Thursday, June 6, 2019

#1 TOURIST ATTRACTION

Waiting In Line To Get In
Know what the #1 tourist attraction in Porto is? No, it's not any of the castles or cathedrals or monuments. It's the tiny little Lello Bookstore -- the most beautiful bookstore in the world.


Why does one wait in a long line and pay five euros each to get into a tiny little bookstore? Well, not for it's beauty, 'tho that is something to behold.




No, people flock here because a certain author of a certain children's book series used to hang out here, back when it was a nice, quiet little place in which to write, and that amazing staircase inspired her to create the moving staircase at a certain school for young wizards.


There's even a secret room in the basement!


Know what else inspired J.K. Rowling while she lived in Porto?


The black cloaks that all the high school kids wear during their version of "rush", when they are choosing, or being chosen by, a certain house at their school.


Although I loved getting to see this place, I couldn't help but feel sorry for all the local people who used to hang out here, back when it was still the nice quiet little place that J.K. Rowling loved, and they didn't charge you five euros to get in! On the other hand, at least they applied that entry fee to the purchase I made for little Goober Bear.
 

Monday, June 3, 2019

FORTY FOUR YEARS!


Can you believe it? Friday was our 44th wedding anniversary! What made it even better was the fact that this couple right here, who's anniversary is just a couple of weeks from ours, was here to celebrate it with us. They have been here with us, right from the start, sharing in all our adventures. Some good, some not so good, but all better for having them here with us.

From our first meet-up in Bahrain as newlyweds...


through all the parties we threw together in Houston...

Toga! Toga! Toga!
My 30th Birthday Wake
through the celebration of our first Christmas with our two miracle babies and all the family adventures that followed...


 
to sending them off to college, seeing them all married, having to relearn how to have fun without them, and now discovering the joys of grandparenthood...



Paula and Tim have been right there with us, every step of the way.

Actually, we're getting pretty good at this "having fun without the kids" business. Here's hoping we have many more years in which to perfect this talent!