s house slippers I’d bought at a shop in Narita Airport ages ago. Collie smiled and said, “I really like these, you know.^^”

I was so touched that he’d kept using my gift for such a long time🥺  But… it’s been, what, 17 or 18 years?? Can you believe it? So from Japan, I searched online for a pair of men’s slippers as similar as possible and decided to send them to him.

He said, “You don’t have to get. I still use the previous slippers you got me, even if they’re old.”  I couldn’t find the exact same ones, but I told him, “Wear the old ones as long as you love them, and then enjoy the new pair whenever you’re ready😊”

And that’s how the slippers I ordered through Amazon.com finally made their way to Collie’s home.

Collie:

I haven’t been home for a few days. Today, I came back just as the sun had set. It was the first day above 0 degrees Celsius in about 22 days. The snow was soft, so I started shoveling because it would freeze again at night. While I was by my rear door, I happened to notice a package there. An unusual spot... but when I looked closer, I realized it might be from you.

Rose:

Your slippers must be happy to have been found by you. Were they resting near the rose bushes? Maybe the Amazon delivery person thought that, with all that snow around, the spot would be a little more hidden from the street.

Thank you Rose! 🤗

They are great👍🏻 !!!

Collie 🙋‍♂️⚘️

A few days had passed since the delivery, but I was so happy to know the package finally reached him safely. I didn’t tell him right away—it was snowing so much in Michigan, and I didn’t want him to have to go all the way back just for that.

I'm so touched that he's used those slippers for so many incredible years. And I also think the new ones would make a lovely next chapter.

But apparently, Collie hasn’t even cut off the tag yet...😅  Maybe the transition to his new slippers will take a little while—and that’s okay.

Collie... From now on, all your slippers will be there to welcome you home every time you return.

Love isn’t about grand gestures, but about

the little moments that keep our hearts connected.

May your Valentine’s Day be filled with warmth, kindness,

and the simple joy of loving and being loved.

Google Duo's Magical Animations: Cat-on-Head Moments Close to My Heart

Google Duo's cat animation feature: 

A comical animated cat clinging to my head, moving its head and expressions

Remember Google Duo's magical animations? I used to record my own videos using the fun animation feature and send them to Collie—pure joy! Here are some screenshots I captured back then. Sadly discontinued now, but let's cherish these memories. What was your favorite Duo moment?

My favorite was the cat animation. When I tapped the cat icon🐱 during recording, a cat would appear, clinging to my head, and move its head while changing expressions!

The Google Duo app featured playful effects for video messages. When Google Duo was integrated into Google Meet in 2022, Duo's core features were temporarily carried over within the Meet app but were gradually phased out.

The comical cat expressions were so much fun! I took the video in February 2025. The animation effects were still available then, but sadly, you can no longer send personal animated videos like this at all today.

Look at the cat rubbing against me! This one is my absolute favorite. (Sorry about the apron-over-bare-skin look in the Collie video—I was just goofing around in my room😅)

Apparently, the reason Google Duo disappeared wasn't because it was free, but because video messages were a niche feature limited to some users. For us in a long-distance relationship, Google Duo was such a convenient feature... That's why I'm cherishing these memories.

Today, I've shared these precious memories to save those happy times. Thanks for joining me in reliving them—let's cherish our Duo memories together😺✨

Love, Rose

A Little Angel, Pink Roses, and Tender Struggles of the Heart.

✼  ✼  ✼  ✼  ✼  ✼  ✼ 

When I stayed at my mother’s house, I took her out for a modest birthday lunch. That day was her birthday, so I bought a stem of soft pink miniature roses. “They’re expensive — just one is enough,” she said, and I took her up on it, buying only a single stem. But that one stem had several side branches, each with its own tiny roses, so when I cut it short at her house, it became three little stems — like a small, delicate bouquet. I placed it beside the little porcelain angel she treasures at home.

