Quartzsite Cruiser

Good morning from a very overcast central Texas.  We got a bit of rain last night, and the prediction is for more rain this afternoon.  It is 73F with 100% humidity since the dew point is also 73F.  Our predicted high today is 84F.  It looks like another day to stay inside after I get the grocery shopping out of the way.

I guess my getting outdoors will be this morning, and hopefully, it will be nice enough for our evening golf cart ride.  Making life beautiful is a great goal.  We definitely do not have a crowded nest.

I like the Isaac Asimov quote, which is true.

I like blueberry muffins, but without the oatmeal, please.  A margarita would be nice, but I'll stick with my much less expensive Riesling.

We have visited Kodiak many times by ferry, one Princess cruise and the rest on BHBs.

Two interesting days in history for the US and Britain.

@Vict0riann  Ann, I hope your appointment goes well today, and you leave with a plan of action.

@MISTER 67  I hope you don't lose power any more with the weather coming your way.  I also hope your golf game gets back on track.

@grapau27  Graham, thanks for the explanation of crowded nest day.

@ottahand7  Nancy, I hope you will get the injection to help with the pain today.

@Mr. Boston  It's always a relief when buyers pass the financial tests.  I hope everything about the move goes smoothly.

@Haljo1935  Elizabeth, I hope your PCP signs the required paperwork.  Good luck with the eye procedure today.  Please wish your sister a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY for us.

@aliaschief  Bruce, that was good luck getting the dental appointment today.  

@LambKnuckles  Lambie, I also like seeing the sea otters.  They remind me of little old men.

Lenda

23 minutes ago, durangoscots said:

We have finally had some showers. Not much, but I will take it. And it is chilly right now... temp is an actual 61, but it feels like 55. After the heat, it is welcome. Looks like they have backed off a bit on our highs tomorrow too. And my handyman will be here to deal with the fan.

 

Susan

Susan, that is good news about the rain and cooler temperatures.  I'm glad your handyman is coming to deal with the fan.

Lenda

We got a bit of rain this afternnon, 0.14 inches, and it rained pretty hard for a time.  When we took our ride tonight, we noticed the humidity had dropped considerably.  The temperature was a pleasant 79F.   We also saw all fourn of our deer.

Lenda 

Good afternoon from a warm, 87F, central Texas.  We've had a north wind on and off for most of the afternoon, but it still reached 89F.  It has been cloudy all day, but I can see some blue sky now, so I don't know if we'll get any rain.  A couple of rain showers a week would be good.  I've caught up on a few things, but nothing major today.

5 hours ago, bennybear said:

Good morning and thanks all!  Hard to type with one finger.  As I snuggle the Granddog!  
 

@Denise T happy birthday! 
@StLouisCruisers glad the ice is broken, uncomfortable but beats the alternative. And the view is always better when you take the high road! 
@smitty34877 glad the teenager had a great time!  Hope your weekend wasn’t too exhausting! 
@ger_77 thanks for the update on Maurice, glad he is recovering so well! 
@Cruzin Terri hope things are improving! 
@kazu some extra hugs! 
 

 

 We’ve enjoyed Malta a couple of times, first with DD’s Maltese friends touring us around.  I’ll try to share some different photos.   
 

We greatly enjoyed seeing the extremely ancient ruins, Hagar Qim.   Over 5000 years old. 
 

Thanks for the pictures from Malta, Brenda.

5 hours ago, kazu said:

Good afternoon all.  Thanks for our Monday Daily Rich and thanks to Vanessa, Ann, Debbie & Dixie.

 

Good collection of days and LOL on the Marx quote.  Valletta, Malta is on our itinerary this Fall and I have secured a great guide who should show us the fishing village, Medina & much more.  it should be a great day albeit a long one 😉

 

@aliaschief Bruce - welcome home to you both.  Thanks so much for sharing your fantastic journey and travels with us 🙂 

 

Went to bed sick with pain.  Woke up feeeling somewhat better until I started to do stuff.  Prayers for all those that need them every day 🙏 

 

 

 

 

 

Jacqui, I'm sorry you had so much pain last night, but I'm glad you were feeling somewhat better this morning.

4 hours ago, Cruising-along said:

Good morning all!

Morning clouds and cooler than yesterday.  But no rain!  

I have a lot of ballpoint pens, I prefer the medium tip over the fine. Not much of an iced tea gal, I'd choose iced coffee over iced tea.  Pass on the meal, drink and wine.  We were in Valletta in 2019 -- loved that port!

 

Today I have a dental appointment to get a filling, and other than that it will be more gardening and some housework.  

 

Happy Birthday @DeniseT!

Sandi @StLouisCruisers You handled that situation perfectly -- in fact that's what I was hoping you would do.  You took the high road, Bravo!

Welcome to the Daily @shippmates, I hope we see you here often!

Debbie @dfish Ugh, so sorry you had a bad night last night.  I hope tonight is much, much better.  I don't have any problem getting to sleep, but always (always) wake up around 2 or 3 and it's awhile before I get back to sleep.

 

We were in Valletta in October of 2019 on our long 65-day anniversary cruise(s) on the NS and the Koningsdam.  We took an all-day tour that day, starting with a 90-minute walking tour of Valletta, then visited St. John's Co-Cathedral, to the Tarxien Temples dating from 3150 B.C., a glass blowing factory (I rarely buy anything at the shops but fell in love with a few pieces there).  Then lunch, and on to Mdina where we had a huge thunderstorm and had to dodge the driving rain. Even still, it was a great day!

 

Here are some photos from our day in Valletta -- The weather wasn't the best (and terrible in Mdina) so I don't have many outdoor photos.

 

The Koningsdam in Valletta

 

Valletta

 

I had to pick just a few of the many, many photos I took inside St. John's Co-Cathedral

 

 

 

Tombs underneath the floor of the church

 

Next 3 photos are from the Tarxien Temples

 

 

 

Unfortunately I got very few photos in Mdina because of the thunderstorm.

 

The rain was pouring off buildings and we spent a lot of time running from shop to shop just to stay somewhat dry.

 

I hope everyone has a great day!

 

Carolyn, I hope the dental appointment went well today.  Thanks for sharing your pictures of Valletta.

3 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Just dropping in after dinner to catch up and thank so many of you for your support today.  @JazzyV, @quilty964, @Quartzsite Cruiser, @RMLincoln, @bennybear, @Nickelpenny, and @Cruising-along.  I really appreciate it!

 

We had good news around dinner time too from our travel agent.  We noticed Saturday when this new cruise started that our CCL shareholder credit wasn't on our account.  We went to Guest Services with some information we had with us, and also sent an email to our travel agent.  This morning she was able to call the World Cruise dept.and get it applied.  She said it was there originally but dropped off somehow. It may take a couple of days because the WC dept has to email the ship about it.  Very good news and we're happy to have her on our side!

Sandy, I'm glad you got the OBC for your CCL stock straightened out.

30 minutes ago, Seasick Sailor said:

@StLouisCruisers Sandi, I am very proud of you for being proactive and inviting the Relatives for a drink. 

 

I have had an estranged period with my sister since October last year. I sent her a Happy birthday text in February and she called and was so happy I reached out to her. She's coming for a short visit later July. We hardly have any relations left, maybe 6? 

Joy, I'm glad you and your sister are talking again, and that she will be visiting you in July.

15 minutes ago, durangoscots said:

Good afternoon everyone.  As late as I am today you would think I was getting a lot done but no.... just very slow. Today has been a disappointment in terms of weather. It is much cooler than it has been, which is good. Current temperature at 2:30 is only 77F. BUT... it was cloudy and there was some thunder, but no rain!!! And we need it....badly. It is supposed to start heating up tomorrow. And, to add insult to injury, the ceiling fan in my bedroom is on the blink. Got a new battery for the remote... light turns on and off, but the fan does not turn. It tries, but does not move.

 

The only real accomplishment for today is that I did go grocery shopping so that is taken care of for the week. Tomorrow I need to go get dog food and haul a few loads to the thrift store. (I hear thunder again!!! Maybe????)

