STL DPB ON THE ROAD - STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN, OR TO KNICK-KNACKS

More from the El Rastro Sunday market. It's not that big, certainly not compared to Portobello Road in London or Feria San Telmo in Buenos Aires, but it's fun and colorful. Even old guy vendors can keep rockin' on while they peddle their wares.                  

 

STL DPB ON THE ROAD - FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MADRID

Shooters everywhere. This was found in the weekly El Rastro flea market in the neighborhood where we are staying. From what we have seen in our brief time here, the city is handsome with old buildings well-preserved. The streets are thronged with people out for a typically late Spanish Sunday lunch. Everyone has been friendly. The hotel where we are staying is a little gem. Glad we came.         

IN CHICAGO - NEXT STOP

BYE TO THE LOU FOR NOW

A last look at tulips in Tower Grove Park before getting back in the air tomorrow. The route is St. Louis - Chicago - Madrid. We have lots of activities booked and the weather there sounds simply gorgeous.              

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

During our walk around Washington University, my sister wanted to stop by Graham Chapel. The university has Methodist and Episcopal roots, but the chapel has been without affiliation for a long time. Mary Beth recalled that there were no classes at 11 AM on Wednesday and that there was always an interesting speaker here at that time. She recalled hearing Jane Fonda addressing the students during the Vietnam War.           

WASH U

I left NY/NJ and came to St. Louis University in 1967 (I know - OMG). I was the oldest of four so when I ended up about a thousand miles away my mother thought her children hated her. Two years later, my sister, Mary Beth Crowe, Ph.D., enrolled at Washington University across town. Then mom was sure her children hated her, but the younger two stayed in the northeast. Wash U, as we call it, is much more prestigious than my place and is generally considered one of the top 10 or 20 universities in this country. She was always a more serious student than me.

When the family was here last weekend, my sister wanted to go for a memory walk. This is Brookings Hall, the old main administration building. The campus is gorgeous. St. Louis U isn't bad (look what became of me) but we've always felt a bit inferior.

Posts for the next few days may be hit and miss until we get to Madrid on Sunday.

        

THE KIDS

As mentioned, we had family and friends come from all over for our daughter Emily's memorial service last Saturday. Of course, our son, Andy, and his family came down from Michigan. So these are all three of our grandchildren: upper left, Ellie, the local, 10; cousin Audrey, 8; and wild guy grandson Atlas, 5, in an unusual moment of repose, at the bottom. 

These cousins are tight friends, particularly the girls. Sometimes Atlas tries to bust up their activities. I have no Idea how Audrey learned to go bug-eyed on one side and cross the other eye to the middle. Who knows how many likes could get on Facebook or Instagram? Not that her parents would ever allow it.