I had arrived in Porto in late afternoon, so I spent a couple of hours unpacking and taking a nap before setting out for a walk around the area near my hotel. The first thing I saw was the exterior of the 18th century Igrejo de Santo Ildefenso. This was just a few steps from my hotel and is one of many churches whose exterior is covered with ( Read more... )

I’ve mostly recovered from jet lag, so I should probably get around to writing about my recent trip ( Read more... )

I just got home from my trip to Portugal and the Azores. It will take me a few days to catch up, but I'm fine and I had a good time for the most part.

I already wrote about RhinoStock. So what else has been going on in May ( Read more... )

1 APR: April Fool’s jokes. Yay or nay? It depends on the joke. Yay to things that are somewhat believable, Nay to cruel practical jokes.

2 APR: Ferret Day: What’s your favorite mustelid? I had to look up “mustelid.” Having done so, I can safely say that otters are the best kind of mustelid.

3 APR: Bookmobile Day: Have you ever seen a ( Read more... )

I’d made plans for this past weekend back in February. Luka Bloom, an Irish folk singer I’ve wanted to see perform for a long time, was going to be performing in London. You are probably unfamiliar with his name, but you may know of his brother, Christy Moore, who is a big name in Irish music. Anyway, I discussed this with the gentleman with ( Read more... )

1. What Is Your Favorite Type of Art? I like a lot of different types of art, so it’s hard to choose one. If I’m really pressed, I supposed I’d have to say fiber art. I also care a lot about how color is used, which is why I love both Van Gogh and Caravaggio, who are otherwise quite different.

2. What Skill Could You Teach in Two Minutes? I ( Read more... )

Here’s an attempt at getting all caught up before doing too many things again.

Celebrity Death Watch: Steve Lawrence was a pop singer and actor, best known for his collaboration with his wife, Eydie Gorme (who died in 2013). David E. Harris was the first African-American to be a commercial pilot (for American Airlines). Barbara Hilyer wrote ( Read more... )

Background, Part 1 - Eclipses: Somewhere around 2000 or so, I wrote a “life list,” a term I prefer to “bucket list” because I think it has a more positive emphasis. One of the items on it was “see a total solar eclipse.” To be honest, that was an item I had cribbed from the lists several other people had written and was not so much something I ( Read more... )

1 Mar: World Compliment Day: What’s the nicest thing someone’s said to you? That’s tough. I guess I like it when I’m complimented on my creativity and on my wit.

2 Mar: Dr. Seuss Day: What’s your favorite Dr. Seuss character or story? I like to try reading children’s books in Spanish, so I’m going to go with Huevos verdes con jamón.

3 Mar: ( Read more... )