La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
It was 20˚C/68˚F when we woke up this morning. We turned off the AC, opened the windows, and enjoyed the fresh air and cool breeze. It’s only supposed to reach around 33C/91.4F today. It’s spring again! We have truly acclimatized. Summers in the California desert and in Las Vegas were a good preparation. We walked home from dinner at La Fabbrica last night, about 2.5km/1.5 miles. Unfortunately, my digestion issues (likely a side effect of my meds) can make these walks a little stressful. I regularly (well, irregularly) have to jog the last couple of blocks. Last night was no exception. I have pills for that, but don’t like to take them unless absolutely necessary. I think I may have to loosen (ahem) my rules. Oh, blech! Apologies!
Anyway, it’s lunch time, the windows are closed, and the AC is on. While I was up on the roof yesterday, hanging laundry and checking out our AC unit (the most quiet one up there and no knocking like we hear in the apartment), I realized we have an enormous unused space on our roof perfect for a pool. Don’t you think we should have one installed up there? The building is only 43 years old. What could go wrong?
A few minutes from us is a closed, cafe/restaurant. The exterior hasn’t been maintained and I hope someone reclaims it soon. But, at the corner is a wonderful bronze bas relief that I would really love for our house. We have a handcart (somewhere). I wonder how easy it would be to remove the bronze and haul it upstairs.
When I was in El Corte Inglés the other day picking up protein bars, I noticed a “beauty creamer” on a nearby shelf. It sounds disgusting, or maybe not. But you’re supposed to drink it!
Although neither Dudo nor Moose have even attempted to climb on one of the chairs on the terrace, they do go in and out. Dudo had been sleeping on his rug but now his favorite spot is under the chair near the doors because, when he’s not sleeping, he can watch the birds fly by.
Hacía 20°C/68°F cuando nos despertamos esta mañana. Apagamos el aire acondicionado, abrimos las ventanas, y disfrutamos del aire fresco y la brisa fresca. Se supone que hoy solo llegará a unos 33°C/91,4°F. ¡Es primavera otra vez! De verdad que nos hemos aclimatado. Los veranos en el desierto de California y en Las Vegas fueron una buena preparación. Anoche caminamos a casa después de cenar en La Fabbrica, aproximadamente 2,5 km/ 1,5 millas. Por desgracia, mis problemas digestivos (probablemente un efecto secundario de mis medicamentos) pueden hacer que estas caminatas sean un poco estresantes. Regularmente (bueno, irregularmente) tengo que correr las últimas dos manzanas. Anoche no fue la excepción. Tengo pastillas para eso, pero no me gusta tomarlas a menos que sea absolutamente necesario. Creo que tendré que relajarme (ejem) con mis reglas. ¡Oh, puaj! ¡Disculpas!
En fin, es la hora de comer, las ventanas están cerradas y el aire acondicionado está encendido. Ayer, mientras estaba en la azotea, tendiendo la ropa y revisando el aire acondicionado (el más silencioso de ahí arriba, sin golpes como los que oímos en el apartamento), me di cuenta de que tenemos un enorme espacio sin usar en la azotea, perfecto para una piscina. ¿No crees que deberíamos instalar una ahí arriba? El edificio solo tiene 43 años. ¿Qué podría salir mal?
A pocos minutos de aquí hay una cafetería-restaurante cerrada. El exterior no está bien mantenido y espero que alguien lo recupere pronto. Pero en la esquina hay un maravilloso bajorrelieve de bronce que me encantaría para nuestra casa. Tenemos una carretilla (por ahí). Me pregunto qué tan fácil sería quitar el bronce y subirlo.
El otro día, cuando estaba en El Corte Inglés comprando barritas de proteínas, vi una “beauty creamer” [belleza cremera] en una estantería cercana. Suena asqueroso, o quizás no. ¡Pero se supone que se bebe!
Aunque ni Dudo ni Moose han intentado subirse a una de las sillas de la terraza, entran y salen. Dudo había estado durmiendo en su alfombra, pero ahora su lugar favorito es debajo de la silla cerca de la puerta porque, cuando no duerme, puede ver pasar a los pájaros.
• Firmado por M. Montero, Córdoba 1984.
• ¿Keto natural sin azúcar? ¿Qué demonios es eso? Keto es la abreviatura de ketogenic (cetogénica), una dieta baja en carbohidratos y alta en grasas. No es algo que se compre en la frutería.
