Sunday, September 7, 2014
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Market Day in Portugal
Friday, September 5, 2014
Travels with Amy
Amy and Barry are spending a month in Portugal (and I think Spain, too) and I told her to send some photos. I especially requested food photos, to which Amy told me she's too busy eating to be photographing her food. Maybe she'll change her mind.
First, the geography... where is Lisbon where they are now?
Mini Lesson from Wikipedia: The Castle of São Jorge is a Moorish castle occupying a commanding hilltop overlooking the historic centre of the Portuguese city of Lisbon and Tagus River. The strongly fortified citadel dates from medieval period of Portuguese history, and is one of the main tourist sites of Lisbon.
Post-script of Amy's day: We had a great day taking a free (well, pay what you want at the end) guided walking tour of Lisbon. The kid is working on his Master's degree in Social Economics and he was a delight. Born and raised in Lisbon, spoke perfect English and gave us great facts and some entertaining stories about the city and Portuguese history without ever dragging us into a tourist shop, a cafe or restaurant or museum. It was terrific and we paid him fair at the end (which was good because he gave us directions to walk back to where the good seafood restaurants were down by the water). Ate well, drank, kicked back, and then finally took the subway back to the hotel just before rush hour. Now we are done for the day. I like long, late lunches and no supper.
First, the geography... where is Lisbon where they are now?
 |
| Amy writes: Your first of many glimpses of Portugal. Shot from a beautiful little park just under the castle of St. Jorge's. |
Mini Lesson from Wikipedia: The Castle of São Jorge is a Moorish castle occupying a commanding hilltop overlooking the historic centre of the Portuguese city of Lisbon and Tagus River. The strongly fortified citadel dates from medieval period of Portuguese history, and is one of the main tourist sites of Lisbon.
Post-script of Amy's day: We had a great day taking a free (well, pay what you want at the end) guided walking tour of Lisbon. The kid is working on his Master's degree in Social Economics and he was a delight. Born and raised in Lisbon, spoke perfect English and gave us great facts and some entertaining stories about the city and Portuguese history without ever dragging us into a tourist shop, a cafe or restaurant or museum. It was terrific and we paid him fair at the end (which was good because he gave us directions to walk back to where the good seafood restaurants were down by the water). Ate well, drank, kicked back, and then finally took the subway back to the hotel just before rush hour. Now we are done for the day. I like long, late lunches and no supper.
Tomorrow we get the car and head north. I just booked us an apartment in a
beach town through airbnb.com, a service I love. Well, if this works
out I'll love it. I've used it in other cities and it has worked great. More to
come!
Thursday, September 4, 2014
What I'm Reading
I finished Orphan Train, and really enjoyed it -- decided to move on to true crime -- you can't go wrong with an Ann Rule book so this is it. Haven't started it yet:
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Lunch with Judy
Judy is my longest duration friend. Believe it or not, we went to nursery school together. In those days, there were two years of kindergarten -- junior and senior, and we were in junior kindergarten together. I was three years old, turned four that October. Hmmmm... that was a while ago. I still remember my older sister taking my hand and bringing me to the junior kindergarten room, dropping my hand and there I was!
I couldn't decide which photo I preferred so here's both:
I couldn't decide which photo I preferred so here's both:
Spaetzle Night in Wisconsin
I follow Kelly on Twitter -- she's a friend and colleague and I tease her and call her Pioneer Woman as she is always canning, baking or sitting in a deer blind. Today I asked her what's for dinner, and she is celebrating a relative's 81st birthday at their home. She thought they'd have something German.
So here it is -- spaetzle making;
So here it is -- spaetzle making;
Wikipedia says: Spätzle are a kind of soft egg noodle or dumpling found in the cuisines of southern Germany and of Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Alsace and South Tyrol.
I haven't had it in a long time, but oh boy, slap some gravy on that and hand me a spoon! Here is a favorite image -- mushrooms, gravy and spaetzle:
/
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
First Day of School
Today was the first day of school for my two nieces and nephew and I talked to each of them last night to see what their expectations are for the year. Each was sad the summer was over, but also sorta kinda looked forward to getting back into the swing of things in school. They go to the same public high school I did... and can you believe it? Things have changed in 40 years.
For example, there is no homeroom. We started the day with a 10-minute or so homeroom. They still have the Pledge of Allegiance. No more study hall. In its place is something called Academic Laboratory which is a room with computers and a few teachers where you are supposed to do work. There is no dress code except for two things -- boys can't wear tank tops and girls shorts have to come down long enough so if you're standing up your fingertips touch your shorts. Plus, there was one more thing -- no "distracting" clothes -- that's open to interpretation.
We used to have "assemblies" which were (supposed to be) entertaining. They still have them, but my older niece (going into 10th grade) described it as "some old heroin addict talking about drugs" and then stuff on cyber bullying.
According to the kids, unconfirmed by their father, is a deal that if they each (and all?) make the high honor roll, they get something big. Charlotte wants a new phone. Clark wants an Xbox, and Louisa wants a kitten. The kitten is already named -- Lucy.
We had seven periods; they have nine. Clark and Louisa (twins) are in separate classes where they are given a choice to be together or be separate. They had gotten their schedules two weeks ago and what you do is post it to Instagram so your friends can see what classes you have.
Just checked back with all three to hear tales of the first day of school... this was a very hot day and the school isn't air conditioned so everyone was sweating. One day down. 180 to go.
For example, there is no homeroom. We started the day with a 10-minute or so homeroom. They still have the Pledge of Allegiance. No more study hall. In its place is something called Academic Laboratory which is a room with computers and a few teachers where you are supposed to do work. There is no dress code except for two things -- boys can't wear tank tops and girls shorts have to come down long enough so if you're standing up your fingertips touch your shorts. Plus, there was one more thing -- no "distracting" clothes -- that's open to interpretation.
We used to have "assemblies" which were (supposed to be) entertaining. They still have them, but my older niece (going into 10th grade) described it as "some old heroin addict talking about drugs" and then stuff on cyber bullying.
According to the kids, unconfirmed by their father, is a deal that if they each (and all?) make the high honor roll, they get something big. Charlotte wants a new phone. Clark wants an Xbox, and Louisa wants a kitten. The kitten is already named -- Lucy.
We had seven periods; they have nine. Clark and Louisa (twins) are in separate classes where they are given a choice to be together or be separate. They had gotten their schedules two weeks ago and what you do is post it to Instagram so your friends can see what classes you have.
Just checked back with all three to hear tales of the first day of school... this was a very hot day and the school isn't air conditioned so everyone was sweating. One day down. 180 to go.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)