The Stories That Walked Through the Door

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  There is something a little surreal about rolling a suitcase full of books into a bookstore when your name is on every cover. You write them quietly. You edit them. You second-guess them. You work through covers, publishing, distribution and all the details no reader ever sees. Then one day, you unpack those books onto a table in a beautiful independent bookstore and wait to see who walks through the door. Saturday at Bookery Manchester , they walked through. And what a gift they were. A Perfect Day for a Bookstore It was damp and gray outside, the kind of New Hampshire day that practically begs you to wander into a bookstore and stay awhile. Inside, my table was filled with The Internal Fungus Among Us , Rooted & Renewed , and Watered & Whole , along with bookmarks, information about my wellness work, and a wellness giveaway basket filled with all three signed books, my Gut Health Grocery Guide, a journal, candle, eye mask and a few other little things meant to e...
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Field Trips in Portugal

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Tiles, Tiles, and More Tiles: Lisbon’s Azulejo Magic

Tiles, tiles, and more tiles. I love it.

Lisbon has completely captured me, especially the stunning 15th to 17th century homes decorated with tile facades. Everywhere you turn, there’s another building covered in intricate patterns and bold colors, like the city is wrapped in art.

One of my favorite moments was seeing an authentic elderly woman sitting outside, watching traffic pass by as if she had been there for decades, quietly witnessing the world move along. Something about it felt so timeless, like Lisbon itself.



Behind the Scenes at a Tile Shop

I spent some time at a local tile shop, watching the process unfold. Portuguese tiles are everywhere here, and they’re not just decorative, they’re woven into the architecture and history of the city. You’ll find them on palaces, churches, buildings, and homes, each one telling a story in its own way.

These tin-glazed painted ceramic tiles are known as azulejos, and they are one of Portugal’s most iconic artistic traditions.

One fascinating fact I learned is that the Mariscal of St. Roque, located inside the Church of São Roque in Lisbon, is considered the first dated Portuguese azulejo composition, dating back to 1584.

Standing in the shop, watching the work being done, made me appreciate even more how much craftsmanship and patience goes into something that most of us admire from the sidewalk.



Kiln, Craftsmanship, and Everyday Lisbon Life

The workshop area was especially fascinating, the kiln, the tools, the quiet rhythm of the process. It wasn’t flashy. It was real craftsmanship in motion.

After that, I wandered through a farmers market, soaking in the energy of everyday Lisbon, fresh produce, local conversation, and that familiar sense of travel joy when you realize you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.















Dinner and the Perfect Ending

And then, the best part of any day abroad, dinner.

The finished product of the day: good food, full heart, and the kind of tired you feel after a day well lived.



Up Next: Forte de São Filipe

Next on the itinerary was a tour of Forte de São Filipe, a fort built in 1582 to help protect the region against piracy.

History, architecture, ocean views, and more stories waiting to be uncovered.













Amazing day. So much more to see.

Love & Light
jMf 

This journey eventually became part of what I wrote in Watered & Whole

If this story resonated with you, you can explore more reflections on healing, growth, and faith in my book From Soil to Soul: Watered & Whole, available on Amazon.

If this resonated with you, I share more reflections on gut health, healing, and whole-person wellness at Forward ThinKer Wellness. Follow along or reach out directly at forwardthinkerwellness@gmail.com — I'd love to connect.







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