La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
MY PARENTS HAD A DEAR friend whose maiden name was Katzenbogen. I think she should have hyphenated it when she married. Imagine going through life as Katzenbogen-Kuzemchikov.
As my father would ask: “What’s that got to do with the price of tea in China?” “Nothing,” I’d respond. But I met some beautiful and friendly cats on my walk yesterday under spectacularly cloudy skies. I thought I’d share photos of cats and clouds. So forgive me for this drivel, not for the cats and the clouds.
Our rugs still aren’t ready. I’ll probably phone again tomorrow and be a bit less understanding. We tried getting our flu shots today, but the pharmacy had no vaccine. So, we’re on a waiting list.
We both have our ups and downs throughout the day. Often not at the same time, which is helpful. Last night we went to Mesón Salvador to get us out of our funk. It worked. We came home and had San Geraldo’s banana bread for dessert.
Yesterday, 21 October, was the 10th anniversary of our “legal” marriage in the United States (in Iowa — click here). Since we had already been together 29 years at the time, it’s not a date that sticks in our memories. We didn’t need the American government to tell us we were legitimate. Anyway, the only reason I remember is because a wonderful former colleague of San Geraldo’s celebrates her anniversary around the same time and always sends us good wishes. So, thanks to Phyllis once again. I suppose last night’s dinner at Mesón Salvador was our legal anniversary celebration. Too bad we didn’t remember.
We took the Prius in for its four-year inspection Tuesday. Of course, it passed with flying colors, and with less than 15,000 km (less than 10,000 miles) under its hood. We rewarded ourselves with a walk over to La Peseta for ice cream.
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MIS PADRES TENÍAN UNA QUERIDA amiga cuyo apellido de soltera era Katzenbogen. Creo que debería haberlo escrito con un guión cuando se casó. Imagínese pasar por la vida como Katzenbogen-Kuzemchikov.
Como preguntaba mi padre: “¿Qué tiene eso que ver con el precio del té en China?” “Nada”, respondía. Pero, ayer conocí unos gatos hermosos y amigables en mi paseo bajo un cielo espectacularmente nublado. Pensé en compartir fotos de gatos y nubes [cats and clouds]. Así que perdóname por esta tontería, no por los gatos y las nubes.
Nuestras alfombras aún no están listas. Probablemente volveré a llamar mañana y seré un poco menos comprensivo. Hoy intentamos vacunarnos contra la gripe, pero la farmacia no tenía ninguna vacuna. Entonces, estamos en lista de espera.
Ambos tenemos nuestros altibajos a lo largo del día. A menudo, no al mismo tiempo, lo cual es útil. Anoche fuimos a Mesón Salvador para sacarnos de nuestro bajón. Funcionó. Llegamos a casa y comimos tarta de plátano de San Geraldo de postre. Ayer, 21 de octubre, fue el décimo aniversario de nuestro matrimonio “legal” en los Estados Unidos (en Iowa, haz clic aquí). Como ya llevábamos 29 años juntos en ese momento, no es una fecha que se quede en nuestros recuerdos. No necesitábamos que el gobierno estadounidense nos dijera que éramos legítimos. De todos modos, la única razón que recuerdo es porque una maravillosa ex colega de San Geraldo celebra su aniversario aproximadamente a la misma hora y siempre nos envía buenos deseos. Entonces, gracias a Phyllis una vez más. Supongo que la cena de anoche en Mesón Salvador fue nuestra celebración legal de aniversario. Lástima que no lo recordamos.
Llevamos el Prius para su inspección de cuatro años el martes. Por supuesto, pasó con gran éxito y con menos de 15.000 km (menos de 10.000 millas) bajo su capó. Nos premiamos con un paseo hasta La Peseta para tomar un helado.








Mi chocolate negro con naranja y higo con nueces.

El chocolate Belga y café Colombiano de San Geraldo.
39 years, and still so young,
David:
I was 3 when we met.
Happy Anniversary to you both!!!! Nothing to sneeze at!!!! Those cats….
I have a feeling the black and white cat is the Supreme….just look at the regal stance upon which she sits.
Mistress Maddie:
I agree about that black & white. So elegant.
OOH! your ice cream choices are exactly in my choice category ~ anything coffee, anything choc (not as much as I used to be) and ORANGE anything. Sorry I just had an adrenaline rush.
Kitties everywhere ~ how delightful! We miss our kitties from years ago, maybe it’s time! 🙂
Ron:
Two scoops, once a week, might be a good idea. I tasted SG’s coffee ice cream. Phenomenal.
Well, congrats on the anniversary!
