La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
THINGS ARE BUDDING OUT ALL over the place. One of our orchids has sent up a new flower stem. That’s a first for me with my history of orchids in the house. The aloe vera in the hall has begun it’s annual budding. And the flower stems continue to grow on the cylindrical African spear (Sansevieria cylindrica), which I just learned is no longer in the genus Sansevieria and has been reclassified in the genus Dracaena. The name has been changed to Dracaena angolensis (because it’s native to Angola).
A couple of weeks ago, I downloaded Alan Cumming’s book, “Baggage.” Last night, I finally decided to start reading only to discover I mistakenly downloaded the audio book. I never listen to audio books, but this one might not be a bad choice. I plan to plug in and start reading today. San Geraldo and I recently watched a film on Prime video which we were surprised to thoroughly enjoy. Based on a true story, “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie,” for us, was a coming of age, feel good film with a brain.
I’ve currently got my Apple pencil plugged in and charging. Time to perfect my skills and create some art. Obviously, I’m climbing out of my funk. I’m sure there’ll continue to be dips, but that’s just how it goes.
I walked on the beach yesterday afternoon. Sundays, although not very busy, are still too busy for me on the Paseo. There were plenty of people on the beach enjoying the sun and warmth (I wore only a T-shirt. And pants! I also wore pants), but not so many that I couldn’t enjoy an unmasked vigorous walk. I only do about 3 km on the beach because my hip starts to ache (that stinking sciatica), but it’s a great workout, and my hip actually feels much better afterwards.
Towards the end of my walk, I saw a boy of about 8 using two sticks to try and coax a jellyfish back into the water. I greeted him and commented that it was the biggest jellyfish I had seen that day. He said it had just washed up and he was trying to save it, but he couldn’t go far enough. The boy’s father was at a bit of a distance on the dry sand. We smiled and waved. The boy asked if I could save the jellyfish. So I did. We watched the surf take it deeper and the boy displayed a huge smile and said, “Thank you very much!” That made my entire day. As I walked away (after the father and I exchanged more smiles and waves), I hoped the boy didn’t remain to see the jellyfish get washed back to shore.
Nutrition and Fitness Report
Stretching: Twice so far today
Walking: 4 km / 2.5 miles on the beach yesterday, 3 km / 2 miles so far today.
Gym: Chest and back workout today. My shirts are loose around the waist and tight around the chest.
Notes: Two sugar-free cookies for dessert last night. Four chocolates during the day (one so far today).
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LAS COSAS ESTÁN SURGIENDO POR todos lados. Una de nuestras orquídeas ha producido un nuevo tallo floral. Esa es la primera vez para mí con mi historia de orquídeas en la casa. El aloe vera del salón ha comenzado su brotación anual. Y los tallos de las flores continúan creciendo en la lanza africana cilíndrica (Sansevieria cylindrica), que acabo de enterarme que ya no está en el género Sansevieria y ha sido reclasificado en el género Dracaena. El nombre se ha cambiado a Dracaena angolensis (porque es nativo de Angola).
Hace unas semanas, descargué el libro de Alan Cumming, “Baggage”. Anoche, finalmente decidí comenzar a leer solo para descubrir que descargué por error el audiolibro. Nunca escucho audiolibros, pero este podría no ser una mala elección. Planeo conectarme y comenzar hoy. San Geraldo y yo vimos recientemente una película en Prime Video que nos sorprendió disfrutar a fondo. Basada en una historia real, “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie”, para nosotros, fue una película sobre la mayoría de edad, para sentirse bien, y con cerebro.
Actualmente tengo mi Apple Pencil enchufado y cargándose. Es hora de perfeccionar mis habilidades y crear algo de arte. Obviamente, estoy saliendo de mi funk. Estoy seguro de que seguirá habiendo caídas, pero así son las cosas.
Caminé por la playa ayer por la tarde. Los domingos, aunque no son muy concurridos, todavía lo son para mí en el Paseo. Había mucha gente en la playa disfrutando del sol y el calor (solo vestía una camiseta. Y pantalones; también llevaba pantalones), pero no tantos que no pudiera disfrutar de una caminata vigorosa sin máscarilla. Solo hago unos 4 km en la playa porque me empieza a doler la cadera (esa ciática apestosa), pero es un gran ejercicio, y mi cadera en realidad se siente mucho mejor después.