 

Am trying to follow the Eurodam and wondering how my downstairs neighbor is enjoying her first cruise. I don't think the weather is cooperating.

 

Better get back to work. Take care all and hope health issues are resolving themselves. My sister has her annual checkup coming up and she is not looking forward to it. She says she has a number of things to raise with the doctor.... all age related.

 

Susan

 

 

 

 

Susan, I hope you get some much needed rain from the thunderstorms.  I hope your DS's annual checkup goes well.

Lenda

In 2019 on Veendam, we took the Ho-Ho to see other areas of Malta.  There were two routes at the time, and we took the one that did not go to Mdina.  The tour took us to the area across from the cruise ship dock.  We then went into the countryside before following the coast along the bays on the north side of the island.  Unfortunately, I do not remember the names of many of the places we saw.

Pictures from our drive around the island.

It-Torri ta' San Lucjan

There are many towers around the island that were used for defense in the past.  Steve Berry's book The Malta Exchange is set partly in Malta, and some of the towers and chapels around the island are featured.

We drove to the Blue Grotto which was one of the stops.

Some of the area on the north side of the island before reaching the coast road.

There are several bays on the northside of the island west of Valletta, where there are a lot of apartments.  It looked like the area was really growing with a lot of new buildings.

After retiring the old Leyland buses, some were converted to souvenir shops.

A nice park

An old area near St. Elmo's that was being renovated.

Once off the Ho-Ho, we took the elevator up to walk around Valletta.  The memorial to  Daphne Caruana Galizia was still there, but the area around it was back to plantings.

Since we were going to Gozo then next day, we spent the night in Valletta.

Lenda

In 2017, our second day in Valletta on Prinsendam, we drove to Mdina.  It is a fortified city in the northern part of Malta and was the capital from antiquity to the medieval period.  Mdina sits atop a tall hill with commanding  views.

St. Paul's Cathedral, which was built between 1696 and 1705, is the oldest church in Malta.

From the Cathedral, we visited the museum in the same plaza.  It was interesting to visit.  From there we walked around the small walled town of Mdina.

We came to an open area with views of the island.

St. Nicholas Chapel

The main gate

After leaving Mdina, which the locals pronounced M-dina, we headed back to Valletta.  After turning the car in, we took the elevator to the Upper Barrakka Gardens.  Boy, is that elevator worth the cost.

The view from the Barrakka Gardens.

The cannon battery below the gardens.  These would play a big role in our sail away, but more about that later.

We walked around Valletta, and came across this memorial.  Shortly before we were in Malta, Panamanian journalist  Daphne Caruana Galizia, who exposed political corruption in Malta was killed by a car bomb.  This is the spontaneous memorial to her.

A lovely flower display near the gardens.

One of the narrow streets we drove down.

The Prinsendam waiting for our return

The city as we sailed to the next port.

Now, about the cannons.  This was CD Cess Tesslar's last visit to Valetta before his retirement the next January.  Captain DD and the Port Agent arranged a cannon salute to Cess as we sailed.  Cess was on the bridge wing with Captain DD when we sailed.

BTW, in one of my earlier pictures, the beach area with all the buildings is called Popeye Village.

Lenda

This is what I posted on July 20, 2022.  There are a lot of pictures of Valletta from our five stops covering six days there.  This first set is from our 2002 and 2004 stops on Noordam III and our one non-BHB stop on the old Regal Princess in 2003.

In 2002, we did a tour to the Tarxien Temples and then walked around the upper part of Valletta.

Twenty years ago, we were up a lot earlier than we are today, so we saw the sail in to Valletta.

The Tarxien Temples

On our first visits to Valletta, they still used Leyland buses for their public transportation.  The bus "depot" was outside the city gates in a plaza at the top of some very steep stairs from the dock.  The new port complex and elevator were built sometime after 2004.

A few pictures from our walk through Valletta in 2002

Valletta as Noordam sailed to the next port

In 2003, when we stopped in Valletta, we decided to take one of the city buses to the Gozo ferry terminal on the other end of Malta.  It was an interesting ride, but the bus was noisy and hot since the engine compartment was by the driver.

The ferry terminal.  By the time we reached it, we knew we did not have time to go to Gozo and get back to the ship in time for sail away.  The bus ride took longer than we expected.

Our bus back in Valletta

In 2004, after climbing those steep steps, we walked around town.  That year, we toured the C0-Cathedral of St. John.  

The main altar.  You can see the graves of the Knights of St. John on the floor.

One of the graves

We also toured the museum at the Co-Cathedral.  The walled courtyard.

The Knights of St. John amassed a collection of Belgium tapestries, which when hung on the cold stone walls helped keep the buildings warm.  This is a small part of their collection.

A dry dock we passed on the way to the next port.

Lenda

Good morning from a cloudy central Texas.  It is already 77F with a predicted high of 89F this afternoon before the thunderstorms are supposed to arrive.  We'll see how that goes.  Currently, the humidity is 96% with a dew point of 76F.  There is not much on the agenda today except staying cool.

Several years ago, I switched from a traditional ball point pen to a gel pen.  I also have a couple of fountain pens, but I don't use them very often.  I hope I can be a miracle in someone's life.  I keep a pitcher of iced tea in the refrigerator year round.

The quote sounds like Groucho Marx.  While DH watches a lot of tv, I am usually busy.  After dinner and the evening news, I'll catch up on the day's happenings on my tablet and play games while we watch tv.

We'll pass on the meal.  The drink sounds like a good one to have on a BHB, and I hope it isn't too sweet.  We'll also pass on the very pricey wine.

We have visited Valletta five times covering six days. 

JFK's signing of the equal pay act was a good start, but we still have a ways to go.  The shipment of the first Apple computer in 1977 was the beginning of a new way to do almost everything.  

@StLouisCruisers  Sandi, I'm glad you got The Relative situation out of the way last night and don't have to be looking over your shoulders all the time now.  Thanks for sharing your pictures of Valletta.

@smitty34877  Terry, I'm glad the young people had a good time at the parade, and were home in time to share their day at dinner.  We had a washer/dryer combo in our old motorhome, and it took forever to dry the clothes.

@shippmates  Welcome to the Fleet Report/Daily.  The old walled city of Valletta is a walkable city.  If you don't feel like climbing the steep stairs to reach the old town, there is an elevator that will take you there.  If you are there more than one day, I recommend taking the Ho-Ho tour to see more of the island.  There are two routes which together cover most of the island.

@dfish  Debbie, I hope you get more sleep tonight.

@marshhawk  Annie, I hope they will take the old washer and dryer when they return with the proper hose and power cord tomorrow.  I hope your DH's immunotherapy and doctor appointment go well today.

@rafinmd  Roy, I hope Paul continues to recover well.

@aliaschief  Welcome home and back to the real world, Bruce.

@ger_77  Gerry, I hope the cardiac assessment for rehab goes well today.  Cute picture of the DGS.

Lenda

@Denise T  Denise, Happy Birthday, and enjoy your day.

Lenda

2 hours ago, Cruising-along said:

Lenda and Vanessa I couldn't agree more.  We're original owners of the house so have lived here 30 years as of this summer.  We've complained many times to HOA, they put up signs (but really, nobody pays any attention to them).  More needs to be done.  This latest is the worst yet.  A fence would be very expensive, especially because of the size of the rock but also because probably 3/4 of it is in the woods.  

 

Last year some teens were caught spray painting the back of the rock (the woods-side).  Nothing obscene like this, but my neighbor was so upset she called the police.  The mother of 2 of the teens actually defended her boys and said they're "good kids" and what's the big deal??  No wonder we have problems.  

 

Carolyn, I don't understand parents holding their children accountable.  We were held accountable for our actions and were the DDs.

28 minutes ago, aliaschief said:

Well we have made it to Atlanta without any issues. Just a long day. Hopefully home by eight which will be early morning for us.

Bruce, I'm glad you made it to Atlanta safely.  Safe flight home.

