La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
THREE TUESDAYS AGO, I TOLD The Kid Brother I wouldn’t be visiting this month. He was at first upset but I explained I would come as soon as I could, maybe even October or November, and that the only thing we would miss out on was skeeball at Coney Island. Great. Last week, his first word was, “Well?” I replied, “Well what?” and he demanded to know if I was coming this month. We had the conversation again. Last night, he wanted to know, “So ya got the dates?” I explained again that we had to wait until things settled down with the virus. I hoped I could make new reservations in October or November but we had to wait and see. He was a bit snitty, but we talked some more and then he was fine. I have a feeling this will be the weekly conversation until I have new plane and hotel reservations.
Other than San Geraldo’s book, I haven’t decided what I’ll do today. When I woke up this morning, it was warm outside and the humidity was 87 percent. Air quality has been unusually poor lately, too (air polution level today, medium). I’m not in an at-risk group, but I do find it unpleasant to be active outdoors. At least the Jellyfish flag isn’t flying (yet) on our beach.
This hasn’t been a typical August here. Hotter, hazier, and more humid. The Sevilla tourism balloon is an annual visitor. They offer tethered rides, straight up and down. Some years, they couldn’t get it up. This year, they did.
I appear to be having some success with our hibiscus on the terrace. Buds are still dropping from the three more exotic of our five plants, but the plants are also producing many more buds and even starting to bloom.
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HACE TRES MARTES, LE DIJE a El Hermanito que no visitaría este mes. Al principio estaba molesto, pero le expliqué que vendría tan pronto como pudiera, tal vez incluso en octubre o noviembre, y que lo único que nos perderíamos era el skeeball en Coney Island. Genial. La semana pasada, su primera palabra fue: “¿Y bien?” Respondí: “¿Y bien qué?,” y exigió saber si vendría este mes. Volvimos a tener la conversación. Anoche, quiso saber: “¿Entonces tienes las fechas?” Le expliqué de nuevo que teníamos que esperar hasta que las cosas se calmaran con el virus. Esperaba poder hacer nuevas reservas en octubre o noviembre, pero tuvimos que esperar y ver. Estaba un poco malhumorado, pero hablamos un poco más. Tengo la sensación de que esta será la conversación semanal hasta que tenga nuevas reservas de avión y hotel.
Aparte del libro de San Geraldo, no he decidido qué haré hoy. Cuando me desperté esta mañana, hacía calor afuera y la humedad era del 87 por ciento. La calidad del aire también ha sido inusualmente mala últimamente (nivel de contaminación del aire actual, medio). No pertenezco a un grupo de riesgo, pero me resulta desagradable estar activo al aire libre. Al menos la bandera de las medusas no ondea (todavía) en nuestra playa.
Este no ha sido un agosto típico aquí. Más caliente, más turbio, y más húmedo. El globo turístico de Sevilla es una visitante anual. Ofrecen paseos atados, hacia arriba y hacia abajo. Algunos años, no pudieron levantarlo. Este año lo hicieron.
Parece que estoy teniendo cierto éxito con nuestros hibiscos en la terraza. Todavía están cayendo cogollos de las tres plantas más exóticas de nuestras cinco, pero las plantas también están produciendo muchos más cogollos e incluso están comenzando a florecer.
• Este es uno de los dos menos temperamentales de nuestros cinco hibiscos. Pero ahora parece especialmente feliz.
• Es muy temperamental con pétalos más delicados y aproximadamente 1-1 / 2 veces el tamaño del primero. No se ha aferrado a una flor desde que la compramos por primera vez.
• Lo mismo día, más tarde.
• La más prolífica de las cinco seguida de las otras dos plantas más exóticas.
• Otro trasplante exótico.
Have you been up in the ballon? You should try that. Stay cool,
David:
One year, I went down with that specific purpose, but the line was too long. The next two years, I thought I’d try a bit earlier, but the balloon couldn’t get it up. (I think they discovered a leak each time.) This year, I was on my way to meet Maria and family when I snapped the pictures. By the time we were done, the balloon had been packed up. Maybe next year.
Disappointed in the last photo – too matchy-matchy and no belt with the suspenders and no garish socks – a 3/10 fail – maybe 2/10.
sillygirl:
Yeah, I was wanting a better hat and garish socks… and rainbow suspenders. Still, it satisfied my fashion needs for the day.
I love the Hibiscus plants. Very bright 🙂
Completely off today’s topics: How much Spanish language experience did you have, before moving to Spain?
Judy C:
I studied Spanish from 7th to 12th grade and then a semester in college. I was good, but then never used it. Then I studied Italian for a year because I had fallen in love with Italy. I never got good at Italian but I forced Spanish out of my head because I kept confusing the two languages. So I really didn‘t use it again in any capacity until we arrived here more than 30 years later.
Very interesting! But, I bet that the strong base that you had, really helped as you were bringing it back into your life! (I hope so, at least! I tell my students that much–ha!)
Sorry about the repeat conversation with KB. V. hard to un-focus one so focused.
