La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
San Geraldo had a great idea today to do some shopping at IKEA, Maisons del Monde, and Plaza Mayor, all in close proximity to each other. We planned to have a late lunch at IKEA. Luckily, Elena and Tynan are off this week and surprised us while we were having our second breakfast at Mesón Salvador. That perked up our day. When we mentioned our plans for the afternoon, Elena said, “Are you crazy? This week? Everyone is off from work. This is the big pre-Christmas shopping week.” Monday was Constitution Day. Today is Immaculate Conception Day.
Note: When I was a kid, I thought the day was called the Immaculate Contraption, which I suppose might not be so far off.
Anyway, so glad we talked to Elena. We’ll shop next week. I’ll spend this afternoon deciding what Christmas decorations and ornaments I want to unpack. We have some ideas as to where to hang them that the cats won’t reach (or at least we think they won’t reach). When we have lunch, we usually sit in front of the TV with the vertical blinds drawn across the sliders to the terrace. The cats go in and out. Moose meows to be let in. Dudo taps on the door. Yesterday, I saw a tall, human-like shadow through the blinds. It was Dudo. He’s got quite a stretch and that cat can jump.
It was raining this morning. It’s threatening now with thunderstorms likely this evening and overnight. I still might take a walk this afternoon. I’ve got my Gore-Tex hiking shoes from Norway and my Northface rain jacket. It could be fun. The Kid Brother was doing well this week. I sent him a new winter/raincoat and, although he didn’t tell me he received it nor thank me for it, when asked, he did say it was perfect. His bowling scores last weekend: 153 and 134. He was very pleased.
Isabel was here today, so now I won’t be afraid to invite David (Travel Penguin) and J up when they come in from Málaga for lunch tomorrow. We’re looking forward to that and hearing about their experiences of Spain.
Our great friends Alyson and Nick (from England) arrive tomorrow for a visit, as well. I’m feeling uplifted (OK, maybe not fully, but I’m new and slightly improved).
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San Geraldo tuvo una gran idea hoy para hacer algunas compras en IKEA, Maisons del Monde y Plaza Mayor, todos muy cerca unos de otros. Planeamos almorzar tarde en IKEA. Por suerte, Elena y Tynan están libres esta semana y nos sorprendieron mientras tomábamos nuestro segundo desayuno en Mesón Salvador. Eso animó nuestro día. Cuando mencionamos nuestros planes para la tarde, Elena dijo: “¿Estás loco? ¿Esta semana? Todo el mundo está fuera del trabajo. Esta es la gran semana de compras prenavideña”. El lunes fue el Día de la Constitución. Hoy es el día de la Inmaculada Concepción.
Nota: Cuando era niño, pensé que el día se llamaría el Artilugio Inmaculado, lo que supongo que podría no estar tan lejos.
De todos modos, me alegro de haber hablado con Elena. Haremos la compra la próxima semana. Pasaré esta tarde decidiendo qué adornos y adornos navideños quiero desempacar. Tenemos algunas ideas de dónde colgarlos que los gatos no alcanzarán (o al menos creemos que no alcanzarán). Cuando almorzamos, generalmente nos sentamos frente al televisor con las persianas verticales corridas a través de los controles deslizantes de la terraza. Los gatos entran y salen. Moose maúlla para que lo dejen entrar. Dudo golpea la puerta. Ayer, vi una sombra alta, parecida a un humano a través de las persianas. Era Dudo. Se estira bastante y ese gato puede saltar.
Estaba lloviendo esta mañana. Ahora amenaza con tormentas eléctricas probables esta tarde y durante la noche. Todavía podría dar un paseo esta tarde. Tengo mis zapatos para caminar Gore-Tex de Noruega y mi impermeable Northface. Podría ser divertido. El Hermanito lo estaba haciendo bien esta semana. Le envié un nuevo abrigo de invierno/impermeable y, aunque no me dijo que lo había recibido ni me lo agradeció, cuando se lo pedí, dijo que estaba perfecto. Sus puntuaciones en los bolos el fin de semana pasado: 153 y 134. Él estaba muy contento.
Isabel estuvo aquí hoy, así que ahora no tendré miedo de invitar a David (Travel Penguin) y J cuando vengan mañana a almorzar desde Málaga. Esperamos eso y escuchar sus experiencias en España.
Nuestros grandes amigos Alyson y Nick (de Inglaterra) también llegan mañana de visita. Me siento animado (OK, tal vez no del todo, pero soy nuevo y mejoré un poco).
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• Algunos de los tamarindos que quedan en la ciudad después de un día y una noche de viento y lluvia.
• This morning at Mesón Salvador. After breakfast, without being asked, Lozano brought SG bread for his Coke — and then quickly walked away so he wouldn’t have to witness this.
• Esta mañana en el Mesón Salvador. Después del desayuno, sin que se lo pidieran, Lozano trajo pan SG para su Coca-Cola y luego se alejó rápidamente para no tener que presenciar esto.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
I was one day late from being born on Immaculate Conception Day. Which is fitting as there is nothing immaculate about me–especially the part about being free from sin. 🙂
Mary:
I still like imagining what an immaculate contraption would look like. Can you imagine actually being born on Immaculate Conception Day? The jokes!
Immaculate conception day, the dates don’t add up, that baby would be born in late September. As my father said, the first baby can come anytime, after that they take 9 months or so. We are looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.
