La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, I WENT BACK to Torreblanca Heights (click here). I decided to get there early enough to explore some of the hiking trails I had encountered last week. It was around 27°C (80F) here on the beach but felt a lot hotter once I headed into the hills. The air felt even a bit “closer” when I started to walk the first trail.
And then the flying insects found me. Just as I decided it clearly wasn’t the season for me to check out these trails some kind of fly bit behind my knee so hard I swore out loud (I met Tynan and Elena in the evening and Elena immediately knew what word I used). I remember bites like that from Crane Beach north of Boston during green fly and black fly season. I very quickly exited the nature preserve and walked higher in the neighbourhood instead.
The pavement can be steep and irregular at times. I wasn’t watching where I was going and I twisted my ankle. My right ankle this time (click here). But it was just a twist. Still, it’s a bit sore today. A moment later, I twisted my left ankle (an even more minor twist), the one that’s still sensitive since the major sprain in March. It’s no worse today. I decided I needed to watch where I was going, which is something I would recommend to anyone in motion. Still, it was a good walk.
San Geraldo and I finally went for a short walk the other evening and treated ourselves to ice cream at our nearest artisan ice cream place called La Peseta (it’s across the Paseo from the monument to Spain’s former currency, the peseta). Too many delicious and unusual flavours to choose from. San Geraldo had two scoops, one of Belgian chocolate and one of dark chocolate. I had Belgian chocolate and pistachio (with other ingredients I don’t remember). I tasted the dark chocolate. All flavours were exquisite. I want to go back and try some of their exotic choices.
But, I mentioned recently that my size 32s (42) are a bit snug. When I weighed myself two weeks ago, I decided I needed to lose 4 pounds (1.8 kilos). Nothing really. I weighed myself today. I now need to lose 6.2 pounds (2.8 kilos). Unless I strike a pose, I’ve lost all definition where I used to see abs. I know it’s nothing really, but I have always seen myself as undernourished. So, I turned down a slice of banana bread after breakfast today and I need to get much more active than I’ve been lately.
As I mentioned, I met Tynan and Elena for a drink in the evening. Elena told me about a friend of hers who was doing some wonderful things for her teen-aged son. “He has asparagus,” she explained. She continued telling her story while I dwelt on the fact that it was important to tell me an 18-year-old had asparagus. ‘Did he grow asparagus?’ I wondered. ‘Did he collect it? Did he have a curio cabinet filled with ceramic asparagus? Asparagus pillows? Needlepoint?’
Of course I quickly understood. But, I was having too good a time in my head to let it go. I interrupted and asked, “He has asparagus?” She laughed and said, “Asperger! I pronounced it the Spanish way.” Honestly, it sounds in Spanish almost exactly like it sounds in English, just a bit more precise.
San Geraldo just sang to me. That means I have more fractured song lyrics to tell you about tomorrow.
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AYER POR LA TARDE, REGRESÉ a Torreblanca Alta (haz clic aquí). Decidí llegar lo suficientemente temprano para explorar algunas de las rutas de senderismo que había encontrado la semana pasada. Hacía alrededor de 27°C (80F) aquí en la playa, pero sentí mucho más calor una vez que me dirigí a las colinas. El aire se sintió un poco más “cerca” cuando comencé a caminar por el primer sendero.
Y luego los insectos voladores me encontraron. Justo cuando decidí que claramente no era la temporada para que revisara estos senderos, una especie de mosca me mordió la rodilla con tanta fuerza que juré en voz alta (conocí a Tynan y Elena por la noche y Elena supo de inmediato la palabra que usé). Recuerdo picaduras como esa de Playa Crane, al norte de Boston, durante la temporada de moscas verdes y moscas negras. Salí rápidamente de la reserva natural y caminé más alto en el vecindario.
