Quartzsite Cruiser

Joy, it's easy, and one my mother made a lot when I was growing up. It may not be the healthiest, but it's good, especially on a hot day. You just split a banana lengthwise, and if it's large cut each side into two pieces. The unhealthy part is the mayo spread on the banana; then, top it with pecan pieces. Usually, the bananas are large enough so we get two of the four pieces. Lenda

Vanessa, I'm glad your visit with your PCP went well, and that you BP is good. Pain, stress, and life in general can affect our bodies in a lot of ways. Terry, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Everyone has days and nights when they need human contact and support. Caregiving is a stressful, tiring, and often lonely job, and just know that we are here for you and all your family. It's better for everyone to reach out when things seem exhausting and you feel alone. I know it has helped me in the past to be able to turn to family and friends, including Dailyite friends, for that extra needed support. Lenda

Good morning just barely. The clouds are building, and the radar shows rain north of us with storms developing in our area later and lasting until sometime tomorrow morning. However, the predicted rain is not until 6pm, but we'll take it whenever we can get it. It is 92F and feels like 102F, so I'm glad I'm inside today. The radar also shows we are in the path of Beryl, which is predicted to be a category 1 storms when it reaches landfall in Brownsville. By the time it reaches Austin and then our area, probably Monday afternoon, it should mainly thunderstorms with winds 10 to 15 mph. The more I thought about fried chicken this morning, more I wanted some. Fried chicken from the air fryer, deviled eggs and banana salad will be on the menu tonight. I figured the leftovers could wait another day. Just in case anyone is interested, flip flops have always been the rubber or plastic sandal that make a noise when walking, and thongs are the regular sandals with the strap between the toes. This morning I got a text supposedly from USPS about a package that was at a transit center, but they needed more information about the address. There were many red flags, one of which is the USPS does not have my cell phone number; two, the link was an web address in Canada not USPS.com; and three, the country code for the text was the Philippines. I also know from experience, that if USPS can't deliver something as addressed, they send it back. So please be careful if you get a text about a package with an incomplete address. Sandi, thanks for the information about why you had to go through immigration. Things must have changed since we were in Europe before 2020. We've sailed from Greenland to Iceland, and from Iceland to Greenland back to Iceland, and never had to see an immigration official. I hope they learned a lesson and will do it better in the future. Most of St. John's is easy to walk around, but some of it's up a steep hill. There might be a city bus that will take you to Signal Hill, but for other places, a tour might be best. Annie, I hope you're feeling better by now. I'm happy that the insurance issue was fixed. Oh my, on the bathroom explorations by the kitties. They are really curious critters. I hope you are able to go out for pizza tonight. Debbie, I'm glad Rita had fun running around the dog park. The one time we took our dachshunds to a dog park, they just stood there as if to ask, what are supposed to do now. And they loved running around our yard and on the beach. Lenda

These are the rest of the pictures from St. Johns. There is no particular order, and many are just scenes of St. Johns. The downtown area near the dock. This was in 2003, and I think we were sailing towards the next port. A little further along the main street An intersection near several restaurants, one of which, a group of us ate lunch in 2003. The choices for our group were lobster or fish and chips, and both were good. In 2019, we didn't remember which restaurant was the one where we had lunch. The restaurants were just around the curve. There was an interesting statue in the intersection. The Johnson Geo Centre, a science museum, on the way to Signal Hill. We didn't have time to stop there and explore. These are general pictures of St. Johns. For the flower lovers These pictures were taken from Signal Hill and show the two BHBs. Lenda

