Cruising-along

Thank you Laura. We haven't sailed on the Volendam since 2010 and I'm mainly concerned about recent reports of problems with A/C and heat. I'm pretty easy-going about anything else. Of course I want to hear that none of you are having any problems! 😅

Thank you Sharon, great photo! Have a wonderful time everyone! I'm anxious to hear all about the Volendam, since it will be our home for 94 days in 8 1/2 months.

Good morning all! We're having a drizzly, cloudy day, it will only get up to 50F. A good day to just do some housework and laundry (yes, getting low on underwear here) 🤣 I'm all for saving the elephants. Such majestic creatures. Will pass on the fungus (mushrooms) it's a texture thing. DH was a bean counter (Supply Officer in the Navy) and does all our taxes and investments. Good thing, because math was never my strong suit. Have been to Alaska and going again this year, but have never been to Whittier. Thanks for the great photos! Will pass on the drink, red wine and meal. Last night we had beef stew and homemade biscuits, not sure what we'll have tonight. Sandi @StLouisCruisers Happy 18th birthday to Kai! And a big congratulations to Ren and his team! Lorraine @cruising sisterWhat a wonderful thing you're doing for your friend. I'm sure your son would be very proud. Bon Voyage @GTVCRUISER! Gerry @ger_77 Your dinner last night with your Ukrainian friends sounded wonderful. How cute that the 5-year-old was proud of helping. Our Ukrainian neighbor has a thingy on her phone that translates. I speak into it in English and it translates for her. Her children and grandchildren speak more English than she does but this really helps her.

Thank you Brenda, I hope so too! We've had all the boosters, the last one was 7 months ago just before we cruised.

I love all the spring flowers in the park -- we've only been there in May.

We loved Mont-Royal when we had a full day in Montreal. It's a beautiful park at the top of a hill (we walked up and back but were younger then!) If you have a rental car it's one idea. https://www.lemontroyal.qc.ca/en

This is the first time we've had it, and we tested often too. The good thing is I don't need to be around anyone for another week, and by then I better be testing negative after 18 days. But yes, I've heard you can test positive for 90 days after (!) I'm glad I'm not on a BHB, I'd never get out of my cabin. 🤣 OMG I am so jealous. It’s too cold here still for my sweet peas. Risk of frost has to be gone. I do start them early about 2 weeks out or so but have to be sure they can be moved “in time”. the cherry tomatoes I had last year (I thought I was growing them for Jose) were all from seed. You have to start them early - as I am doing now. We have some varieties that ripen faster than others. It worked last year so we’ll see what happens this year 🤞 Thanks Jacqui. I've always planted "Early Girl" here, but plants, not seeds 😉 We have such a short season, really only from July-early Sept. Cherry tomatoes is another possibility for us.

Good morning all! I appreciate my DH every day, and the fact that he takes care of all our taxes is only one reason. Our income taxes are done and the deposit will arrive on the 19th. I don't have any set laundry day, it just gets done when needed. We haven't been to Venice since 2006. Thanks for the wonderful photos today!! Will pass on the drink and red wine, but I printed off the first recipe -- I would add some garlic and more peppers, take out the snap peas. Can't wait to make this, thanks Debbie @dfish 🙂 Well darn, I'm still showing a VERY faint red line in the positive. This is day 11. I read that there are a few people who show positive long after others stop. Anyone else have this experience? DH hasn't tested yet today, but 2 days ago he was still showing positive too. Like any virus, my body just doesn't want to let go in a timely fashion. Yesterday I got the Sweet Peas all planted outside and some parsley and spinach into a pot. Waiting for the basil to show up in the nurseries. I did most of that from a chair, and had to take several rests. But it was so nice just getting outside. I'm so happy to see that Laura's @TiogaCruiserDH's bag arrived. Bon Voyage! Bon Voyage Sharon @Sharon in AZ! So glad you got much-needed rest last night. Bon Voyage Susan @AV8rix! Bon Voyage @Dismomx5! Gerry @ger_77So glad you're feeling better -- enjoy dinner tonight! Maureen @RMLincoln My condolences to the family on the death of your cousin's DH. Safe travels to NY. @Denise T Welcome to the Daily! We hope to see a lot more of you here. Jacqui @kazu It amazes me that you can grow tomatoes from seed. Here, even when we buy full-size plants, we can't be assured enough sun to ripen them all before the end of the season.

