We've made some new friends here in Fuengirola. Kathleen and Pedro moved here recently with their adorable son Luke. After telling Kathleen how much I, and especially San Geraldo, dislike the fact that Halloween (not a Spanish holiday) keeps growing more and more popular here, Kathleen admitted to me that she couldn't wait to get Luke his first Halloween costume — if only because he would look so adorable. (I did mention that he's adorable, didn't I? Really adorable.)
We got together Sunday evening and they brought along what they needed for a Halloween photo shoot. Kathleen also shared photos of the first two Jack-O-Lanterns Pedro had ever carved. It was Halloween of last year, while Kathleen was still pregnant with Luke. Pedro has a natural gift for pumpkin carving.
(Click the images to see how adorable they all are.)
The game is called One Card and this is the way San Geraldo's South Dakota family plays it.
Each player is given three pennies (that's three one-cent coins for my non-American readers).
Each player is dealt one card, face down.
Ace is high. Two is low. The goal is to NOT end up with the highest card.
The first player looks at their card and decides if they want to keep it or trade with the next player (if it's a high card you usually pass it, low card you keep it).
If the next player has to trade a low card for a high card, they will usually then trade that higher card with the next player.
If a player is happy with their card, they simply say (smugly) "I'm good" and don't trade with the next player.
However, a player cannot refuse to trade cards with the previous player unless they have a King. If a player has a King, they hold up the card and very obnoxiously make a loud buzzer sound (the best part of the game) to indicate that the preceding player is stuck with the card they don't want.
Once play circles the table and returns to the dealer, the dealer can choose to keep the card or draw another card from the deck.
Whoever ends up with the highest card has to throw one of their pennies into the middle of the table. If there's a tie for high card, each player must forfeit a penny.
Once you lose all three pennies, you play on your "reputation" until you lose another hand.
The last player to remain (either with pennies or on their reputation) wins.
In September, we played at nephew and niece-in-law, Ryan and Emily's house. As each player was knocked out, they kept someone else company. Our great-nieces (really, really great) traveled around the table. Their older brother (also really and truly great) played quietly... and stewed when he lost.
GREAT UNCLE JERRY CONSIDERS TRADING WITH ELOISE.
"ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO TRADE?"
ALICE GETS A CARD THAT'S NOT REALLY HIGH AND NOT REALLY LOW.
"KEEP OR TRADE?"
UNCLE JERRY: "YOU TWO ARE GIVING ME AWAY!
EITHER WORK ON YOUR POKER FACES OR LOOK SOMEWHERE ELSE!"
ELOISE MOVED ON TO GRANDMA... AND GRANDMA MOVED ON TO HER REPUTATION.
Can't read my, can't read my... No he can't read my poker face...
San Geraldo is a master when it comes to Sudoku. It's difficult for him to find a book of Sudoku puzzles challenging enough.
I, on the other hand, love crosswords and have no patience for Sudoku.
During our month in New York, San Geraldo took to doing the New York Times crossword puzzle that arrived (in the paper) every day at my mother's door. He enjoyed it so much that he has since subscribed to the online puzzle.
Thursday, he printed out copies of Wednesday's puzzle (the online subscription is a day behind) for us both to work on over our morning coffee.
I had completed mine (in record time, although I don't know what record I'm comparing to), while San Geraldo continued to toil away at his. He's much better at Sudoku than he is at crosswords and he let me know that he didn't enjoy watching me scratch away at my puzzle while he stared fixedly at his own.
After a while he asked, "What's the first name of that actress Tatum?"
I peered at him over my glasses.
"Tatum," I said.
"Yeah, that actress Tatum, what's her first name?" he repeated.
"Um, Tatum," I repeated while gazing into those beautiful, clueless, blue eyes. "Last name, O'Neal. O-N-E-A-L."
This morning, he printed out the Thursday puzzle for himself and last Sunday's puzzle for me. He said he didn't like the pressure.
We've both been around the block a few times (well, San Geraldo, a lot more than a few), just not in Southern Spain.
Today we drove to Marbella, about 25 minutes west, to buy some things at the department store El Corte Inglés. Our local store didn't have what we needed and the web page said Marbella did. Marbella did not. What they meant when they said Marbella was Puerto Banus (10 minutes further west).
As we got out of the car in the garage in Puerto Banus, San Geraldo asked if I could remember where we parked. I said, "Absolutamente, S1, numero 91."
We went across the street for lunch and then returned to shop. Finally, we headed for the car.
We went from Level 2 of the store to the Ground Floor. We couldn't find the elevator we had taken earlier. So we took the escalator down one floor but when we entered the garage it appeared to be a different one. We went down another floor and then back up three.
San Geraldo said, "I thought you said you absolutely knew where we parked."
I said, "I do! Level S1, spot number 91! I never said I could find the parking garage. We were still in the garage when you asked me!"