9 minutes ago, luvteaching said:

Good afternoon Dailyites!

 

I'm home and settling back into my routines. I had a good cruise on Majestic Princess but confirmed that HAL is #1 in my books. Nothing I can put my finger on but mainly just size. There were close to 4000 people on this cruise and you really noticed it at times especially today! It was nice to have more time in Ketchikan even if it was windy and raining. Juneau was overcast and windy. It was so windy... the tram didn't run. In Skagway we finally had some blue skies along with a good breeze. Coming back along the west coast of Vancouver Island yesterday it was so warm I was on the balcony getting a bit of a tan. I got off the ship today at 9:00, was in my car at 9:35 and home at 11:05. The first load of laundry just finished in the washer and I have at least one more load today and another tomorrow. I've done about 1/2 the unpacking, the neighbor lady has been in for tea, and my son mowed the lawn before I got home. All is good. After all that good food (and it was very good - especially Rudi's The Catch) I'll do a hamburger tonight and be back to normal!

 

One month today my friend and I board the Westerdam as it gets back from the 28 day voyage. I think I'd like to do that one so will follow the two threads on here very closely. 

Karen

Karen, welcome home.  I understand the feeling about Princess vs HAL.  I think it boils down in part the the crew.  On our last Princess cruise, the crew rarely smiled or said hello when you met them in the hall.  I wonder if Rudi's The Catch has basically the same menu as the one on HAL.

Lenda

Good afternoon from a rather lazy Sunday in central Texas.  We added the coolant to the car a/c, switched the cars around and put the covers on two cars.  That leaves the Smart accessible for errands.  The Land Rover and Smart can be towed, and the LR is for hauling big loads.  The convertible is our fun car and the one we use when going further than town.

3 hours ago, marshhawk said:

Good Sunday Morning Daiyites!  I slept in this morning, I've been living off of roughly 4 hours of sleep per night the past two weeks, and figured, well, if the neighbor is still in that pool tournament today, I dont have to walk the dog until 11 or 12, so I said to myself at 6:45, just 15 more minutes and woke up at 8:30.  I'm even considering a nap today...hmmmm.

 

The cats were a bit miffed that I slept late, but the kittens were the worst.  Entering the porch armed with plates and food, they were all over my legs like a deranged acupuncturist, and I came back into the house, with bleeding toes and ankles.  All is well now, I know there is Bactine somewhere in the house.....

 

Years ago my first husband and I went to Jamaica, to an all inclusive called Couples.  We landed in Montego Bay, and a bus from the resort picked us up and took us to Ocho Rios were the resort was.  So no one bothered us in Montego Bay.  The resort was beautiful, everything included, every thing!  Except marijuana.  We all had to attend a meeting the first night, we were told to think of the place as camp for adults, that we could participate in as many things that we wanted, and that the employees were our camp counsellors and would solve any situation that came alone, BUT if we wanted pot, to go directly to them.  And if we got caught with marijuana outside the compound -Jail would not be as cushy as in the US.  The first night there the husband of another couple had discovered some pot in the mens' room.  He asked the counselor if he thought it was safe, the counselor  said, only one way to tell, rolled some up and the husband , and the counselor got high.  Must have been good, because I dont remember seeing him for the rest of the week, so his wife and I hung out for the week.  My ex spent his time, with a pair of binoculars checking out the naked people on the "private" island. 

 

One day I decided to go horseback riding up into the mountains, there were about 5 of us, and two guides.  At one point the guide went ahead of us -he said to check out traffic on an upcoming road.  Not so, when we got to said "road"  (dirt path), there was a table set up and a pot sales man.  None of us wanted to buy anything.  It was an all inclusive, why would I have my purse with me?  So the guide led us away, and we went back to the compound on a different trail.  The idea of spending anytime in a jail in Jamaica just never sat right with me.

 

But it is a beautiful island, and there are places I would still like to visit there. 

 

 

@Cruzin Terri I hope today is better for you, I've always wanted to go to Barbados.  There is a young FIA race driver from Barbados, his helmet says Boy from Barbados.  I wondered where he got to race on the island. 

 

@kazuI completely understand moving into a "senior" living community.  Especially one that would allow my pet. But when I am the non furred mother to so many how would I narrow it down to just one.  But I know that taking care of this house and yard is way too much for me.

 

My parents lived in a community like that.  One of mom's friends had a black cat.  Thing was, if and when the pet moved on, you could not replace the pet.  Well the cat crossed over the rainbow bridge, and she went to the pound and got another black cat.  How could they tell it wasn't the original cat.  My mom said her friend ended up having 3 cats in the time that she lived there.  No one but her friends knew the cat was being replaced.

 

 

 

 

 

If my tale of Jamaica is a repeat of information, just disregard.

Annie, I agree Jamaica is beautiful island.  We were back there in the late 1990s docking in Ocho Rios, and it had changed.  In 1975, when we rented a car, we drove from Falmouth to Ocho Rios with stops at Dunn River Falls and Martha Brae, but just to look.  Another day, we drove around the area near Montego Bay, and the last day, we drove to Negril which is known for it's black sand beaches.  The other days, we enjoyed the all inclusive and just relaxing.  Many in our group complained about the poverty, but after seeing the poverty in Mexico, Jamaica with all the vegetation and crops, didn't seem as bad.

2 hours ago, Cruising-along said:

Good morning all!

We're having a cloudy day, mid 70's but no rain so it's all good.

Three good days to celebrate, I'll pass on the drink and wine but would like the meal.  Never been to Jamaica.

 

Another day of gardening and cruise planning, lazy days of summer!  

 

The other day we talked about large glacial erratics and I told about the one across the street that measures 34 feet tall, 78 feet long, and 210 feet circumference.  I also told about the problems we in the neighborhood have had with vandalism and people climbing it (even though there are signs saying private property).  The latest is a spray-painted racist symbol 😢.  Needless to say, my neighbors and I are just sick about it.  The HOA will get rid of the graffiti, but it will just continue, and people will still come from far away just to climb it. GRR

  DH's suggestion is to put an electric fence around it. 😉  

 

Jacqui @kazu  Thinking of you as you make difficult decisions and prayers that something can be done about your pain.

 

Terri @Cruzin Terri Enjoy that book on the beach today -- I hope every day will get better and better!

 

 

Carolyn, spray painting a racist symbol on the erratic is horrible.  Sadly a fence around the erratic might be the only solution to stop the climbing and defacing.

1 hour ago, Nickelpenny said:

Good morning to all and thanks for the daily and fleet report.  I always loved DD (more than Mickey).  Two other good days to recognize and I giggled when I read the quote.  The meal sounds good and I do love a Shiraz.  No to the drink (nothing should be in coffee - sugar, cream or alcohol!!).  Never been to Montego Bay, only Falmouth.  I did Dunn's Falls and glad I did but don't think I will ever pine away to go back to Jamaica.  It was just too....... 😬

 

 

Achieved my goal of getting a new tire but, unfortunately, the rim is bent and they recommended I replace it.  I can still drive the car but they stated when I rotate my tires and this tire goes the front, the steering would be wobbly.  So a replacement had to be ordered and will come in early this week.  My bank account is severely lighter!!  I had thought the certificate would be in the mail but it wasn't so I went to Olive Garden and ate the only thing there that I like - soup, salad, and breadsticks.  The breadsticks were old (probably from the night before) but the minestrone and salad were delicious.  I did tell the waiter the breadsticks were old and he offered to bring me new ones but I had already finished my meal so I politely said, no, it is no problem; thank you.  I hate complaining about food.

 

 

Woke up to another excessive heat warning for Tuesday.  I guess people need to be reminded but this is the desert - it gets blazing hot here!!  And today it should just break 100F so a beautiful day!

 

 

I just realized when I read the title for the daily that today would have been my 51st wedding anniversary (to the first husband).  Thank goodness it only lasted 5 years.

 

 

@Cruzin Terri I am glad you have tv and phone and that maybe you can sit on the beach, read a book and then enjoy the lunch.

