Jerry and I get around. In 2011, we moved from the USA to Spain. We now live near Málaga. Jerry y yo nos movemos. En 2011, nos mudamos de EEUU a España. Ahora vivimos cerca de Málaga.
In Hog Heaven / En el Cielo de Cierdo
La versión español está después de la versión inglés.
I DEBATED FOR days whether or not I would get out some of our holiday (aka Christmas) decorations. San Geraldo and I have quite the collection. Before our move to Spain, when we were cutting down on our “stuff,” I reduced eight large Rubbermaid tubs and two partitioned ornament boxes to only two large Rubbermaid tubs. And we still have a lot of stuff!
Every year, I would unpack all the ornaments. We’d put on holiday music and we’d string popcorn, pasta, and cranberries for garlands to wrap the tree. San Geraldo strung the lights and then lasted about 10 minutes hanging ornaments. I did the rest. When Christmas was over, I stripped the tree and meticulously (of course) repacked the lights and decorations until the next year. Before Christmas 1999 in San Francisco, after 18 years of the same routine, San Geraldo told me he didn’t think he was in the mood to decorate for Christmas that year. “It’s just so much work to get everything out and then rewrap every single thing and put it all away. I asked, “When have you ever gotten anything out or put anything away?” “Oh, never mind.” By that time, we had an artificial tree that was pre-strung with lights. He didn’t do a thing.
Christmas 2011 in Sevilla, our first in Spain, we had three small Christmas trees and all our decorations were on display. We didn’t have Dudo and Moose.
Our American cats, Dobie and Maynard, had absolutely no interest in our Christmas tree. It was surprising, but also a huge relief. Our Spanish cats, on the other hand (or paw), couldn’t be left alone for a minute. As far as they’re concerned, nothing is off limits. More toys!
One year here in Fuengirola, I strung all our picture frames with garland and attached the ornaments out of reach of the cats. I thought it was hideous. I finally decided this year to get out mostly what can sit on tables and, except for an initial inspection, wouldn’t be of much interest to our two juvenile delinquents. I also made use of some wine glasses (behind a glass door) and light fixtures.
The photo at the top of the page is one of two hand-carved angels brought back from Italy by our friend Leslie in San Diego. They used to hang on our Christmas tree every year. When we moved to Fuengirola, I spray painted this one and decided it deserved a permanent home atop the grandfather clock. So, what better place for the hand-blown glass pig? This is what I meant by “Hog Heaven.”
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DEBATÍ DURANTE DÍAS si saldría o no de algunas de nuestras decoraciones navideñas. San Geraldo y yo tenemos toda la colección. Antes de mudarnos a España, cuando estábamos reduciendo nuestras “cosas”, reduje ocho tinas grandes de Rubbermaid y dos cajas de adornos divididos a solo dos tinas grandes de Rubbermaid. ¡Y todavía tenemos muchas cosas!
Cada año, desempacaba todos los adornos. Pusimos música navideña y de Janucá y ensartamos palomitas de maíz, pasta, y arándanos para guirnaldas para envolver el árbol. San Geraldo colgó las luces y luego duró unos 10 minutos colgando adornos. Yo hice el resto. Cuando terminó la Navidad, desnudé el árbol y volví a empacar meticulosamente (por supuesto) las luces y las decoraciones hasta el año siguiente. Antes de Navidad de 1999 en San Francisco, después de 18 años de la misma rutina, San Geraldo me dijo que no creía que estuviera de humor para decorar para Navidad ese año. “Es mucho trabajo sacar todo y luego volver a envolver cada cosa y guardarlo todo.” Le pregunté: ““¿Cuándo has sacado algo o guardado algo?” “Oh, no importa”, En ese momento, teníamos un árbol artificial que estaba pre-encadenado con luces. No hizo nada.
La Navidad de 2011 en Sevilla, nuestra primera en España, teníamos tres pequeños árboles de Navidad y todas nuestras decoraciones estaban en exhibición. No teníamos Dudo y Moose.