Sometimes, I feel as though my mother treats me more like a helper than a daughter, or that she needs to put me down, or to declare that she’s “won” in some small way, in order to feel that she is worthwhile. And yet, I also know that pulling too far away to protect myself might leave me with regret later — because I’m so grateful that she is still here, alive, and that simple presence feels like a quiet miracle from God.

There’s a teaching from God : “Honour your father and your mother, even when they are wrong.”  I don’t always agree with them in everything, but I try to hold this teaching close, because I believe God is saying: honour them, even so, for there are still things in them worth respecting.  God’s teaching is profound.

What I’ve come to believe is this: the kindest thing I can do for her is to gently help her depend on me less, so she can find more joy in her own life. And for that, distance matters. Not cold distance, but a kind of space — close enough to feel the good things about her, far enough to protect my own heart.

I try to keep her good qualities close in my mind, and to accept that people don’t change in the ways we hope. Within that space, I look for balance.  If these reflections resonate with you even a little, may they gently encourage you on your own journey.

Wishing you a gentle and grace-filled Christmas. May this season remind you that even in complicated relationships, even in tender struggles, there is room for love, for growth, and for quiet miracles. May you carry light into the new year, and may your heart feel a little lighter, too.

✼  ✼  ✼  ✼  ✼  ✼  ✼

 

Walking Past My Father’s Last Workplace in Aoyama

Several years ago, I lost my father. His last workplace was in Aoyama, and one day I found myself there, walking near the building where he used to spend his days.

To reach the opposite side of the road, away from the building where my father once worked, I climbed up a footbridge. As I walked across, closer to the sky, I suddenly felt something unusual. For a fleeting moment, as if time had folded in on itself, it seemed possible that I might meet my father there—still working, still alive, just across that street. Yet almost at the same time, the sharp truth struck me: my father is no longer there, and I can never see him again.

After crossing the bridge, I wandered the neighborhood for a while and eventually sat at a quiet café terrace, looking out at the calm surroundings.

MATCHA LATTE at ERIC ROSE in Omotesando

Later, another memory came back to me. At my father’s wake, many flowers surrounded him, but I remember especially the light green carnations—flowers I had seldom, if ever, seen before. They were unusual, and deeply beautiful in their gentle color. And just recently, as I looked at my calendar for this month, I noticed a bouquet that included the same light green carnations among other flowers. I learned that one of their meanings is “healing.”

Now, during this summer Obon season, I cannot visit my father’s grave. But with the gentle reminder of these carnations and their message of healing, I am thinking of my father and my ancestors with gratitude in my heart. 

May he continue to rest in peace. And to all my ancestors, thank you for always watching over me with your quiet presence.

Finding Strength Among the Lilies

I have been supportive and have listened to others compassionately because I believe it is the right way to live. However, I realized that I had become a doormat or a trash can of complaining and boasting for those people. I'd listened to them kindly and comforted them. However, when I only occasionally wanted them to listen to what I was going through or expressed my feelings or hopes to them, they responded with heartless replies or just took it out on me.

If I show them kindness, they are not kind to me, rather they are sarcastic. It was a sad experience. As I spent time thinking about this, the last lily bud opened a brilliant flower. It was just a week after my birthday flower arrangement arrived.

It was as if the lily was waiting for the best time. It has been saving its strength and preparing for a week in the intense heat of this summer, and now it has blossomed magnificently.

The next morning, I took some more pictures.

The lilies, blooming large and strong, replaced the other flowers that were weakening in the summer heat. Their beauty seemed to ease my sadness over not being treated kindly by those I had been kind to.

It is not a mistake that I have been purely kind to people. However, I am now at a turning point in my life. Down the road, I can have the courage to distance myself from those who are not kind or mean to me.

The lilies bloom gentle yet strong, just like the strength I find within myself. 

From this day forward, I will dedicate all my limited time to myself and those who care about me.

I am worthy. I deserve respect. 

I reclaim my voice with the lilies' blessing, letting go of hurt at life's turning point.