Bon Voyage to @Mtn2Sea and @cruzn single.

Gosh, I hate to see the end of @aliaschief's cruise but welcome home. Safe travels to you and @luvteaching.

@kazu I am sorry you have some big decisions to make but I think getting prepared for it way before it becomes imperative is so important.

 

 

I hope everyone's legs are getting better and cheers to those celebrating.  Keep the pictures of your beautiful foliage coming!!  Everyone have a great day. 

Pennie, I'm sorry you also had to get a new wheel.  We've replaced two on the convertible, and they are not cheap.  However, we did find two online places that had refurbished wheels at a fraction of the price.  Our neighborhood station owner mounted the new tires on the new wheels.

1 hour ago, Sharon in AZ said:

Good morning and Happy Sunday. Yesterday wasn’t as oppressively hot as Friday was and I think today will be even better at about 101. 
 

Good days to celebrate and I love shrimp and rice, especially fried rice. But today I think I’m making sausage and peppers. I have leftover sausage from making pizza and need to use it up. I’ll pass on the drink. I’ve only had Irish coffee once and didn’t like it. 
 

I haven’t been to Montego Bay, only Ocho Rios. And would prefer to never go again. Annie @marshhawk, it sounds like you enjoyed your all inclusive there and I don’t ever remember you mentioning it before. 
 

Terri @Cruzin Terri, enjoy the beach and your book!  You deserve a relaxing day. You’ll have to tell us how the buffet lunch was. 
 

Jacqui @kazu, I think it’s good to know your options for the future. My DM loves her place and is more active than ever.  Hugs to you as you contemplate. 
 

Like Debbie @dfish
said yesterday, we decided to arrive in Boston a day early so we can have a full day there. After last years fiasco in April trying to get to Fort Lauderdale because of their flooding and the recent flight delays I had in Dallas I feel much better with an extra day as a buffer.  I also changed my flight to go through Phoenix instead of Dallas. I’m getting excited!

 

Bon Voyage @Mtn2Sea and @cruzn single!!

 

Have a great day everyone!

 

 

Sharon, going through Phoenix instead of Dallas might not be a bad idea.  Ever since the 1985 plane crash at DFW, the airport has been super careful about shutting down during really bad thunderstorms.  For us, DFW is really the only big airport around.

1 hour ago, durangoscots said:

Good morning. Sunny and dry but maybe a wee bit cooler today. The dawn chorus woke me early and I got up and opened up the house so right now it is very comfortable. I think I am going to have to look at getting a cooling system installed .... actually one of neighbors who really knows about such is looking into one  for his condo right now and will pass on info to me. Something more to think about. It would help the resale on my condo if and when I have to (or decide to) move.

 

@kazuI too have been looking at what moving to a senior living entails if you have a pet. In my case with 2 dogs, in all probability it means I would have to rehome one of the dogs .... something I don't want to consider but it might come to that. I will celebrate (?) my 87th birthday coming up shortly and I am not sure how long I can continue to go up and down the stairs to my second floor unit several times a day to walk the dogs.  However, my Mother lived on her own until about 97 and my sister at 95 has a house although it is in an 55 plus community and both had single floor living in their last years.  Ah.... decisions. Meanwhile, I plod along.... to to get something out of the house each day, get some help from neighbors at times and wear my Medical Guardian. And I walk the dogs although those walks are getting a bit shorter. Ah the joys of growing old and beginning to fall apart. And the dog walking at the Humane Society has, for the most part, stopped.

 

Have not been to today's destination and it is not on my list of places to visit. I love Irish coffee in the cooler weather. Garlic anything usually makes me happy.

 

Take care all. Terri... I hope you have a good day and get to sit on the beach and read.

 

Susan

 

 

 

 

Susan, I hope you won't have to make the decision to move any time soon.  Could you sell your condo and buy a ground floor unit to help ease some of the problems?

51 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

Thanks Lenda.  I would never leave Ivan in the lurch.  And, honestly who would want a 20 year old dog that requires a $250 injection every month?  

 

He’s at his forever home and we are in this together.  There is no question that he would be very welcome there which is a huge relief.

 

 

Jacqui, I never thought you'd move anywhere that Ivan was unwelcome.  You are now a family and need each other.  You will know when the time is right for such a move, which I hope is a long way in the future.  I'm lucky I can still do most of the work around here, and that we have a neighbor who can and will help as needed.

17 minutes ago, cruising sister said:

Good afternoon,

I have been reading but have not posted lately. I don’t know where the time goes each day.  Jacqui, I know how you feel. After DH died I realized just how much he did around the house. I struggled to find what I wanted but decided on a single home in a maintenance provided community. I wasn’t ready for shared walls. I am happy I moved but it was a project. We had a huge basement so it did not seem like we had a lot until I went through it. Don’t even get me started on the garage. He was very organized but being a car guy he had a lot of tools etc.  You don’t need to rush and you can hire people to help around the house and yard until you find what you want. 
 

Everyone have a great day. 
 

 

Lorraine, DH is an engineer who likes to work on cars, even though now, much of it has to be done by others.  He has quite a collection of tools, parts, and who knows what else.

Lenda

@cruzn single  Mary Kay, I hope you are going on your cruise and have just been very busy.  If you are cruising today, I hope you have a wonderful time.

Lenda

@Mtn2Sea  I hope you have a wonderful time on your crossing.

Lenda

Good morning from a mostly sunny central Texas.  It 76F with a predicted high of 93F.  The clouds will move in this evening, and the forecast now calls for thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon, with more rain on Tuesday and Wednesday.  The main item on the agenda today is adding coolant to the car a/c unit.  I hope we get it done before it gets too hot.  

Donald Duck has never been a favorite of mine.  Archives day and Celtic art are interesting days to celebrate.

The Jane Wagner quote is interesting.

The meal sounds interesting, but I think I'd serve the shrimp alone and have vegetable rice as a side dish.  We'll pass on the drink and the wine.

We visited Montego Bay in 1975 when we spent a week at an all inclusive resort in Falmouth.  We flew into and out of Montego Bay, and also explored the town when we rented a car for three days.  At that time, only Kingston was to avoided, and Montego Bay was nice.  That is when we learned speed bumps were called "sleeping policemen".  Of course, all our pictures are pre-digital and in albums.

Today in history marks the debut of Donald Duck.

@kazu  Jacqui, I hope the doctors can find the cause and then cure your pain.  I hope a move to an independent living facility can be avoided, but it's good there is one that will also take Ivan, and that you checked it out.

@Cruzin Terri  Terri, I hope today is the beginning of the restful vacation you sought.

@ottahand7  I'm glad your back is feeling better, and I'm sure you won't over do the gardening today, Nancy.

@smitty34877  Terry, I hope the teenager and his girlfriend have a great and safe time at the parade.

@aliaschief and @DWAliaschief  Welcome home, after your fabulous cruise.

@luvteaching  Karen, welcome home.  I hope your cruse was all you wanted it to be.

@ger_77  Gerry, I'm glad Wayne is doing well after his heart ablation.

Lenda

18 minutes ago, Cruzin Terri said:

Last update of the evening.  TV and Telephone are back.

Terri

That's great news, Terri.

Lenda

Good afternoon from a hot, 93F, central Texas.  It wasn't too bad outside this morning since the humidity was lower and there was a good wind.  The wind helped a lot, but the gusts kept trying to blow my hat and cooling towel off.  I couldn't believe how much the grass had grown in the past week, and we only had rain one day, but got 4 inches that day.  It took about three hours to get all the yard work done.  Now, I'm inside until after dinner, which will be salmon for me and cod for DH cooked in the air fryer.  I think we'll have red skin potatoes with it and also cooked in the air fryer.

I am also doing my happy dance.  My new passport arrived today, exactly one month after they received the application and old passport.  I expect the passport card to be here by the end of next week.  🤞

I will celebrate the good news of the release of the four hostages.