We've been to St. John's, Newfoundland, twice. The first time in 2003 on Rotterdam VI, we took the Ho-Ho. The second time was in 2019 on the Veendam. We learned the Ho-Ho was gone, so we took the city bus that made a one hour loop. You had to be prepared to stay an hour at any stop or to walk, and we spent an interesting hour at Cabot Tower on Signal Hill. I have enough pictures that I'll need to divide them into two posts. Both posts will be a mix of pictures from both visits, and there will be a couple of repeats. I apologize in advance for the quality of some of the pictures. In 2003, it was cloudy with occasional rain and fog, so some of the pictures, especially distant shots, were not every good. The Ho-Ho from 2003 and the local bus from 2019. The City bus, and we got a little narrative. The Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist as seen from the Veendam in 2019. Inside the Basilica in 2003, with it's ornate ceiling. In 2019, we drove past St. Thomas Anglican Parish. In 2019, we spent an hour at Signal Hill, including touring inside the Cabot Tower. One of the rooms at the top of the tower with the signal flags. A lower room in the tower The powder magazine A plaque commemorating the first trans-Atlantic radio signals. Part of the view from a BHB Fort Amherst from Signal Hill. I know it's a repeat, but the WWII bunkers are visible in this picture. Lenda

Good sunny morning from central Texas where it is 81F and feels like 88F. The humidity is 85% with a dew point of 76F. As usual, the weather app says we have a 5mph wind, but the flag says no wind. The good news is our high will only be 93F with a good chance of scattered thunderstorms beginning at 2 pm, but of course, that is a moveable target. I just hope we get some rain today and overnight. We heard some fireworks last night, but not as many as usual. This morning, our little community received the sad news that one of our longtime neighbors died early this morning after battling lymphoma. He did a lot for the community and his church, and he will be missed. Thong day to me means the sandals, which I have been wearing for decades. I am not a fan of SpongeBob SquarePants, so I will not be celebrating that day. Fried chicken is a favorite of mine, but now it is fried in the air fryer, but probably not today. The quote is a bit strange to me. I like waffles, but I don't think I'd like them with zucchini. We'll pass on the drink. I would like to try the wine, but it is a bit pricey. We have been to St. Johns twice on BHBs. An interesting day in history with Isaac Newton's 1687 publication of Principia. @grapau27 Graham, thanks for the explanation of work without your hands day. @StLouisCruisers Sandi, what a mess with the immigration check. We've been to Iceland many times, and I don't remember having to go through immigration arriving or leaving, and especially not when going between ports in Iceland. @kazu Jacqui, I know your decision to move into independent living was not easy, especially as much as your love your home and garden. I also know it was made after much consideration about what is best for you and Ivan. I hope the move goes smoothly from this point forward, and that once you have your surgery, things will be easier. @Denise T Denise, many people don't pay attention to the fireworks laws. Then there are the idiots here in Texas and in Arizona who think firing a gun into the sky is harmless fun when it can be deadly. @superoma Eva, I hope the weather cooperates for your family fish fry. @ottahand7 Nancy, I'm sorry your DB is having such a rough time. @dfish Debbie, Rita is cute. I'm glad you are able to participate in all the family activities. @marshhawk Annie, I'm sorry your day off is not going well, and that you don't feel good. I hope you feel better soon. @smitty34877 Terry, it sounds like the family had a good cookout, and I'm glad Tana was able to participate. I wish she felt like eating more. @Heartgrove Jack, I hope your DSIL gets help with the hiatal hernia. Sometimes, just stretching the esophagus will help relieve problems with swallowing. I'm sorry your DBIL is battling pancreatic cancer and the chemotherapy is not going well. I'm also sorry Sam is having some different problems. The Alaska cruise next years sounds good. Lenda

Good evening. We saw three deer when we took our ride a few minutes ago. We also began hearing fiteworks while we were out. So far they are not as loud as in recent years. The ribs were perfect, and the baked beans were good too. The bad part of the food being so good is I ate too much. Don't worry, I still had room for a good size piece of cake. Tomorrow, it will be back to smaller portions. Karen, that is good news that your mother is doing so well. Ray, I'm glad Sara is doing well and has no heart problems. Elizabeth, we've bought our flags on line from Uncommon USA for about 14 years. They have a heavy duty US flag made in the US that has held up to high winds in Quartzsite very well. When it gets extremely windy, I do take the flags in. Debbie, thanks for the pictures of Addie. She's a real cutie with a sweet smile. Lenda