 

The sweetness of a birthday gift delivered one day before

It was one day before my birthday. I was studying English as usual when it became lunchtime. So, I cooked and ate my lunch. I was eating my meal and watching YouTube on my smartphone when I received a phone call. I was unable to answer it. Soon after, I looked up the number and found out that it was from a florist.　　　　　 

It could be Collie! ...must be Collie.

I called the florist and was put through to a staff who called me. He asked if I would be home today because flowers had arrived for me from America. That is to say, he will deliver the ordered flowers once he has finished arranging them.

It was the biggest floral arrangement I'd ever received. The sender's name was written as “From America”.  Collie is the only one who would do this.

I had planned to spend my birthday quietly at home alone. However, the arrival of the flowers gradually made me feel warmer and happier towards tomorrow's birthday. I was touched by his kind thoughtfulness in sending the flowers one day before my real birthday.

12:00 a.m. It's my birthday now! Thanks to him, I didn't feel lonely at midnight that turned into my birthday. Again, it was wonderful of him to make sure that flowers arrived the day before my birthday. I put the champagne in the fridge. Then, went to bed.

☆   　☆   　☆

The next morning, Collie sent me a birthday wish along with a photo of himself with pink miniature roses in the background. I'm glad he remembers that I love miniature roses. 

It can be challenging to find miniature roses in flower arrangement orders in summer because they are sensitive to heat damage during that season. So, he is right. Those various flowers arranged in pink tones are giving me a gentle feeling in the room. I am with him through the flowers...

So, two glasses of champagne for us, Rose & Collie.  He joins me in raising his glass to our shared memories.  Cheers!

Happy Birthday to you Rose, with Love... My warmest hugs and kisses. 

I wish I could be there to enjoy the time with you🌹      by  Collie.

☆　　☆　　☆　　☆　　☆　　☆　　☆　　☆　　☆　　☆　　☆　　☆　　☆　　☆　　☆ 　

I searched for my blog on ChatGPT and was impressed by the insightful content it produced.

A Google search of my blog, Charmed by Michigan, does not yield any hits. That's a shame...😔

Yesterday, I discovered that someone had come to my blog via ChatGPT. So I gave it a try too. I typed [Charmed by Michigan  blogger] into the ChatGPT search window. Then, surprisingly, ChatGPT presented me with the search results for my blog. My blog got a hit in a search!

My heart was truly delighted by how ChatGPT captured my blog with a thoughtful insight. 

Below is an expanded version of the text.

I was encouraged by the results of ChatGPT. ChatGPT is amazing!

I'm glad I kept the screenshot. I did the same search a few more times after that, but I never got the same results again. Nor did I get any emojis like the ones in the screenshot I uploaded here. 

For Japanese people, here is a reference.

・encounter      (思いがけない)出会い

・introspection  自己観察

・recount        を詳しく述べる、順を追って話す

・spontaneous    自然に起こる、自発的な

・lighthearted   気楽な、愉快な、陽気な

・whimsical      奇抜な、ふざけた

・showcase       を披露する

The ChatGPT results above are screenshots, so the links to the blogs in '✨Blog Highlights' do not work. I've placed each link below. Please take a look if you'd like😉

✨Blog Highlights

・Cultural Connections:   jophielrose.blogspot.com   

・Travel Memories:   jophielrose.blogspot.com 

・Everyday Joys:   jophielrose.blogspot.com 

I just happened to see the insightful content produced by ChatGPT, which documents thoughtful words and analysis about my blog. It encouraged me when I was a little lost in myself. For me, this search result was like a gift. I'd like to save this one search result that I encountered at that moment in time. It will also help me learn more about myself. Surely it was a comfort.　With gratitude, Rose

Michigan and Tokyo connected by Owls

 I've had owls in my home. I couldn't resist buying them because they were so cute💕

Owls with Rose in Tokyo

Then I gave a name to each colored owl. I have moved to a new place but the owls are still with me.

