September 13, 2025
Today is a special day. I know - I say that about EVERY day. That's the point, get it?
Anyhoo - I digress. Today is Tammy's birthday and I have to say - she looks damm fine for 35! I've never been blessed with the art of Present Giving, and after 40 years, for the most part, Tammy and I have played that scene out. We don't have to wait for our birthday to get something we want. I still enjoy surprising her when I can, but admittedly in our retirement, where we spend lots of time together - opportunities for that are few and far in between. Now - we prefer to give each other experiences.
None the less, weeks ago, I asked Tammy what she wanted for her birthday. Her response was: "Take me to Montreal". No problem.
The 90 minute drive was uneventful, although a particularly uniform road defect had me thinking I had a tire problem for a ittle while. In talking to others, I was told that parking in Montreal is a big issue, but we found a wide open lot right in the middle of everything. $35 for the day - but in the city, ya gotta pay to play.
Birthday girl in the big city. Oh boy!
First stop - Bascilica of Notre Dame.
Tammy said a prayer for my cousin, who is sick. Cancer sucks.
This pipe organ has over 7,700 pipes. Bet that puppy sounds nice on Christmas morning.
We walked to Old Town and Tammy's Shopping Spidey Senses started flaring up. She's like a Pointer in a grouse field! A cute one, no less.
it's a little early for lunch, but when Tammy saw this sign, that was it.
It's the little things....
Lobsta Roll for the Birthday Girl, breakfast lunch for Pants. My "pick the cheapest thing with meat on it" method for restaurants is still in effect. You don't come to Quebec for the food.
Bellies full - back to shopping!!!
The Old Town here is very nice. Impeccably clean. The buildings are not as old as Quebec City,, but the archetecture is still very nice.
City Hall is pretty elaborate.
So here was my "surprise". At the nature station a couple weeks ago, I spoke briefly with a very nice gentleman that was volunteering there. He was a retired professor from Montreal. I asked him for a suggestion of something "different" to do in Montreal. He suggested the Museum of Illusions. I thought it would be fun and it was only about 6 blocks from Old Town.
So we went.
Now - I firmly believe that in this world there are only 2 kinds of people:
1. Math and Science.
2. not Math and Science.
I am most assuredly #1. Tammy is #2. I was worried that this place might be a little too much #1 for her, but as it turns out, she LOVED it.
They did a wonderful job of providing exhibits that allowed the visitor to immerse themselves.
Things ain't always what they seem.
Goofy girl!!
That was fun and something "out of the box" for both of us.
We walked a different way back to Jacque Cartier Square to take in more of the city. Coincidence or not, MANY weddings were taking place today in the various city buildings - seemed unusual to us.
Why not sit for a minute and relax?
It's a lovely day. The temperature is RIGHT at Tammy's sweet spot (68-ish). I couldn't plan it better.
We walked to the old pier and heard the familiar "boom boom" of woofers being overdriven. As the sound got more intense (Bass is omnidirectional - lol), we realized that there was a free skateboarding exhibition going on. All of the performers were female.
These kids were good.
From there, we walked across the marina to the truck and headed home.
Happy Birthday, babe. May today and everyday be filled with happiness and peace. Together.
Stay thirsty, my friends.....
