Cruising-along

Oh no about the thunder and lightening 😞 Well we now have rain too! It started out as a slow drizzle, but turning into real rain now. 🙂

Yay! I hope your rain is headed this way too! It's been cloudy all day and it looks like we got a little last night, but none yet today.

Good morning all! It's a cloudy morning, 60 degrees and heading only to the mid 60's. We must have gotten a little rain last night (emphasis on little). Fall is in the air. No bats for me, and I've been using more herbs and much less salt since my kidney diagnosis (funny how even a tiny bit of salt tastes too salty now). Motorist consideration is an oxymoron in this area. It seems to be getting worse every day. 😞 The meal today looks really yummy, I printed off the first recipe. Hopefully we'll get at least a few more good days to bbq. Yay on the NZ Sauvignon Blanc! but I'll pass on the drink (ginger). I think we've been to San Pedro, but not sure. I haven't looked yet today, but Jacqui @kazu after I sprinkled garlic powder around my pepper plants I didn't see any more stink bugs...🤞 I read that it's a deterrent. Sandi @StLouisCruisers Congratulations on making 5-star! I remember when we first started cruising I thought we'd never, ever make 4-star. Little did I know that we'd be 5-star some day. I underestimated our obsession with cruising! 😂 Annie @marshhawk Interesting about the number of people with diabetes and adrenal tumors. Thinking of my family, though, there's nobody who has had adrenal tumors, and every single person on my Mother's side has/had diabetes. It would be interesting to look into though.

Good morning all! I'm late today, another sleepless night. When I finally did get back to sleep, I slept until 8:30. Strangely it was back pain that kept me awake this time, have no idea where that came from. And it's continuing this morning. Hoping the others in the Sleepless Club fared better! As many here, I have had lots of pets who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge and miss them all. Will pass on Red Wine day, but I know many who love it. I won't turn down lobster but do prefer crab or shrimp. Yay on the white wine! And a little oak -- in the distant past I loved heavy oak in the Chardonnay -- now I only like it if it has a touch of oak and it sounds like this wine fits the bill. Have not been to this port, thank you Sandi @StLouisCruisers and Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser for your photos! Today will be 10 degrees cooler than yesterday and thunderstorms are predicted. We need the rain, but as Ann @Vict0riann said, we don't need the lightening. I'll be staying inside doing laundry (as long as we don't lose power). I was so very sorry to read about Baby Murphy's setback @cruising sister. My prayers continue. Also sorry to hear about Lou and Tana's bad day yesterday @smitty34877. I do hope today is much better.

Good advice, thank you! I'll probably get them first in Hawaii (unless I manage to get some in San Diego on boarding day, but that's more iffy. We'll have lots of time in Hawaii to get them. Then in Pago Pago. Lots of time after our tour. And yes, Papeete is towards the end of the cruise, and may be the last chance to get some before the long sail back. Thank you 🙂 Ray @USN59-79 When we renewed our vows on the Nieuw Statendam in 2019 I'm thinking it was only $150. Just looked now, and it's $300.

Good morning all! I think today will be our last "warmer" day, up to 81 and then down to the 70's and even 60's. Fall is definitely in the air, and the days are shorter. All good days today, funny quote. I printed off the last recipe for future use (tonight we're having turkey breast). I like the last recipe because it doesn't have heavy cream. Like Jacqui @kazu I'm disappointed that the Viognier is a red blend. White Viognier is one of my favorites. Oh well, maybe next time! 🙂 Will pass on the drink too. We'll be in Pago Pago on the Grand Australia/NZ and have a private tour planned. I'm loving the photos! Jacqui @kazu I do hope Franklin misses you and you "just" get some rain. Sandi @StLouisCruisers We will also be in Apia. You mentioned the flowers for sale in Pago Pago, I know they'll have them at the market in Apia too -- which spot would you recommend? It looks like they sell them right at the dock in Pago Pago? @lobsternight Bon Voyage! Nancy @ottahand7 Your tomatoes look great! I've been awake since 5am 😞 and dragging. Just could not get back to sleep. We'll leave on our Celebrity Alaska cruise in 19 days, so I've been thinking more about that. We haven't sailed Celebrity in 6 years and like all cruise lines, they've had some changes too. One nice thing, we're allowed to bring 2 bottles of wine on board with no corkage fee. I'll put off getting my flu shot -- whenever I get it this early I get sick in early, early spring. If I wait until November then it lasts all through flu season. Also waiting for the new Covid vaccine to become available. I hope everyone has a nice day!

