Move to the cabin, she said

 . . . it will be fun, she said.

OK, so we've moved on to lovely June, but I feel I should post them just to remind myself of the true nature of the #YankeeHellhole.

Lula grelhada

 I don't know, do you think I'm getting excited about next month's return trip to Portugal? This was at a restaurant in the main thoroughfare in Viana do Castelo.

Seriously, I may have a problem.

That Boy

 Yes, I know I post an endless series of pictures of my son, but, some on, he's my son. Heaven forbid any grandkids ever show up.

Here's G3 jumping into Lake Champlain, which is right behind his place. He is ably assisted by Ali. I think the island in the background is where they're getting married next summer. Oh, and I can't believe how cold that water must have been - he sent me that picture in April.

Alho e vampiros

 Just a quick silly picture of the garlic I put next to our 13th century cottage window while we were in northern Portugal. In between the creepy graineries and the fact that we never saw anyone alive in neighboring Lindoso we weren't taking any chances.

Sintra Stairs

 OK, so Sintra was sort of a bust last year, mainly because all of the amazing historical sites in the nearby environs were closed because of the wildfires. Still, how can simply roaming around Sintra itself leave one unhappy?

However, you can see why getting my legs sorted out is so necessary.

Eu sou um sujeito simples

 OK, I know I've posted this picture before, but, seriously, my mouth is watering. I'm a simple man: I could eat grilled octopus every day for lunch and be quite happy. Oh, and, of course, sangria. We'll be back in Portugal in no time now. This makes me way too happy.

Polvo grelhado e batatas.

Four Missing Decades

 I was talking to my old friend Bill earlier today (in the process pointing out to him that August will be the 45th anniversary of when we became friends) and I told him that I suddenly feel like I'm missing about four decades. It's not that I'm regretting what I didn't do, because I've done more in my lifetime than can be logically explained. Rather, my declining health has led to this almost cosmic feeling of disconnect. When I turned fifty I was very sad and pessimistic about the decade to come. Instead, it was an amazing ten year stretch where I spent so much time with friends, got engaged twice, and travelled all over the globe, and my health was great. Essentially, in my 50s I felt like I was living my 30s. Almost exactly after I turned sixty my health took a turn for the worse, and suddenly I feel now like I expected to feel in my 80s. So, I feel like I'm suddenly missing several decades. So, if you find them could you drop me a line. That said, I'm not giving up and the doctors continue to test away (yes, of course, I would love a third EMG - another MRI, this time with dye - a biopsy of muscle - sure, why not? This sounds great!!). I have a lot more living to do so my body better sort itself out.

Still, this guy looks awfully happy (if weather-beaten). Janet snapped the picture in Porto on the afternoon I asked her to marry me. Fortunately, and happily, she said yes.