Sevilla

 

It's been said that Sevilla is the most Spanish of Spanish cities, and while I'm not well enough traveled to make such declarations, I have to say that it rang true for me. It will always hold a special place in my heart because it's where we reunited with Lily after three long months apart. She was waiting for us outside our apartment which was perfectly located in the center of town. We were both giddy to see her, hug her, hear her stories. She changed her flight to get in earlier. I think she was excited to see us as well. We had so much catching up to do. We walked across the Guadalquivir River, that runs through the city, to find a place for a meh late lunch, but cold beers and papas fritas and just being seated around the same table were formidable redeemers. We continued catching up at a hopping little place where we snagged a table on the street and started to really get a take on the vibe of the capitol city of Andalusia. It's charming, inviting and friendly. There is a welcome family vibe and a sense that real everyday life happens here: packs of uniformed teens walking home from school, friends gathering for happy hour after work, parents holding little hands or pushing prams. The safe cobblestone streets are always busy with people and orange trees - 47,000 in total.

 Kayla arrived to spend the weekend with us at about 10 o'clock. The apartment was well appointed. The girls had a bed and bath on one side and we were on the other side. The only noise was from the street so we quickly learned we had to shutter windows and turn on the air for a good night's sleep. We had no dinner plan except...food, and ended up eating outside in the rain at a cute little place called Meson Serranito Sevilla with an adorable waiter and our two translators. I was so excited about a platter of grilled vegetables. As much as I love pan and chorizo and jamon, I so needed this. We ducked into El Gallo Negro with everyone else in town to escape the rain and continue the fun. And it was lots of.

The girls went on a coffee run Friday morning and came back with umbrellas too. We had a busy day of touring and it was pouring. Our first stop was The Real Alcazar, an incredible palace with origins dating back to the 10th century. Patricia was our guide who gave us all the goods on the smash up of  Mudejar, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles. After all, each ruler must leave his or her mark...stamp. There are Jewish stars, words from the Koran, Roman symbols and Castilian symbols as well and sometimes all in the same room. If these walls could talk. Our next stop was the Catedral de Sevilla, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the resting place of at least 150 grams of Christopher Columbus. It's true. Churches are museums in Spain. They have extensive art collections, and even some masters. The panoramic views from 34 floors up La Giralda were worth the long climb.

 

 

 

 

 We stopped at Tia Consuelo for tapas post tour. There was a break in the rain so we sat on the street where we were strong armed by Abdul who insisted we buy his bracelets and when we did not, he cursed Mike and told me to get a new, better husband. We left room for gelato and time for street shopping and really wanted a siesta, but we had tickets to a Flamenco show and knew we needed to carry on. It was memorizing...the costumes, the movement, the passion and emotion. Ole means allah. Flamenco is more prayer than dance and for that an experience not a performance. I'm so glad we did this in Sevilla because it is where Flamenco was born.

We had reserves at a Mexican restaurant for dinner. I think the girls are growing tired of Spanish food and while it wasn't my choice, it was quite delicious. Delicious, but not spicy. Flavorful, not hot. Spaniards don't eat heat. After a walk through the city and a night cap, we called it a night. A very good day and night.

Saturday was a blank canvas. This works for us. Some structure and some time for come what will and may. It was a beautiful warm, sunny day. Our first stop was Plaza de Espana, the largest plaza in the world and the busiest. It's Saturday and it seems that everyone is here: novios, abuelas, gatos, pajaros, magicians, musicians, perros, caballos, touristas and enough good ju ju to go around. After we got our fill of people watching, we walked clear across town through one quaint neighborhood after another shopping along the way to Fatoush, where we hoped to score a table for lunch. It's the best restaurant in Sevilla and we are determined to eat there so we put our name in and hung out in a nearby square drinking vino de naranja and cerveza and getting high on the energy because this is THE place to be. I think we were the only tourists there, but I didn't feel like one. Fatoush was worth the wait. We enjoyed a perfect Lebanese feast. The labneh salad is just what I needed and wanted, but the hummus and falafel were also divine. I didn't think I'd be eating Lebanese food in Spain, but I'm glad I did. We shopped our way home for siesta after lunch. It was 6 o' clock.

 

 

We decided that dinner should be dessert and headed out to El Commercio, the oldest, best place for Churros in Spain. We were too late and it was closed. I was so confused. Apparently, churros are for breakfast. It was an okay miss as we ended up at a Japanese place for tapas beneath the Setas and it was sort of perfect: the spontaneity, the cool night, the company, the shrimp dumplings. The city was still bustling at midnight, but the girls had a plane to catch before dawn and we had a train to get shortly thereafter so we bid adios to this magical city I already loved. Next stop...Barcelona.

