h20skibum

I can't believe it has been 9 years since we did the canal on it's 100th anniversary. I moved around a lot on the trip through the first set of locks. Top deck, both sides and aft. That is the way to get different perspectives, and to realize how close to the walls the ship is as they go through. One thing I did, after traversing the first set of locks to Gatun Lake, was to traverse the remaining locks to the pacific on a small ship. That gives you such a different perspective that you may not appreciate from being on the deck of a cruise ship. I hope you do not mind my posting a couple photos from this vantage point, but this gives an up close view of the working of this magnificent wonder. If this type excursion is offered, I highly recommend.

Eight years ago today, we were at the hospital to welcome the birth of our granddaughter. We will probably see her briefly today, but next Saturday will be the big birthday party.

All this talk of broken bones and ER visits, and I feel like we were tempting fate going out for a trail hike today. There are still a few trees, that came down in the storm 3 weeks ago, that were blocking parts of the trail. That one was the easiest to climb around. A couple were challenging. Some other views were nice, like this waterfall. Somehow, Susan got ahead of me at the covered bridge. It was the last of our near 80° days for a while.

We found ourselves over in your area last night. After a long day, we wanted to go out to eat, and decided to go to Up A Creek Tavern in Warren, Ohio. We hadn’t been there since the pandemic. Was pleased to see they still had reasonable prices. These menus were from their website, and their updated ones have everything $1 more. Still some pretty good prices. Add to that, but happy hour drinks were half off. That was actually full, but I didn’t remember the photo till after a sip. Only $2.40 for a tall summer shandy. Both of us ordered the broiled fish, and it was good sized and tasty. Everyone was enjoying being out in mid 80’s weather, and the band was just getting ready Enjoying before our normal April weather returns.

Sorry to read that about your friend. I will raise a glass today.

There is no season for ours. We use it year round, but I usually prefer the outside temp above 0°F when I go in. I do a drain, clean and refill on mine every three months. Will be doing that again next month.

It has been a while since I have looked at a vehicle window sticker, but I saw one of these on a car on display at a mall. I am not sure if they only put them on vehicles subject to the gas guzzler tax, but I wonder how often they get revised due to those fluctuations in gas prices. You can tell the nice weather has arrived here, because some nice cars are coming out for the summer. Saw this one in the grocery store parking lot. I am pretty sure it would have a sticker like the one above. I don’t think the R8 is in the average car category.

Flooding

Just saw this from the FLL airport. Wonder if Uber has boats?

Dang, I converted it to mp4 before I uploaded it. Let me try again to get the right one. Sometimes, CC says converting, so I am not sure what it does. IMG_7037.MOV IMG_7034(1).mp4

I am already working on that. Since the cardiologist said they may just have the surgeon get onboard now and follow progress, I reached out to Cleveland Clinic. They are to have me forward all the scans so they can review and refer to the right specialist. Cleveland Clinic is rated top in the country for this, and it is less than a 2 hour drive.

As for national pet day, Ricky was so excited, he decided to chase eggs. IMG_7036.MOV

DD is progressing. She just started five weeks of radiation. It was delayed a little, because she got the flu. She did start back to work yesterday, doing half days for a while. Taking it a day at a time. As for me, I finished with the heart monitor last Friday. Don’t know what it shows, but will find out when I meet with the cardiologist. Appointment was supposed to be tomorrow, but they pushed it back a couple weeks. With all the imaging that the “providers” have done, they did find a couple things. One, a spot on my lung that I have discussed with my primary doctor. It is at a watch and wait stage with another scan in 3-6 months to see if it grows. The second thing is I have a thoracic aortic aneurysm, that will be discussed further with the cardiologist. It appears it is near the size where surgery would be required, but it may just be monitored for a while also. It is probably good it is caught early. I had no symptoms, other than an elevated heart rate one day last fall, that Apple Watch said was aFib. That’s what prompted me to get checked. Thanks for asking.

They did retract it a few times, but it was mostly kept closed.

Yesterday, I had to take Susan to an appointment in Shadyside, Pittsburgh. Good report for her, 15 years now. As part of the route that Waze picked for us, it took us around some of the streets where the new FNB headquarters is being built. The construction site is where the old Pittsburgh Civic Arena (known as the Igloo) stood for almost 50 years. It was the home of the Pittsburgh Penguins, before they moved to what is now the PPG Paints Arena. Just driving by, brought back a lot of memories of the games I took my son to at that venue. It is hard to believe that next month will be 13 years since the last game was played there. I know there are a few hockey fans here, so most would be familiar with that venue. If not from the games, but from the setting for the movie “Sudden Death” with Jean-Claude Van Damme. The irony was not lost on me, that the two teams playing in the movie were the Pens and the Blackhawks. It so happened that the Pens were playing the Blackhawks last night, trying to get into that last wild card position. (A game they royally blew) Now I am off to find that movie to stream, since barring a miracle, the Pens will be sitting out the post season.

For that short turnaround, doesn’t sound like a total replacement. Maybe arthroscopic surgery? Note, I am not a doctor. Just a hypothesizer.

+1 @Ozark_Kid John. Prayers from us too. You do have a loving supporting family, and an extended one here.

Lunch today was at. Decisions, decisions! Their Cuban isn’t too bad.

Things that went well for me yesterday. 1. My doctor says the TB test shows I don’t have it. 2. I got two new faucets installed in one of my daughter’s bathrooms, without any major problems or injury. 3. I was able to eat the delicious desert that I didn’t have room for on Easter. 4. Tree climbing lessons went well. At one point, there were a couple of my granddaughter’s friends in the tree, also climbing and hanging upside down. This one has become a real daredevil.

I fell behind when there was an earlier conversation about collecting sap for maple syrup. I did that as a kid, but collected only enough to boil down to a couple bottles. One of the trails we walk, there is an elaborate collection system for the sap. They have some signs up where the lines cross the trail. Plus, they have some of the single bucket collection, and a kettle for boiling outside.

once over the flame, and we are good. 🤣

Since we had our Easter meal with family last Monday, it was just the two of us today. Our Easter meal was Cesar salad and prime rib. I don’t think I have had prime rib since our last cruise. Nice and red, like we like it. Of course, there was desert, but it will wait till tomorrow.

Happy Easter to all those who celebrate. We are off to the Easter service. It will be packed today. Meanwhile, it looks like the signs were out for the Easter Bunny.

Enjoyed the video, Andrew. Looks like a beautiful day for the flight. Especially liked the song choice for the end of the video.

+1