@ottahand7 Nancy, I'm glad your DB is doing better after this knee surgery.  I hope he continues to do well, and the PT helps.

4 hours ago, Mr. Boston said:

Good morning everyone from a beautiful, partly sunny Boston.  We just returned home from our cruise on the Volendam.  It’s so nice to not have to fly home afterwards!  The cruise was great and we really enjoyed the Volendam especially the Crows Nest, such an elegant space not all chopped up like the other HAL ships.

 

Thanks for today’s report, recipes and lists.  Best friends are just the best!

 

Not loving today’s quote but the meal and drink suggestions are both a yes for me.

I have not been to today’s port.

 

Praying for those on our prayer list.  Cheers to everyone celebrating happy events today!

 

 

 

Welcome home, @Mr. Boston  I'm glad you enjoyed the cruise, and that the Volendam is in good shape.  I miss the Crow's Nests on the S and R class ships.

4 hours ago, 57redbird said:

My favorite cousin was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in May, 2023 & given 5-6 months to live...he passed away 5 weeks later.  Didn't have any symptoms other than being more tired than usual so the diagnosis was a real shock.

I'm sorry about your cousin passing away from a glioblastoma.  DBIL's stepson has been battling a glioblastoma for several years.  We get little news about his condition, but it seems he is doing better than most so far.

4 hours ago, richwmn said:

This is what I found about the quote --

 

Iflife were a game of hide and seek, our minds would be the ones hiding and our hearts would be the ones seeking. There is no practical or mindful method as to how we go about accomplishing our dreams, because the truth is all we have to do is listen to our heart and our intuitions. Paulo Coelho’s ‘The Alchemist’ a novel written with magic, does a stellar job at repainting the intuition of following your heart constantly with the recurrence of a particular saying, “when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.” 

 

The full article is here --

https://medium.com/@sophiya.garcha/when-you-want-something-the-whole-universe-conspires-in-order-for-you-to-achieve-it-the-c01118dd387a

Rich, thank you for the explanation of today's quote.  Even with the explanation, I still don't care for the quote, and have found it does not work.

4 hours ago, Cruising-along said:

Good morning all!

Another gorgeous day in the PNW.  Lots of sun and highs in the mid-high 70's.  I should be doing laundry today, but...it's hard to be inside today.

 

Three worthy days to note.  My BFF and I have been best friends for 64 years.  I might like the drink but will pass on the red wine and the meal.  I love salmon and asparagus, but the sauce just doesn't sound good.  Tonight DH will be doing steak on the bbq.

 

Christmas Island was on our GANZ itinerary but many of us weren't able to set foot on it.  Just as our tender # was coming up, and after waiting hours,  all tender operations were suspended.  The tide had gone out too far, and some people were stranded over there for 8+ hours.  Until I heard their stories, I was sad not to get over there.  Then I was relieved.  Thank you Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser for your photos.

 

Bon Voyage @Suslor and @swin26!

 

This is all we could see of Christmas Island

 

 

 

Carolyn, I'm sorry you didn't get to visit the island.  I'm surprised the ship didn't pay more attention to the tides and the tide tables.  It is worth a visit.

3 hours ago, bennybear said:

Good morning and thanks all! 
Bon voyage to @Suslor   Fourth time lucky!  You give me hope!   And @swin26

praying all is well for @cruzn single

@smitty34877 hope the teenager has a great time, and that things are calm for you this weekend. 

I lost my dear brother at 30 years of age less than a year after he was diagnosed with a gliablastoma.   A terribly aggressive disease. 
 

They have excavated to the location of the leak, the pipe is 11 km long with a diameter of two meters,  so hopefully it can be repaired in a week, best case scenario.  So we will be on these extreme restrictions for awhile.  We now save every bit of grey water, truly makes you think about something we take for granted, clean water.  There is a very real concern we will run out.  Stores have limited purchase of water.  

On a brighter note, we have our dear granddog as  DS is off to Prince Edward Island for a little R and R after his four years of intense study.  

Hope you enjoy some of the wildflowers of Waterton National Park.  It’s a UNESCO world heritage site,  
 

 

Brenda, thank for your the beautiful flower pictures.  It seems like this is a good time to hook up the rv and head to one of your beautiful national parks for the week, or however long it takes to repair the water main.

2 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

Good morning, Dailyites, and thanks for the daily news.  Bon voyage to those about to sail!  I, too, thought there should be a "not" in the quote of the day, but you never know...  Actually, I had a call yesterday to move my appointment with the surgeon up to next Tuesday, the 11th instead of the 25th, so maybe it does work sometimes..

 

I would like the gribiche sauce, as I love capers and cornichons, but I really wonder how they would go with hard-boiled eggs as a topping for asparagus.  I suppose it would end up something like a pickle relish, only French.  DD makes a great egg salad sandwich which includes a pickle relish, so maybe something like that.

 

Pat seems to be having a great time in England, his cousin's 96th birthday party went on for 7 hours yesterday, first they had lunch at DC's favourite restaurant, the French Table, and then continued at his home with cake and presents.  I had no idea what to give him, so Pat organized a gift card beforehand at the French Table, and that seemed to go over well.  Pat has been trying to send pictures, but evidently the hotel internet is too weak.  

 

Beautiful weather here, everything is growing furiously, and I am having to water.  The reservoir is down to 93% and I worry about the summer.   

 

 

 

Ann, I'm happy your appointment was moved up to next week.  I hope you have a plan and an early date for the lumpectomy when you leave the appointment.  I'm glad Pat is having a good time visiting his family and celebrating his cousin's 96th birthday.

1 hour ago, JazzyV said:

Good afternoon. Thanks for the Fleet Report/Daily.

Best Friends are a blessing. Brain Tumors are scary, but most more treatable these days. Caribbean American awareness day highlights some disparity in healthcare access. Not sure I agree with the quote. Pass on the meal (fish), yes to the drink and wine. I haven't been to Kiritimati. One sad day (Mantle) and one awful day in history. Great news about the recue of 4 hostages from Gaza.

 

It's more sunny here today, warming up after a cool start, and a low chance of rain for a change. I guess maybe the multiple doses of Benadryl caught up to me. I went to bed around midnight, woke up to post the Cares List, then fell back asleep until 10AM! So a late start to the day. I'm not sure of plans, but I'd like to start a sourdough bread dough (maybe). These days my knee is a limiting factor, as well as some old low back pain that had disappeared with PT. I will call on Monday to set up PT again, although next week is booked with taking BFF to appointments, and a haircut (thank goodness) and eye appointment for me, and someone coming to look at the radiator situation in the LR. 

 

@StLouisCruisers Oh my, I hope your cruise doesn't end up having drama! Sorry DH got a rubbery lobster last night; not right, especially if you're paying extra. Thanks for the link about the USS Liberty. 

@ottahand7 I'm sorry you had a bad night. I hope your DB does well in rehab and has a good outcome this time. 

@grapau27 Although so sad, how wonderful that Sarah's best friend's DH and 2 others with brain tumors raised all that money for brain tumor research. 

@Cruzin Terri Sorry to hear of the troubles with wifi, your TV and phone. Having to move rooms is a pain, but especially if not on the ground floor. I hope DH gets a good report at the medical clinic, although it seems soon for him to be able to go in the water (just my 2 cents). I hope your vacation improves.

@smitty34877 Sorry you don't have any extra help this weekend. Prayers for a safe trip into the city for the teenager and his GF. 

@aliaschief Safe travels home tomorrow.

@dfish Your cake yesterday was impressive looking. 

@marshhawk Sorry about DH's credit card fraud. 

@Haljo1935 Blood tests can help some, if your calcium or uric acid levels are elevated. A urinalysis can look for crystals. And then examination of a stone. Dietary change recommendations would be different depending on the type of stone. There are nephrologists who specialize in kidney stone treatment and prevention.

@Seasick Sailor Sorry to hear of DH's medical issues, especially the weight loss. That's a lot of weight he lost. Prayers he can at least maintain, if not gain.