Another September anniversary! There are several of us. I think I was "barely legal"... at least my Dad didn't have to sign for me, I think... I was 18.

Happy Anniversary!! This is also my DS and DBIL's anniversary but 56 for them. (and I also am under the delusion that I'm still in my 20's -- or at least 30's 😉 Aw, what a nice thing to say. Thank you Jacqui. It sure is all great -- kind of helps make up for the cost of this cruise doesn't it? That's my favorite thing to do too. Nothing better. 🙂

Caron keep in mind that it includes specialty coffees, juices, soft drinks, and bottled water besides wine, beer and mixed drinks. Just our daily coffees and water would pay for the package, it's an amazing deal and a fraction of the usual cost. (can't wait for this cruise!)

Good morning all! Predicted high here today is 83, but we'll see if it gets that high. I doubt yesterday made the prediction of 80. No matter what, I'll be getting some gardening done before the (predicted) rain showers start in a few days. Being such a cat lover, I haven't had a dog since I was a teenager. But DS and DDIL have 2 dogs that are loved very much (and very well trained). So I'm covered, DD has 2 cats, DS has 2 dogs. I'm a little surprised that nobody has mentioned the terrible TP on the BHBs....am I the only one who hates it? 😂 Seriously, I'd love to bring my own when we're on the 94-day cruise coming up! 😉 I'm all for women's equality, funny quote, and I love shrimp scampi but will choose real noodles. I would try the wine, and hope it isn't too sweet. Will pass on the drink, and we were in Copenhagen in 2014 on a Eurodam Baltic cruise. We stayed post-cruise in a hotel by the airport for a couple days and took the train to the city each day. Being castle nuts, we saw several while there and of course took a canal cruise. Teri @Cruzin Terri I was so sorry to hear about all your friends' troubles. Jacqui @kazu I hope you won't be affected by the hurricane -- stay safe! Carol @mamaofami That's great news that Sam is doing better than before his fall! Susan @durangoscots Oh, how sad about the little fawn. 😞 My first dog "Bibs" when I was 4. Oh my look at those pattern combinations! 😲 And my grand-pups Rogue and Pepper (Pepper is now bigger than Rogue) We took a canal boat ride in Copenhagen Our disappointing view from the boat of the Little Mermaid (surrounded by crowds of people). Frederiiksborg Castle Kronborg Castle Rosenborg Castle

True, I should have quoted more directly. "Eastern United States" 😉 but before that "native to China, Japan, Korea and other Asian regions...accidentally introduced and collected in Allentown, PA". This afternoon my neighbor said she has some on her tomato plant. The last time I looked at the pepper plant that is most affected, I found one dead stink bug and one live one (soon to be dead)! Usually I'd find 5 or 6 live ones. 🤞 @Live4cruises I'm so sorry to hear about your DH's fall and broken ribs! Prayers for a swift recovery.

I'm ready for them to fade away from here! I think they've come from the east coast because that's where Wikipedia says they are -- and yet they're a problem here for the first time -- rats! And I sure hope we don't get the spotted lantern fly next, ugh! 😲

Good morning all! Good collection of days, I'll pass on the drink but would like the white wine and meal. A big thank you to Tina @0106for the fantastic job of filling in for Debbie while she was on her cruise. Have never been to China, thank you for all photos! I'll be taking it easy today, other than the usual cruise planning. Yesterday we were with the DGSs at their house while DD had an in-city meeting. She ran late getting home and DSIL never gets home before 7:30, so I made dinner for the boys and us...that's always an interesting task because I never know where she keeps things in the kitchen! I never did find the vegetable peeler 😉 The boys ate every bite, so that was good. I also brought brownies for their treat. We had fascinating entertainment while there -- a mother deer and her fawn spent nearly the whole afternoon in DD's wooded back yard napping and chewing on the English Ivy. Much better that then the flowers and veggies in the front yard, which they also nibbled on (I thought of you Jacqui @kazu)!! They were so cute, but had no fear when DH tried to shoo them away from DD's tomatoes. I learned that the bugs eating my pepper plants are the dreaded stink bugs -- something I've never seen in our yard before now. 😞 I've been killing them off one by one with soapy water, I just hope the peppers ripen before they eat them instead of the leaves. I read that they'll eat pretty much anything. Thankfully (so far) they're leaving my tomatoes alone. The deer in DD's back yard, where they're welcome to eat the Ivy.