Thank you, Sharon. I stuck with two tips that could do straight lines, small scallops and stars. Those are easy, and really about all I can do without too many goofs. Lenda

Thanks, Carolyn. Dinner is about 6pm. I just wrapped the ribs, and they have another two hours before they will be tender, hopefully falling off the bone tender. Lenda

Good afternoon from a hot central Texas. It is 98F and feels like 106F. After a busy morning, I'm enjoying relaxing in the cool house. The ribs are in the smoker, and in a little less than an hour, I'll wrap them in foil for the last two hours of cooking. The baked beans are ready to go into the oven, and the cake is decorated. This year, I decided to skip an elaborate design and go simple. Gerry, I'm glad you are back home safely after a nice visit with your family and DDIL's parents. It sounds like your had an adventure coming home. Carolyn, I hope the kitties will stay calm tonight. So far we have not heard any fireworks, but I bet that changes tonight. The flowers are lovely. Ann, I'm glad you are feeling good now. Thanks for sharing your pictures of Gibraltar. Denise, I hope the two young ladies were not badly hurt and will be all right. That kind of excitement we can all do without. Lenda

Just about everything is ready for tonight's dinner. The cake is cooling and waiting to be frosted once I figure out how I want to decorate it. The baked beans are made and ready to be baked later, and the smoker is ready for the ribs with apple wood for the smoke flavor. I thought we had cherry and not apple, but was happy to find it was apple wood. We'll also have cantaloupe to go with the ribs and beans. Annie, I'm sorry your holiday is not the same after the loss of your DGF and your fiancé. Hugs headed your way. Thank you, Graham. I enjoyed your pictures from Gibraltar. Sandi, thanks for the update on the twins arrival. I'm sorry your twin is still having pain with her shoulder injury. I hope her doctor can help her with the injury when she goes next week. Terri, thanks for the pictures. I'm sorry your arm is still so painful. I hope the a/c tech showed you how to work the thermostat. I understand how you feel about your neighborhood changing. We are fortunate to have great neighbors, but most of the ones who moved here about the time we did have either moved or died. We're friendly with the neighbors, but not friends with most. One of my BFFs from elementary school on is my next door neighbor, and it's nice to have someone to remember old times with. Great picture of the purple finch, Brenda. Sharon, we have one of those smart thermostats, and have a couple of programs. We can override a program if necessary. The good thing about the thermostat is the wifi connection that lets us access it when we're not home. Now, when we're on our way home from Arizona or any place, we can change the settings and not have to get a neighbor to go change them for us. Lenda

We have been to Gibraltar five times, and sailed past the rock at least twice. Our first visit was in 2002 on Noordam III. The other visits were on Prinsendam in 2008, 2016 and 2017, and our final time was on Veendam in 2019. These pictures are from our 2002 visit. In addition to going up on the rock, we also visited the Roman baths, but I couldn't find pictures of the baths. Sailing in to the port Looking down at the airport The Noordam and P & O Oriana at the dock The main street and square in the walled city These mext pictures are from 2008 In 2016 we rode a city bus out to the lighthouse. In 2017 and 2019, we were in Gibraltar on Sunday when most shops were closed and there were fewer tourists. These are from 2017. In 2019, the streets almost felt deserted. A small chapel Uncrowded streets Lenda