@RMLincoln I'm watching the French Open and will tune in to the Stanley Cup finals starting tonight. I pay $350 for tax filing from my CPA and think that's high! I've been with him 20+years and think it was $150 when I started out. Nice that your DGD and her DH are coming tomorrow. 

@Quartzsite Cruiser Nice photos from Kiritimati. 

@Mr. Boston Welcome home!

@bennybear Being without a source of water for that long sure does make you think how good we have it, compared to those countries where clean water is a luxury. Lovely wildflower photos.

@Vict0riann Great news on your appointment with the surgeon being moved up. Your flowers are beautiful.

@kazu I hope you're not in too much pain.

 

Prayers for the Care List and Cheers for those Celebrating.

Vanessa, I hope the PT will help the lower back and the knee when you resume the sessions.

1 hour ago, Seasick Sailor said:

@StLouisCruisers Sandi, I had the world's worst lobster at Pinnacle Grill. It was horrible. Out of our 50+ days on Rotterdam this past year,  I loved Tamarind and Canalletto the best. The last few Morimoto dining room lobsters were very good.

 

The worst:

 

 

Better:

 

 

 

Meh in Pinnacle 

 

 

Very good

 

 

pretty tasty 

 

 

Canalletto great!

 

 

Great sauce!

 

 

Next night, the same. Very good. 

 

 

Sauce not as present as previous dish.

 

 

Little taste.  Overdone. 

 

 

 

Joy, I guess DH was lucky when he got the supplemental lobster in the Pinnacle Grill on Koningsdam.  It was very good and cooked just right.  He also liked the Morimoto lobster in the MDR this year, and got it several times.  I like lobster, but didn't care for the Morimoto lobster because the sauce masked the taste of the lobster.

1 hour ago, St Pete Cruiser said:

We are dog and condo sitting for friends who have been away this week. Their corner verandah has beautiful waterfront views which has made our return from Europe quite enjoyable. 

An acquaintance from last year is aboard our former Prinsendam, now Phoenix Riesen's Ameria, and reports it looks good. In addition to it's new engines, he reports she has new bathrooms, newly done MDR and hook ups for shoreside power in port. He speaks German, so is at home on her.

Enjoy your weekend everyone. 

Thanks for the pictures from your friend's veranda.

39 minutes ago, dfish said:

We are on the same page with the hollandaise.  We will have salmon and asparagus tonight, but with hollandaise.

 

@Vict0riann I am happy to hear that your appointment has been moved up.  Hopefully, the surgeon will have a plan that is easily executed.

@RMLincoln That price sounds very high to me.  Mine was somewhat complicated last year due to having to file in two states, but it cost me half that.  Next year I can do it myself.  

@marshhawk Thank you for checking on @cruzn single.  Does anyone know her full name?

Also, sorry about DH's credit card fraud.  It is always a pain when that happens, but at least we are not held responsible.  

 

Our sunshine from this morning has disappeared and we have a cold rain in its place.  We'll be wishing for the cool temperatures later this week when we're close to 90.  We changed our flights to get into Boston a day earlier so that we have a full day in Boston.  We're meeting up with Sharon @Sharon in AZ and will be exploring the city together.  As Sharon said, three wild women take on Boston!   Now I am super excited!

 

Debbie, are you sure Boston is prepared for the three of your on the loose, even for a day?  🤣

38 minutes ago, Cruzin Terri said:

Hello all,

So here is our update.  i am still trying to figure out why we did this trip.

After breakfast we went to the Medical center.  They cleaned up the wound and re-wrapped it.  Another $150 please!  Come back on Tuesday.

After we returned we  were told that we were moving to the room right above us.  That sent up signals to me.  Our house keeper asked me if I thought it was a good idea for my husband to climb the stairs.  While I was not happy, my other concern was:  hmm does the phone and TV work there? So the housekeeper and i went upstairs and sure enough it did not.  It appears that the whole block of rooms is affected.  So they were going to move us to a room with the same problem. NO WAY JOSE!  So they then wanted to downgrade us to a lower class room.  i said no.  I said “Let’s make a deal”. i will stay in the same room.  Give me a cell phone or something to contact you in an emergency and either a ton of Marriott points or a rate reduction.  Okay, we have to get in touch with the manager.  He will see you on Monday.  

We are staying in the room we are in.

 

The housekeeper told us to go to lunch and she would tidy up our room.

Okay so, we started out and JIM FELL DOWN ON AN UNEVEN PAVEMENT.  Jest what we needed.  I just screamed at the top of my lungs and everyone came running.  They patched him up and a wheelchair appeared out of nowhere.  i just burst into tears.  How much can a person take!   it turned out that he scraped his arm and and that is it, but he was quite shaken.  I, on the other hand, am a basket case,  If I could go hom right now, I would.

 

i am still trying to figure out why we did this trip.  It is the trip from hell.  If it could go wrong, it has and it will.  I have yet to sit at the beach or go in the water.  i am exhausted.

 

Thanks for listening.

Terri

Terri, I'm so very sorry your vacation turned out to be such a disaster.  I'm glad Jim was not seriously hurt.  Your housekeeper sounds like the bright spot in all this.  Maybe, you can find a good beach vacation just a few hours drive from your home later this summer.

20 minutes ago, Seasick Sailor said:

Here's "One more thing" happening here. Our dear friend (who's husband Ronnie you've been praying for..) B fell over a box and broke her humerus bone under her left shoulder last night about 11:30. Went to ER and will need surgery. 6 to week recovery. This crap never stops.

Joy, I'm sorry your friend fell and broke her arm.  I hope the surgery will allow her to be able to do more than just letting it heal.    

13 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Oh no Joy.

Prayers 🙏 for your dear friend.

A Friend on Royal Caribbean daily posted today his dear wife passed away this morning.

Graham, our condolences to your friend on the passing of his wife.

25 minutes ago, summer slope said:

I want all the dailyites to gather in a circle so I can wrap bubble wrap around all of us to keep us safe. Oh my the disasters that have happened. Heavy prayers for everyone.

Dixie, that sounds like a good idea.  I would like the bubble wrap concession for this group.  😁

Lenda

We've been to Kiritimati (Christmas Island) Kiribati at least three times. This is a tender port, with the ships anchoring in the lagoon.  It is very shallow in places, and the tender drivers have to be extremely careful.  However, that was not enough as one tender ran aground, and it took a while to get it refloated.  Fortunately, we were not on that tender.

The first time there was in 1997, so no pictures from that stop.  I'll see if DH has videos of the sunset that day since it as the best sunset we've ever seen.  The water was glassy and you could see the clouds looking like they were rising from below the curvature of the earth.  They were not thick clouds and we were able to see the sun set and IIFC the green flash.

Christmas Island is a fairly undeveloped island.  These pictures are from our 2007 b2b Hawaii-Tahiti-Hawaii cruise on Pacific Princess.

As we left the dock the pre-school class was there to serenade us.

The local "tour bus" we picked up at the dock for a tour of the island.  Notice the "sturdy step" to help get in the truck.   In 1997, they had a old school bus donated by the state of Hawaii as their tour bus, complete with a view of the road as you passed over it. 😀

At the other end of the road is the Captain Cook Hotel, the only one on the island.  It offers air conditioned rooms and non-air conditioned rooms.  Fishermen would fly in for a week's fishing trip.  It was a week long trip, since the only flight was a weekly one from Hawaii, as of 2007.

The beach at the hotel.

Where some of the islanders live

Back from our tour, some of the adults put on a show for us.

They even had an Internet Cafe, with very slow speeds.

The shopping for the tourists

Add the shopping for the locals, but of course, they would take our money too.

Looking down the beach from the dock

If you ever see an itinerary with Christmas Island, it is well worth a visit.

Lenda

Good morning from sunny and very warm central Texas.  It is currently 81F and feels like 87F.  Our high will be 94F.  I wanted to heading out to mow the yard about now, but I slept later than I intended.  I guess I needed the sleep after yesterday.