Nuestros gatos estadounidenses, Dobie y Maynard, no tenían absolutamente ningún interés en nuestro árbol de Navidad. Fue sorprendiente, pero también un gran alivio. Nuestros gatos españoles, por otro lado (o pata), no podían quedarse solos por un minuto. Nada está fuera de los límites, en lo que a ellos respecta. Juguetes!
Un año aquí en Fuengirola, colgué todos nuestros marcos con guirnaldas y coloqué los adornos fuera del alcance de los gatos. Pensé que era horrible. Finalmente decidí este año sacar casi todo lo que se puede sentar en las mesas y, a excepción de una inspección inicial, no sería de mucho interés para nuestros dos delincuentes juveniles. También utilicé algunas copas de vino (detrás de una puerta de vidrio) y accesorios de iluminación.
La foto de arriba es uno de los dos ángeles tallados a mano traídos de Italia por nuestra amiga Leslie en San Diego. Solían colgar en nuestro árbol de Navidad todos los años. Cuando nos mudamos a Fuengirola, pinté con spray este y decidí que merecía un hogar permanente encima del reloj de pie. Entonces, ¿qué mejor lugar para el cerdo de vidrio? Esto es lo que quise decir con “El Cielo de Cerdo”. No creo que la expresión “en el cielo de cerdo” tenga ningún significado en español, pero en inglés describe un estado o situación extremadamente satisfactorio.
From Brooklyn, New York; to North Massapequa; back to Brooklyn; Brockport, New York; back to Brooklyn... To Boston, Massachusetts, where I met Jerry... To Marina del Rey, California; Washington, DC; New Haven and Guilford, Connecticut; San Diego, San Francisco, Palm Springs, and Santa Barbara, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Irvine, California; Sevilla, Spain. And Fuengirola, Málaga..
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23 thoughts on “In Hog Heaven / En el Cielo de Cierdo”
Dobie and Maynard – pop culture reference! 🙂
my late meredith kitty was a tree freak. when she crossed over (january 2015), we buried her with her favorite bell ornament.
my blogger friend sassybear would LOVE that giraffe ornament!
Anne Marie,
I wanted a female cat so w could name her Zelda, but we found two brothers, both black and hard to adopt out, so we got Dobie and Maynard instead. I don’t why it mattered. I once heard SG tell someone they were named after characters from Gilligan’s Island! Dobie Gillis never made it a little his house in South Dakota.
Again, Carlos and SG …separated at birth. Starting last year Carlos helped me get the boxes down, and then i do all the decorating.
After Christmas, I do the undecorating and he helps put all the boxes back.
All the while saying it’s so much to do at the holidays.
Love your ornaments and tchotchkes.
Our cats don’t really bother the tree, though Consuleo loved to sleep beneath it. it’s waiting for her ….
Bob,
It’s fascinating how surprising cat behavior can be. Dudo and Moose would I’m sure climb the tree. It’s also amazing how similar SG and Carlos continue to be.
Debra,
SG’s mother actually only did basic counted cross stitch. My mother was expert. But SG taught himself with those first ornaments in 1982. He’s done some stunning work since then. My mother praised his fine stitching.
Some of those figurines scare the hell out of me!!!! But i must say it all looks so festive together. I have no we prayed yet, too early for me still. I do around the 15th usually.
Mistress Maddie,
If I waited until mid-December, I wouldn’t do it at all. I’m tempted to take out the containers again and pull out a few more ornaments.
Excellent cat proofing idea with the wineglasses holding up some of your precious ornaments. I love your Santa collection. I didn’t put out all my stuff this year – it is a hassle….but I do love Christmas and keep collecting those vintage and antique ornaments so I guess it is just laziness!
A friend makes a tree shape with lights and hangs the ornaments then closes the cabinet glass door so the cats stay away.
Our cats don’t pay attention and now with the newest gud dugs they don’t come out of their rooms so much any more.
parsnip
You and I share a santa ornament – I recognized it at once !
I hope you put out some porridge for the Nisse on Christmas Eve. Their relations the Tomte go psycho on 12/24 if not feed properly.
It is one of the Santa statues I will have to do better with the details. As for the oatmeal make sure it has butter on it or I won’t vouch for the slaughter.