Happy 4th of July to all the American Dailyites. Good morning from a mostly sunny central Texas. It is 80F and feels like 87F. We have a 7mph wind with 88% humidity and a dew point of 76F. It will be another hot day today with a predicted high of 101F. This morning I'll be putting the baked beans together so they're ready to be warmed for dinner, and I'll also be making a cake for desert. We'll celebrate National Barbeque Day by smoking a rack of baby back ribs. True barbeque is meat smoked over wood, but I'll cheat and used the electric smoker with cherry wood in the wood box. We're not big country music fans, but there are some country music songs I like. With country music you usually get a good beat and words you can understand. In all honesty, I avoid watching hot dog eating contests. A funny quote from Paula Poundstone. The meal might be good for our vegetarians in the family, but give me a burger with beef. We'll pass on the drink, but the wine sounds nice. We've been to Gibraltar several times beginning in 2002 on Noordam III. July 4, 1776, was a great day in our history when the Continental Congress proclaimed our independence from England, which made it a not so good day for England. @summer slope Dixie, I'm glad things are set for the implant procedure later this year. Thanks for the information on stock perks. @StLouisCruisers Sandi, I hope your wonderful memories of your dad make this day an easier day. @cat shepard Ann, thanks for the update on your sister. I'm glad she is doing much better. @dfish Debbie, enjoy your breakfast with your brothers, and the cookout with your nieces. Do we get a picture of Addie later? Lenda

Thank you for your concern about the hutticane, Graham. I just checked the weather app, and it looks like Beryl will go through the southern part of Texas south of San Antonio. We live nearer the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and we'll get rain over the weekend. Joy @Seasick Sailor lives just north of Austin, and should be safe from the storm with just some rain. Elizabeth @Haljo1935 is north of us in the DFW Metroplex area and will be even less affected. At 5 am today, Beryl's winds had dropped to 120mph from about 150mph. Crossing the Gulf of Mexico the storm could gain strength again, and the predicted path could change since hurricanes can be unpredictable. Since the three of us live inland, we should be safe from the worst of the storm, but get much needed rain. Lenda

Karen, thanks for the update on your DM. I'm glad she ismdoing well, and that they are being extra careful. Lenda

I just finished reading the thread, and now the possible banned number is five. There was a saying going around several years ago that covers a lot of situations, "Ship happens". Just be careful how you say it. I got a good laugh from the Chief Engineer on Prinsendam when I told hom. Debbie, you did goos at the outlet mall. The last two times I stopped in Macy's I was very disappointed. There was not the variety of merchandise, and even less range of sizes. The worst was the worn, filthy carpet. Brenda, I'm glad you can now take a regular showe. All the paintings are wonderful, but I love the first one. So far, we have not heard any fireworks. Unfortunately, I think that is about to change. Inhad to go to the dollar store, and when I passed the fireworks stand, there were a lot of customers. Lenda

Paul, I learned something new today. Thanks. I'm glad everyone was safe, but please, next time get out, and then call 911. Roy @rafinmd is correct, quilts and equipment can be replaced, people can't. Lenda

Good afternoon from a hot and windy central Texas. The weather app says it's 96F but feels like 103F. It was hot when I took the golf cart up to the mailbox, and if it hadn't been for the wind, it would have been miserable. Our humidity has dropped to 48% with a dew point of 68F, and that makes it a bit more comfortable outside. The house is clean, and I'm waiting for the towels to finish drying. Since the house looks good, we're having our neighbors over for happy hour this afternoon. We always have happy hour here since they have a cat, and DH is allergic. Besides the package I was expecting, we received a Christmas card today from our neighbors down the street. They had mailed it last December, and used our Texas address thinking it would be forwarded to Quartzsite. However, unknown to us until much later, our forwarding request did not go through because the local post office missed a step. Anyway, the label on the envelop said undeliverable, return to sender. I guess it was just now going to the sender, and our mail carrier saw the address and put it in our box. Thank you, Graham. Joy, our condolences to your neighbor on the passing of her mother. I'm glad your foot is almost healed. Tina, we all need to do our part in reducing the use of plastics, and a much better job of recycling or disposing of it. When calms are not easy to get, and a Howard Johnson's was close, that was the best place to get fired clams. We've also gotten some very good fried clams in Charleston, OR, near Coos Bay. RNB, now we know, you don't need to worry about the neighbor who's house the cops stop in front of. Paul, that must have been scary. I'm glad it turned out all right, but it would have been nice to find the correct address. Terry, I may not say it often, but you, Tana, the teenager, and the rest of the family are always in my thoughts. After DH's surgeries and other problems, I understand the isolation. HUGS Tony, thanks for your pictures from Rhodes. Now, I know where my picture of the donkeys was taken. After reading your post, DH is watching the Guns of Navaronne again. Enjoyed seeing your pictures, Ann. Oskar is a cutie. Sharon, glad you figured your iPhone settings out. It always feels good when you can do that. Carolyn, your family's trip sounds like a few rv trips we took with the DDs. Enjoyed your pictures from Rhodes. Lenda

