Back From The Airport With African Spears

Today was a beautiful day here in Fuengirola. Thursday was similar.

Tuesday and Wednesday? Beautiful in their own way, but I thought we might be blown into the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Since the exteriors of all our windows are easily accessible from the terrace, I wash them regularly. I don't want anything to limit our brilliant view. Monday afternoon the view was crystal clear. By Thursday morning, we were once again looking through smoked glass. No damage, just dust, sand, and sea. But I guess I'll wash the windows again tomorrow.

THE VIEW THROUGH GLASS WEDNESDAY EVENING. ROUGH SEAS AND HEAVY WINDS.

THE VIEW THURSDAY MORNING.
(CLICK TO ENLARGE THE ABOVE IMAGES.)

We rented a car Thursday and did some shopping. First, to IKEA to pick up new slip covers for the living room furniture. We're keeping it cheap and simple. No reason to invest like we used to in good fabrics (and better furniture). Dudo, especially, hasn't caught on to the concept of the scratching post. Why bother when we offer these other options? (Moose has been pretty good.)  So, new covers and a bunch of cheap polar throws. We'll keep trying to educate the cats, especially Dudo.

SOME PROTECTION AT €3.50 A "THROW."

We had never driven to IKEA before. It's only about 15 minutes away. Unless you pass it by on the highway and take the next exit. And then, instead of taking the right fork, you take the left fork... Which steers you directly through the airport. Anyway, we chose the departures ramp. And we then quickly departed.

MÁLAGA AIRPORT. THANKFULLY QUIET.

OUR VERY BRIEF "TASTE OF ANDALUSIA."

AND THEN A QUICK TRIP BY THE OLD TERMINAL BUILDING.

TEN MINUTES LATER... IKEA. 

After a successful shop at IKEA (and our free airport roundtrip), we drove over to the garden center to pick up a couple of large pots for two house plants that have become a bit cramped. While there (and not looking for any more plants) we discovered a variety of Sansevieria (aka Mother-in-law's tongue, aka Snake Plant) that we had never seen before. It's called Sansevieria Cylindrica (aka African Spear) and, yes, it's cylindrical. My father brought a small planter to my mother the day I was born. In it were a collection of plants, including a Sansevieria. My mother still has a pot of it from that original plant. It's a sweet memory, so I had to have this new (to me) version. It will sit happily I hope in the bedroom window along with our mangos (one growing, one starting).

SANSEVIERIA CYLINDRICA.

CAT PRINTS FROM THE DUSTY TERRACE ON THE (CLEANED DAILY) DRESSER.

IT'S LIKE SO TOTALLY TUBULAR.

AFRICAN SPEARS AMID THE MANGOS (AND PIGS).
(CLICK FOR A CLOSER LOOK.)

We didn't forget the large pots we needed. San Geraldo had already transplanted two other house plants, so before leaving the house I carefully measured one of those pots. At the garden center, I held up the same measurer I had used at home and said, "This is perfect." Well, it wasn't. The pots are one size too large, but San Geraldo says they'll do. Next time I might use a tape measure (instead of my foot).

"NO PROBLEM. IT'S ABOUT 1-1/2 OF MY FOOT....

... MÁS O MENOS."  (MORE OR LESS)

THE PAINTING IS DONE.
A LITTLE TEASER UNTIL THE FURNITURE IS RE-COVERED. (CLICK TO ENLARGE.)