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The photo with the three wooden Santas: The large one on the left, in the foreground that’s the one I have. The fat fellow with the pointy hat like that of a Hersey’s kiss.
Mother gave it to me as a Christmas prize years ago.
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Urspo:
We bought that one in Irvine. I love the series and am tempted to buy more. A friend stopped by yesterday and that one was his favorite.
Dobie and Maynard – pop culture reference! 🙂
my late meredith kitty was a tree freak. when she crossed over (january 2015), we buried her with her favorite bell ornament.
my blogger friend sassybear would LOVE that giraffe ornament!
I didn’t know SG did needlepoint!
Anne Marie,
I wanted a female cat so w could name her Zelda, but we found two brothers, both black and hard to adopt out, so we got Dobie and Maynard instead. I don’t why it mattered. I once heard SG tell someone they were named after characters from Gilligan’s Island! Dobie Gillis never made it a little his house in South Dakota.
How fun. Jay spent 6 hours yesterday putting lights on the tree, 6 HOURS! Good thing I was at the office,
David,
Six hours! I would never do it again if it took that long. That’s either a 30-foot tree or Jay is more obsessive compulsive than me!
Again, Carlos and SG …separated at birth. Starting last year Carlos helped me get the boxes down, and then i do all the decorating.
After Christmas, I do the undecorating and he helps put all the boxes back.
All the while saying it’s so much to do at the holidays.
Love your ornaments and tchotchkes.
Our cats don’t really bother the tree, though Consuleo loved to sleep beneath it. it’s waiting for her ….
Bob,
It’s fascinating how surprising cat behavior can be. Dudo and Moose would I’m sure climb the tree. It’s also amazing how similar SG and Carlos continue to be.
Such beautiful, varied and whimsical ornaments! Did San Geraldo’s mother teach him how to embroider so beautifully? It’s a lost art these days.
Debra,
SG’s mother actually only did basic counted cross stitch. My mother was expert. But SG taught himself with those first ornaments in 1982. He’s done some stunning work since then. My mother praised his fine stitching.
Some of those figurines scare the hell out of me!!!! But i must say it all looks so festive together. I have no we prayed yet, too early for me still. I do around the 15th usually.
Mistress Maddie,
If I waited until mid-December, I wouldn’t do it at all. I’m tempted to take out the containers again and pull out a few more ornaments.
I’d say your Christmas ornament collection is perfect! …..diverse and interesting.
The ‘boys’ ought to have a great time this year!!
Jim,
Dudo has inspected the Santas and found them of no further interest. All is well.
Excellent cat proofing idea with the wineglasses holding up some of your precious ornaments. I love your Santa collection. I didn’t put out all my stuff this year – it is a hassle….but I do love Christmas and keep collecting those vintage and antique ornaments so I guess it is just laziness!
Cheapchick,
I love the memories that return when I unpack the ornaments. They were all either gifts or souvenirs from our travels.
A friend makes a tree shape with lights and hangs the ornaments then closes the cabinet glass door so the cats stay away.
Our cats don’t pay attention and now with the newest gud dugs they don’t come out of their rooms so much any more.
parsnip
Parsnip,
That’s a great idea. We don’t have a cabinet big enough!
A marvelous sampling from your collection! I like them all, but especially the stitched ornaments. Ho ho ho!
Walt the Fourth,
Jerry really enjoyed making the ornaments. Great memories.
You and I share a santa ornament – I recognized it at once !
I hope you put out some porridge for the Nisse on Christmas Eve. Their relations the Tomte go psycho on 12/24 if not feed properly.
Which Santa ornament? Do you think the Nisse would mind Quaker instant, still in its packet?
It is one of the Santa statues I will have to do better with the details. As for the oatmeal make sure it has butter on it or I won’t vouch for the slaughter.
The photo with the three wooden Santas: The large one on the left, in the foreground that’s the one I have. The fat fellow with the pointy hat like that of a Hersey’s kiss.
Mother gave it to me as a Christmas prize years ago.
Urspo:
We bought that one in Irvine. I love the series and am tempted to buy more. A friend stopped by yesterday and that one was his favorite.