La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
THE WIND HOWLED ALL THROUGH the night. It was still blowing so hard this morning that I wore a thick, thermal sweatshirt and a knit cap for my walk to the gym. However, as I walked down the stairs, the winds suddenly eased. And when I stepped outside I discovered clear blue skies and a temperature of 17˚C / 63˚F. I stripped off the hat and the sweatshirt. The winds were blowing again for my walk home and, although they were milder, I did get knocked sideways at one point by a sudden gust. They’re forecast to increase for the next two hours. I can already hear them beginning to wail once again. San Geraldo hasn’t left the house.
The photo above is of SG in the ’70s on a trip from Seattle to the Grand Canyon with his dear friend Joan. He was considered quite a catch. White sneakers and purple mittens (or gloves) complete the ensemble of ratty WWII army coat, knit cap, and gnarly scarf. If he still had those things, he’d wear them today.
The cats are on the terrace enjoying the warmth of the sun. I’m counting the hours until I can phone The Kid Brother, and hope to get a good report after his doctor visit. He mentioned Tuesday that there was snow in NYC. I think there were about 8 inches (20 cm) in his neighborhood. We’ve had snow on the mountains in recent weeks, so I’ve shared a photo of that view.
Our friends Jean and Ray were supposed to arrive yesterday from England for two weeks, but we have a feeling that trip, like their previous several, has been cancelled. We’ll phone them today. They’re usually here three times a year, but we haven’t seen them in almost two years since they escaped just ahead of our lockdown. This is getting old.
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EL VIENTO AULÓ TODA LA noche. Todavía soplaba tan fuerte esta mañana que me puse una sudadera térmica gruesa y una gorra de punto para caminar al gimnasio. Sin embargo, mientras bajaba las escaleras, los vientos amainaron de repente. Y cuando salí descubrí un cielo azul claro y una temperatura de 17˚C / 63˚F. Me quité la gorra y la sudadera. Los vientos soplaban de nuevo para mi camino a casa y, aunque eran más suaves, una ráfaga repentina me golpeó de lado en un momento. Se prevé que aumenten durante las próximas dos horas. Ya puedo oírlos empezar a llorar una vez más. San Geraldo no ha salido de casa.
La foto de arriba es de SG en los años 70 en un viaje desde Seattle al Gran Cañón con su querida amiga Joan. Fue considerado un buen partido. Zapatillas blancas y mitones (o guantes) morados completan el conjunto de un andrajoso abrigo militar de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, gorro de lana y bufanda retorcida. Si todavía tuviera esas cosas, las usaría hoy.
Los gatos están en la terraza disfrutando del calor del sol. Estoy contando las horas hasta que pueda llamar a El Hermanito y espero obtener un buen informe después de su visita al médico. El martes mencionó que había nieve en Nueva York. Creo que había alrededor de 20 centímetros (8 pulgados) en su vecindario. Hemos tenido nieve en las montañas en las últimas semanas, así que compartí una foto de esa vista.
Se suponía que nuestros amigos Jean y Ray llegarían ayer desde Inglaterra durante dos semanas, pero tenemos la sensación de que el viaje, como los anteriores, ha sido cancelado. Les llamaremos hoy. Por lo general, están aquí tres veces al año, pero no los hemos visto en casi dos años desde que escaparon justo antes de nuestro encierro. Esto está envejeciendo.
• Mi árbol favorito del Paseo. ¿Puede alguien decirme qué es esto?
• ¡Una granja de sombrillas! Incluso hay riego subterráneo. No puedo esperar a verlo lanzar nuevos brotes.
Purple mittens! I knew I liked SG ~ we wear purple mitts over merino gloves every day with “Hot HAnds” inside ~ discovered Hot Hands a few years ago ~ little packets when squeezed start to warm up and make your walk much more pleasant ! NYC snow oh yeah!!!
I have those Hot Hands too! They are great in the mittens for winter walks.
Mistress G Borghese:
Do they come in Hot Pants and Hot Socks? That would make SG happy.
Ron:
What SG would really love is Hot Pants and Hot Socks like your Hot Hands.
That thing on the beach looks like a less than spectacular and dried out peacock!!!
We have high winds here today too. But it’s also not 63 here, more like 29 degrees!!!! That is a stunning tree, but the lean has me worried…..much like Mag Wildwood from Breakfast at Tiffany’s…..tiimmmmmmber!!!!!!!!!
Mistress G Borghese:
I wonder if the wind got at that tree while it was young. It does seem to be reaching for the sky now. I can’t imagine anything could take it down at this point.
We took a pounding with 15″ (38cm) of snow and howling winds a week ago (along with a 26 hour power outage) and then another 5cm or so overnight Thursday. So.Over.Snow. Local grocery stores are still recovering since a lot of folks had to dump their fridge/freezer stuff, so need to restock. Even today there is no dairy, no meat, no produce. Good times.
Mary:
Difficult enough to get to the market in that weather. Even worse when you can’t get what you need once you get there.
Wow, those snowy mountains! Spectacular! Your tree is a Norfolk Island Pine, I believe. Let us know how things go with your brother!
(BTW, the Norfolk Island Pine is not a true pine, but a relative of the Monkey Puzzle tree.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Araucaria_heterophylla
Steve:
Great info. And I feel reprieved because I had Monkey tree in my head when I saw it. Still, more sleuthing to do.
Steve:
Are there different types of Norfolk Island pines? The one on the left is the type I’m familiar with. The one on the right has a different look. Maybe the same family. I’ll have to do some reading, I suppose!
Clearly, San Geraldo has always been a fashion maven.
Debra:
I wish I had photos of him in his mint green, brushed cotton, bell-bottom suit with the wide lapels lined with purple flowered velvet piping… and a tie to match! THAT was before my time, but it hung in the closet for a few years. It was hideous even when it was in style. The green was very trendy for about a minute that year. At the time, I also had a suit in a similar shade of green. Elegant wool and much more classy.
Some type of Pine tree?
Spectacular view of those snow-covered mountains!
Just sent a card to KB.
Jim:
I do love living in this kind of climate and seeing snow on the mountains. Palm Springs was magical. Thanks for the card. He’s been a pill about sharing, but I’ll take pictures when I’m there. He truly appreciates it, as do I!
The dog days of summer…. and now the cat days of winter!
Tundra Bunny:
Dudo says it’s the cat days of summer, too. Every day is a cat day.
SG makes ratty look good!
Deedles:
You should see him lately!
Hoping to hear an update with good news after Chuck’s visit with the doctor!
Judy C:
As Chuck might say, Who knows?!? I think he’s ok!
Those cats make me wanna crawl back into bed!
Positive thoughts for the KB!
Bob:
SG just crawled back into bed. A cat won’t be far behind.
SG is still quite the catch. Love the beach.
David:
Surf is picking up and clouds are blowing by. It’s glorious.
It’s bent.
Pretty snow!
Walt the Fourth:
Yep, it’s bent and it plans to stay that way.
63 in January? Here in Cleveland (where it’s actually in the 20s) people would be in their shorts and tank tops.
Kirk:
We can immediately recognize the tourists. They’re in shorts. SG is in winter clothes. And I’m carrying a light-weight jacket.
I was thinking what on earth is a sombrilla ….a plant I have never seen!! So, looked it up……parasol….aah, I get it now!!
Frances:
Sorry about that! Yep, I’ve never heard the word parasol used here, although I think it must be. Sombrilla is the more common word in Spain.