Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Bottle of Wine (Fruit of the Vine)

When San Geraldo and I lived in Washington, D.C., we had a huge apartment in an elegant old rent-controlled building in Georgetown. We were in our late 20s (me) and early 30s (him). The person who worked the desk in the lobby was a gay man named William. He was an "older man." (At least 45.)

William liked me. Any time I saw him, I would say, "Hi. How are you today, William?,"to which he would always respond with a devilish smile and a rich Southern drawl, "So-so a minute ago. But, better now."

I'm working on "better now" myself. Clinical Depression sucks and it seems I will never accept that I can't completely control it. But I love my psychiatrist. I saw him this morning. We're adjusting med doses and will see how that goes.

SEEN OUTSIDE A CAFE IN FUENGIROLA THIS MORNING.
US MAIL BOX, ORANGE JUICE SIGN IN ENGLISH... OBVIOUSLY NOT FROM AROUND HERE.
(CLICK ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE.)

On the way home, we stopped off at the fruit market and saw Ana and Laura Crespillo, and team member, Miguel. Miguel isn't a relation but he's clearly a member of the family.

MIGUEL AND ANA.
HOW COULD I DO ANYTHING BUT SMILE?

Laura immediately poured me a glass of "Malaga Wine" She poured one for San Geraldo (knowing he barely drinks and doesn't like sweet wine). He tasted it, made a face, was given grapes to get rid of the taste... and I had a second glass of wine (as Laura intended). Then there were whole almonds dipped in dark Belgian chocolate. And plump dried figs. And enormous dates. Being around these wonderful people sure perked me up... although I was stuffed and kind of tipsy for the walk home.

MALAGA WINE/VINO DULCE/SWEET WINE/SWEET SHERRY.
CALL IT WHAT YOU LIKE, JUST CALL ME WHEN YOU POP ONE OPEN.

When I'm depressed, I crave chocolate. While I drank my — and San Geraldo's — wine, Laura set aside two bars of freshly made chocolate, but she had to run off before we were checked out by Miguel and the chocolate didn't make it into the bag. So, when San Geraldo went grocery shopping this evening, I asked him to pick up a bar of chocolate for me.

San Geraldo never does what I ask him to do. I made a simple request for one bar of milk chocolate. Did he meet my simple request? Of course not!

He arrived home, and made me close my eyes because he had a surprise for me. A box of dark chocolate truffles (my favorite).  

"Close them again. I have another surprise." A box of Ferrero Rocher (my very favorite). 

"Close them again. There's more." A milk chocolate bar filled with orange cream (my absolute favorite).

"One more time." A bar of milk chocolate filled with caramel (my all-time favorite).

THIS SHOULD LAST ME THE HALF HOUR UNTIL DINNER.

So-so a minute ago. But better now.

26 comments:

  1. Oh, I love your fruit market! Such wonderful people - and so thoughtful to arrange it so you had 2 glasses of wine.

    I, too, crave chocolate, but my metabolism isn't as great as yours, so it goes directly to my hips and thighs. Not sure how it gets there. How sweet of San Geraldo to get you all your favorites!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo:
      Ana and "family" are a joy. I met Ana's mother yesterday, as well. I told her how much I loved Ana and she told me her other four children are much nicer! (She was joking... I think.)

      Delete
  2. 'Better now' is good!
    Orange and chocolate are the BEST!! Boy, that San Geraldo does alright for not listening to you Mitch!! lol
    Pleasant dreams!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Chocolate always maked ME feel better. I hope your doctor can straighten out the meds issue so you can be back to your normal self. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stephen:
      The ups and downs can get exhausting, but I know it will pass... again. Thanks!

      Delete
  4. I've always loved San Geraldo, but love him even more for bringing you such a nice surprise. Give him a special hug from me.... and please start feeling better!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love that sentiment, So-so a minute ago, but better now.

    I may embroider it on a pillow.

    If I embroidered.

    Or had a pillow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob:
      Well, at least there's the sentiment! (And thanks for the laugh.)

      Delete
  6. Skittles beat out celexa in a double blind study for the treatment of depression. I read it in JAMA.
    I am all for people in favor of loving psychiatrists.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Spo:
      We have a cousin in Norway who LOVES Skittles. One Christmas before heading to Norway, we went to Costco and bought her a life-time supply... which lasted about 3 weeks.

      You are in an important profession and my doctor here is the best I've ever had. I'm very grateful.

      Delete
  7. Chocolate, much better than any meds in the world, in my opinion.
    Skittles were mentioned in the previous comment and I used to eat those, a lot!!
    Maybe I should give them a try again, now that I've seen my dentist...
    :D~
    HUGZ

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TICKLEBEAR:
      If only all I needed was chocolate. I wouldn't complain at all. Skittles are delicious, but they can't replace chocolate.

      Delete
  8. Every time I come to read your blog I am impressed by your absolute honesty (not to mention the love you and San Geraldo share, c'mon...chocolate?!? that's love!). Methinks it's about time for a major chocolate bender myself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jacqueline....
      Thanks so much for your understanding and empathy. Being honest about my battle with depression really helps me move forward (just wish I didn't so often head in reverse). San Geraldo is unbelievable.

      Delete
  9. Me, too, me, too! I love your fruit market (and the people in it)! And... that San Geraldo... San, for sure! (I adoooooooooooore Ferrero Rocher, and any and all European milk chocolate. Wow.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judy:
      There's still some chocolate left. Come on over! The milk chocolate bars are from Spain as WERE the dark truffles.

      Delete
  10. I share a love of cocoa based products - but - I want to know what your triglyceride levels are after all that chocolate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Frank:
      I don't know, but I sure won't have any lab work done for at least a month!

      Delete
  11. I hope you feel much better soon. Actually you probably do already. Are you sure you need a psychiatrist when you have San Geraldo bring such gifts?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kristi:
      Sadly, even San Geraldo can't do it all. But imagine where I'd be without him! (I hate to think about it.)

      Delete
  12. Chocolate (DARK) for me...Geraldo's choices for you are the cat's meow(Dudo/Moose)....I love orange and chocolate...just about anything chocolate will satisfy my cravings....I just returned from Jim's father's hospital visit and stuffed my face with chocolate....it's like something comes over me.....Yahooooooo!
    R

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ron:
      I also love dark chocolate, but that's the kind San Geraldo loves and, since he's dieting, I think it would be rude to indulge in his favorite.

      At times like these, I have been known to inhale an entire two-pound box of chocolate. I can't believe the self-control I've been displaying.

      Delete
  13. Some people are lucky all this chocolate at once.

    ReplyDelete

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