La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
WE HAD THE PLEASURE OF being invited out last night to a family birthday dinner for Paula, Tynan and Elena’s exceptional daughter who has one more exam and will be finished with high school and moving onward to university. Paula’s brother, Alexander, and his girlfried, Maria were there as was Elena’s sister, Isa, godmother to Paula.
Tynan and Elena both had pints. However, in typical Spanish fashion, instead of una pinta (a pint), Elena asked for una pintita (a diminutive pint). I followed Elena’s lead by ordering a cañita (a diminutive small beer) instead of una caña (a small beer). They were the same size as our normal beers. They must have been out of cañita and pintita glasses. (Although a pint is still a pint, with or without an “ita”.)
It was a perfect evening. Lots of laughs and love, as always. But no hugging. We cuddled up for a photo, but that was about it. I had the camera and took a group photo. My appearance in that shot is just a figment of your imagination (or, perhaps, mine). Elena wanted a photo of me with San Geraldo. SG told me to sit on his lap. Seriously? I did, and nearly broke his legs. He’s got 30 pounds less cushion than he used to and he complained the entire time. Whose idea was it anyway?!?
I had not one but two small beers. Party! So I slept in until 10:00 this morning. The cats didn’t even wake me. I then met our friend Miguel for coffee at Mesón Salvador. These are the kinds of events that make me appreciate there actually are people in this world I like — other than all of you, of course.
I’m off for an afternoon walk on the beach. Tonight at midnight the mask requirement goes into effect in Andalucía. It appears it will soon be the norm all over Spain. We’re already wearing our masks no matter where we go… except on the beach, which I’m pretty sure will be excluded from the rule.
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TUVIMOS EL PLACER DE SER invitados anoche a una cena familiar de cumpleaños para Paula, la hija excepcional de Tynan y Elena, que tiene un examen más y terminará la secundaria y pasará a la universidad. El hermano de Paula, Alexander, y su novia, María, estaban allí, al igual que la hermana de Elena, Isa, la madrina de Paula.
Tynan y Elena tenían pintas. Sin embargo, en la moda típica española, en lugar de una pinta, Elena pidió una pintita. Seguí el ejemplo de Elena ordenando una cañita en lugar de una caña. Curiosamente, eran del mismo tamaño que nuestras cervezas normales. Deben haber sido de vasos para cañitas y pintitas. (Aunque una pintita sigue siendo una pinta, con o sin “ita”).
Fue una noche perfecta. Muchas risas y amor, como siempre. Pero no abrazos. Nos acurrucamos para una foto, pero eso fue todo. Tenía la cámara y tomé una foto grupal. Mi aparición en esa toma es solo un producto de tu imaginación (o quizás la mía). Elena quería una foto de mi con San Geraldo. SG me dijo que me sentara en su regazo. ¿Seriamente? Lo hice, y casi le rompo las piernas. Tiene 30 libras menos de amortiguación de lo que solía y se quejó todo el tiempo. ¿De quién fue la idea?
No tuve una sino dos cañas. ¡Fiesta! Así que dormí hasta las 10:00 de esta mañana. Los gatos ni siquiera me despertaron. Luego conocí a nuestro amigo Miguel para tomar un café en Mesón Salvador. Estos son los tipos de eventos que me hacen apreciar que en realidad hay personas en este mundo que me gustan — además de todos ustedes, por supuesto.
Me voy a dar un paseo por la playa por la tarde. Esta noche a medianoche, el requisito de mascarilla entra en vigencia en Andalucía. Parece que pronto será la norma en toda España. Ya usamos nuestras mascarillas sin importar a dónde vayamos … excepto en la playa, que estoy bastante seguro de que quedará excluido de la regla.
San Geraldo sonríe entre lágrimas.
You figured out how to be in two places at once, how clever.
David:
And with no stress involved. Wish I had thought of that 30 years ago!
What a good looking crew!
How cool you made an appearance in the group shot! Clever man!
Jim:
I felt badly that we didn’t have a group shot to commemorate the occasion. (And it’s not as if I wasn’t told to ask someone else to take our picture.)
Ha! When I first glanced at the photo of you two, I thought, “Oh, gee, I don’t know how I missed that Jerry is so much shorter than Mitchell.” Then I paid attention and ended up rolling my eyes at myself –ha! Again!
Judy:
I’m probably an inch taller than SG, but people always think he’s taller. It’s his general presence! (Unless I sit on his lap.)
I have a friend coming to my mother’s this afternoon and we plan to have a few big ciders!!!!!
🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺
Mistress Maddie:
Cider is sidra. So, just say you’re having a few big sidritas (big little ciders). (And enjoy them. I LOVE cider.)
best wishes to elena’s pretty daughter! what a good looking group. alexander es muy bueno (rawr)! how do you and SG keep the magic going after almost 40 years?
anne marie:
Yeah, Alexander es muy bueno and the nicest, kindest person. He’s a lifeguard. He was a sweet kid and has grown into an exceptional man.
I don’t know how to answer that question (and I’m afraid to). But it’s love.
So happy to see you all so happy!
Wilma:
It was such a nice evening. We do so little socially now, it’s great to get to spend an evening together like that.
What an exceptionally good-looking bunch of folks. Good to have such wonderful, happy friends. A real blessing. Congratulations to Paula and best of luck at university.
Mary:
Paula is a sweetheart and an incredible student… and musician, and horse rider (and jumper) She plans to be a veterinarian.
That final photo is lovely
And oh so natural
It says everything x
finlaygray:
I really didn’t expect to see any good shots with us sitting like that. He just makes me happy.
Fantastic photo of the 2 of you! Smiles for miles. Massive hugs for everyone.
Ron:
We all really miss those hugs. What a great evening anyway.
Just for the record, Scoot, I’ve mentally photoshopped my head onto your body in that last picture 🙂
Deedles:
If I could find a decent-sized photo of you, I’d do it for you!
Being polite as always you ordered a Canita, LOL! I wonder did they smile when you ordered it? I am amazed only 2 little beers and you are sleeping in? What would you do in the Navy with their 50% Gin or here in PEI with all the drinking that goes on. Great photos of the evening.
larrymuffin:
My big drinking days are behind me (thank god). In the past I would have had 4 pints and thought nothing of it. Cañas are the most common order here. And adding ita to everything is also so common that no one reacts. If I were to order a caña, the waiter would probably confirm by saying “una cañita.” When I order un café, my order is often repeated back to me as “un cafelito.” It’s a funny custom.
come to think of it in Italy ordering an espresso the ito part applies it also mean good or make me a good one. Smaller is better?
larrymuffin:
Small is definitely not better. I think the endings are simply endearing. Will have to ask some more people. The ones I’ve asked so far have basically said, “I don’t know why. It’s just what we do.”
Awwww!
Walt the Fourth:
I know. I wasn’t expecting that response (but it was even my reaction).
I’m curious as how exactly you’re sitting on his lap. Are you half-standing, or is it child-visiting-department store-Santa style?
Kirk:
I’m not sure how to explain it. How many ways are there to sit on a lap? I WAS sitting and not half-standing, although I did have one foot touching the floor for stability.
So many ways to order a drink, only to wind up with basically the same thing! Nice teleporting skills in your group photo. 🙂
Steve:
It was so confusing when we moved down here. It wasn’t done for everything in Sevilla as it seems to be here. Regarding the teleporting, not my best work. But I did have to flop the body while maintaining the head. It was interesting.