 

Cheers

 

I love a rainy day. Gloom is my jam. Clouds are my friends. I'm allergic to the sun so it stands to reason. I'm home alone. Mike is traveling and Lils is exercising. I thought we were having a girl's night, but now that she's a 40 hour a week girl, she is tired by Wednesday night. It's been a busy week for her too. She had after hours events the last two nights so I get it. She was able to duck out a little early today. She went to get her nails done without me. On the bright side, it saved me $80. She's not interested in going out for dinner because she indulged the past couple days and I share that because it's why I'm here. It's all good because I'm a fan of being home alone.

Last night Candace came for a catch-up. We shared a delicious bottle of champagne and a wedge of our favorite funky cheese...brie with blue. That is my dinner of choice. She urged me to get back to creating. Coming from my talented artist pal, it gave me pause. She's knows me so well and she's so right. I sent her home with two giant balls of cookie dough to bake off for dessert. This past weekend, I found a trace of kitchen mojo. 

A scant amount, but not enough to entertain friends Saturday night. We ended up going to Movida for tapas as we all recently traveled to Spain. They got the Pan con Tomate all wrong, but the Potatas Bravas more than made of for that as did the rest of our spread. We stopped for a night cap at a nearby distillery before heading home. I had to question who were these people that had 6:30 reserves and were then home in time for the 10 o'clock news.

They were rested and happy people come Sunday morning. We finally got to see Ted and Meryl's new apartment. It has great juju. The ceilings are high and there are four windows across the front that let in perfect light and offer a view of Lake Michigan in the distance. They're getting settled and Manny is also loving his new space. He likes to sit in the window sills watching the sea gulls do fly bys.

 

Cheers to gray days...rain means a day off of watering...gainfully employed, hard-working, happy children...a quiet house...girlfriends...couples friends...cookie dough ready to go...churros and chocolate to take home for Lils...happy hours and night caps...summer tomatoes, zucchini, plums, grapes and cherries...21 in 7 days...the fact I don't know how old I will be in August...and that I don't care...it's another year.
 

Life is Good. Weekends are Great.

 

Sunday we got our beach day...finally. And it was a real good one. It was a little cool out for late July, but Lake Michigan was absolutely divine, and the sun still intense. We ventured to the second sand bar and floated around for a bit weightless and worry-free. Pinch me. Ted brought every single beach toy we have, and he we almost used them all. Team Evans took the bags title. My brother and I were unbeatable. Spike Ball, baseball and golf and then some brats and burgers on the grill.

There was a lot going on in the city this weekend, but I was happy to head north to relative peace and quiet. I say this because the Blue Angels did a fly by. In their wake...a flock of sea gulls. It was a sight to see them following the planes like mother ships. The juvenile eagles were also quite talkative, and a hummingbird hovered just over my head. I could hear it bravely coming for some nectar on the crowded porch. Crowded with the peeps I love and Lily's new friend whom I really like. He handled our family prank like a boss and he is sweet to my girl.

It was so good to catch up with Pete and Sue Saturday night. They came with dinner. I just didn't feel inspired to cook so we opted for Poco Loco. I made a simple berry galette for dessert and a batch of muffins to send them home with for Sunday morning coffee.

Friday night Jess joined us to kick off the weekend. It was good to see her face and we had lots to talk about too. 

This weekend was just what I needed...low key time with people I love. I felt very blessed for it all...for them all. I come here not with anything profound to share, but important nonetheless. Life is good. We need people and connection, fresh air and sunshine, comfort and humility. I stand on the shore obsequious and yet absolutely certain that I'm exactly where I need to be with the people I am meant to be with. That is a beautiful thing.

 

Happy Homecoming Harley!

I've been dreaming Chris Stapleton. Not the artist, but the music. Lyrics bounce around my brain on repeat all day and all night long. I am a big fan. Just about every song is my favorite. The concert was a family affair and a good memory for sure. Just like nineteen years ago for the 100th...I'll revisit this night again and again. The bikes were roaring and the beers flowing and the music sounding. It was a great weekend to be in and from Milwaukee, and it was a beautiful night to be lakeside enjoying live country music and then smack dab in the middle of the city for post concert fun and priceless people/bike watching. We stayed out until almost bar time. I can't remember the last time we did that. Truth is that after being housebound for so long, I could have stayed even earlier later.