Good morning all! Today is also Gardening Day and it just happens to be the only day lately that isn't raining -- so you can guess what I'll be doing. (Actually not a lot, I still get too tired too fast). But those Sweet Peas are ready to be planted, so I'll do that at least. And then probably sit in the sun. No ex spouses here thank goodness. Every day should have more than a moment of laughter and we always do. I'll probably be looking more down at the ground in the garden today, but do enjoy looking up at the sky when it isn't cloudy. I like the quote and it's true for many. Ursula Andress is now 87 years old. My only memory of her is when I was a child I remember my dear Dad calling her "Ursula UNdress" LOL. I'm sure Dad and @RedneckBobcould have shared a lot of jokes. 🙂 Wow, Prince Rupert came just in time. We have never been there, but it's on our little 5-day get away and we'll be there on May 4. The only ports on that short cruise are Prince Rupert and Ketchikan. An unusual Pacific Coastal, at least for us. Thank you Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser and Roy @rafinmd for the photos. I hope to see more. Like Annie @marshhawk I heard there is a garden within walking distance from the port, so we'll head over to look at that. No other plans other than to browse around and hope the weather will be ok. I would like the wine, pass on the drink and don't care for fish tostadas or tacos. Vanessa @JazzyV I hope you get good news today at your doctors' appointment. Laura @TiogaCruiser What an ordeal you've had! So glad you have the air tags (we love them). Let us know when you arrive safely. Gerry @ger_77 Thank you for letting us know that Sharon @Sharon in AZ made it safely to Miami. Get some rest Sharon! Lorraine @cruising sister My deepest condolences on the death of your best friend's son. How very sad! Hugs and prayers.

Hi Bruno! LOL these photos are from prior years -- the only thing blooming now in my yard is the Hellebore, Daffodils and Grape Hyacinth. But this is what it looks like later in the spring. 😉 DH had to drive to Bellevue every morning before he retired. In order to get to work on time, he had to get up at 4:30. The drive morning or evening took a minimum of 90 minutes. I also had to drive to Bellevue, but only a couple times/week and didn't have set hours. But I hated it. Our daughter lives in Kenmore, that's as close to Seattle that I will drive!

Good morning all! Every day here is plant appreciation day. I think I remember bookmobiles in childhood, but used the library. We both love peach cobbler, haven't had any in ages. Funny quote, will pass on the drink even in winter. I love rum but Hot Buttered Rum, has always seemed too sweet to me. Will pass on the red wine, and would try the 2nd recipe. We've been to Monte Carlo once. We were with DS and DBIL, we took public transportation to Eze and then to Nice. It was a very nice day, but my photos are pre-digital. Last night I slept for 10 hours, so Covid tiredness hasn't gone yet. Feeling pretty good otherwise, just tire easily. Today I took a Covid test (first since testing positive 9 days ago) and still have a very faint red line so will test again in a day or two. DH has the same. I feel bad for @TiogaCruiserand @Sharon in AZtrying to get to Fort Lauderdale for their cruises. Smart to fly to other airports! I remember back in 2017 (?) when FLL had an active shooter at the airport. We were mid-flight as it was happening, and were rerouted to Miami. A good friend had landed before us and was there as it was happening. 😞 @luvteachingI'm sorry you had to make the hard decision with DH and now have to drive to Everett to visit your DH. On the bright side, the traffic is so much easier between here and Sedro-Woolley than between here and Seattle. I know it's a long drive, but I'd do that before any drive south. Here are a few photos of my favorite flowers in the garden over the years. Hellebore Lambs' Ears, Tulips, Hosta, Ajuga, and Rhodies Side shade garden Rhodie in full bloom

Thank you Bruno. Yes, it was kind of like an ice shower, ice pellets that turned to kind of like snow, and then quickly turned to rain. My Daffodils fared the worst, bent some over, poor things. Everything else is ok, it didn't hurt the tulips (they haven't opened up yet). And I'm waiting a few days to plant the Sweet Pea seedlings. It will be *slightly* warmer then.

Good morning all! It's so nice to see bright sunshine this morning, especially because the previous forecast called for more of that "frozen mix". So even though it will only get up to the low 50's F, I'm enjoying the sun. Like everyone, not a fan of big wind. We have way too many trees around us. I love a good grilled cheese, especially those served in the Grand Dutch Cafe on a BHB. I don't know any lawyers now, but my first job was at a large high-powered law firm on Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, D.C. And they were not kind, 'nuff said. I'll pass on the drink and red wine. I prefer my pesto made with basil, so not sure about the meal with arugula pesto. Last night we had the stuffed chicken with mozzarella (I left out the dill) 😉 and DH declared it a hit. Our next cruise is coming up fast (May 1), and I need to start thinking about what to pack. It's only a quick 5-day Pacific Coastal, and it's been a long time since we've sailed for so short a time. It's out of Vancouver, a 2-hour drive for us. The cruise sails at 3pm, so yesterday DH suggested we get a hotel in Bellingham the night before. Getting out of here on week day mornings can be challenging, so this way we'll cut out some time on embarkation day. I'm all for starting our vacation early! I hope everyone has a great day!

Great to hear from you Bruno, and I'm happy to hear that your Dear Dad is doing better. No kidding about our weather! Today we had a ridiculous hail storm, it covered the ground and was bouncing off the roof. The sky was black. Then as quickly as it started it ended, and now we have bright sunshine. Looking forward to warmer days!

Thanks Debbie. Very glad to be almost over this. Today the fatigue everyone talks about hit me like gang busters, and here I thought I was avoiding it. 😉 I'm determined to make this dish tonight though, just very slowly lol.

