Quartzsite Cruiser

Debbie, safe travels tomorrow. I hope you miss the worst of the traffic. Enjoy your weekend visiting with friends. Lenda

Maureen, even when it is expected, the passing of a loved one is never easy. Our condolences to you, your DB and niece and the rest of the family. Glad you made it home safely, and great that two days after surgery your DH was able to help with the driving. Lenda

Lenda

Again, I survived W-M. The store was not very crowded, and there was very little traffic on the way back home. Did see an interesting maneuver as I was driving through our little town. The road is four lane with a turning lane and wide shoulders, so it's pretty wide. There was a semi stopped on the side of the road, when all of a sudden there was a small break in traffic, and he preceded to make a U-turn. I was going slow enough, but the car in the next lane had to hit the brakes. I guess he was successful since I didn't hear any crashing sounds or horns as I turned into the grocery store. Vanessa, I'm sorry you did not sleep as well in your bed. Hopefully, you will be able to get a good night's sleep in your recliner until the incision is not painful. I'm so happy the surgery worked, and you are pain and tingling free. Please tell you BFF we all appreciate the good care he is giving you. Edi, thanks for the nice picture of you and your sister. Pennie, "All of Us" is the study DH is in. At one appointment in November 2019, I asked about joining, and was told I could the next time we were there, which would have been April 2020. I never had the opportunity to enroll. We normally book our HAL cruises with our PCC. We have on occasion booked directly on-line or just called the regular number. We also used a big box agency once, and since it was a special cruise, we had someone to contact who answered our questions. We've had one great PCC and a couple of good ones. It helps if you know which cruise you want, and if flying which flights. Carolyn, I know what you mean about the price of a haircut on a ship. I get just a haircut since my hair is very short. For a time, I could talk them into giving me a man's cut at the man's cut price, but that is getting harder and harder to do. The ship's price for a ladies cut is 3 or 3+ times what I pay on land. I'm glad Amber is alert and her personality seems unchanged. I'm sorry she still cannot move her left side, and I hope the doctors can figure out what is going on and that she has a full recovery. Great pictures of Santorini. Thanks for the story about the Pacific Dining Car. I wish more wineries would use screw tops. Terri, I'm glad you could talk to the nurse and are more comfortable about the medicine. I'm also glad you are feeling better about everything. Terri, I have read that dementia patients do better in familiar surroundings, and that might explain why an upcoming trip made Jim anxious. Lenda

In 2019, the Veendam took us to Santorini for our second visit. We opted to take a ship's tour that included the Minoan ruins, Oia and Thira. Akrotiri was Cycladic cultural settlement related to the Minoan culture. The village was destroyed by the volcano in the 16th century BCE. The village, named for the nearby modern village of Akrotiri, is well preserved and is still being excavated. The first excavations were in 1867. A couple of stops on the way to Akrotiri. The first was a roadside chapel, the second the view from the road, and finally ruins of an old windmill. Pictures of some of the ruins, which fortunately are under a cover to protect them and us from the sun. It is hard to tell, but the site is huge. Oia near where the bus dropped us off. The church and views from Oia We had quite a bit of free time in Oia, and after wandering through most of the upper part of Oia, we found a nice place to sit and enjoy gelato. This view. I think, is Oia from the Veendam. Lenda

We have been to Santorini twice on BHBs. In 2016, we were there on Prinsendam. That day, we took the gondola up to Thira and walked around a little but it was very crowded. We stopped at a restaurant near the gondola entrance and enjoyed a coke and the view. The line back down looked long, but moved fast. These are the pictures of Thira from 2016. The gondola, which for us beat the steps. While I'm not fond of gondolas, it was the steps getting to and out of the cars that bothered me. The steps down fairly up close and then a long view of the entire trail. The area around the tender dock I'll post the pictures from our second visit in a few minutes. Lenda

Good morning from a cloudy and breezy central Texas. It is currently 68F with a predicted high of 78F. We have a 9mph wind with 96% humidity and a dew point of 67F. It will be cloudy all day with higher winds and rain beginning early tomorrow morning and lasting most of the day. It looks like we'll be getting rain off and on through the weekend and possibly through Wednesday. The main item on the agenda today is a trip to W-M to pick up the prescriptions from our annual doctor visits. DNA is useful in many different ways, and DH had his done as part of a nation wide research study at Baylor Scot and White. He is still waiting to get his results. Elba Day marked the beginning of the end of WWII. I like both my hairstylists, one here and one in Quartzsite. I need to call her today to make an appointment for a haircut. I basically agree with the Tom Wilson quote, but you need goals for tomorrow. The meal looks good, and I think I'd like the third recipe, but will check out all the recipes. We like shrimp, broccoli and garlic. We'll pass on the drink and the wine. We have been to Santorini twice on BHBs, Prinsendam and Veendam. In 1507, cartographer Martin Waldseemüller gave the New World its identity when he first used the term America. @MISTER 67 Congratulations on another round where you shot one under your age. I sorry the rest of the team did not have as good a day. @smitty34877 Terry, I'm sorry Tana had a couple of rough days. It is nice your DDIL could calm the situation down. Wishing the family safe travels tomorrow as they head back to NH. @aliaschief Bruce, thank you for the stunning pictures of Dubai. I hope we get there someday. It was on the two world cruises we had to cancel. @RMLincoln Maureen, safe travels up I-95 today. I hope you miss all the heavy rush hour traffic. @0106 Tina, thanks for the Penguin pictures. @Seasick Sailor Joy, cute picture of Oliver. @grapau27 Graham. thank you for the explanations of the days. Lenda

