As you may remember, we have a friend (made of cement) who has traveled with us around the USA and across the Atlantic. Her name is Olivia and she was given to us by our friend Judy (in Seattle and not made of cement). Olivia was first adopted by Judy and given to her parents who had a cabin on Lopez Island, part of the San Juan Islands north of Seattle. When Olivia arrived in Sevilla, we decided to christen our home “Casa de Olivia de Lopez.” Now she’s here with us in Fuengirola; click here for the story of Olivia in Irvine and click here for Olivia’s first sighting in Sevilla. Her new incarnation: Olivia de Lopez y Los Boliches.
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| OLIVIA, AT HOME ON THE MEDITERRANEAN. (CLICK TO SEE HER IN ALL HER GLORY.) |
Still Sharp
When I lived in the USA, I never saw a wandering/whistling knife sharpener. As you might remember from my post back in Sevilla in May (click here), knife sharpeners strolled the streets with their sharpening equipment strapped to their bicycles or scooters. They played a ditty on a pan flute to let people know they were in the neighborhood. Neighbors would then bring their knives down to be sharpened right on the street.
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| KNIFE SHARPENER, SEVILLA STYLE. |
Our new neighborhood, Los Boliches, is more modern (and much easier to navigate on wheels) than Sevilla. We still have knife sharpeners, but from what I’ve seen they carry their equipment in vans. Our local guy was already out front working one of our first dreary afternoons here when I returned from shopping. I wasn’t around for his arrival and therefore don’t know if he uses a pan flute to announce himself. Given that he’s so much more modern, he probably plays “smart phone pan flute.”
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| KNIFE SHARPENER, LOS BOLICHES STYLE. |
Olivia looks perfectly at home in that location! I'm surprised there is so much demand for knife sharpening. I have never had my knives sharpened and I've owned the current set since the 70's. Of course, that's partly because I really hate sharp knives.
Ms. Sparrow:
Well, I've never sharpened a knife in my life. San Geraldo has a little hand tool he uses. When I met him I only owned four knives — a set of matching "steak" knives that I paid $1 for at a flea market. They wouldn't even have cut fleas! I'm a danger (to myself) when I have a sharp knife in my hand.
Olivia looks very much at home… like she has always belonged there. I think she'll be very happy listening to and watching the changing sea. I know I would….
Sharon:
Olivia began life in the woods near the water. She belongs near water and I think she prefers the sunshine now. I find myself mesmerized by the sea. (So do Dudo and Moose.)
Ohhh, well, now… I love any little Olivia offered up by a Judy!
Judeet:
Ah, now she's even more special.
I am sure Olivia is very happy with her new abode….and look at that view!!
Travelling/mobile knife sharpeners,a lost art on this side of the 'pond'.
Jim:
Olivia sure looks happy to me.
I had never heard of mobile knife sharpeners until we arrived in Sevilla.
Northeast Minneapolis could use a whistling knife sharpener!
Pearl
p.s. Olivia sounds like a commitment. 🙂
Pearl:
Olivia is a commitment but she's not at all demanding once she's mounted… um…
Olivia is truly gorgeous and I sooooo want a wandering knife sharpener…
Maria:
Like the Velveteen Rabbit, over the years Olivia has become real to me. And given how she came to us, she is unbelievably special.
I like the notion of Olivia – we have her two cousins hanging in the garage, but they don't go anywhere.
Spo:
We used to have quite a collection of these garden ornaments. With our move to Spain, we kept only Olivia and four others. But Olivia is by far the best.
Olivia is beautiful, and rather mysterious. I admire your ability to bring her with you across the Atlantic if she is made of concrete.
I like to sharpen my own knives and like them to be sharp! I cook a lot.
Kristi:
The movers hauled Olivia and friends by ship. I debated putting her in my carry-on, but she's pretty hefty!
This is a strange custom, but what a good idea custom! I need my knives and hedge trimmers sharpener so badly ~~~ any chance?
Olivia looks perfect on the wall, so peaceful and serene surveying the beach area!
Ron
Ron:
Just hop on your private jet (with your knives and hedge trimmers). If you do that, I promise to track down the wandering knife sharpener.