Chocolate City

I've gone through all the chocolate San Geraldo brought home for me last Wednesday — a variety bag of bombones (bonbons), a large bar of milk chocolate with almonds, another bar of milk chocolate filled with orange creme (click here to eat your heart out).

Fortunately, I still had an unopened box of assorted chocolates Jessica had brought over late last week. But, when I inhaled the last of those today I thought, "Now what?"

And, like magic, there was someone at the lobby door.

I TEXTED A PHOTO TO JESSICA AND ASKED WHY SHE SENT
AN EMPTY BOX, BUT SHE'S NOT GULLIBLE LIKE SAN GERALDO.
HER RESPONSE: "NOW I UNDERSTAND WHY IT WAS SO CHEAP..."

"Correo," the voice called over the intercom. "Una caja para Don Mitchell Scott." (Mail. A box for me — the Spanish version of my name has many variations...)

Jerry's sister Linda thought ahead. Oh, how I love her.

GOOD TO KNOW MY PRIORITIES ARE UNDERSTOOD.

LINDA THREW IN PIECES OF HERSHEY'S DARK CHOCOLATE BLISS
FOR SAN GERALDO. I LET HIM HAVE TWO... SO FAR.

Sweet Surrender...

Let Me Tell Ya 'Bout The Birds And The Sheep

On our walk to El Jazzy Cafe for morning coffee, we passed some mock oranges in bloom. I leaned close to snap a picture and to get a good strong whiff of the sweet fragrance when a bee shot out of the flower cluster.

I squawked, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, WHOA!" as I jumped back.

San Geraldo burst out laughing. We wish there were video.

TODAY'S MOCK ORANGE... AFTER THE BEE.

When I first met with the surgeon about my hernia, he reviewed my medical history in the medical center's online system.

With a lift of one of his dark and substantial eyebrows, the surgeon asked what sounded to me like, "¿Se muerde una obeja?" ("Did a sheep bite you?")

"Perdona?" I responded.

He explained that, according to my medical records I am severely allergic to "obejas," and he wondered how I knew.

I laughed. "No obejas! Las avejas!"

"Not sheep! Bees!"


Back to El Jazzy
When we got to El Jazzy, we saw again the spectacular display of roses climbing the fence that separates the Roman Ruins park (click here) from some tennis courts. The fragrance is amazing and I wish I could post that, too. I kept my distance and took some pictures. These are the true colors of our day. (Click any image and then just imagine...)

It's time you learned about the facts of life...

Down On The Farm

I was out on the town Monday. San Geraldo and I went downstairs for morning coffee. He then went to Spanish class and I took a brief stroll on the paseo. An hour later, our dear friend Tere (who taught me about condoms nearly four years ago; click here) surprised us with a visit and I took another brief stroll. San Geraldo met us after class and we three went to Meson Salvador here in Los Boliches for a tapas lunch before Tere headed back up to Sevilla.

HAMBURGEUSITA.

A LITTLE "BOLSA" FILLED WITH SHRIMP AND ONION.

OF COURSE, OLIVES.

ENSALADILLA RUSA (AKA OLIVIER SALAD).
POPULAR IN ANDALUSIA AND THE BEST EVER AT MESON SALVADOR.

SOMETHING SWEET.

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

It felt great to be out and about, but I guess I overdid it. My bonbons (click here) and I spent most of the late afternoon and evening back in bed. Now, I don't know how San Geraldo is going to be able to keep me from "jazzin' around and paintin' the town."


How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm after they've seen Paree?"

MOOSE IS CONTENT TO LOUNGE WITH ME RIGHT HERE ON THE FARM.

I'm Sorry, So Sorry

Although I'm not yet letting Dudo spend a lot of time in my lap, he does appear to still love me.

WHAT I WOKE TO.

So pleased he accepts my apology...

Nine Inches?

I measured my incision. The one that was made for my hernia surgery. Before the surgery, I had expected there would be an incision perhaps one inch or one-and-a-half inches long (that's approximately 2.5 to 3.8 cm). As a matter of fact, many people who had previously had hernia surgery held up their fingers to show me how long their incisions were. They all indicated that approximate length.

But my incision seemed  to be a hell of a lot longer than one inch. It's being held together by ten decent-sized staples.

Today, while changing the dressing, I measured. (Don't worry. No photos of that.)

The result? My incision is exactly three inches long (7.6 cm). And that would be nine inches in many another man's estimate... if you catch my drift.



Just so you know, I'm suffering from cabin fever and I plan to get downstairs for coffee Monday morning. "Time to come out in the air."

Shake Your Bon-Bon

According to our local produce expert Ana Crespillo, along with many fruits and vegetables, chocolate is good for keeping things moving after surgery. San Geraldo had already loaded me up with chocolates (he's so good to me), so he brought home dates and figs from Ana.

San Geraldo has been showing superb self-control when it comes to the chocolates. But he clearly can't help himself when it comes to the dates. Each date is topped with a walnut. San Geraldo abhors walnuts. So, every time I decide to help myself to a date-walnut combo, I find less dates and more walnuts in the package. But that's OK; I just get back in bed with my bon-bons.

RECOVERY DAY 1.

ONE WALNUT FOR EACH DATE... ORIGINALLY.

IN BED WITH MY BON-BON[S].

No shaking going on here; I'm just glad I can drag my bon-bon around the house. 

It's All Right

All's well. The hernia has been repaired and I'm doing fine. My experience at Xanit International Hospital in Benalmádena was exceptional. Gorgeous private room. Professional, personable, attentive staff. Wonderful surgeon. If you ever decide to have a hernia, that's the place to go. As I was about to go under the knife Tuesday evening, I mentioned that I hadn't brought my camera. The surgical team laughed, but no one offered to take pictures.