David:
I never thought through the dates. So unlike me. Now I’m going to have to read up on it. So sorry about the pouring rain for your visit today!
“Immaculate contraption” HAHAHAHAHAHA!
And Second Breakfast? What are you two, hobbits from the shire?
Debra:
Yes. We’re better known as Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took. We’re the ones who drank the Ent-draughts.
Your two kittens much snow this Christmas Carol; oh Christmas tree oh Christmas tree your ornaments are history.
Larry:
Brilliant! They’d be singing exactly that if we ever again had a Christmas tree.
Having been brought up RC I do appreciate your rendition of the Immaculate Conception!! lol Wish I had heard that way back then. I could have gotten a lot of laughs from that!
Yes, Dudo has quite the reach!
Jim:
Wow. You were brought up Royal Crown (Cola), too. I know so many people who were, but I’ve never been inside a Cola church. It must be so refreshing.
That photo wasn’t even Dudo at full stretch.
Really? You have IKEA there? And Starbucks on every corner, I’m guessing? Oh Mitchell, avoid all immaculate contraptions like those.
Hugs to you.
Robyn:
IKEA was a life-saver when we arrived here and had to completely furnish an apartment all at once (dishes, glassware, beds, sofas). We’ve replaced most of it over the years, and we’ve made some friends really happy with the hand-me-downs. Thankfully, we don’t have a Starbucks on every corner. We don’t have any in Fuengirola. I think there’s only one in the center of Málaga. There’s one at the outlet mall and one at the airport. I like it as a novelty. But give me real Spanish cafe con leche any day.
I love a tall stretchy cat! And I’d run before SG dunked the bread, too!
Bob:
Dudo is very stretchy. That photo isn’t even him at his longest. Moose is not stretchy. But he’s beefy and so cuddly.
I hate IKEA – sterile Swedish (cheap) utility furniture might be useful as a quick-fix, but visiting the place is like entering the Seventh Gate of Hell…
That cat is TALL! Jx
Jon:
We’ve learned the shortcuts at our IKEA, which makes it much less overwhelming. SG nearly had a panic attack the first time we visited an IKEA in Southern California. No shortcuts. You had to walk the entire low-ceilinged maze to escape. IKEA in Sevilla was a life-saver for us when we moved here and had to furnish a big apartment all at once. Now we go rarely just to fill in on some household items. They fill a need. (And I like having my needs filled.)
I can’t wait to hear all about the details of your visit with Travel Penguin tomorrow! You’ll have to pinch his cheeks for me!!!! Because I know you will for me. LOVE the opening stretch shot.
Meanwhile, where has this week gone?!?!?!?!
Mistress Borghese:
I have to pinch his cheeks for you (and you weren’t specific) and give and get hugs for Deedles. It will be a tough visit.
As Groucho Marx said: Time flies like an arrow Fruit flies like a banana.
The Immaculate Contraption.
Cold fusion, maybe?
Kirk:
Cold Fusion Day!
Glad you opted out of the shopping madness. I’m sure you’d get better deals after Christmas, but maybe you’re shopping for gifts?
Those poor tamarinds.
I LOVE THAT SLIDER PHOTO! I’ve seen those on the NYT site but I had no idea we could make them for our blogs. How did you do that?!
Steve:
Not shopping for gifts. But next week will be more civilized that what we were used to in December in the States. I’ve done one slider photo in the past, but had forgotten about it. On WordPress I downloaded a plugin called “Before and After Slider.” I don’t know if you can do the same on blogger. It’s free if you only what to slide two photos. I’ll have to keep it in mind because it is very easy and a lot of fun.
There is indeed a version for Blogger: https://elfsight.com/before-and-after-slider-widget/blogger/
I’m tempted. Jx
I often have thoughts about things and never express them. Well I want you to know that your blog is always a bright spot in my day. Your writing and photos make me feel like we are on the same side even when you are down. Putting things out there one never knows how it can effect others. I love feeling like you are sharing your lives with me – and a kittie photo or two is always a good thing. Please keep it up!
sillygirl:
I hope you know how much this means to me. Please keep coming back!
I look every day – never fear.
You and David
I wish I was there xxxx
finlaygray:
Yesterday was an absolute pleasure and I get to see them again Monday. You still have time to get here.
So nice that you can see David and J. It can be fun when worlds collide!
Walt the Fourth:
A true pleasure. Very grateful.
It was fun reading about Travel Penguin’s visit, and seeing you and Jerry on his blog! How nice!
Stretchy kitty!
Glad to hear that Chuck’s jacket is perfect, and he had good bowling scores… and just that you are back in touch, after the confusion with the phone not working.
Judy C:
I haven’t even gotten to blog reading yet today. Will have to check us out. Really fun to see them and looking forward to spending time with them again Monday. My days are much less stressful when I can see Chuck each week, and he obviously enjoys it. He gets to see the cats, too.
I LOVE IKEA! And I’m so jealous of you and David for getting to meet up!
Sassybear:
Now that I know my way around IKEA, I enjoy going (and I know the escape routes so I don’t have to follow the entire maze if I don’t need to). Great times with David and J.
I used to enjoy going to IKEA if only to walk the floors like an art exhibit.
Urspo:
That’s how I feel at IKEA: