Cruising-along

We didn't automatically get French press coffee last fall on the Eurodam (and I didn't request it, sorry). They did walk around with the pastry tray.

Oh NO! Sandy, I'm so so sorry to hear this!!!

Good morning all! Will see if the weatherman has it right today. Yesterday 0% rain was predicted and we had more rain in one day than I can remember! At least the annuals I planted got watered in well. Today is supposed to be a high of 60F and 0% rain (that sounds good to me). 😉 Happy Flag Day! I'll pass on the bourbon and bath but cheers to all blood donors. We had our sunken bathtub taken out when we remodeled the bathroom. It had only been used a few times in 20+ years so it hasn't been missed. Will pass on the meal, drink and wine too. Have not been to the port but I see it's on the Grand Australia itinerary for '24 so I hope we'll have photos today. DGS and DD are doing well. DGS was bouncing off the walls after 1 day in quarantine. 🤣 Thank goodness for vaccines!! Julia @JAM37I have my DVR set for all episodes of Call the Midwife, but have you checked On Demand to see if they have the episodes you missed? Debbie @dfishI sure hope that skunk kept on moving and long gone now! Sue @RowsbyI'm so sorry your Casey has passed. Our last 2 cats lived to be 17 too -- and I remember how hard it was.

Right now I'm feeling darn lucky that we were in Yellowstone last week and not now. All entrances are closed, tourists are being evacuated and serious flooding. This is the road we took every day back and forth. Our hotel was in Gardiner. Two years ago Gardiner had a bad fire, and now this. 😞 https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/news/220613.htm We would have had no choice but to come back home. Whew! Feeling very thankful right now. Meanwhile, youngest grandson is feeling fine after sleeping 12 hours last night. DSIL says he was up and dressed for school at 7am this morning....only to be told he had to be tested, and then find out that after 2 years of being extra careful, he has Covid. I feel bad he'll miss his last week of 1st grade. So far his brother and Dad are testing negative, it will be a miracle if they don't get it too.

Good morning all! First of all, my deepest condolences to Jack @Heartgroveon the passing of his sister. And prayers for your brother as he has the PEG procedure. All the days were made for me, lol. I weed the garden every day (unless it's raining), have a sewing machine (but have loaned it to DSIL who is using it to sew the boys' scout patches on their uniforms), and can be a major klutz in the kitchen (especially when I'm in a hurry). I agree with the quote, the meal sounds "ok", but will pass on the red wine and especially the drink with cilantro. We've been to Iceland but not this port. Today I plan to visit my favorite nursery to buy some more annuals to fill some spots in my planters. Thinking about DD and her family -- yesterday both she and the youngest grandson were vomiting all day....and this morning he tested positive so is in the "quarantine room" with his Mama. So far DSIL and oldest grandson haven't gotten it, but it will be a miracle if they don't. Sad that Shep will miss the last week of school. Jacqui @kazuit was so good to see your post this morning. I agree about the deer. Although we don't have them near us now, we have lived places in the past where they ate everything in my vegetable garden. 😞 I tried everything, and nothing worked. Terry @smitty34877OH MY on the gas leak! Thank goodness you're all ok. Colin @VMax1700Bon Voyage!! @0106Thank you for the link about the cat curfew. Ever since our beloved cat was killed by 2 roaming dogs, we have always kept our cats indoors. So it's for their protection too. Roy @rafinmdGorgeous sunset photo!! Gerry @ger_77Great job on the angel wings!! They are precious. @Sharon in AZEnjoy Venice! Well, this wouldn't post the first time....apologies if it posts twice!

Thank you Sharon 🙂 It sounds like it's ship/cruise dependent, and your theories are valid. Last fall our cruise on the NS was less than half full but they did have sea day lunch in the MDR and PG -- and I sure hope they will on the NS this fall. 🙂 Thanks for your response!

Good morning all! It will be a cloudy day, up to 60'ish F. Yesterday turned out to be a beautiful afternoon, lots of sunshine. I spent it gardening and chatting for hours to neighbors. Interesting collection of days. I've never been a fan of magic shows, I get frustrated trying to figure out how they do it lol. So I rarely go to magician shows on BHBs -- but do remember one magician who was much more funny than the comedian on that cruise. 😉 HURRAY, all the HAL ships are now in service! That's something to celebrate! Will pass on the meal (not a fan of coconut) and drink, but the wine sounds good if it isn't too dry. Have been to many ports in Norway, but not this one. @marshhawkAnn Happy Birthday to your DH! @Sharon in AZI must have missed it -- what is the reason given for no sea day lunches in the MDR and Pinnacle Grill? I love the PG lunches and would be very disappointed.