Finally, I asked for help. We got to the garage and I found our car. ("I told you I knew where it was!")
We then followed signs for the exit. It took us only three times around Level S1 to finally escape.
Our new car's navigation system is excellent and, when we listen to it, it's a tremendous help. Too bad we couldn't use it in El Corte Inglés.
On the Road Again
WE PASSED THIS SALVADOR DALI RHINO 4 TIMES.
NEAR EL CORTE INGLÉS PUERTO BANUS. PHOTO, MANUEL GONZÁLEZ OLAECHEA Y FRANCO.
Leaving the garage, I set the navigation screen for Home.
"Take the third exit from the roundabout," she said.
San Geraldo took the fourth exit. "Oops, I think I just missed..."
"Route recalculation," she interrupted.
We found our road, but went in the wrong direction.
"Route recalculation," she said.
She said "Route recalculation" once more before we finally got on the correct road in the correct direction (having to back out of a car wash along the way).
This was an improvement over our drive to Málaga Friday night. Finding the parking garage took us four "route recalculations."
And then the parking garage was full!
(Don't tell San Geraldo, but If I had looked around the corner when I took the first garage entrance, I would have seen our car!)
I received email last night from the Kid Brother. Email! His wonderful family, the staff at AHRC NYC, took him to buy a mobile phone and immediately set up an email account for him. He's already taking pictures and sending them to me.
FIFTH AVENUE AND 54TH STREET. (MOMA IS ON 53RD BETWEEN FIFTH AND SIXTH.)
Yesterday afternoon, they went to MOMA (the Museum of Modern Art) where I'm told he really enjoyed himself. Along with a slightly blurry street scene, the Kid Brother also shared a couple of even blurrier photos of his favorite artworks, and a close-up of his own artistic creation inspired by his day at MOMA. Of course, I like his creation the best.
It was 2 a.m. when the messages came in, but I happened to be up and immediately sent him a quick (and simple) note. This morning, I sent him photos of the cats.
A KID BROTHER ORIGINAL.
So, now not only can we speak on the phone every weekend (and, hopefully, one of these days on FaceTime), but I can also email a brief note and photo to him every day just to feel connected.
NOW IF THEY COULD JUST GET HIM TO
SHOW SOME EXCITEMENT!!!
If the Kid Brother were to watch this video, he would say, "You're a nut!!!"
It's fly season. While having coffee Saturday morning, I thought the flies would drive me out of my mind. It was bad enough that they kept landing on my arms and legs, but they were constantly flying around my head and in my face.
San Geraldo, who has no shame, offered me his IKEA dish towel — the one he's known to regularly wear on his head to ward off flies, the sun, cold air, and unwanted distractions.
"I don't think so," I snorted. "But thanks just the same."
AN EXAMPLE OF SAN GERALDO'S "LOOK." NOT FOR ME...
Then a fly slammed right into my ear.
IT IS THE END OF THE WORLD AS I KNOW IT.
"Offer me solutions, offer me alternatives. And I decline."
I had a little accident Friday morning while getting ready to face the world.
My beard was in serious need of a trim. We were meeting old friends Steve and Hector for dinner in Málaga and I had to look my best.
So, after breakfast and before my shower, I pulled out my trusty beard trimmer, set the blade height, and took a first broad upward swipe just right of center — from chin to the corner of my mustache.
Important Reminder:
Always double-check the trimmer settings before using your beard trimmer.
Instead of neatening the uneven growth, I created a trail of bald. Oops!
Not one to cry over spilt milk (usually), I figured I could just leave the soul patch and mustache. But after trying that, I decided it wasn't a good look for me. Nor, I decided, was a lonely mustache.
So, I buzzed it all off to stubble.
Unlike the hair on top of my head, the hair on my face still grows back.
P.S.: Selfies always make my nose look enormous! (Or maybe I just never realized it really is enormous.)
I really hate the expression, "a new set of wheels." I immediately imagine it being said in a 'sleazy lounge act" kind of voice, "Whoa, man, I got a new set of wheels!," because I know someone who uses the phrase ... and sounds just like that... and I don't like him much. It's one of those things.
So, San Geraldo and I did not get a new set of wheels but we did get a new car. After more than five years of living without a car in Spain, we decided it was time to broaden our horizons. We love public transportation, but there are too many places we haven't visited due to lack of easy access or the need for planning in advance (rental car). Advance planning is not one of our long suits.
Even buying a car is a spur of the moment thing for us.
We knew what we wanted (we had the car before in the States and it was our favorite... ever).
We wanted it immediately.
It was a 3-month wait for one of our preferred color choices. So, we took the one and only car available in Málaga. In the one and only color they had. We're not picky.
NO, THAT'S NOT IT!!! (SITTING ACROSS FROM OUR BUILDING RIGHT NOW.)
NOT OUR STYLE. I SUPPOSE WE ARE JUST A LITTLE PICKY.
