What Are You Gonna Do? Shoot Da Swans?

It's been hot. The temperature has hovered in the high 90s, low 100s Fahrenheit (35-40C). And the days have been a bit muggy at times (even some evenings). I had been looking forward to the break in the heat that was forecast for today and tomorrow. It came. It's only about 90F right now (32C), but with the pleasant new air currents came the unpleasant allergies. So, after returning from breakfast around noon today, we've been trying to relax in air-conditioned comfort. We'll get back out to enjoy the evening.

"DESE LOVELIES? MY SWANS GIRLS?"

— BARBRA STREISAND AS FANNY BRICE

In the meantime, we lounge and take turns putting hot cloths on our faces —which helps quite a bit. Anyway, our [saintly] friend Miguel painted some rooms for us during the week and I've been putting things back in place today (while San Geraldo takes his second siesta). Between that and my Spanish studies, I'm having a good time. Can't wait to have it all cleaned and put back together so I can share pictures with you of our now even more colorful lives.

A SWAN IN MY COFFEE? "IT'S ALL OVER FLUFFY VHITE."
THIS MORNING'S ACCIDENTAL ART BY FATIMA.

It's August in Sevilla (well, I think it's August everywhere else, unless the international date line has made it September... but I'm pretty sure it doesn't work that way). August in Sevilla is extremely quiet. Many shops and restaurants shorten their hours or close completely for vacation. By Monday, we'll be the only people remaining in our building. All our neighbors will be at the beach for the rest of the month. The law office downstairs is closed for vacation. I'm thinking of doing some nude sunbathing on the roof. (No, I'm really not, Mom.) On some of our walks, we feel like the city has shut down. Except for the die-hard tourists, a walk in the park is truly a walk in the park right now. So, I took a walk in the park.

" OY... IT'S SOOOOOO HOT!!!"
IF THE DOWAGER DUCHESS WERE HERE, SHE'D BE WEEDING THIS GARDEN.

Maria Luisa Park is adjacent to the Plaza de España. It incorporates gardens, lakes, sculptures, fountains, wildlife, and some of the former pavilions of the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition. Jerry and I pedaled around the park when we were here for vacation/exploration in January 2011. It's too hot for me to enjoy covering it all right now (and too hot to pedal). So, I plan to make several brief visits to the park and the museums. Fortunately, there are a few ice cream vendors conveniently located. It's not gourmet but it will have to do.

SOMETHING FOR THE DOWAGER DUCHESS TO TRANSFORM INTO A WATERCOLOR.

SO MUCH COOLER BY A WATERFALL.

FUENTE DE LOS LEONES (FOUNTAIN OF THE LIONS)
DAMAGED BY VANDALS, THE ORIGINAL LIONS WERE REPLACED WITH COPIES IN 1957.

FUENTE DE LAS RANAS (FOUNTAIN OF THE FROGS).
OMG. THE WATER WAS LIKE SO TOADLY GREEN.