El pavimento puede ser empinado e irregular en ocasiones. No estaba mirando hacia dónde iba y me torcí el tobillo. Mi tobillo derecho esta vez (haz clic aquí). Pero fue solo un giro. Aún así, hoy me duele un poco. Un momento después, me torcí el tobillo izquierdo, el que todavía está sensible desde el esguince mayor de marzo. Hoy no es peor. Decidí que tenía que vigilar por dónde me dirigía, que es algo que recomendaría a cualquiera que esté en movimiento. Aún así, fue un buen paseo.
San Geraldo y yo finalmente fuimos a dar un paseo la otra noche y nos dimos un capricho con un helado en nuestra heladería artesanal más cercana llamada La Peseta (está al otro lado del Paseo del monumento a la antigua moneda de España, la peseta). Demasiados deliciosos e inusuales sabores para elegir. San Geraldo tenía chocolate belga y chocolate negro. Yo tenía chocolate belga y pistacho (con otros ingredientes que no recuerdo). Probé el chocolate negro. Todos los sabores eran exquisitos. Quiero volver y probar algunas de sus exóticas opciones.
Pero, mencioné recientemente que mi talla 42 (32 en EEUU) es un poco ajustada. Cuando me pesé hace dos semanas, decidí que necesitaba perder 1,8 kilos (4 libras). Nada en realidad. Hoy me pesé. Ahora necesito perder 2,8 kilos (6,2 libras). A menos que haga una pose, he perdido toda definición donde solía ver abdominales. Sé que en realidad no es nada, pero siempre me he visto desnutrido. Entonces, rechacé una rebanada de pan de plátano después del desayuno hoy y necesito estar mucho más activo de lo que he estado últimamente.
Como mencioné, conocí a Tynan y Elena para tomar una copa por la noche. Elena me habló de una amiga suya que estaba haciendo cosas maravillosas por su hijo adolescente. “Tiene espárragos”, explicó. Continuó contando su historia mientras yo insistía en el hecho de que era importante decirme que una joven de 18 años tenía espárragos. ‘¿Cultivó espárragos?’, Me pregunté. ‘¿Lo recogió? ¿Tenía un gabinete de curiosidades lleno de espárragos de cerámica? ¿Almohadas de espárragos? ¿Punto del aguja?’
Por supuesto que lo entendí rápidamente. Pero lo estaba pasando demasiado bien en mi cabeza como para dejarlo pasar. Lo interrumpí y le pregunté: “¿Tiene espárragos?” Ella se rió y dijo: “¡Asperger! Lo pronuncié a la manera española.” Honestamente, suena en español casi exactamente como suena en inglés, solo que un poco más preciso.
San Geraldo me acaba de cantar. Eso significa que tengo más letras fracturadas de una cancion que contarte mañana.
Usted está aquí (en amarillo).
Mirando hacia atrás desde mi nube de moscas y debatiendo si debería irme.
¡¡¡F€@#!!! No más debates. Regresaré en invierno.
Someone should try making asparagus ice-cream, watch your step.
David:
Oh, it’s been done. I haven’t seen it here in Fuengirola and I’ve never tried it. But I liked “old cheese ice cream,” so asparagus might be good.
That’s a bummer about the bugs. I would never have thought Spain would be a buggy place! The minute you mentioned Elena saying “He has asparagus,” I knew what she must mean. (My nephew has asparagus, too.) Take it easy on those ankles! You’re a menace to yourself!
Steve:
Oh, we’ve got bugs. And even a fly season. The hiking trails go through woods and creeks. Lots of opportunities for creepy crawlies and flying things. And, yes, I have always been a menace to myself.
A double whammy! Good that they were minor. Now watch your step!
I have always leaned to the ‘lean side’ all my life. But since old age has crept in I am finding every ‘system’ in my body is slowing down as well. So I accept that things don’t look as they did…..too much work. As long I am moving daily I will be OK.
Now let’s get to the ice cream…….these look delicious! Maybe cut back to one scoop and you may see those 6 pounds evaporate before you know it.
Don’t get me started on mosquitoes……….and why they seem to LOVE me!