I agree, we book for itinerary too. And you're smart to wait, it's hard to keep up with 2 active roll calls (Grand Australia and NZ and Atlantic Adventurer for us).

We have a very active roll call, come join us! Agree with the others, that cruise isn't a Grand Voyage.

Good morning all! It will get up near 80 today, then heat up this weekend to the mid 80's (one last gasp of summer?) before cooling way down next week. My favorite iconic American dinner near here is the 59er Diner near Leavenworth, WA. They have 20 kinds of milkshakes at last count, and cabins you can rent - each with a different theme. A couple years ago we took the DGSs to stay in the Roy Rogers cabin. On one Med cruise we took a tour to Vesuvius and were able to climb to the rim and look down at the steam. It gave me chills seeing the power, especially after going to Pompeii and Herculaneum. Great examples of strange music today! I've liked them all! Good quote, will pass on the meal today (we just had Mexican food a couple days ago), and probably would like the drink but pass on the red wine. Never have been to Brazil, thank you Nancy @ottahand7 Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser and Sandi @StLouisCruisers for your great photos. Terry @smitty34877 I'm sorry Lou has decided to stop chemo, but do understand how he feels. From what I've heard, the effects grow stronger with each treatment too. I hope his doctor has a better alternative that works for him. Ann @cat shepard I'm excited for you to see the King Tut exhibit! You will be blown away. We saw it when it was here in Seattle years ago, then again at the Cairo Museum. Sandi @StLouisCruisers and Debbie @dfish Welcome home!! Getting that luggage home too is a big deal (as Debbie knows, we haven't been so fortunate a few times). And I know exactly what you mean about making that first cup of coffee, Debbie 😉 Annie @marshhawk I'm sorry Chuck is in so much pain and hope he recovers quickly. Also very sorry to hear about your friend Penny. I'm wondering when we'll be able to get the vaccine for this new variant... I want to thank all who gave their encouragement yesterday about DBIL's diagnosis. I agree with all of you that it's very treatable if caught early. Between this and my niece's MS recurrence, it's a lot for my sister right now (and she's more of a worrier even than I am) 😉 but the doctor told them the same you all did so it will be ok. I'm waiting to hear what treatment they decide on. 59er Diner All the walls are covered with old photos etc. And looking down into the Vesuvius crater

Oh, that's good to know! Pretty much what BIL's doctor said too. 🙂 Thank you Roy, I did think of you too. 🙂 I know my Dear Dad had it when he was quite old (maybe in his 90's) and came through the surgery just fine.

Good morning all! We have rain! On one hand it's really nice (way too dry here) but it's also sad to feel fall in the air already. Hoping we have our usual lovely September when the nights and mornings are cool and the days are sunny and warm. My daffodils are 4-5 months gone, I won't be riding the wind, but will hug my sweetheart today as usual. I'll pass on the red wine, but the drink sounds good and I'd love the meal if someone else makes it for me. We were in Qaqortoq in 2018 on the VOV and had a lovely day. Photos below. Yesterday we got a lot done. I had noticed that some Boxwood we have in the back yard had seen better days and should be taken out. We want to paint the house next year (but have to stay home long enough to do that!) so it's best to remove them anyway, they're too close to the house. I got them all clipped down to the ground and filled the yard waste bin to overflowing (the truck is going by and this minute took the clippings away 😉 ) this fall when the ground softens up from the rains DH will dig them out. He pressure washed that side of the house and things are looking better. It looks like some kind of bug is eating my pepper plant leaves 😞 Any ideas from the Garden Club? I won't put any poison on it, but did read that vinegar diluted 1:1 should work. I can even see the bugs, a hard-shelled beetle-looking monster 😞 We got some sad news yesterday, our BIL (my sister's husband, also the Dad of Jeannine who has MS) was diagnosed with prostate cancer yesterday. He'll call today for an appointment to talk about treatment. According to the doctor, it's not a concern as long as he gets treatment. I pray it's so. Ann @Vict0riann Happy Birthday! Bon Voyage @HAL4NOW! Safe travels home Debbie @dfish, Sue, and Sandi @StLouisCruisers and thank you for bringing us along! @Denise TA big congratulations on getting your numbers down, good work! I find that sometimes a change in meds can do wonders (along with diet and exercise). Terry @smitty34877 I'm very glad that Lou is feeling a bit better, and happy 51st birthday to your DD! Annie @marshhawk prayers for Chuck as he has the eye surgery today. Here are some photos I took of our day in Qaqortoq, starting with a view from the ship and ending with icebergs seen from the tender heading back. It was a beautiful bright sunny day in July 2018, about 45-50F. We didn't take any tour that day, we enjoyed walking through the town and up into the hills. The only problem was the tiny black flies. Thankfully I'd been warned, maybe by @dfishand others, so I had lots of insect wipes and used them. They flew in my face but never landed. I did see a few people with the hats with netting, they were smart. I hope to do the VOV again some day, loved every minute of it. The thing that looks like a blurry flying saucer in the photo of the village is a tiny black fly coming at me. 😄