I will celebrate my best friends and honor brain tumor awareness and Caribbean American HIV/AIDS awareness.

I do not like or agree with the quote today.

The meal sounds good, and I might cook salmon in the air fryer tonight, but it won't be with asparagus since we don't have any.  The drink sounds refreshing, but will pass because of the grapefruit juice.  I would definitely try the wine.

We have been to Kiritimati three times, but once was pre-digital.

Two interesting but sad days in history.  Thank you, Sandi, @StLouisCruisers for the article about the USS Liberty.  Mickey Mantle was a great ball player, but he did have his issues.

@Cruzin Terri  Terri, I'm sorry your relaxing vacation is not going as planned.  I hope the new room is much better, and that your DH gets a good report about his leg injury.

@LambKnuckles  Lambie, what a nice memory about meeting Mickey Mantle.

@smitty34877  Terry, I hope the weekend goes well without the extra help.  I hope the teenager and his girl friend have a great time at the parade tomorrow.

@aliaschief  Bruce, again, thank you for taking us along on your wonderful cruise.  Safe travels home tomorrow.

@ottahand7  Nancy, I'm sorry your back bothered you last night, but glad it's a bit better today.

@marshhawk  Annie, I hope the new washer and dryer arrive on time and work well.

@Seasick Sailor  Joy, I hope Allen can regain some of the weight and that his kidney numbers improve.  It's never easy to break-in a new doctor.

@rafinmd  Roy, you remember correctly about Mary Kay's @cruzn single health problems.  IIRC, her COPD had progressed to pulmonary fibrosis.  I also doubt she will be boarding her ship tomorrow.

@Nickelpenny  Pennie, I hope you can get the new tire today, and the new restaurant is good.

Lenda

@swin26  Have a wonderful cruise.

Lenda

@Suslor  Susan, I'm glad you enjoyed Amsterdam, and I hope you have a great cruise.

Lenda

1 hour ago, Sharon in AZ said:

Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser, sorry about the car battery. I know heat has a lot to do with battery life but not 2 months. But good that you were somewhere that you could get help with it. 

 

Sharon, in the case of this battery and the one we bought last year that also only lasted a couple of months, heat was not a factor.  The one last year was bought in February, and this one we bought April 5.  The weather didn't begin to get really hot until the last week or so.  Besides, the car was in the port and with a car cover on it most of the time.  The man who replaced the battery told DH they had been getting a lot of bad batteries.

Lenda

Good hot afternoon from central Texas.  It turned out to be a long day.  We did get the windshield replaced, and like they said, it took about an hour.  However, we had to wait almost another hour for the glue to dry even though this windshield has a gasket to hold it in place. 

The fun started when DH tried to start the car, and it would not start.  The techs had a battery operated jumper that got the car started, but they said the jumper registered that the batter was dead.  The battery was new, installed on April 5, and had worked perfectly until then.  The only thing that might have done it, was they left the front doors open the entire time they were working on the car.  With a 2 month old battery, that should not have made any difference.  Instead of stopping at Sam's on the way home, we headed straight to Wal-Mart where we purchased the battery.  Once we were parked at the service bay, DH turned the engine off, and it would not restart.  We now have a new battery, and have our fingers crossed that this one is not defective.  This is the second battery we've gotten there that was defective and lasted about two months.

7 hours ago, Seasick Sailor said:

Good morning Dailyites. A lazy morning here, Oliver and MSH are still napping and I'm enjoying my coffee and Daily.

 

Many thanks to all who offer input to make this my 1st go-to spot of the day.

Rich, Debbie, Dixie, Ann, Sandi, Roy, Graham and our famous carelist and celebration writer... Vanessa!

 

We had a fun game night. We ordered delivery from our local restaurant. Fried shrimp, fries, and salads. I won the game too.

 

I would like to have Roy's alternative meal please. I love veal piccata!

 

My ankle feels so much better today. Thanks to all for thinking of me.

 

 

Joy, I'm glad the ankle feels so much better.  Congratulations on winning the game last night.  That rock looks wicked.  The next time Claudio is there, ask him to get rid of it.

7 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great memes, John.

6 hours ago, sailingdutchy said:

 

We were for the first time at Kings Wharf, Bermuda while on the Rotterdam (VI) in April of 2018  when we were crossing the Atlantic . So today a few pictures of this nice Island .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visiting a friend along the way checking out their pool 

 

 

The narrowest bridge for sail boats to get through , they have to remove the chains on top of the bridge and steer the sailboat so the mast goes through the small opening in the deck of the bridge ! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St George on the Far East and opposite side of the Island from Kings Wharf 

 

 

 

Town crier looking at the ladies …...

 

 

Hear Yeah , Hear Yeah ……. Today …….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leaving Hamilton , the capital , on the ferry back to Kings Wharf 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Almost home 

 

 

 

 

Have a great day everybody and a nice weekend ! 

 

Tony 😁😁

 

Ooops this one snuck through  an iPad shot that will never post for me .........

Thanks for the great pictures of Bermuda, Tony.

6 hours ago, marshhawk said:

Apparently the fastest way to get a behavioral specialist to see you is cancel your 9 am appointment at 2 am.  They called at 8:30 and he was being evaluated right there and then.

I left the room because this is his time, but had to come through several times, and he was telling them that his first marriage lasted 7 years.  No, I said, it was 20.  So his memory is going, which I thought was happening.  Then they asked him who recommended the appointment and why.  He didnt know.  Yup, we have problems.

 

@Seasick SailorI looked at that rock, and said, ouch, I know why there is debris, it's like rocks stuck to concrete.

 

@Haljo1935At first it sounded to me like you had a choice, appendix or kidney stones.  Sorry, I would have chosen the appendix. Sorry about the pain,  hope meds help with it, and you may have to give up ice cream.  Hugs.

Annie, I'm glad the behavioral specialist called and could do the evaluation over the phone.  I'm sorry that your DH is having memory issues.  HUGE HUGS!

5 hours ago, bennybear said:

Good morning and thanks all!  
@aliaschief what a lovely ending to your wonderful adventure!  Have sure appreciated you taking us along!  It looks sublime! 
@LambKnuckles sorry but I couldn’t help laughing,  Canadians have to roll with all seasons on any given day.   I must have a dozen different types of jackets.  
@Haljo1935 oh dear!  Kidney stones are no fun,  excruciating!  Prayers they pass soon, and appendicitis is no picnic either.  Girl, you sure know how to have a good time! 
@marshhawk sending lots of hugs and prayers!  I hope you can get some answers.
 

@Haljo1935 and @kazu thanks for your concern,  they have located the location of the break, these pipes are big enough to drive a truck through, an unprecedented situation.   We have 1.6 million relying on our water.   Sadly, we have no idea how long the repairs will take, it  will not be over in a couple of days.  Very scary situation.   Sadly, last night many didn’t observe the restrictions and our water usage actually surged.  I am glad I always keep an Emergency supply of water.   We are lucky in that we can head to our trailer for awhile.  
 

On a happier note, we enjoyed our time in one of our beautiful national parks. 
 

 

Brenda, I hope they can get the water main repaired soon.  It's good to have an RV as a back up when something like this happens.  Thanks for the beautiful pictures of the national park. 

5 hours ago, JazzyV said:

Good morning. Thanks for the Fleet Report/Daily @richwmn and to all contributors.

I still have one working DVR and need to copy some tapes to DVD. Caring and Food Safety are both important things we need daily. And it's National Donut Day! Good quote. Maybe for the meal, pass on the drink (basil) and wine. Kings Wharf was the first stop on my TA last year, my first time in Bermuda. A good day in history.

 

It's windy here, but at least not raining for now. Yesterday I was sort of a couch potato, mainly reading. I took my RA shot earlier in the day, as I was afraid after being off it for so long, I might have a bigger reaction. I get hives at the injection site, but no generalized reaction, but didn't want to be asleep if something developed. I took 50mg of benadryl, which had me nodding off in the evening. At bedtime I took another 50mg. Despite that I had a small itchy hive on my leg this morning. I'm trying Claritin this AM so I won't be so sleepy, and will take benadryl before bed. No great plans for today; maybe just tidying up. I started feeding my sourdough starter again, and may make some bread tomorrow, for the first time in almost a year.