Owls with Collie in Michigan

There are also owls in Collie's house. Living far away from each other in Michigan and Tokyo, it is comforting to know that we have the same owls in each of our homes. It is a wonderful gift that our hearts are connected through owls. I love that way of thinking.：）

Michigan

February. Although it is still cold in Tokyo, the sky is clear and sunny. Meanwhile, it is snowing in Michigan, where Collie lives. You can see a smiley face in the photo above☃

He is like, "It's a long cold gray snowy winter here in Michigan. I like winter...but also it is difficult", "I'm sure you have sun. I hope it shines upon you".

He frequently goes to his mother's house to help care for her. While a nurse and a care helper also visit, he often looks in. I would be a liability if I went to Michigan now.

He is in my prayers when I am here in Tokyo. I will keep learning. We cherish the owls and they are watching over us. 

You can have a great time on Valentine's Day even if you are alone.

Dear people who stop in my blog,

Some of them, I think, are people from when I used to write my first, another blog in Japanese (the link to it can be found in my profile).  I'm glad you found this follow-up blog in your search.

I believe some of them are readers from this present blog. 

To all of you, many thanks for coming back despite my long absence from the blog.

May you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day💖  Whether you spend time as a couple or alone, whether you are a male or a female, please accept my heartfelt Valentine's Day greetings to you all. 

If you spend time alone, give yourself what you love to cherish yourself.  It's the fact that you are a very special person just the way you are.  If you are a man with a crush, show her how much you think of her, otherwise your girl would feel snubbed by you!  Let's all have a pleasant day😉  

Dear Saint and glorious martyr, teach us to love unselfishly and to find great joy in giving.

Enable all true lovers to bring out the best in each other.

Let them love each other in God and in God in each other.

We pray through the intercession of Saint Valentine for those we love

to keep them safe, to protect the love we share for each other.

 Lots of love on Valentine's Day...  Rose

The illness could be a sign to have second thoughts.

Apparently I am physically weaker than most people. When I pushed myself too hard, I would often develop a fever or headache. There are some items on my bucket list, but it doesn't go as smoothly as I would like. At such times, I feel frustrated by the fact that I am not achieving as much as I should be compared to the outstanding people in the world. Sometimes the life doesn't go the way you want.

However, I realized that I don't have to be as good as other outstanding people, after I have done the best I could in my own way. Having worked on it, if you realize that where you are is not the one you want, you can always change your direction. You can achieve happiness and fulfillment in life by following different paths, not sticking to the direction you originally decided to go. Your way of thinking will change over time as you continue to practice and grow.

When you catch a cold or any kind of illness, your body might be telling you that the path you should be going is not there. Then you realize that what you've continued to do because you thought you had to was more stressful than you thought. The mind is intimately connected to the body. So...

Let's rethink how we can achieve our dreams in a less stressful way than we are now, and get closer to our dreams in a way that makes us happy! We can accomplish our bucket list items at a more comfortable pace.

Each person has a unique talent. It is a special gift given by God. 

That I will always try to remember, when I feel like losing myself.

Renewing my mind with my favorite miniature rose, 

  Rose

Do pets show up to thank the people who cherished them after they passed away?

今は天国にいるじろちゃんです。実家に行くといつも会えるのが楽しみでした。実はじろちゃんは実家のお隣さんのねこなのですが、よく実家に遊びに来ていたのです。

長い年月が経ち、じろちゃんが天国に行ったことを知らされました。

その後のことです。私が眠っている時、じろちゃんが私と同じ枕にいて、温もりを感じました。じろちゃんはいつものように私に寄りかかって寝ていたのです。じろちゃんがごろごろ喉をならすのが聞こえたので、私はじろちゃんはここにいるって安心してまた眠りにつきました。

最近とあるSNSで知ったのですが、ペットは、この世から去った後、ありがとうを言いに可愛がってくれた人のもとに現れるそうです。その人が現れたペットに気づかないこともあります。

