Malaga Journal: 2022

La primera vez que vi esa simple declaración ("HAY CALDO") fue en Madrid en 1979 en la puerta de un bar. Lo recuerdo porque mis conocimientos del español eran aún muy limitados y no concocía la palabra 'caldo'. Era un misterio hasta que regresé a la pensión donde vivía y pude buscar la palabra en un diccionario. "Broth". Bueno, estaba aún algo confundido. ¿Por qué diablos pondrían a la entrada de un bar, "There is broth"? Poco a poco lo iba entendiendo y luego, quizás un mes o dos después en una noche de mucho frío entré a un bar en la Plaza del San Ildefonso, en el límite del mítico barrio de Malasaña, donde tuve la buena fortuna de vivir. Pedí un vino y el barman, un poco después de servirme el vino, me puso una pequeña taza con un caldo bien caliente. ¡Caldo como tapa! ¡Una maravilla! Estaba riquísimo y me quitó inmediatamente el frío que había sentido al llegar. Me entró casi, casi una especie de pequeña euforia. Me parecía el colmo de la vida civilizada: yo no había pedido caldo, no le había dicho nada al barman sino "un tinto, por favor". Y sin embargo, all estaba: exactamente lo que el cuerpo (y aún más, el alma) pedía. Desde entonces, "HAY CALDO" siempre ha tenido para mí algo de mágico, como el pregón más minimalista y más sabio posible. ¡Con eso está todo dicho! Señores y señoras, paz y buena voluntad, que HAY CALDO. Desocupado lector: sosiego y serenidad, que en este libro, HAY CALDO. Y así, hasta hoy.

Poco tiene que ver esta pequeña reflexión con el alcohol, salvo el detalle de que estaba tomando un vino la primera vez que me sirvieron un caldo en un bar. Y estoy pensando en esto hoy porque esta mañana leí un artículo muy interesante de Mariola Cubells en El País: "Las madres que no tenemos caldo en la nevera: cómo la crianza emocional ha ido ganando terreno". Recomiendo su lectura. Un detalle final: acabo de mirar la plaza en Google Maps. Claro, el bar ya no está. En su lugar hay una clínica dental. Vaya. Así es. Pero bueno, hay caldo! En la clínica no, jaja, pero en nuestra nevera sí.

Ok, so here it is. My memory is becoming a bit suspect, but with the help of many, I've come up with a summary of what we have been up to these last twelve months. 2021, for all its problems, disasters, and disappointments, is still, we believe here in Carlisle, much better than 2020. On the heels of Trump’s failed coup attempt, the start of the Biden-Harris administration brought us great psychic relief and some hope, as did the role out of the COVID vaccines. In late January, Dickinson tentatively welcomed back some students, and Asun and I did our best to make a unique, “hybrid” semester seem, if not normal, at least palatable and somewhat productive. We survived it. The winter and spring were kind of a blur. Lots of work and little fun. Nonetheless, in February, we did have a wonderful weekend visit with Colby and Daniela in Winthrop, and Meng was able to join us, which make it that much more fun. In March I ran the Two Rivers marathon in Lackawaxen, PA. Unfortunately, it ended prematurely and rather badly: in Mile 24 I got badly dehydrated and my calves balled up and I couldn't get it to stop. I had to be assisted by medical personnel. Quite mortifying. On the other hand, a month later, Andrew ran his first marathon quite succesfully, always a big accomplishment! I accompanied him for the second half. In May, I had a great time running the Potomac River marathon in DC. No serious cramping! We got to visit with Amanda, Grant and family the night before the race, and even got to see Thea!

Most thankfully, late May brought a welcome visit from Alma, Amadeo, Miles and Mateo! Not long after arriving in Carlisle, Amadeo ran an ultramarathon in Endless Mountains state park. We had a great visit with Jay and Karen Ohlsten on the way back to Carlisle! And then it was on to Little Compton, where we were so happy to be together with everyone! Shortly after returning to Carlisle, Cristina tricked us into a canine adoption. But it couldn't have turned out better. We love Tronco, the kindest, sweetest doggie imaginable! He loves having two places to hang out. In August, Asun & Cristina went off to Spain for Cristina's dissertation research and time with Cristi, Javi, June, tía Isita, and friends. Spiritual renewal for Asun! But the big excitement in August was Daniela and Colby announcing their engagement! We are so, so happy. We love Colby and they are an amazing couple!

In October, Andrew got a big promotion at Maven Clinic, where he has been working for over a year now! He is a Staff Software Engineer and oversees a big team of engineers that make telemedicine possible. Also in October, Amadeo ran an amazing marathon in Chicago! (Ohhh, just missed his Boston Qualifying time!) And then, ohhhh, ISABEL POPP joined us on October 29th!! Wow! What a date for this family-Amy, Savannah, Isabel!!! She is the most incredible, beautiful, little bundle of joy! We are happy beyond description for Cristina and Andrew. (Family: you can get a link from Andrew for a password protected site where there will be lots of photos on the little wonder.) In November, I ran my fourth marathon of the year and my fastest yet. Harrisburg! (Ohhh, and like Amadeo, I just missed my Boston Qualifying time!) Thanksgiving was wonderful. Everyone home for the first time in some years! Most recently, Alma announced she will soon be starting a new job with Wayfair. She and Amadeo have already bought a house in Brookline. An eventful year. Above all, we are so grateful for the love and support we get from all of you!!! Gracias!! For 2022 we hope for more travel, more time with family and friends!

In more or less chronological order, here are some images from the past year: