Saturday, October 6, 2012

Endless Summer

On my walk the other day I had two indications that summer is finally over in Sevilla. The first: The canvas awnings strung across plazas and pedestrian malls are coming down. They're there to provide shade from the overwhelming summer sun. Now that it's topping out at a brisk 92F/33C, there's apparently no longer a need. Today didn't even make it up to 89F/32C. By next week, I'll need to unpack my scarves.

THE LAST CANVAS AWNING ON CALLE TETUAN,
WHICH SOON BECOMES CALLE DE VALEZQUEZ BEFORE FINISHING AS CALLE O'DONNELL
ALL THAT HAPPENS OVER LESS THAN HALF A KILOMETER. AND I WONDER WHY I GET LOST!

The other sign of autumn — the leaves will stay on the trees for at least another month — my "giant asparagus" is gone. The enormous flower stem has been cut down and the dead plant removed. Who knows when the other American agave nearby will be old enough to bloom (and die). The babies produced by the one that's gone will have to grow for another 30 years or more before they produce a flower (and then die).

NO MORE GIANT ASPARAGUS.

I just thought of an even more obvious indication that summer is over. One mid-afternoon, during the warmest part of the clear and sunny day, San Geraldo actually left the house and went for a long walk with me. He crossed the river and everything! It has got to be autumn.

WHILE SITTING IN THE SHADE WITH SAN GERALDO ON THE ISLAND OF LA CARTUJA.

24 comments:

  1. Sorry to say summer has gone. But Autumn is nice, especially here in Portland right now. Crisp and golden.

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    Replies
    1. Stephen:
      I don't mind crisp and golden... briefly... but when it gets to cold and gray, count me out.

      Delete
  2. I'm just glad I got to see your giant asparagus bloom because I'll be over 100 the next time! Enjoy the cooler days.

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    Replies
    1. Ms. Sparrow:
      I'm sure I'll be able to find another somewhere else before you turn 100.

      Delete
  3. I enjoyed the summer and am now ready for Fall. Today is the first cool day where I live and it's in the 60's. It's a good temp. I love when the leaves change colors on the trees, the crisp mornings and the nice breeze during the days that allow the windows to be open. Plus, Fall is a precursor to the holidays.

    Winter, snow, heavy coats? Now that I don't enjoy so much.

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    Replies
    1. darkeyedbrunette:
      I also love when the leaves change color, but then I want them to turn right back to green!

      Delete
  4. I always like hearing what the weather is like everywhere else.. Wonder why? It's really not a "grass is greener" thing, because I'm usually quite happy with wherever I'm at.

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    1. Odd Essay:
      I've never been a huge fan of winter. I like it temporarily but then want the sun and warmth again.

      Delete
  5. A brisk 92F !!!!! I hear you!! That is coolish?! And you'll be OK Mitch, I am sure of it!! lol
    It would take me a couple of 'runs'years of the seasons to figure anything out there! We will send you some mitts too!

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    Replies
    1. Jim:
      We had years of practice in Southern California.

      Delete
  6. Fall may be coming, but wow, it still looks summery and beautiful! We are supposed to go down to 3C tonight, then -1C tomorrow night. The first killing frost. It's late this year.

    I have an agave plant in my garden that actually overwinters! Apparently it can survive the cold and snow. It was here when we moved in and it has beautiful flowers.

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    Replies
    1. Knatolee:
      Apparently there are 208 different species of agave. Something for everyone. I had no idea there were agaves that could survive regular freezes. They're tougher than I am!

      Delete
  7. Alas, there is hardly any 'signs of fall' where I live; I miss these seasonal cues.

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    1. Spo:
      I had once read you knew it was winter in LA when people began to tie two sweaters around their necks. Not so in Phoenix?

      Delete
  8. It IS Autumn - it must be, because here in Lincolnshier we're enjoying a few days of cool, bright, crisp weather and we even have some sunshine!

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    1. Owl Wood:
      Sunshine? How do you know how to recognize it?

      Delete
  9. If I had that scenery I'd be walking 24/7!

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  10. Fall is in the air here as well...my fav time of year, the layered clothes, the fire place, the leaves...mulled cider...awe heaven :)

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    Replies
    1. Monkey Man:
      Yep. I'm in layers now in the evenings. Last night a short-sleeved shirt over a T-shirt!

      Delete
  11. More chuckles! :)
    Mitchell, how cool does it get in Sevilla, normally, in the coolest part of Autumn? and winter?

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    1. Judeet:
      The coldest I remember from last winter was getting up in the morning a few times to a temperature in the high 30s (38/39F). But that was rare, and even on those days the coldest it would remain in the afternoon would be mid-50s. Right now, it's 80F and expected to get up to low 90s again. (I like 80!)

      Delete
  12. Brrrr…sounds like you might need a wool jacket soon! ; )

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    Replies
    1. Jenners;
      I've been window-shopping a new down vest...

      Scarves are very much a fashion statement here for both women and men. I noticed last autumn that the minute the temps got below 85, the scarves came out. T-shirts, shorts, and scarves!

      Delete

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