Flowers on stilts and kindness / Flores sobre zancos y amabilidad

La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.

The fish ball soup is in the refrigerator. The red cabbage salad is keeping it company. Also taking up space are the 18 rings for San Geraldo’s kransekake tower. He was busy yesterday. So was I. I cleaned the kitchen several times. I told San Geraldo I didn’t like washing the same things over and over again. But I was only kidding (mostly). I’m happy to do my part. I also did two loads of laundry. These recipes have required a lot of towels. And I took out the fish trash.

Oddly, the cats showed absolutely no interest in the fish. They spent the entire time on the terrace. Before that, they enjoyed (a bit too much) the two old mattresses standing on their sides in the living room and dining room. So I moved them out.

I did some shopping in the evening and came across some wandering Christmas joy. A group of city-sponsored performers have been roaming the streets bringing music and fun to the neighborhoods.

I went to Vinalium, a wine and liquor shop in the neighborhood and found the Riesling that was recommended for the meal. It was surprisingly difficult to find in our usual places. I also stopped at Dog & Love and found another Christmas toy for Dudo and Moose. Dudo went nuts with it — briefly. I stopped at Casa Simon for more almonds, dried cranberries, and dark-chocolate–covered raisins (for SG). Casa Simon was busy and we all greeted each other warmly in Andalusian fashion. We chatted. It was uplifting. As I was leaving, I heard two voices say, “Que amable!” [How kind/nice!], and one of the owners respond, “Él es una persona muy buena, el mejor.” [He is a very good person, the best].

It made me feel warm inside. I hope I’ll be remembered that way. Like San Geraldo’s mother, Alice. Like my wonderful friend Susan. People I will always admire and be grateful for. I couldn’t ask for more.

.

La sopa de bolas de pescado está en el refrigerador. La ensalada de col lombarda le hace compañía. También ocupan espacio los 18 anillos de la torre kransekake de San Geraldo. Estuvo ocupado ayer. Yo también. Limpié la cocina varias veces. Le dije a San Geraldo que no me gustaba lavar las mismas cosas una y otra vez. Pero solo estaba bromeando (sobre todo). Estoy feliz de hacer mi parte. También lavé dos cargas de ropa. Estas recetas han requerido muchas toallas. Y saqué la basura del pescado.

Curiosamente, los gatos no mostraron absolutamente ningún interés en los peces. Pasaron todo el tiempo en la terraza. Antes de eso, disfrutaron (demasiado) de los dos viejos colchones que estaban de costado en la sala y el comedor. Así que los moví. Hice algunas compras por la noche y me encontré con una alegría navideña errante. Un grupo de artistas patrocinados por la ciudad ha estado recorriendo las calles llevando música y diversión a los vecindarios.

Fui a Vinalium, una tienda de vinos y licores en el barrio y encontré el Riesling que me recomendaron para la comida. Fue sorprendentemente difícil de encontrar en nuestros lugares habituales. También me detuve en Dog & Love y encontré otro juguete navideño para Dudo y Moose. Dudo se volvió loco con eso, brevemente. Me detuve en Casa Simon por más almendras, arándanos secos y pasas cubiertas de chocolate (para SG). Casa Simon estaba ocupada y todos nos saludamos calurosamente al estilo andaluz. Nosotros charlamos. Fue edificante. Cuando me iba, escuché dos voces decir: “¡Qué amable!”. [¡Qué amable/bonito!], y uno de los dueños responde: “Él es una persona muy buena, el mejor”. [Es muy buena persona, el mejor].

Me hizo sentir calor por dentro. Espero ser recordado de esa manera. Como la madre de San Geraldo, Alice. Como mi maravillosa amiga Susan. Personas a las que siempre admiraré y agradeceré. No podría pedir más.