 

I've been thinking that we haven't heard from @cruzn single in a long time. It looks like she hasn't posted since November.

 

@StLouisCruisers I hope you can make some progress on your cross stitch project.

@Haljo1935 I'm glad you got the bad pain checked out. So, it was kidney stones? They can be really painful as they pass. I recall grown men weeping in the ER from the pain. Did they give you a strainer to catch the stones, so they can be analyzed for type?

@aliaschief Hard to believe your great cruise is ending. Thanks for taking us along with your photos.

@marshhawk Prayers for strength for you as you deal with everything. I'm glad the behavioral specialist called this morning, and could see what the issues are.

@ottahand7 I'm glad your back is feeling better; the prednisone must be helping.

@cunnorl I was holding my breath until Starliner got those thrusters back online. Congrats on the new car! Always fun (except for the payments).

@Seasick Sailor Good news that your ankle is feeling better. 

@Nickelpenny Oh no on ripping up a tire yesterday!

@sailingdutchy Thanks for the great photos.

@bennybear What an awful situation with the water. I've not heard of pipes that big. I hope it's fixed soon.

@kazu I hope you have less pain today.

 

Prayers for the Care List and Cheers for those Celebrating. 

 

Vanessa, I hope you don't have a bigger reaction to the shot than you did.  I have been wondering about Mary Kay @cruzn single for a few months.  I hope she is all right and just busy.

5 hours ago, JazzyV said:

On my TA on Celebrity from FLL to Rotterdam, our first stop was at Kings Wharf, Bermuda.

 

Apex docked

 

Spirit of Bermuda and Clock Towers,  Royal Navy Dockyard

 

 

Interesting tree

 

The VIctuallying Yard

 

 

View from the Ferry as we go to Hamilton

 

Against Da Tide Sculpture

 

Colorful buildings in Hamilton

 

Colorful guitars in shop window

 

Expensive Hamilton condos seen from the ferry, as we go back to Kings Wharf

Great pictures of Bermuda, Vanessa.  Thanks for sharing them.

4 hours ago, NextOne said:

The driveway project is halfway done -- luckily the weather today is the best it's been all week! The workers are wasting no time getting the job done.

I have a date for my hip surgery -- not until August 20! I asked to be considered if there was a cancellation earlier because I have to attend a church women's convention in mid-September and my TA cruise leaves Rotterdam on Oct. 12!  I'd like to be comfortably mobile by then.

@marshhawk I'm so sorry -- here are a whole bunch of virtual hugs. Apply as needed!

Prayers raised for all of my Daily friends in need and cheers for all the are celebrating!

Edi, I hope you can get your hip surgery sooner.

3 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

Good morning, Dailyites, thanks for all the news.  Prayers for Annie and Chuck, @Haljo1935, anbd the others suffering.  A little good news here - DD went to the hospital to see the surgeon and check her humerus, he says the bone is healed and just to continue her exercises.  She is still uncomfortable, but I guess it's muscles, tendons, etc. so she must keep trying to do things.  

And I had a call from the nurse to discuss what's going to happen to me.  All very encouraging!

 

We have been to Bermuda a few times, twice to King's Wharf, including this Spring with Tony and Martha on Nieuw Statendam.  My pictures are like the others, but I do remember a guide telling us once that, because of the shortage of fresh water in Bermuda, every building must maintain a sparkling white roof and have ways to collect any rainwater that falls.  Maybe @bennybear is going to have to suggest her city do the same!

 

A few Bermudian (?) roofs -

 

 

 

 

Even the port building

 

 

Many years ago, Pat bought his blue hat in Hamilton, it has been his signature for a long time, and as he usually races on ahead of me, a lot of times it is his proof of presence!  The hat is getting threadbare now after many washings, so we looked for one in the shops this time, but no luck.  Maybe we'll have to stop travelling...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ann, that is good news that DD's arm has healed, and that you had a called about your upcoming treatment.  DH also walks a head of me as I stop to take pictures, and he has two hats that he wears depending on the weather.  I know to look for them.

2 hours ago, kochleffel said:

Shavuot decorations

 

The decorations represent four loosely related themes of Shavuot. Chronologically, they are the festival of first fruits, a harvest festival defined in the Torah, seven weeks after Passover; the revelation at Sinai, calculated to coincide with that; the Book of Ruth, one of the readings for Shavuot, perhaps chosen because the denouement takes place during the barley harvest; and eating dairy foods, on the theory that the Hebrews, after receiving the commandments, realized that any meat they had wasn't kosher.

 

From left to right: a giclee print of a painting of Ruth and Naomi; the Ten Commandments (bookends); a sheaf of wheat, since I haven't found the barley, but wheat is another of the Seven Species of biblical food crops; a box of Lactaid, representing the hardship that Shavuot imposes on those of us who are lactose-intolerant; pomegranates, figs, and grapes, three more of the Seven Species; a 19th-century French painting depicting Moses and Aaron at Mount Sinai; and olives, another of the Seven Species. I'm told that the fruits are supposed to be in a gold or silver basket, which I neither have nor want. This is a hammered-aluminum tray that was a wedding present to my parents.

Paul, thanks for the explanation about Shavuot.  I learned something today.

1 hour ago, dfish said:

Ok, the pecan pie cake is done.  Lots of work to this one.  It is a brown sugar cake with a brown butter/brown sugar icing and pecan pie filling on top and between the layers.

 

Debbie, the cake looks good, and you put a lot of  work into it.  I'm sure your DSIL will love it.

Lenda

1 minute ago, Haljo1935 said:

YES!! Krispy Kreme advised about today being NDD and sent a good coupon. I put the code in and it worked.

Our favorite donuts.  Too bad there are none close to us.  The ones we get here are the next best donuts, but not the real thing.

Lenda

Lenda

Good morning from another sunny day in central Texas.  It is 73F with 92% humidity and a dew point of 71F.  Our predicted high will be 93F and no rain.  Since we got the heavy rain the other day, our grass started growing again.  So tomorrow, I'll try to get out early before it gets too hot to mow and trim.  We are still not sure if we will be heading out to the get windshield replaced on the car today or not.  DH called Wednesday to see if they had gotten the windshield in, and he was told they wouldn't get it until late yesterday, but they would call this morning to confirm.  So far, no call or email.

We still have a working VCR and a few tapes left.  DH converted a lot of the tapes to DVDs several years ago.  We also have the original Betamax in the attic along with some tapes.  DH also copied our 8mm home movies to memory chips, except the two oldest, which are too brittle to copy.  Those two were ones my DF took when I was little, in other words, real antiques.  World caring and world food safety are import.

The Jackie Kennedy quote is good and I agree with it.

We'll pass on the meal, and instead, we'll be having fajitas tonight.  We'll pass on the wine, but might try the drink on a BHB.

We have not been to Bermuda.

A good day in history for The Vatican. 

@Haljo1935  Elizabeth, I'm sorry you have kidney stones and are in so much pain.  I hope you are better soon.

@LambKnuckles  Lambie, I agree about needing a sweater inside sometimes in Texas during the summer.  Our grocery store can be so cold that it feels good to get back to the 90+ temperatures when we leave the store.

@cat shepard  Ann, I liked the meme about power.  I think real power is when you call your cat and they come, a very rare event.  🤣

@marshhawk  Annie, I'm sorry about what happened last night, but don't know what else to say.  ((((((HUGS))))))

@ottahand7  Nancy, I'm glad your back was better last night and this morning.  I hope the prednisone is working.

@Denise T  Safe travels tomorrow, Denise.

@cunnorl  Congratulations on the new car, Charlene.

@aliaschief  Bruce, I'm sorry to see your cruise ending.  I've enjoyed "tagging" along with you and Sue.  Thanks for sharing your adventures.

Lenda