(So, click any image. Don't worry; there's no hernia to enlarge.)

THE VIEW FROM MY ROOM.

I came home noon Wednesday. I feel much better than I expected so soon after the surgery. The cats, however, are a bit confused. Moose's favourite thing is for us to get down on the floor to cuddle. That's not going to happen. So, during my few forays around the house, he follows me and bellows. Dudo was a bit bent out of shape that I spent a night away from home. So there was some attitude Wednesday afternoon. I sat down at my desk this morning and he immediately jumped up on my lap. He turned so he could stare lovingly into my eyes. I lasted only about 15 minutes. So, he's a bit bent out of shape again. San Geraldo is... well... he's not called SAN Geraldo for nothing. I'm in the best hands.

TUESDAY: PLUGGED IN AND READY TO GO.

SAN GERALDO'S FAN (A GIFT FROM KRISTINA).
(COLOR-COORDINATED WITH MY HOSPITAL GOWN AND THE MARBLE FLOOR).

THE MORNING AFTER.

DUDO. NOT HAPPY THAT HE CAN'T BE ON MY LAP MUCH.

"AW, COME ON. DON'T YOU SEE HOW CUTE I AM?!?"

It's A Beautiful Morning

I'm hoping to be back tomorrow with news of my miraculous recovery from my minor procedure that I have turned into a major event. In the meantime, enjoy our sunshine. I've got to be on my way now. (Click the images... because I say so.)

YESTERDAY: SEA GLASS IN ITS NATURAL ENVIRONMENT... KIND OF.

"SUNSHINE CARESSES EACH NEW WAKING HOUR."

TODAY, THE VASE IS NEARLY FULL SAYS THE COCK-EYED OPTIMIST.

And now I think I'll go outside for a while... and just smile.

Move In Space With Minimum Waste And Maximum Joy

I took a long walk on the beach today, since it might be my last opportunity for a long walk for a couple of weeks. I'm being herniorrafiated Wednesday afternoon (click here if you don't know what I'm talking about). It was a splendid walk and I got to watch a semi-beginner with a parasail — first on shore and then in the water.

(Click any image to share in the beauty of my day.)

A BEACHED SAIL? (NO ONE TRIED TO ROLL IT BACK IN THE WATER.)

Here's hoping my surgeon, Dr. Fernandez, is a smooth operator.

There's Magic In The Night

It was a dark and stormy night. Tuesday night in Fuengirola brought thunder, lightning, and a bit of rain. If you ask me, it was beautiful. Don't ask San Geraldo — or the cats.

(Click any image to almost see something.)

THE VIEW FROM THE TERRACE.

THE VIEW A MOMENT LATER.

AND THE VIEW.

Oh, Thunder Road, oh, Thunder Road...

The Glass Is Half Full

Early Friday morning was spent at the hospital being readied for Tuesday's surgery. There were blood tests. I had an EKG and a chest X-ray. Then I met with a doctor to review everything, to give me further instructions, and to answer my questions. All very pleasant and very impressive. The test results were exactly how they should have been. I am apparently in perfect health...

... Except for the hernia.

So, Friday afternoon I spent a couple of hours on the beach. The tide was perfect for discovering sea glass. I didn't find any cobalt blue (click here), but I did find several pieces in shades of aquamarine. (Click the images to fill the screen.)

THE GLASS (VASE) HALF FULL.

Thanks to San Geraldo, my glass is never half empty.

Let's Give A Big Hand

I took a walk on the paseo Thursday afternoon past the Port of Fuengirola and discovered a new park right on the beach. It's called La Vida (The Life) and includes a huge cement statue of a hand (or maybe it's five statues of a thumb and four fingers?) created by local sculptor Rosario García.

Apparently, this — the sculpture, lawn, and some new palm trees — marks the completion of only the first phase of the park. I have no idea what's still to come or in how many phases. I promise to give you a first-hand account. Although it might be second-hand information.

On the other hand, take note of where the new tree is planted. Is that what's meant by knowing something "like the palm of one's hand"?

OK, I can already hear San Geraldo begging me to stop.

(Click any image before things get out of hand.) 

I'm done.

Your turn. (You know you want to.)

I've got to hand it to them...

Don't Dawdle, Amaryllis

MEDICAL-GRADE RAFFIA?

Next Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 is my "herniorrafia," which I wish translated from Spanish to English to mean: "Decorate hernia with raffia."

We bought a new Smart TV for the bedroom today and it was delivered and installed within an hour. The store, Araujo Electrodomesticos, is a few minutes away. We love to support local small business and this store earns our loyalty with every purchase. Recovery here I come.

In other news, less than a year ago I shared photos (click here) of the naturalised (in two cement planters) amaryllis growing next to the chiringuito (beach restaurant) across the street. I've read so many different instructions on "overwintering" amaryllis. It never sounds easy.

We send My Mother The Dowager Duchess an amaryllis every year for Christmas/Chanukah. With her green thumb, she can bring them back after the first year... but not always. The owners of the restaurant across the street don't appear to do much of anything. I suppose amaryllis just likes it here and I suppose I understand why. (Click any image to beautify.)

LAST WEEK...

THE OTHER PLANTER: FIXIN' TA BLOOM, AS THEY SAY IN TEXAS.

TODAY: 'IT DONE BLOOMED' (BUT THERE'S LOTS MORE FIXIN' TA).

Which brought to mind the following song (all because of the line at 0:11–0:12)...

After you listen to the song, I'd just like to say that there IS a man alive that DOES measure up to (and surpass) that blend of Paul Bunyan, Saint Pat, and Noah Webster I concocted for myself. His name is San Geraldo.