Spanish views from a small town

It's been warm ever since the weekend began. Temperatures above 30ºC/86ºF, and a grueling sun, have made us realize that this is summer, astronomical calendar notwithstanding. After all, the ancient Celts were wiser, and realized that the summer really began on the 1st of May.  After a rather lazy weekend, came a busier week. Yesterday, I had errands to run, and classes to give. I finish my classes next Tuesday, the last day of school. After that, I have a free week before I begin summer classes, and my mornings disappear. I'll have late afternoons free, but by then the day is advanced, and has lost its freshness.  Today, I had another trip into town, to the town hall. Yesterday afternoon, I heard a car beeping its horn outside. I went out to see if it was a neighbor, and it turned out to be the mailman. She was bringing a certified letter from, where else, the regional tax office. No, the saga with the paid fine isn't over, yet.  Last month, when I went and everything wa...

I am sick and tired of the cars, of appointments, and of just having to deal with people. Since the end of last year, when my car went into the shop, it seems we haven't stopped having one problem or other. All this summer, we've been with one or the other, fiddling with problems they have, and getting them ready for their yearly inspections. Mine had to have gone in June, but because of the lockdown, I had until September. My husband's had to go last month, too. Today, I had an appointment for my car's inspection. I had recently changed a light bulb that was burnt out, as well as the oil and some filters. Levels were fine. I went this morning, hoping to get that little sticker on the windshield.  When the first guy started hitting the headlight, I got suspicious. Perhaps they were fogged up from staying out all night in the rain. I went through the line, and the last inspector was supposed to hand me all the paperwork. When I didn't see him reach for the sticker at...