Encontré varias medusas arrastradas a la orilla. Hacia el final de mi caminata, vi a un niño de unos 8 años usando dos palos para tratar de convencer a una medusa de que volviera al agua. Lo saludé y le comenté que era la medusa más grande que había visto ese día. Dijo que acababa de llegar a tierra y que estaba tratando de salvarlo, pero que no podía ir lo suficientemente lejos. El padre del niño estaba a cierta distancia sobre la arena seca. Sonreímos y saludamos. El niño preguntó si podía salvar a la medusa. Así que lo hice. Vimos cómo el oleaje se hacía más profundo y el niño mostró una gran sonrisa y dijo: “¡Muchas gracias!” Eso hizo mi día completo. Mientras me alejaba (después de que el padre y yo intercambiáramos más sonrisas y saludos), esperaba que el chico no se quedara para ver cómo arrastraban a la medusa a la orilla.
Nutrition and Fitness Report
Stretching: Once so far today
Walking: 5 km / 3 miles on the beach yesterday (great workout, but exhausts the sciatic-ne
Informe de Nutrición y Estado Físico
Estiramiento: Una vez hasta ahora hoy
Caminar: 4 km / 2,5 millas en la playa ayer, 3 km / 2 millas hasta el momento de hoy.
Gimnasio: Entrenamiento de pecho y espalda hoy. Mis camisas son sueltas alrededor de la cintura y apretadas alrededor del pecho.
Notas: Dos galletas sin azúcar para el postre de anoche. Cuatro bombones durante el día (uno hasta ahora hoy).
• El que guardé.
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• Un amigo nuestro en los años 80 tenía Disco Album de Ethel Merman. Creo que todo lo que hicieron fue agregar un ritmo disco a todas sus grabaciones originales. A nuestro amigo le encantó. Diosa mía.
Gentle souls, save the world, one jellyfish at a time.
David Godfrey:
Like the starfish story: “Well, I made a difference for that one.”
What a sweet kid! That jellyfish is gorgeous. The twist ending was perfect. I started hearing Ethel Merman screeching in my head as soon as I read the title. I had to change my brain radio’s channel to Bette Midler’s version. So much better, in my opinion of course. My fifteen rose bushes have been hacked to the nubs. Thank you, Jesus (our gardener). We should be getting a multitude of smile inducing blooms in the spring.
Your determination to walk despite the pain is an inspiration to me, Scoot. I may even walk to the mailbox. It’s a hassle pulling out my walker to do that. but it beats having to stop halfway because of my back locking up and freezing me in the middle of the road. Been there, done that, ain’t doing it again.
I love me some Ethel Merman….but who ever thought it was a good idea to let her do disco?!?!?!?!?! That is almost as painful as Crocs.
Mistress Borghese:
I thought that Disco Album was an embarrassment, but it was apparently popular. All they did was add the disco beat to every song. It was bizarre. And more painful than Crocs, I swear.
Deedles:
I first chose Bette Midler to sing the song and then I remembered the Disco Album. Awful. So awful it’s comical.
Scoot, I couldn’t bring myself to listen. I dislike Ethel Merman’s shrieking voice in musicals as a general rule. I wouldn’t be able to handle Disco Merman! I’m probably in the minority here. Not the first time 😉
Deedles:
Well, I guess I should admit that I’m with you when it comes to Ethel Merman’s voice and, except when we were a captive audience during dinner at our friend’s apartment, I have never listened to any Ethel Disco number all the way through. And, yes, he actually played it as background music during dinner!
Wow, I’ve never seen a whole jellyfish like that, Mitchell. As always, I love your photos 🙂 Nice job making the kid feel better, and so glad to read that you’re on an upswing today…. shorts and tee-shirts!? Ha! So different from here.
Judy C:
There are people sunbathing and people in parkas and wool caps. Currently 53F. Sweatshirt weather for me today. Check out these two old blog posts with other types of jellyfish: https://movingwithmitchell.com/2015/05/24/finding-medusa/ and https://movingwithmitchell.com/2019/10/13/peanut-butter-jellyfish-crema-de-cacahuete-y-medusamermelada/
Ah….spring is in the air!……in Spain, that is. Lovely photos.
I am sure you made that boy’s day as well, Mitchell.
Jim:
What a great little boy.
Here’s hoping that against the odds the surf didn’t redeposit the jelly fish on the beach. Those buds on the Dracaena are certainly unique. hope you’ll post a photo of what they eventually produce.
Anon:
Will definitely post bloom photos and full view so you can see how large these plants are.
