Còrdoba morning ramble

Off to the Patios, first thing.. rugged up against the weather, nobody in the streets, which were previously crowded the night before. Whoops, have we been ripped off with these tickets. We finally found the first one, the door was ajar, but no signs of life. Then we found an open patio and the man says the orhers we saw hey are private homes, so you must knock. The patios are not small but are FULL of plants, up to the sky. They look especially charming against the white walls. It is all a blur, we have seen so many. However, what stands out are the walls that are almost completely covered. Those with a set of stairs, those with a verandah, like a little top storey. Secondly, the wide variety and habit of the plants. There are mostly geraniums, petunias but there are many different colours, textures and sizes. The two-toned geraniums look like velvet Some have big flouncy petals like petunias. Some tumble in huge cascades from above, their flowers pointing downwards. There's l9vely hard landscape features, too. Tiny kitchens, just off the patio, wells, complete with bucket and rope. A bamboo pole with a tin attached for watering the high potplants. Lovely old photos. The crowds building like crazy. Then a coffee break, off to the Mesquita for midday mass with Don. In the middle door, full security. "Ir A misa?" Security stopping people with cameras. Scanning continuously, conscientiously. Found the last available seat in the main body. Twolarger seating areas either side with a wide screen TV. Plenty of time to spare before the start.to take in the scenery and the vibe. There was a row with four men, funny. Choir was out the back in the enclosure, where there was a bit of action, Then start with a big procession from the side. Twelve adult altar servers, 4 con-celebrants, including the archbishop, maybe a cardinal, not sure, . He didn't seem important enough,

Habit of the week, from Portugal

Attend to your neck tube

Imagine that some part of your neck can be represented by a tube.  You may choose your windpipe, or your oesophagus or your spinal cord.  Picture it as a piece of flexible tubing, like an exercise cord.  Imagine holding a piece of tubing at the top, and let it drape downwards. Relax and lengthen your real neck and, of course, drop your shoulders, too.

Now picture the tube stretching forward.  This represents the "head forward" posture, and thus putting a kink or bend in your imaginary tube.  This represents the posture when we tilt our chin upwards to lift our head..  No you don't.  Try not to shorten the back of your neck.

This week's habit, lengthen your own neck (tube).  It is a handy cue to better posture, therefore less neck pain.  So it keeps you looking younger, slimmer  and and smarter.