Thank you Lenda, she’s doing well! DSIL sent me this photo today. It’s the breakfast our youngest DGS prepared for her and left on the tray outside her room. 🤣 She says they’re taking good care of her. Edited to add, the donut looks like a bite has been taken out of it....

LOL! To tell the truth, I never thought I'd want to do it -- and definitely would not have liked it if DH secretly arranged it. But he wanted to do it and we talked about it before the cruise. I'm very glad we did it, I loved it. 🙂

Good morning all! Another drizzly morning here in the PNW, but the afternoon looks nice. I got my results last night -- negative 🙂 So everyone has tested negative except for DD who is isolating in their home. My scratchy throat and headaches must be some other "bug" and that's good! Great collection of days and I love corn on the cob, especially just-picked. Unfortunately corn doesn't love my blood sugar so I don't have it very often. Will pass on the drink and meal, the wine sounds good today. Have not been to the port. @JAM37Julia Happy Birthday to your son today! @rafinmdRoy so glad to hear that your hip is feeling better. @HeartgroveJack continued prayers for your sister and your brother.

We renewed our vows in September, 2019 for our 50th anniversary. It was on the Nieuw Statendam, with Captain O'Driscoll officiating. We had the same experience noted above, and we got a photo album of the ceremony. We shared the night with one other couple who were also celebrating. Before the ceremony we, the other couple, the CD and Captain chatted and had appetizers. I highly recommend it to anyone.

Good morning all! It looks like it will be a fairly dry day, welcome after all that rain yesterday. The slugs were in heaven 😞 So far everyone has tested negative on their PCR tests, I will go in today and have mine done. DD says she's doing well, and it just feels like a bad cold. We're hoping that if the boys get it, they get it soon and over with because we have an ocean stay with them the 19th-22nd. DD is staying away from them, in two rooms alone, but I have a friend who caught it from her family after a week of doing the same. I'm sorry to hear about the other families dealing with this! @CrabbyPattiand @cunnorlnot a club we wish to be part of 😉

Very interesting, and makes a lot of sense. Thank you!

Thank you so much, Maxine. So far DD just has allergy symptoms and a low fever. We're waiting to hear DH's test results, and I just took a home test that was negative (but our son-in-law the PA says the home tests are much less likely to be positive without symptoms, and negative results are hard to trust). So I think no matter what DH's results are, I'll go take a test at the clinic too. I have a scratchy throat and feel a bit "off" but that could be anything from allergies to a different bug. Charlene we've done the luggage forward service and were very happy with it. You can also have it sent to your hotel if you'll be at a hotel before the cruise. We chose that option because we were in Amsterdam a couple days before the cruise. IF anything happened, we preferred knowing before we boarded the ship. As it turned out, it all went very smoothly. The luggage arrived before we did, and the hotel held it for us. In Amsterdam our hotel was the Movenpick, right next to the cruise port, so it wasn't any problem to get them there from the hotel. In your case I can understand, though, that you'd rather have it sent to the ship. We were very happy with the service. That's awful about your friend's DSIL's mother flying with Covid. I have to wonder if that's how our DD got it -- even though we were all wearing masks, most weren't. 😞

Good morning all! Well the "river of rain" has started. I'm glad I got a lot done in the backyard yesterday while it was nice. Today will be a more restful day, I hope. Yesterday turned out to be a bad day all around. As I was pruning one of the lilacs, I heard the sound of what I thought was a tree falling in the woods behind our fence. My heart stopped because it was so loud, and then about a foot away from me, I saw a 22" long 4" diameter branch had come down into our yard! It could so easily have hit me and I would have been injured badly. Once I had calmed down (and had some wine!) I contacted the HOA and put in yet another complaint about those nasty Cottonwood trees behind our houses. They responded quickly, a tree service will be coming asap. Then later last night DD texted that she tested positive for Covid. 😞 Of course we were all together last week in Yellowstone....none of the rest of us are feeling sick, but DH is going to be tested this morning at the clinic because he's scheduled to work tomorrow. The timing is hard to figure how/when she got it, it could either be during our trip or right after getting home. I like Donald Duck, Celtic art, and archives are so important. I'll pass on the drink, wine and meal (Debbie @dfishgreat rising to the challenge!). I like margaritas but not for a meal. Roy @rafinmdI hope your hip pain is much better soon! Sharon @Sharon in AZthank you for the cat photo! 🙂 @seagarsmokerso happy to hear that your uncle is doing well after his surgery. @JAM37Julia sorry to hear about your neck pain. I agree with others that it could possibly be your pillow. At least that's the culprit when my neck hurts. Gerry @ger_77Yikes about the identity theft and being awakened in the middle of the night. 😞