Smallwaukee sticks for good reason. You can pretty much strike up a conversation with anyone and find far fewer than six degrees between you. I both love and strongly dislike that about this city. Case in point...a kid commented on a my Harley hat and before long I realized that I knew his parents from when I was his age.

When we headed home Sunday morning, they were building the Eiffel Tower in Cathedral Park. Milwaukee is also known as the City of Festivals because we pretty much have one every weekend all summer long. Next week it's the French. I haven't been to Bastille Days in years, but I think we may stop by.

Mike suggested breakfast Sunday. We checked out and headed to a local diner to continue our short staycation. Breakfast out is almost always a vacation thing, but maybe it shouldn't be.

It is Friday

And America's birthday. Happy Birthday to the good old USA! Well, this 4th is a bust not a blast. I haven't left the house in days and today will be no different as I'm still under the weather. Being sick on the weekend sucks. Being sick on a holiday weekend sucks royally. No fun in the sun or bbq or fireworks for me. It's okay though because in one of my bursts of energy yesterday, I cleaned out the freezer and found a container of pasta fagioli. That sounds good even though it's hot and steamy outside. Gus has been a constant cuddler. Mike is taking good care of me. Yesterday I showered and put on real clothes because I was over my pjs. I'm thinking that is a good idea again today. Act the way you want to feel they say. I want to feel better and I know it is only a matter of time. Just about this time next week, we'll be gearing up for Harley Homecoming and Chris Stapleton. I'll be celebrating Harley's 122nd. Sorry America. I can't be a proud patriot for your 249th.

Fog brain and malaise leave me without much to say. Here's evidence that life is good and I am grateful that the rest of the house is happy and healthy.

 

Is it Friday Yet?

 

This has been a week. A week that has tested my fortitude, my spirit, my nerve. But if bad things happen in three: hello Covid, untimely appliance purchase and goodbye beautiful, majestic front-yard Maple, good things still have them beat. Good things like a mandate to rest and binge Mobland, perfectly timed July 4th sales, and the tree fell but managed to avoid two houses and three cars. The part that is still standing bears the American flag and tomorrow is our 249th birthday. Also the perfect thing to do in between naps is ten days worth of laundry to break in your new machine so you can send your kids to Chicago and Lake Erie with fresh unders and clean socks. Never you mind that said new machine took the life of Ted's favorite shorts (I believe they were past due as were our thirty year old Maytags). We went with no bells and no whistles Speed Queen models and I will mention, but not complain, that they cost about three times more than their fancier competitors. Less is more. I expect that this will be my last set because I expect they will last and that will be money well spent and also my obligation to be kind to Mother Earth. Planned obsolescence is for the birds.

This may be the last time I do Ted's laundry. He and Meryl moved into their new pad on Tuesday. This was the first move sans rents. I'm not going to lie...that's a damn good thing. I'm old. Mike's older. He moved and set-up his bed and our old kitchen table without our help (save for one phone a dad). They are excited and they are dreaming and scheming as they should be. I'm tickled for them to start this new chapter even as I came clean to my neighbor that I was a little sad too. She gave me the hug I needed. Endings and beginnings baby. They get me.

They came home with both flavors of the day and we had a casual family dinner. Everyone was starving and so tired and some were very sweaty. Sunday I made sauce. Summertime Sunday sauce is its own thing. Think Tzatziki and hummus. Dinner was Chicken Souvlaki and satisfying. The kids wanted to watch family videos with their ice cream for dessert. It was just what my mama heart needed. One ceremonial last supper and adrenaline dose of nostalgia. I wish we'd taken so many more, but I cherish those we have. Wednesday Ted, Meryl and Manny left for July 4th festivities in Lakeside with a specially curated bag of road trip snacks I put together. They'll be back. Maybe next week for a night or two while they sort their place. This will always be home. They are forever welcome.

Lily left Wednesday too for a work trip to Chicago. She visited the office there and went to a Cubs game with her team. I was beyond relieved to know she was back at her hotel when I got the news alert of mass shooting in the city. No words. While she was gone, I washed her bedding (I love my new machine) and bleached her shower. No words. She came home this afternoon and took a nap. She is so my daughter and man I love her.

I don't love that I likely have to forgo 4th of July festivities. I am a patriot and this holiday holds a very special place in my heart. It will be a game-day decision whether or not we make a brief appearance at Windmill Beach. I'm dreaming of a swim. Mike says vitamin D will do us good. Part of me says pony up and part says whoa Nelly. Tomorrow will tell.