私は、確かにじろちゃんがごろごろ言っているのを聞いた！　私の頭に寄りかかっているじろちゃんを感じた！

それとも夢の中の夢なのでしょうか？

しかし私は思うのです。じろちゃんは本当に私に会いに来てくれたのではないかと。

じろちゃん、大好きだよ。

私はまだ、ここにいてやらなければいけないことがきっとある。もう少しだけ頑張ってみるよ。じろちゃん、いつか会えるかな？　それまで、天国で元気でいてね。

This is "Jiro", now in heaven. I looked forward to seeing him every time I visited my parents' place. In fact, Jiro-chan is my parents' next-door neighbor's cat, and he used to visit my parents' house often.

Many years later, I was told that Jiro-chan had gone to heaven. 

It happened afterward, when I was sleeping, Jiro-chan was on the same pillow as me and I felt his warmth. Jiro-chan was sleeping leaning against me as usual. I could hear Jiro-chan making a rumbling sound in its throat, which reassured me that Jiro-chan was here, and I fell asleep again.

Pets, after they leave this world, appear to those who loved them to say thank you, that I've recently seen on social media. The person may not even notice the pet showing up around. 

I'd definitely heard him purring! I'd felt him leaning on my head! 

I wondered, "Is it a dream within a dream?"

I thought it over again, but I still think Jiro-chan really came to see me. 

I love you, Jiro-chan.

I am sure there are things I still have to do in this world. I will try a bit more. Jiro-chan, "Can we meet down the road?" Until then, may you be always happy in Heaven.

Rose & Collie's serene morning at the balcony of Royal Park Hotel in Rochester

It's the morning we check out of the hotel. I woke up early to enjoy the last view from the open balcony I liked very much. With a cup of fresh coffee, of course!

The coffee provided at Royal Park Hotel is really delicious. 

I took the elevator to the first floor. It has an imposing ambience as you can see. Every morning, I went to the library room where coffee & other drinks were being prepared. I brought back my coffee to our room on this day, too.

I secretly shot a video on the balcony before Collie woke up. Would you check it out? ＾＾

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6TRBTpxTpP/

It seems that I am laying back after the successful shooting... I was not aware that Collie took my photo from behind. He seems to have taken it secretly before he got ready to come out. Green is vivid on this photo. Lush foliage is the sign of early summer. 

After a short while, Collie turned up on the balcony out of the room. I'd already brought a cup of lemon water for him when I went down for my coffee because he doesn't drink coffee. It was a serene morning. The weekend is over and he'll go to work from now. 

Much later in Japan... When I opened my Google Photos recently, I found Google featuring this photo at the top of the site as ”Memories together”. That was our selfie. 

It was taken for us to commemorate the wonderful time here. 

Royal Park Hotel is located in hip and historical Downtown Rochester, Michigan. We are grateful for your hospitality. Also, I'm grateful to Collie, who booked this luxury place so I could spend time comfortably while I explored Rochester, one of my favorite cities in Michigan.

A tiny little bird in Rochester Municipal Park in Michigan

Then, we came to Rochester Municipal Park for a walk and chillout. We didn't walk very far. After walking for a while, we turned back and rested on a bench in the shade of the tree.

The Municipal Park is literally a place of play for Rochester residents, over a mile of paved walkway with winding creek, pond as well as courts for tennis and volleyball. About 88 years ago, Rochester residents dedicated a new recreation spot on Paint Creek. Built on the site of a bankrupt dairy farm and a long-abandoned millrace, Avon Park －now called Rochester Municipal Park－ quickly became a favorite place for local residents to play, relax, and picnic etc.

Before finding a bench we sat, I saw a little something that moved small on the ground under the tree. It was a baby bird! It must have been fallen from the nest... I was so worried, but I knew I shouldn't move the little one.

Collie says, if we are nearby, parents birds cannot come to feed the baby bird. So we moved from the place. We sat on the bench, feeling the beauty of the green and gentle warm air in June.