I have no luck with orchids, or houseplants in general. African violets are the worst for me. But they are very temperamental anyhow. Once my orchids bloom I don’t have the patience for them to bloom again but feel guilty tossing them. At least I don’t murder them altogether… so they go to a friend of mine. Now at the shop we had a spike plant of some sort last spring on it’s last legs. I took it. I have it in my room at my mothers, and it has gotten huge!!!! We also got a planter at Christmas, which I will divide up and transplant. We will see how that goes……the fern is dead already. I’ve always been good with gardening, but inside I don’t know what happens. Maybe my luck is changing.
Mistress Borghese:
I’ve never had luck with orchids. Had a room full in Santa Barbara. Fed them special foods in bloom season and in non-bloom seasons. They leafed out beautifully and never rebloomed. I only did slightly better with African violets. We had the most amazing African violets seller near us in Connecticut, Buell’s Greenhouses. I had grow lights in the basement and continually rotated the plants to upstairs when they were in bloom. They lasted a while, but not as long as I hoped… So we just went back and bought more.
So envious of your orchid stem.
I miss walking on the beach and seeing all the treasures washed up with the tide. The Jellyfish is wonderful, such colors.
As always beautiful photos.
cheers.
Thanks, Parsnip. I hope to see more than one orchid stem, but I’m grateful for it.
I love the story of the boy with the jellyfish. Thank goodness for empathetic kids.
Dave and I saw “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” on stage several years ago. I didn’t realize there was a movie version!
Here’s my orchid tip: When it’s done flowering, don’t cut off the flower stalk (unless it dies back naturally). A lot of times a new stalk will branch off of the old one, which seems easier for the plant than budding from the base.
Steve:
The musical would have been so much fun to see live on stage. I thought the film was well done.
I do usually leave the flower stems until they die back. But, I’m make sure to always do so now. Thanks.
FUNK B GONE!
Debra:
If only it came in a spray!
I envy you your beach walks! You must have an absolutely wonderful collection of sea shells, sea glass and smooth pebbles by now. I’d be like a kid in a candy store, coming home every day with my pockets stuffed! Have you done any watercolour paintings of sea shells? The sheen of mother-of-pearl would be challenging to capture on paper!
Tundra Bunny:
I grew up by the beach and remember the buckets of shells in the house, so I avoided getting into that habit. I did however start a collection of sea glass here and am now hoping to find blue and yellow, both very rare. Other than that, I try to control myself. The opalescent shells, however, are a weakness. But I only have a small glass bowl. I’ve never been a watercolorist. So, if I tried, I probably wouldn’t start with seashells.
I’m halfway through cumming’s book
Loving it
John:
I’ve heard it’s good. Didn’t start yesterday. Maybe today.
Kids like that give me faith for the future.
Does Alan Cumming read his own book because I could listen to him all day.
Bob:
Yes, he does narrate, which is what makes me NOT regret my error.
I loved “Baggage.” I did listen to it as an audio back to and from work way back when i was going into the office. I think you’ll like it.
I have an Apple Pencil and am still woefully unskilled at using it with/on my iPad, although I’ve watched instruction videos and explored different art apps on my own. I’d really like to learn how to use it properly.
Sassybear:
Oh, the Apple Pencil: I tried some videos and got completely befuddled. So, I’m going to try and perfect my skills by osmosis (OK, and more videos).
You didn’t pick the jellyfish up with your hands, did you? I heard they sting.
Kirk:
The boy had two thick sticks nearly 2 feet long. That’s as close as I’d get. Some are more dangerous than others. But these do definitely sting. It can be mild or REALLY HURT. I’ve been told “it’s no worse than a bee sting”. I’m allergic and a bee sting could kill me!
Buds already? Wow!
Walt the Fourth:
These are indoors and this is the time of year they bloom. Well, except for the orchid. I have no idea.
To be needlessly frank, I wouldn’t have bothered with the jellyfish myself. I have a peculiar aversion to all invertebrates, but most especially to jellyfish. I guess I just have a spinocentrically prejudiced view of the world. Does that make me a bad person???
wickedhamster:
I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of jellyfish, but I won’t go near the water if they’re present. And, had it not been for the sweet kid, I would have left it high and dry. So, no, it doesn’t make you a bad person.
You done good, Mitchell, to help that child with the jellyfish. I always try to save the “sail by the wind” creatures (not true jellyfish) that wash up here. I even did that when I mistakenly thought they were Portuguese Man O’war jellyfish. I love your nacre collection.
Wilma:
Just looked up sail by the wind. Stunning. I’ve never seen those. A number of the “jellyfish” we see aren’t true jellyfish apparently.