While I tell today’s story, enjoy a couple of photos from Viveros Guzman (the garden center in Alhaurín de la Torre). We took another drive there last month. The story will circle round. (Click the images to enlarge.)
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| VERTICAL GARDEN. PERFECT FOR OUR TERRACE — IN MY DREAMS. (EXCEPT FOR THE BLUE BUNNIES AND OTHER ASSORTED DOODADS.) |
But it Comes with the Meal
When San Geraldo and I were living in Palm Springs, California in the first couple of years of this century, I flew to New York for a brief visit. I took My Mother The Dowager Duchess to visit her sister Sylvie. Some of the extended family met us there and we walked to a nearby restaurant for lunch. A glass of wine was included in the menu price. Everyone before me asked for a glass of white.
I said, “None for me, thanks.”
The Duchess said, “Order white,” to which I replied, “But I don’t drink.” (I didn’t at the time).
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| MORE VERTICAL GARDEN. |
“But it’s free!,” snapped the Duchess.
“But I won’t drink it.” I insisted.
“But, it comes with the meal!”
“It doesn’t matter. It will just go to waste.”
“He’ll have a glass of white,” she commanded the waiter.
That day, we left behind eight glasses of white wine…. because they came with the meal.
Mamma Said
After the garden center last month, we went to our usual lunch spot, Papas Fritas y Huevos (Chips and Eggs). They offer daily menus, which are so cheap and so generous that I usually say “yes” and usually regret it.
We started with paella, which would have been enough on its own. That was followed by lemon chicken and chips (French fries) — gigantic servings.
I was stuffed and only ate half the chicken and hardly any chips.
Since I was stuffed, I said to San Geraldo, “I’m stuffed!” (I’m clever like that.)
San Geraldo said, “So you’re not having dessert?”
“I have to,” I replied. “It comes with the meal.”
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| PAELLA. |
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| CHICKEN AND CHIPS… WHAT I LEFT BEHIND! |
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| NATILLAS (A SPANISH CUSTARD DIFFERENT FROM FLAN). I LICKED THE TIN CLEAN (NOT REALLY; THAT WOULD BE DISGUSTING). |
Next time there’s free wine, I’m drinking all eight glasses…