The island of Rhodes. These pictures were taken as we drove along the north side of the island. Near the far end of the north shore, we stopped at a small harbor with a café where we had a coke. There was a Lycean tomb in the hill by the harbor. Lycean tombs are not normally found on Rhodes. It is the area of the hill that looks manmade. We saw the runs of Kritinia Castle on the hill near the harbor; so we drove up there but did not go inside. A secluded beach which I think is on the south shore. I'm not sure where these were taken, but I thought they were interesting. It might have been in Rhodes Town or one of the villages the taxi driver showed us in 2003. A view of Lindos from an overlook up in the hills Lindos from the parking lot on the main road And finally, our elegant home away from home Lenda

We have been to Rhodes three times. In 2003, the old Regal Princess stopped there on the mystery cruise. Because of the Iraq invasion and SARS, Rhodes was not crowded. The next two times, 2016 and 2017, we were there on the Prinsendam. Part of our days were spent walking around town, and the rest of the day we either hired a taxi for a tour (2003) or rented a car. I am going to divide my pictures between Rhodes town and the rest of the island. This is where the Colossus of Rhodes stood in ancient times. (Added that I read something last week that said this might not have been the place. So who knows after so many centuries.) The area around the harbor entrance, but outside the city walls A church in the area Inside the old city Inside the Grand Masters Palace, where most of the furnishing had been moved to Malta The Acropolis of Rhodes, which is surrounded by the modern city. Lenda

Good morning from a clear central Texas where the sun is just now appearing over the tops of the trees. Again we have a 5mph wind according to the weather app, but no wind according to the neighbor's flag. it is 76F and feels like 76F with 85% humidity and a dew point of 71F. Our predicted high is 99F. The good news is there is rain in our future forecast beginning Friday and through most of next week. The forecast is for scattered thunderstorms, some of which may be from Beryl, but this far inland the winds should not be a problem. We'll take any rain we can get. We see the painted rocks around the neighborhood here and in Quartzsite, but with my lack of artist ability, I'll not be dropping any rocks. Yes to fried clams day, but they are hard to find here. The fewer plastic bags we use the better, and I try not to use too many. Mother Teresa was a wise woman, and I like the quote. Lamb kebabs would be good, but since DH is not a fan of lamb, I'll wait to get my lamb on a BHB. I would prefer a tequila sunrise, and I'll skip the Riesling since it could be sweet. We have visited Rhodes several times, and I'll repost my pictures next. Yeah to the beginning of the Dow-Jones Index in 1884. @StLouisCruisers Sandi, I'm glad your DH is getting over his cold. Cute picture of Sadie. @grapau27 Graham, thanks for the explanation of drop a rock day. @Denise T Denise, I hope any fireworks don't bother Fancy or the cats. @ottahand7 Nancy, I'm glad your DB saw the surgeon yesterday, but I wish he didn't have to wait to have the knee drained. I hope he reconsiders the needed surgery, but can understand his being a bit leery. @kazu Jacqui, I'm sorry you will need surgery, but I hope it's soon so you can be out of pain and can get some decent sleep. @RedneckBob RNB, Howard Johnson fried clams were the best, especially when followed by their fudge ripple ice cream. @cat shepard Ann, where's a six year old when you need them? I hope the dealership can help with the display problem. Once I repost my pictures of Rhodes, I'm off to a fun day of house cleaning. Lenda