Thank you all! We're very proud of both our DD and DS. We can't celebrate DS' birthday today (darn Covid) but will all get together at the Skagit Tulip Fields on the 22nd.

Welcome, we're happy to "see" you here and hope you continue to post. I see you live in Scotland -- we have cruised there a couple times and think it's a beautiful country. I would love to see more of it.

Good morning all! I'll celebrate pets day even though we haven't had one since our last kitty passed in 2011. Until then there was never a time in my life I didn't have a pet (2 dogs as a child, and 7 cats as an adult). Now I just enjoy our grand-pups and grand-kitties so we can travel a lot. 😉 I'll pass on the drink (coconut), and expensive red wine. Debbie @dfishthe recipes today all look delicious! I'm going to make the first recipe tonight for dinner. I love Feta cheese, but it's high in sodium so will use Mozzarella instead. And I have fresh spinach I'm growing. This sounds really good. I've been bringing my own bar soap for a number of years, I really don't like liquid shower gel. Vanessa @JazzyV Prayers that your knee isn't infected -- good that you'll be seeing the doctor on Friday. Here are some of my favorite pet photos over the years. Our first pet, 17-pound "Cairo" and my parents' dog "Riley". We were visiting them in CA and I don't think Riley thought Cairo should be in his house. This would have been around 1970. Same cat with our daughter, 1980. "Ebony", around 1995 Our daughter chose to have our cat "Suhy" pose with her in one of her graduation pictures. Edited to add that today is our son's 49th birthday. How on earth can I have a son that old when I'm only 25???

Yes, it would be great. There are a few of us Dailyites on that cruise, we need more. 🙂

I would love to meet you some day, Lenda. Did I imagine it, or did you say awhile back that you're considering the Grand Australia in January? Thank you Vanessa. I've heard that the tiredness is the last to leave, so I guess I'm on track. And I will actually be making a meal tonight (shrimp scampi) so that's progress! What a nightmare about the funds. Thank goodness though that the credit union person said they'll do anything they can to help if needed.

We were on the Nieuw Statendam, Sept. 8-Oct. 17. On the 18th we hopped over to the Koningsdam, this was our 50th anniversary cruise.

We had a lovely aft NS on the Eurodam last year. Could you tell me the names of the Concierges and the manager of the Pinnacle Grill? Do you have regular coffee or only espresso in your cabin? Last year they didn't have any regular coffee for the machines. Thanks!

Good morning all! I've never had any interest in learning to play golf, but DH played often in years past -- not now though. Several of our friends are avid golfers though and will play in all kinds of weather. The closest our family comes to having farm animals would be my maternal grandfather who had a dairy farm and my paternal grandfather who had a cattle ranch. I'm the youngest of 3 daughters, only 2 of us remain. Our oldest sister passed in 2010 after a 10-year battle with Lymphoma. We miss her every day. Although avocado is very healthy for most people, it isn't good if you have kidney disease. Since I've never liked avocado anyway (it's a texture thing) I was relieved to have a better excuse not to eat it. 😉 So I will pass on the meal, red wine, and drink. Today I continue to make baby steps to feeling better. Just some congestion, cough, and most of all very, very tired. No matter how much sleep I get at night I wake up tired and stay tired all day. Vanessa @JazzyVWhat on earth -- your funds disappeared?? Terry @smitty34877Prayers that your DH's procedure goes well. We've been to Marseilles and Provence twice. The first time was in 2008, no photos from that visit good enough to share I'm afraid...we rented a car and drove to Aix-en-Provence and Arles. DS and DBIL came with us that cruise, and that day was my sister's birthday -- a great way to spend it! The second visit was in 2019. We took an 8-hour tour to Avignon and Pont du Gard, the Roman aqueduct built in 50 AD. Another great day! Just a couple photos of Marseilles as both times we spent the day outside of the city. Pont du Gard, Roman aqueduct built in 50 AD Inscribed stones when the bridge was built Some scenes of Avignon

Thank you Sandi, it's nice to be feeling somewhat human again. Elliott Rose is a beautiful baby, thanks for sharing the photos! Thank you Lenda! Thank you Brenda! I think the corner was turned early this morning when my fever broke and my throat is much better today. Now I just have a slight cough and feel weak and tired.

A quick hello from "Covid Central" and Happy Easter to all who celebrate. I've missed a lot of the news here, Covid knocked me down for a few days. The 3rd night was the worst and I honestly feared things would continue downward. Yesterday I had no voice due to my throat being so sore and raw. I haven't had a sore throat that bad since having my tonsils out as a child. But this morning my temperature was finally back to normal after days of being over 100. Now just to keep it that way! So I think I'm coming out of this. DH is a couple days ahead of me and doing "well". He finished his Paxlovid yesterday and I'll finish mine Tuesday morning. Our kids have been great, DSIL giving medical advice, DS and DDIL brought us Easter dinner last night (porch drop) and we got a sweet FaceTime from the grandsons yesterday. Happy Anniversary wishes to @ger_77, @erewhon and @luvteaching! Also Happy Birthday to @luvteaching! Bon Voyage @aliaschief!