As for the last photo…the mismatch is bad enough, but the braces (aka suspenders) did me in. If he doesn’t extend them a bit more, there will be a reverse wedgie going on and he’ll be singing soprano.
Mary:
It’s a bit draining each week with KB, but that’s life with him. I hope to be able to re-reserve soon. From the fit of the shirt and shorts, I have a feeling that man has lost a lot of weight (I hope for good reasons). The fit is like a clown outfit and I expect him to pull things out of his pants — like a seltzer bottle, a rubber chicken, etc.
I’m thinking the northern hemisphere is experiencing the same humid weather everywhere. I am aching all over when the humidity descends on us. Nova Scotia is not used to this kind of weather. To add to the misery ~ our neighbours smoke 24/7 on their deck + live on the deck under a canopy all night long ~ hacking and wheezing. Does anyone have any ideas how to deal with this civilly? My asthma kicks in immediately. They aren’t the sharpest tacks out there I might add.
Ron:
I’ve had a slight headache since yesterday. 86 percent humidity when I went to bed last night, 89 when I woke up. We’ve got summer neighbors that disturb our peace but nothing like what you’re experiencing. That’s awful and I wish I had a good suggestion for resolving the problem. A high-power electric fan?
How many times have I pondered that “high powered fan” scenario. In the summer when I was working my area of work had 2 of these giant fans. If only ~~~ LOL. Thought I’d put “it” out there, worth a chance.
Ron:
It would be difficult to accomplish with your situation with your neighbors, but I had a little personal, battery operated fan I carried in my bag and put on tables in cafes, aiming it at people who were smoking. It died and I need to buy a new one.
The hibiscuses (hibisci? hibiscides?) are lovely. The exotic transplant is little short of hideous. 😁
wickedhamster:
I used to think hibiscus was singular and plural, so I looked it up. Hibiscuses is correct for the plural. Still, it sounds so awkward. The exotic transplants can be much worse. Sometimes I think they shouldn’t be removed from their native habitats.
I think your instinct about it being singular and plural is much better. I have heard it used as the plural frequently. (And you can tell people your philologist – which technically I am – said so.)
wickedhamster:
Thanks for the permission! I’m going back to hibiscus for singular and plural. As a practicing philologist, can you write prescriptions?
I don’t mind the mixed plaids–you know me–but suspenders and shorts?
Call the Fashion Firing Squad!
Bob:
I saw one today that made me think of you. No suspenders.
I’m so sorry about your trip, but what can you do? Trying times, these. The hibiscus are lovely. My rose bushes are suffering from seasonal heat droop. Such lovely ladies with the vapors. This too shall pass. There is also a little potted geranium that I’ve inherited with the house. The hotter it gets, the more it strives. I look at my backyard as a living metaphor. I don’t know what it’s a metaphor for exactly, but it’s a metaphor nonetheless 🙂
Fuengirola fashion is falling down on the job! Where’s the color? Where’s the socks? Where’s the flowers paired with geometrical patterns or plaid? Even a pair of crocs (Maddie’s away for awhile so I can say the “c” word) with glow in the dark colors would add a little pizzazz!
Deedles:
Geraniums love that kind of weather. The city just planted more on the plaza. When asked “what’s a metaphor” my old college roommate said “cows.” Think about it and let me know if you need help. I was a bit disappointed with the one fashion statement I saw. He could have done so much more with that.
Ha! I got it! Cute. I had to soften the t in metaphor to figure it out, though.
Deedles:
My roommate’s family were farmers. You had to say it like a farmer.
Thank god for suspenders!
I love how the sun sets the hibiscus flower on fire. All the plants looks so lush and healthy.
Wilma:
Although we’re getting some blooms finally from the other hibiscuses, they continue to drop buds, too. I’ll keep trying.
Your hibiscuses look look very happy…..mostly. Nice photos of them.
Ours is very happy being outdoors in the garden soaking up all that sun and heat we’ve been getting this summer.
I feel the Kid Brother’s disappointment. It will only add to the excitement when you do get to visit.
That ‘exotic transplant’ needs a workshop on better fitting clothes! Not to mention a ‘matching seminar’ or two!!
Jim:
I think our hibiscuses would be happier in the ground. They’ve required a lot of attention and care, but at least it’s beginning to pay off. I’m hoping to have at least a couple of blooms on the last two, which are the most exotic. Double flowers!
We have what’s called althéa, a shrub that is either related to hibiscus or just looks like one. I’m not sure. Its flowers are white, but we had a pink and a purple that we took out (planted in the wrong place) when we moved here. As Dr. Spo might say, it’s well over four feet. I prune it back most years and it comes back with gusto each spring. I gotta find me some of that “gusto.” I’ll look on Amazon.
Walt the Fourth:
We find our gusto at the garden center. Then we transplant it and, well, you know how it goes.
The Kid brother misses you. Hope you both do get together soon.
Kirk:
I miss him, too. But it’s so much tougher for him. I hope it happens soon.
Poor kid brother. He was looking forward to seeing you. 🙁
Steve:
Yep. It’s not easy. I sure hope I have some definite plans again soon. The not knowing is hard on him (and me).