spain – Page 67 – don't confuse the narrator

a perfect pear

We may not be growing such good grapes as the previous house owner did, but the pears this year are magnificent.

Writing the post title – and remembering that this blog was originally intended to include poetry as well as random thoughts – I was reminded of Dorothy Parker’s One Perfect Rose.

Over the years, I’ve received my fair share of bouquets of flowers – though never (yet), I think, long-stemmed red roses – so I, too, wonder why no one ever thought to give me “one perfect limousine”.
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a wee warning

I went to a modern art exhibition last week and was much taken with this sign that was placed underneath one of the sculptures, a strange mixed-media contraption standing on sand.

In the same way, the first time I went to the Retiro in Madrid and saw the signs saying No pisar el cesped I did a double take. I imagined there were probably public toilets in Spanish parks, so why did they think I’d be tempted to go on the grass? It would have made more sense if it had said “don’t let your dog piss (or otherwise) on the grass”, but that seemed not to bother them in the least.
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first light

The Matins bell sounds honey-clear
across still valley air. It chimes
outside my window where
a carillon of grapes calls
to the rising sun.

The photo is actually from the year we moved to the village – the previous owner was assiduous in his use of pesticides and chemicals, so the fruit that autum was far more photogenic than what we produce.

The words are not recent, either, but I’m hoping that now the summer is effectively over, and I am ready to settle down at my desk with fewer distractions, visits and visitors, I may be able to find space again for poetry.

rest & restoration

This juxtaposition of signs caught my eye:

Iglesia Cristiana Evangélica - Centro de Decanso — are you weak and heavy laden?

In fact, the Evangelical Christian Church has long gone from the building, and was replaced by the ‘Centre for Rest’ – which sells beds, mattresses etc. – but I thought of Matthew 11, 28:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

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cultural activities

Back in Spain after what seems to have been a long absence, I find the village half in fiestas.

Miss Camiseta Mojada & Mister Paquete Mojado contest — cultural equality?

I’m not sure if this is actually the annual Fiestas del Veraneante, which end each August in a mess of seaside tat, fairground rides and firecrackers, or if it’s a special weekend of music. Certainly live music has blared through till 5am this weekend, presumably to ensure that no one looks too refreshed when they return to work after their summer holiday.

There appear to be other ‘cultural activities’, too, such as those advertised on the poster in the photo: Miss Camiseta Mojada – ‘Miss Wet Tee-shirt’ – is about the level of finesse I would expect for village fiestas, but I can’t decide whether Mister Paquete Mojado strikes a new low for culture or a new high for equality.

I guess it would probably be better if I don’t start wondering too deeply about the chupitos eróticos or the invitation to “come and ride our mechanical bull”.