The First Quadrennial Día de San Geraldo

Yesterday was 29 February. Some of you may recall that it was to be the first quadrennial procession for the Día de San Geraldo (Saint Gerald's Day). In Ocober, I explained that — due to the challenges he was having communicating in Spanish — Jerry was considering becoming a recluse. He initially said I could roll him out once a year just like the locals roll out the statues of Jesus and Sevilla's many Virgins. But then he had a better idea. Rather than an annual event, he would schedule his "procession" for leap year, thereby only having to be rolled out of the house every four years.

OFFICIAL PORTRAIT OF THE SAINT, 2012.

Jerry's sister Linda and her husband Tom are here for a visit — of course, scheduled to coincide with the historic, first-ever, Procesión de San Geraldo. Tom and I, San Geraldo's loyal servants, went out and spent a regal sum on a very grand ruby- and emerald-encrusted crown for the very grand head of San Geraldo. We presented it to him on bended knee with our heads respectfully bowed. Miraculously, the crown was a perfect fit. However, San Geraldo was sadly disappointed that I did not fulfill my promise of a marching band and a dozen burly men to carry him around town. Maybe in 2016.

Linda has suggested that I nail the crown to Jerry's headboard so that when he lies in bed at night the crown will hover majestically above his head. I think it's a brilliant idea. But then, of course, she's the sister of a saint.