Aww, I always love to see Dudo and Moose.
At first, I thought the package said, “GRowing skin with your daily drink.” Ha! I do hear that collagen is good, and I have a friend who takes it regularly, and suggested it to me (actually gave me some), but I don’t feel confident taking supplements. I just read about a woman who almost went into liver failure from taking daily high doses of turmeric for pain.
Judy C:
I’m with you when it comes to taking supplements. There are so many risks that people don’t consider. As for taking collagen supplements, the jury is still out.
I don’t trust anything “KETO”. I am partial to “PASTA”.
Frank:
Pasta is my favorite food group.
I can see why you covet that bas relief!
Debra:
I’m astounded it’s been left sitting there for so long.
The bronze should be an easy heist. You’re from NYC and should, therefore, “know some people”. The package behind the collagen really scares me. “With… & Mus…”, Mushrooms? Musk? Either way I’d be outta there in a shot.
wickedhamster:
I used to “know some people.” My cousin (the other side of the family, as my mother would say) was even married to one for years. My father once lost a hubcap after hitting a pothole on the old Westside Highway. Miraculously, my cousin’s husband had a new one for him the next day. I have no connections here. The package in the back is Microbiotic Creamer, with (Pre/Pro)Biotics and Mushroom Extract.
LOVE that bas relief!!
Jim:
I knew you would! What a treasure.
1. Yes. You need a pool on the roof. I’m sure it’ll be easy and fast to get it installed. And why bother to ask permission?
2. Yes. You need that bas relief. Badly. You may suffer irreparable damage if you don’t get it.
3. You have extremely photogenic cats.
4. One of the side effects of the medication I’m on is a possible slowing down of motility. In my case, this has been a game changer for the better!
If you need any more information or instruction, just let me know. Always at the ready here.
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moon:
1. I wouldn’t waste time asking permission.
2. I’ll take the handcart and SG during the night tonight.
3. Aren’t they adorable?
4. Except for saving my life, my meds don’t appear to be of any use otherwise…
Thank you!
OMG
I would steal that in plain daylight!
Well, no. But you get my gist.
It’s beautiful!!
XOXO
Sixpence Nonethewiser:
Isn’t that amazing? And just down the street.
I’m going to go out on a limb and say that “beauty creamer” is a total scam.
Very cool bronze piece. Do you think it was made for the closed cafe, or an even earlier business on the same spot?
Steve:
Those hyped products make me crazy. Even if there is proof of health benefits of some components, they’re probably of no use (or detrimental) when reduced and put in that mix. I do wonder about the bronze. But the cafe, what’s left of it, does look like it was a very nice place that could have been around since 1984.
First install the pool then the bas relief near it for atmosphere. Shouldn’t be too hard. If you have a dolly or something.
Boud
Boud:
Thanks for the advice. I’m sure you’re right. Pool first.
If I were there, I’d help you heave that bronze off the wall! There’s a former bank, occupied by “live-in guardians”, next door to my office, that has the most wonderful round bronze plaques fitted into its huge round door handles. Every day, as I stand in the street having a fag, I am imagining how best to prise them out of their situation and take them home… Jx
Jon:
You could draw attention to yourself in one of your fine outfits. I’ll do the rest.
I’m surprised you can jog or even walk rapidly in that situation. That would spell disaster for me!
I have a friend who drinks some sort of collagen (which sounds nasty to me), but I’ve never believed it really did any good.
Kelly:
Truth is it’s not a jog. More like a very fast shuffle!
Nabbing that bronze may be less problematic than installing a pool. You don’t post about swimming much. Do you see yourself making use of a pool?
Kirk:
It wouldn’t be big enough for doing laps. I would just float around and cool off.
Tennis court! Although, you might have a hard time getting ball kids to run after missed shots.
Walt the Fourth:
Oh, I just pictured that! Or maybe a golf driving range. Nah, too hot up there for tennis or golf.
If you thought a drip from the AC unit was a headache, imagine a leaks from 50,000 liters of water on the roof. Woooshhhhh!
David:
But the building’s only 43 years old. What could possibly go wrong. Besides, that area for the pool is above our neighbors’ apartments, not ours!
love that cat
Urspo:
Obviously, I do, too.