Terri, I'm sorry your arm is not any better. I'm also sorry you are having problems with the a/c unit and the thermostat. I hope it's not serious and can easily be fixed. Lenda

Debbie, I know the doctors in the practices owned by hospitals and insurance companies are frustrated, but I still say those companies care more abiutnthe bottom line than good patient care. That affects everyone. Karen, I'm glad your mother is doing well after her surgery. Continued positive thoughts for a quick amd full recovery. Thank you for the update about Barb. I'm glad she is doing well after the radiation treatment. Lenda

Cute picture, Carolyn. We've been lucky that the few specialists we've seen have let us get the necessary tests, x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs at our PCP's office or a place closer to us. Joy, living out in the country, it's hard to keep the native grasses out of the cultivated areas. Also, I'm to blame for the recent invasion. Several years ago, when the grass was growing so fast due to the fertilizer, we decided to skip it a year or two, that turned into a few more years. With the grass not as robust as it should have been, the crab grass moved in. The past two years and this year, we've fertilized in the spring and in the fall, plus sprayed heavy duty weed killer. There is only a bit of crab grass in the grass now, but we know we have to keep on top of it. If I kill the crabgrass in the native area, we'll have bare dirt that will be dry and dusty in the summer. So the crabgrass being green most of the year is the lesser of two evils, but not by much. Our sodded areas are looking better than they have in several years. I do not want to haul in topsoil, add more to the sprinkler system and sod the native areas. Plus part of the area is the utility right-of-way, that we can't do anything with but keep looking presentable. Lenda

Good afternoon after a busy day. It is 100F, and the sky has turned hazy. I'm not sure if it is a thin cloud layer or the Sahara dust that is heading our way from Africa. After checking on line, I think it is the dust cloud, and there may be another to follow this one. @Sir PMP DH found the movie "Beyond Mombasa" on a streaming service, and watched it today, It looked like a fairly decent B movie. Gerry, I don't blame you for being miffed about the missing lab order. We're lucky here that our PCP has someone in the office every day to do the blood draws. We can schedule the blood tests before our annual or semi-annual visits, or have them done shortly after we see the doctor or the PA, and before leaving. There is even a small x-ray machine in the office, and an x-ray tech comes one morning a week. Even in Quartzsite, there is someone who comes to the clinic on Monday and Tuesday mornings to do the draws. There it is on a first come, first served basis, and timing is everything. Vanessa, even with the reported sore back muscles, it is so good to read that you are able to do so much. I hope BFF gets a good report from the six week follow up visit and is able to start some weight bearing on his ankle. I'm glad you are still planning on your fall cruise. Even just being on a ship and being pampered will be good. Joy, I'm glad Allen gained some weight even it it wasn't quite a pound. I hope the low WBC is not a problem. It's too bad your doctor is moving, and you have to "break in" a new one. We're lucky our PCP has a busy and thriving practice, so we should not have that worry. Good luck with getting rid of the crab grass. I've been fighting that battle for more years than I can remember. Even the weed killer that is supposed to kill it, only gets it to die back some. Pulling it can help temporarily, but you can never get it all. I'm at the point, that it's not as bad in the Bermuda grass, and in the unsodded areas, it's green and not too bad when it's mowed. 😁 Debbie, I'm beginning to think that these medical practices owned by hospitals or big medical conglomerates are only interested in the bottom line, not the patients. Elizabeth, she's a cutie with a big decision. Paul, I'm sure you will get the presentation done in plenty of time, but waiting so late was inconsiderate of the conference planners. @kazu Jacqui, I hope the vascular surgeon had some answers for you, and a plan to fix you leg and foot. Lenda