THAT'S MORE LIKE IT! IT'S A 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS. WE HAD A PRIUS (2004) IN THE STATES AND IT WAS OUR FAVORITE CAR OF ALL TIME.
For our first excursion we drove 15 minutes up the mountain to Mijas Pueblo.
LUNCH AT BAR LA MARTINA ON CALLE MÁLAGA, MIJAS PUEBLO.
THE VIEW OF HOME FROM MIJAS PUEBLO. A WORLD AWAY AND ONLY 8KM (5 MILES).
SAN GERALDO CONTEMPLATING OUR NEXT ADVENTURE.
THE WORLD IS OUR OYSTER.
Of course, we ate while we were in the United States. In New York, there were the diners, a great Italian restaurant, a couple of chic restaurants (too dark for good food photos, but trust me). In South Dakota, there were feasts with family and traditional American breakfasts out. In Minnesota, exceptional meals around Saint Paul. And in Seattle, cool meals in trendy places. We ate a lot more than is pictured here.
(Click the images for bigger servings.)
THE NEW YORK EGG CREAM.
MILK, SELTZER, CHOCOLATE SYRUP (NO EGG). BETTER IN MY CHILDHOOD MEMORIES.
NEW YORK: PARKVIEW DINER, ROCCO'S TACOS, CASA BELLA.
THE START OF OUR MINNESOTA-TO-SOUTH DAKOTA ROAD TRIP.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.
MY FAVORITE BREAKFAST IN SEATTLE AT "THE EGG & US" IN BALLARD. PICTURED TOP RIGHT.
While San Geraldo and I were in Seattle, we shopped (well, Judy and I shopped) at a store called Display & Costume. In addition to costumes and Halloween (seasonal) and party supplies, the store carries novelty items and other things not found in many places.
Last year, Judy bought a vinyl zipper purse adorned with retro art and the words, "Random Crap." She was looking for a new one or something similar. I spied the "beauty" department and opted for a make-over.
HAVING ALREADY SHOPPED FOR A NEW IPOD NANO THAT DAY, SAN GERALDO WAS SHOPPED OUT.
Obviously, San Geraldo was no help and Judy thought I wasn't being quite daring enough. So, here are my three new looks. Let me know which you think suits me best.
Living here in Fuengirola, a small-ish city (population 75,000) on the beach in Southern Spain, I sometimes miss out on the latest cool fashion trends of the big cities.
So, one nice thing about spending time in Brooklyn (at 2.6 million, the largest of the five boroughs of New York City) and seeing the style of the people who live along the beach there is that ... well ...
I'm working diligently, although not always successfully, to stop dwelling in the past after my month in New York reliving, reconnecting, and rehashing so many of those moments that made me who I am now. Many moments I prefer to leave behind ... in New York... forever.
I won't whine. I won't tell you of all the oh-so-sad moments in my past. There were also plenty of oh-so-happy moments. They're just not always oh-so-easy to remember.
It's time for another installment of my man bun (and men's buns) collection. I caught these during our travels around the United States in August and September.
(Click the images for enhanced buns. Go ahead, take a 'crack' at it.)
A MANNEQUIN AT NORDSTROM DEPARTMENT STORE, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON. (JUDY PULLED THE JACKET DOWN AS WE PASSED. I PULLED IT BACK UP.)
CONEY ISLAND, NEW YORK; BALLARD AND DOWNTOWN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON;
FLIGHT FROM MINNEAPOLIS TO NEW YORK; AIRTRAIN IN KENNEDY AIRPORT.
HE ROLLED OFF THE BOARDWALK AND HEADED HOME LIKE THAT!
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE ALL LOOKING AT;
I FOUND MY VIEW MUCH MORE INTERESTING. PLUS, MAN AND WOMAN BUNS... AND BUNS.
After a summer of never being quite sure where I was when I woke up in the morning, I am finally a little less confused.
We're beginning to settle back into some sort of routine, getting used to the fact that daily emails and weekly Skypes with The Dowager Duchess are no longer a part of it.
One thing that makes it clear we're back in Spain is the fact that, within two weeks of our return, there's another fair in town.
This is the Annual Fiesta del Rosario, which commemorates the 1571 victory of a coalition of European Catholic maritime states (mostly financed by the Spanish Empire) in a major naval battle against the Ottoman Empire.
I have a feeling most contemporary celebrants have no idea. It's just another excuse to get decked out. ride your horse to Fuengirola's fairgrounds ... and dance.
(Lots of photos. No captions. Click to enlarge and imagine your own stories.)
OK, ONE CAPTION: THIS MADE ME THINK OF THE SONG "TRADITION" IN "FIDDLER ON THE ROOF." "OF COURSE, THERE WAS THE TIME WHEN HE SOLD HIM A HORSE BUT DELIVERED A MULE."