I also recommend it. We renewed our vows on the Nieuw Statendam in 2019 with the wonderful Captain O'Driscoll. It was our 50th anniversary.

That's strange. Our cruise (November 2024) has had the excursions up for Egypt for awhile. It's one place I wouldn't go without the HAL tour. When we went before, it took an extra hour to get back to the ship because of the traffic (13-hour day). Also we had an armed guard with us.

Good morning all! I like Spumoni ice cream, will salute poets and am definitely a senior citizen. Funny, I don't mind that term, but it's like fingernails on a chalk board when I hear the word "elderly". I had a discussion with friends the other day about that. There's just something about that word that I don't like -- especially when they refer to someone on the news as "elderly" and you find out the person is 55! 🤣 I always think of elderly as at least 15 years older than the age I am now. 😉 Last night we were watching a show and they referred to a 92-year-old man as elderly. We looked at each other and said "now that's ok, he's elderly!) I miss John Lennon, good quote. The meal sounds good for today -- I printed off the first recipe and will make it tonight (minus the cilantro). I have most of the ingredients already. The drink sounds good too, will pass on the red wine. We were in Avalon in 2014 on a Pacific Coastal cruise. We walked around a bit and took a ride on the glass bottom boat. The air here is definitely smokier than earlier yesterday. 😞 The air quality is "moderate" so we're keeping the windows closed and staying in as much as possible. Thinking of our Daily friends in Southern CA -- stay safe! We just told DS and DDIL that we're thankful they moved north and they agreed they're happy they did. @TiogaCruiser thank you for the reports. @AncientWanderer I'm glad you checked in and are ok! @DeniseT thinking of you today as you do your oral defense, you'll do great! @smitty34877 I hope the nurse and therapist can help Lou. It's difficult, I know. Hugs! Avalon -- a beautiful day. The casino

Susan @AV8rix You're right, my neighbor must have meant a building fire. Her son is with the fire department, she must have been talking about that fire.

Lenda (and Brenda @bennybear) I apologize for the wrong information. Since talking to my neighbor, I've been searching online and I don't see anything about a wildfire in Everett. There was a fire in a building yesterday but not a wildfire. I found that the nearest fire to me is 55 miles away.

Roy that was my first thought, why was it activated before you got it? Something wrong there, but I think that's all it was, someone at the company activated it too soon. I went out to water the garden and didn't stay out long. The air is definitely smoky now. My neighbor told me that now there's a fire in Everett, the next town over. 😞

Good morning all! I will celebrate honey bees but from a distance (allergic to all kinds of bee stings), and the radio, but never, never will celebrate mosquitos. Like others, if there's one around it will bite me and I swell up for days and days. This year they didn't seem as bad, and I think it's because so many of the pesky Cottonwood trees were taken down behind our house so we get more sun in there. Interesting quote, the drink sounds great, will pass on the red wine and creamy sauce with the shrimp. Heavy cream doesn't usually agree with me. I don't think we've been to Bonaire. Tonight we're having left overs from our fabulous spread yesterday at DS and DDIL's. Everyone had a wonderful time! And there was so much food there was plenty for everyone to take some home too. The weather was perfect, not too hot but warm enough with a slight breeze to eat out on their expanded deck and be very comfortable. I was able to see and visit with our niece Jeannine who has had the recurrence of MS. She's doing "ok" and will be seeing her doctor on Tuesday to make the decision about which medication she will start. She never complains so it's hard to tell how she's really doing. We did smell smoke in the air but not until the drive home from their house. I know we have fires in eastern WA so it's hard to tell if this smoke was coming from there or Canada -- maybe both. Lorraine @cruising sister Enjoy your retreat!