Jim:
My current weight issue is because I haven’t been on the move as much as I usually am. And, yes, one scoop is all I need. Mosquitoes are drawn to me. The only time I get a break is when I’m with Elena. When we were having drinks, she was getting devoured while I was being ignored. She then sprayed herself with insect repellant and all the mosquitoes found me.
I giggled with glee at the asparagus story! Fixating on what the “asparagus” was is something I would do.
wickedhamster:
Sometimes it’s so much fun inside my head, I hate to leave. I’m sure you understand.
that gelato looks fabu! I saw “platano” and I would want to try that with a scoop of chocolate.
“asparagus” = smelly pee (my first thought).
anne marie:
It’s called helado here… unless it’s an Italian or Italian-inspired ice cream shop. I almost got the plátano. One of my favourite flavours. Maybe I’ll go back once a week for one scoop until I’ve had them all. Yep, that’s my first thought with asparagus. I love it but hate the result.
Generous scoops of ice cream! A treat I don’t get often enough, which is just as well since I have gained a few pounds lately myself. I eat much less than I used to, but age has had its way with my metabolism – and other things as well! The insects here can be ferocious. During part of the year I must use mosquito repellent on me and the dogs before we walk even in the yard. Doctor fly season is the worst. They are similar to deer flies but more vicious. I actually have to wear long sleeves and long pants to keep them off.
Your botanical mask is perfect for a nature hike. Get some insect repellent and get back up there soon.
Wilma:
I used to cover myself with Deep Woods Off when we lived in Connecticut. Didn’t keep the deer ticks away apparently. I don’t know what damage I did to myself, however. One time when I was shirtless while working in the gardens. I hauled a huge bag of soil over my shoulder. When I tossed it on the ground, my upper body was covered with the imprint from the bag. The Deep Woods Off had disolved and transferred the ink! But I should get some safe spray now.
YOU TWISTED AN ANKLE AGAIN!!!!!!!!!
You really are trying to tempt fate!!!! The fly bites had me think that i early saw a bug or flying biter of any kind in the Poconos. Course they bite me theyll end up in Betty Ford. I thought i heard they vacated the country….even the bugs can’t take trump.
Mistress Maddie:
I’ve heard even your deer ticks have applied for Spanish visas!
When I was 12 everyone said I needed to gain weight. I did. Now I have trouble (not really, as that implies that I am trying) losing pounds or kilos. My favorite hobby is cooking, making bread, pasta, Italian inspired dishes…but I try to keep active in the garden and walking. We don’t have a lot of pesky bugs in New Mexico but the sun in the thin atmosphere is like a blow torch. So that limits my outdoor activity in the summer. And, well, we don’t have and ice cream shop anywhere near us…but the freezer is always stocked with low fat frozen yogurt. (Half the calories, so I can eat twice as much)
Frank:
You think just like Jerry when it comes to low-cal. I spent probably the first 40 years of my life trying to gain weight. Although I’ve needed to tone up at different times in my life, this is the first time I’ve ever wanted to lose any pounds.
I think you must be quite dangerous when left to your own devices, though I don’t think I’ve ever been bitten by a fly.
Just a suggestion: less banana bread and ice cream?
Bob:
No banana bread yesterday. Stir-fry for dinner and melon for dessert. Maybe I’ll go out for ice cream today as a reward (just kidding). And, yes, I have always been a danger to myself… and I have the scars to prove it.
I want the same ice cream that San Geraldo had. What did you say when you twisted your ankle? I don’t know you well enough to guess.
Love,
Janie
janiejunebug:
Oh, I think you know, but I’ll give you a hint. It started with F and ended with U-C-K. The dark chocolate was phenomenal.
Tut! One loses weight with more hiking and less chocolate gelato. Good luck !
Urspo:
It’s easy for me to do and I will. I haven’t been as active as usual given the pandemic and the depression that accompanies it. I used to stop eating when I was depressed, but SG doesn’t allow that.
Perhaps you need a chaperone on your walks… I’m sure the delicious ice cream helped to sooth your sprains. 🙂
Walt the Fourth:
Since I don’t like anyone holding me back, all the chaperone would be good for would be picking me up!