• Dudo had a better view of, and easier access to, the decorations on the pub table.
• Dudo tenía una mejor vista y un acceso más fácil a las decoraciones en la mesa del bar.
• “Big deal.”
• “¿Y que?”
• I forgot to share our pig family ornaments, lovingly suspended from Olivia De Lopez (click here).
• Olvidé compartir los adornos de nuestra familia de cerdos, suspendidos amorosamente de Olivian De Lopez (haz clic aquí).
• And a Christmas mermaid — with a nice set of fins. Or maybe they’re wings and she’s a flying mermaid. Yeah, that makes more sense. Who ever heard of a mermaid with fins that size?
• Y una sirena de Navidad, con un bonito juego de aletas. O tal vez son alas y ella es una sirena voladora. Sí, eso tiene más sentido. ¿Quién ha oído hablar de una sirena con aletas de ese tamaño?
• In the window of a local shoe store: I thought they were waiting for Little Drummer Boy (see the drum… and bugle), but then I saw they were also waiting for Baby Jesus.
• En el escaparate de una zapatería de barrio: pensé que estaban esperando al Niño Tamborilero (ver el tambor… y la corneta), pero luego vi que también estaban esperando al Niño Jesús.
• Speaking of good people: A new cafe and churrería (where they serve churros and chocolate) is opening around the corner. Renovations have been underway for months. I walked by yesterday to see how they were progressing and saw Alejandro, an old friend who worked for a long time at Mesón Salvador. I’ve seen him over the years wherever he’s been, but didn’t know about this latest move. And, yes, he’s a major hunk.
• Hablando de buena gente: A la vuelta de la esquina se abre una nueva cafetería y churrería (donde sirven churros y chocolate). Las renovaciones han estado en marcha durante meses. Pasé ayer para ver cómo avanzaban y vi a Alejandro, un viejo amigo que trabajó durante mucho tiempo en Mesón Salvador. Lo he visto a lo largo de los años dondequiera que haya estado, pero no sabía acerca de este último movimiento. Y, sí, es un galán.
• Speaking of major hunks: San Geraldo and a Twizy. We could have fit our shopping. We couldn’t have fit San Geraldo. It’s even got a back seat — sort of.
• Hablando de galanes: San Geraldo y un Twizy. Podríamos haber encajado nuestras compras. No podríamos haber encajado en San Geraldo. Incluso tiene un asiento trasero, más o menos.

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Author: Moving with Mitchell

From Brooklyn, New York; to North Massapequa; back to Brooklyn; Brockport, New York; back to Brooklyn... To Boston, Massachusetts, where I met Jerry... To Marina del Rey, California; Washington, DC; New Haven and Guilford, Connecticut; San Diego, San Francisco, Palm Springs, and Santa Barbara, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Irvine, California; Sevilla, Spain. And Fuengirola, Málaga..

30 thoughts on “Flowers on stilts and kindness / Flores sobre zancos y amabilidad”

  1. Aaaaah…. Alejandro…..mi amor….
    Just curious about the right blue sandal ….also waiting for baby Jesus?

    1. Jssw:
      I told him the photo was for you! Yes, right blue sandal appears to be waiting for baby Jesus. Black loafers await the little drummer boy.

  2. How nice to hear people talking about you and they think you’re great! When I’ve heard people talk about me, it’s always negative. I’m not surprised, though, that people like you and admire you. The cats weren’t interested in the fish because it’s fugly. I’ll look forward to hearing more about the Christmas dinner after you eat it and can praise SG’s cooking.

    Love,
    Janie

    1. janiejunebug:
      All the fish fugliness had been removed before we brought it home. We once tried giving the cats real tuna. They sniffed and walked away.

  3. Oh, the big dancers! Wow!
    Your decorations are great. That little Twizy… I’ve never heard of one or seen one before!

    1. Judy C:
      Twizys are adorable. They used to be sold without doors. They make Smart cars look like Buicks.

  4. You are indeed a very good person. Now, where DID the flower dancers get those hats? I’d look so good in one for Easter!

  5. We need to come back for the churros, and the view. You would have fun the the little Renault, do you drive it or wear it?

  6. Y’all can keep the wee car, I’ll take the Churro Hunk.

    I believe one of the best things you can say about a person is that they are nice.

    1. Bob:
      I’ll tell Alejandro he’s non known as the churro hunk. I wonder he even lowers himself to eat such things.

  7. Not surprised people had nice things to say about you. But very glad you heard them. A nice treat.

    Like you, I took a photo of a Twizy when I was in Germany. Depending on your build, you’d have to fold, spindle and mutilate yourself to get inside one. Of course, the idea of driving one of those tiny things on roads around DC (e.g. Beltway) would be akin to a death wish. Even the winding, hilly back country roads in my neighborhood would be hazardous in that thing. Results: Deer 1, Twizy 0.

    Hope your Christmas feast with friends goes well. x

    1. Mary:
      I would be nervous driving around Fuengirola in a Twizy. So many nuts on the road. I wonder how they’re rated for safety.

  8. The flower-clad street performers are interesting…as is Alejandro! Ooo la la!

    The mermaid definitely has wings, but yeah, I’ve never heard of a flying mermaid either.

    1. Steve:
      Everyone knows mermaids don’t fly. The absurdity. Yeah, Alejandro gets better every year.

    1. Frank:
      There will be some entertaining stories about the unexpected results of some of the dishes.

  9. We are in the 3rd Season of Emily in Paris ~ OMG ~ the dress designer walks across the street and gets pummeled by a Twizy ~ just saying be careful!

    1. Walt the Fourth:
      Should be some interesting stories to share. Enjoy your day! We’re supposed to hit 20C today. Clear blue skies and sunshine.

  10. I had to do a double take on the fellows in the flower get ups; obviously I am behind in my drinking

    I still think SG adorable; he is a keeper.

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