It was not long before we noticed boys started a ball game around the place where a baby bird was on the ground. "I will tell them." Collie stood up and walked to the boys to tell them that there was a baby bird that fell out of the nest near the place they were playing. The boys honestly understood. They moved away from their playground immediately and resumed their play. 

I wondered, how many people in the world can act like him for a tiny little bird? I live far away in Japan. We have been in a long distance relationship for a very long time. However, his act like this is probably the reason why I continue to be attracted by him.

Rochester Municipal Park

400 6th St, Rochester, MI 48307, United States

Rochester Municipal Park is a place I want to visit every time I come to Downtown Rochester. There is a lot of charming cafes and restaurants in the downtown, and this park is also in my heart not only when I am in Michigan, but also when I live in Japan. 

I wish you all a wonderful week, Rose

 

My last day of work by God and a Christmas card from Collie

Nov.30, 2023 was my last day of work. Actually, I still belong to Strategic Planing Department, Creative Solution Division of an advertising agency until the end of December, however, I took my remaining paid leaves in whole December. 

Nov.30 became God's day for me. I could happen to see all the persons I wanted to see one last time at the office. Like, as if by magic, I run into a person I had something to say additionally to at the locker, also, another person I wanted to see in person while passing each other around the entrance, both of them again in the elevator going down when I was leaving, and at last a director whom my boss didn't see at the office, but I saw waiting at the light. Moreover, my boss made a phone call to a person of HR Team because she misunderstood she'd submit my return items such as PC etc. to them (actually, to General Affairs Department). That's why we knew the HR parson was on the way to the office and wanted to see me for chat before I left the company. Otherwise I had already left the company after we submitted my return items to General Affairs Department when he got to the office. There were more coincidences. It was like a miracle. So, I think it's the power of God. 

People wish me the best of luck in my new stage. As Collie wished, I can maintain friendships with some of my coworkers.

A top specialist of the company wrote back to my email of gratitude. I read her email just before I closed my PC lastly. She described me as blow.

•  I pay close attention to details at work.
• Clients were happy when she handed over Media Data 2024 to them.
• The know-how, ideas I created and left in the intranet will remain and continue to help company's people to learn.

"Media Data" is an annual booklet created by my central supervision. It indicates the characteristics of every media such as marketing/internet/train/bus/newspaper/magazine/radio/tv/area data plus advertising law. Not only intended for internal use when planing, but aIso a sales tool that mainly Sales Department people pass directory to clients.

I appreciate what she wrote to me, and I will never forget it.

at Meguro Catholic Church

Though I'm in the process of posting my June 2023 Michigan journal, I update you a little about my life as a final post in 2023.

Collie wrote to me on Nov.25, 2023

I hope you keep some good memories, skills, pictures, and experiences from your work place. 

You are appreciated, and will be missed....

Collie wrote to me on Nov.30, 2023

Now, I hope you can rest your body, and mind more often.

You have gained wisdom, friends, and knowledge.

You have been a great contributor to the company success.

May tomorrow bring you rest, new skills, new experiences, and new smiles.

Sincere warm wishes on your new day...

Collie wrote to me on Dec.21, 2023

I hope you are well and enjoying some new things and gaining health.

I awoke with fever and headaches but must go to work appointments somehow today. I'm not in good condition. I have a card for you...but didn't mail yet. I'm sorry.

Collie showed the card in his email on Christmas Eve. I will wait for the postal card to arrive to me. The above picture of me is...16 years ago or so.... It's taken in Birmingham! I still have the rose hat and the white scarf. I was blogging in Japanese before and the picture is seen there. If you are interested in my first blog in Japanese, you can find the link in ABOUT ROSE → my complete profile.

I leave the company where I have worked for long years. In 2024, I will mull over and do what I really want to accomplish in my life. 

I will resume my June 2023 Michigan journal here. I will express my Michigan in words along with photos I took. Those photos are still abundant!

I'm so grateful that you could be here to see my blog. May our hopeful wishes brighten up our life with achievements through the new year...☆

See you in 2024, Rose