@ger_77 Gerry, please wish Maurice a VERY HAPPY 83RD BIRTHDAY, for us. I hope the valve replacement approval comes through soon. It would be the perfect birthday present. Lenda

Annie, that is good news the cancer has stopped growing, and may be receding. I really hope that is the case. I’m sorry the the stent in Chuck's leg will need replacing soon. I hope the pain therapy will help. Elizabeth, thanks for the update on the school shooting. It's sad someone died. My heart goes out to his mother. No mother should lose a child, and to lose two to gun fire is horrible. Maureen, that is really good news your DH is doing so well after his surgery. Safe travels home tomorrow. Lenda

Finally the conditions were right to spray the weed killer, even though the timing was less than ideal. When we went for our after dinner golf cart ride, we noticed there was only a light breeze, so even though it was after dinner, and I was very tired, the weeds were sprayed. I mixed more than I needed, so there is enough for a second application. It will be windy tomorrow with rain tomorrow night. Luckily, the only thing pressing tomorrow is a trip to W-M to pickup a few prescriptions. Terri, I hope you can see the doctor tomorrow, and find out about the medicine and how to take it. Small town living is nice until you need a specialist. We are fortunate to have access to specialists not too far away. HUGS! Denise, beautiful pictures. I'm in awe of your talent. I have trouble drawing a straight line with a ruler. Lenda

Yes, he was on for part of our 106 days on board. Cess Teslar was Hotel Director. He retired before the Grand South American cruise in January 2018. Elizabeth, I'll have to check the shooting out. Been too busy today. Lenda

Yes, that was a wonderful cruise. We missed out on Ed Murphy's tour, did a good ship's tour to the DMZ. Never thought we’d get there ot Vietnam including Hanoi. We enjoyed Ed's talk about his experiences. Terri, you did what was best for you at the time with the information you had at the time. I know you said that Jim liked his doctor, but maybe it's time for a new doctor. I'm glad your DM is doing well. Lenda

Good afternoon from a still humid central Texas. It is cloudy, humid and 80F with a slight breeze which is slow enough to spray the weed killer. However, after a long day cleaning house, I'm not sure if I have the energy to lug a heavy sprayer around the yard, much less mix the weed killer and water. I guess we'll live the with weeds a bit longer. At least, they are green. Joy, I was sorry to read about your friends, on in ICU with heart failure and the other with a second stroke. Sending positive thoughts for both for better days. Yeah on Allen finally getting his Dupixent, and I hope it works as expected. Too many drugs have outrageous prices. Vanessa, that is excellent news you are pain and tingling free, and that you are sleeping well. Please be careful with you back until the stiffness and soreness are gone. I'm glad the muscle relaxant and Tylenol all you need. I'm glad you have BFF to take care of you, and that he has your to care for him. Sandi, I'm glad Linda is able to sleep at night, and I hope she is not getting behind in controlling her pain. Gerry, I'm glad Ollie has you as a friend and someone to lean on during this difficult time. Roy, we have been on a cruise together, but we did not meet then. IIRC, it was the TA on Prinsendam in November 2017. Elizabeth, I'm sorry you had to cancel your two Westerdam cruises for health reasons. It's never an easy decision, but taking care of your health comes first. Once all that is behind you, you will probably enjoy future cruises much more. Just a thought, can you fill in the depression (aka lake) in your yard with dirt? Ray, we were on a cruise together in 2018, but I don't think we met then. It was the Circle the Northern Pacific on Coral Princess not a BHB. Sharon, I'm sorry your DM is not doing better and is weak. I hope the antibiotics help her, and she recovers quickly. The good news is her chest x-ray was clear. I hope you get some good news tomorrow in the follow-up visit. Lenda

Good morning from and overcast and humid (100%) central Texas. It is 67F with a dew point of 67F. There is only a slight chance of rain today, and our predicted high temperature is 78F. This will be quick since it's house cleaning day, and I slept later than intended. We'll let someone else celebrate Sauvignon Blanc day. The other two days are interesting, and I hope all animals still in laboratories are treated humanly. The quote is another interesting one. Salmon cakes are good, but a nice salmon fillet is easier to prepare. I'll take a Mimosa, and would like to try the wine, but it's pricey. We have not been to today's port. The sending of a tv signal by satellite in 1962 was a huge step in broadcasting. @MISTER 67 I hope your Lightning can overcome the 2-0 deficit in the playoffs. @grapau27 Graham, thanks for all the explanations of the days. @aliaschief Bruce, thanks for the beautiful pictures of Abu Dhabi. @RMLincoln Maureen, I hope your DH gets a good report from the surgeon. Safe travels today and tomorrow. Enjoy your visit with your friend, and your time with your prayer circle friends. @puppycanducruise Melanie, I could not like your post because of the snow. I hope this is the last snow for many months. @marshhawk Annie, if you get a paycheck, being a pawn between your bosses might not be too bad. @Cruzin Terri Terri, I'm sorry today is a sad day, and I hope the situation improves. You are stronger than you think since you had the courage to make the necessary but difficult decision that was best for both of you. Lenda

It always oays to check.. Things change often, you have tomkeep checking. Lenda