I envy your photography…always so sharp and clear. And the settings so appealing. I also envy the fact that you and Geraldo are not inundated with political signs, TV ads and news about voting issues and intimidation. It is constant here in the States. It’s one reason I don’t blog as often – or comment as often.
Glad you are still doing your blog regularly.
Frank:
It IS a huge relief to not be inundated with all you mention. It’s overwhelming enough just reading the news.
PUSSIES! and that ice cream – OMB! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY; 39 years is a long time these days.
anne marie:
We really don’t even acknowledge this “legal” anniversary. Still, it surprises me that THAT’s already been 10 years. I remember our real 10th anniversary. We had a huge party and thought it had been forever.
Is that last kitty cross-eyed?
That 2nd last one would fit right in with Moose and Dudo! I can just see that working?!! lol
Great clouds. Been that way a lot here lately too. No wonder we are up and down and all over the place!
That ice-cream would surely make it all better.
Jim:
Yes, that was a cross-eyed cat. I wonder how he sees the world. I wonder how Dudo and Moose would do with another cat (or three) in the house.
Happy legal anniversary, though, yeah, it’s nice but the 39 years matters more!!
Now, those cats! I want them all! That tabby’s markings are so cool …if you look closely he has an ‘M’ on his forehead. MaxGoldberg Jr?????
My Dad did the tea in China, too, though it morphed into cheese in China which made even less sense,
Bob:
I hadn’t looked at the tabby’s markings closely. Wow. Gorgeous. Cheese in China?
Sadly, yes, cheese in China. I still don’t get it.
Bob:
My father had another one when we would say: “What?” He’d say, “If I knew what’s what I’d be in college.” And so I repeat, “WHAT?!?” I think it was the punchline of an old bad joke. My father couldn’t remember the joke. Maybe it’s time to look it up.
Bob: I found the joke. Yes, old and bad. Here’s the link: https://www.jweekly.com/2004/02/27/jokes-22/
Congrats on your legal 10th, Mitch.
The cats got me on board in a micro-second, so nothing new there. This b/w looks senior in every way, as though keeping a supervisory eye on the world – yet they always seem so vulnerable when beside a car or any motor vehicle as, of course, they are but don’t know it.
Raybeard:
I agree about the black & white. So elegant and so in charge. Although among parked cars, they’re on a very quiet cul-de-sac. I was pleased to see the adults’ ears were notched. All so friendly, too.
Cats! Always so regal.
Debra:
These were such sweet cats, too. And that black & white took regal to a new level.
We just had our anniversary on Oct 17. We always marked the day we moved in together as our anniversary date, and so we decided to get legally married on the same date. So we’re at 28/5. (My oldest brother and sister-in-law did the same thing for their civil wedding and church wedding-the latter happening several years after the former.) Happy anniversary to y’all!
Re names: One other curious thing about me is that my mother and father have the same last name, but in different languages.
wickedhamster:
Our real anniversary is 16 August. I wish we could have done the legal one that same day, but we needed the paperwork for our residency applications for Spain and couldn’t wait another year. I love that you did that. That’s fascinating about your parents’ last names.
Happy Anniversary! Our 38th is tomorrow, the 23rd.
Those cats are beautiful. Are fleas a problem in your area? We use NexGuard chewable tablets for the dogs and it works great. I don’t think it can be used for cats, though.
Wilma:
Happy 38th!!! I’m sure fleas must be common here, but we don’t have the problem with our cats since they don’t venture beyond the terrace. We used to use liquid drops on the napes of our California cats’ necks. One didn’t even notice. The other hated it. The cats pictured sure looked clean and healthy. So I wonder.
I’m sending you two anniversary hugs. (((Scoot & SG))). Cats and ice cream, yay! You did lose me a little with the figs and walnuts, but orange and chocolate made up for it 🙂 I hope that tentacle coming up out of that ice cream is a spoon.
Deedles:
That IS an actual tentacle. It’s frozen jellied octopus arm. A delicacy. (I lie.)
Like an ever delayed rug, Scoot!
Happy Anniversary! We’re in the same boat – 43 years together but only married for 13 – had to make sure it would work!
Willym:
We had to think about it almost as long as you.
Catzenclouds DOES make a catchy title. Did your parents’ friend have a first name that started with a K? That would have added to the alliteration of the hyphenated last name. (But unfortunately would make her initials KKK.)
Love the cats!
Steve:
Thankfully, her first name started with an “S.” Their four children were named alphabetically.
I only made three years
Congratulations sincerely xx
finlaygray:
Well, as you know, there’s a lot of work involved… and then, the luck of the draw. May there be no more Jokers in your deck!
Happy, happy anniversary to both of you! The coffee ice cream looks amazing!
Carole:
I tasted the coffee ice cream and it was excellent. One my of flavours for next time.