Good morning all! Today will be another day of temps near 70F. I plan to garden today because another "river of rain" is headed our way....we've had SO much rain this spring. I wish I could send it to areas that need it. I've been best friends with Barbara since we were 9 years old. We lived 2 doors apart. I moved to CA at 14, and we remained best friends through many moves on my part around the country. Deaths, celebrations, a lot has happened over the past 62 years. We try to get together every month if we can, we live an hour apart now. Like many, I thought of cruising when I heard World Ocean Day 🙂 Many Chilean Sauvignon Blancs are good, I'd like to try this one. I would like the meal, but with a thinner crust. I'm not sure, but think I've been to Isle of Man on a cruise. @Sharon in AZYAY that Craig is out of quarantine!! @seagarsmokerprayers for your Uncle Gary as he has triple bypass today. @SusieKIslandGirlprayers for a swift recovery after your hip replacement surgery today.

Good morning all! It looks like it will be a beautiful day here, low 70's -- if only the Cottonwood fluff would stop. It seems to have waited until we returned home and really started coming down hard yesterday -- making piles along the edges of lawns etc. DH is allergic like many people are. Thankfully HOA had some Cottonwood trees removed last year, so we're hoping this year won't be as bad as most years. I love anything chocolate, including ice cream. Better yet is ice cream with lots of chocolate in it. We had some ice cream in Yellowstone called Moose Tracks and it was heavenly. Vanilla ice cream with big chunks of chocolate, chocolate swirls, and peanut butter cups in the ice cream. Yum. I don't see many June bugs here thank goodness. I just looked it up, and they like the opposite corner of our state (and they can stay there!) I guess it isn't hot enough here. Love the quote, like the meal and drink, will pass on the wine. @cunnorlCharlene that is wonderful news that your sister's scans and blood tests were all clear!! Funny about the hair. My sister's hair grew back super curly (her hair had been slightly wavy, but not tight curls) and her hair color stayed the same. @dfishDebbie, I'm so glad to hear that you're sleeping much better and the pain is gone! Great news. Here's a photo of the black bear with her two tiny cubs that we saw in Yellowstone. They were right along side the road, and the ranger was making everyone keep moving, so it's the only photo we got thanks to DD. The cubs are at the base of the tree.

Thank you Lenda, I'm very proud of them. 🙂 I probably didn't write it correctly -- the program isn't being discontinued thank goodness. But they will stop giving the badges at the 3 levels to save money. The boys have Geyser and Bison badges, so we're happy. They wouldn't have been eligible to get the bison badges until they're 12 or 13 otherwise.

Aw, thank you!!

Good morning all! We got home last night after a great time in Yellowstone with the family. I'm totally worn out but eager to start planning DH's and my next trip there next year. On our last morning before heading to the airport, the grandsons did get their Junior Ranger badges so they're now at Grizzly Bear level. 🙂 Funny though, the park is going to discontinue the badges 😞 and there are no Grizzly badges left, so they got the highest badge, Bison 🙂 Proud Nana here, they did great at answering the ranger's questions. D-Day should never be forgotten. We got a rental car and drove to the beaches on a cruise, very moving experience. My family went to drive-ins when I was a child, but I haven't seen any since my teen years. I hope to get some gardening exercise today, it looks like things have grown a lot just in the 5 days we were gone. (that's IF I can get the body moving, I'm aching all over from those hikes this week!) I never could get a yo-yo to work well. Have been to Sitka once or twice -- thanks for photos! Will pass on the wine, drink and meal. @HAL SailerMelissa I loved your drive-in story! Kudos to your parents! @AncientWandererMaxine thank you for the photo of your adorable new grandson! Such a cutie 🙂 Our grandsons taking the pledge for their Junior Ranger badges.

Good morning all! Yesterday was our last full day in Yellowstone and we spent most of it hiking —another 5+ miles (and I’m feeling it)! First we climbed up Mammoth Terraces and then to the overlook at Prismatic Springs and then on to Fairy Falls. The boys have finished their Junior Ranger booklets so this morning we plan to drive to the Ranger Station in Mammoth so they can get their Grizzly Bear badges. They got their Geyser badges a couple years ago. Then we’ll drive back to Bozeman for our flight home. It has been a wonderful time! Prayers for all who need them and cheers for all on the celebration list. Have a wonderful day. Looking down from the terraces to Mammoth Next 4 photos are the terraces Looking down on Prismatic from the overlook. Well worth the hike! After a long hike we reached Fairy Falls DD said she was proud of us for doing something new, especially because the whole hike back was in the rain! A family tradition, photo of us spanning the arch in Gardiner.

Good morning from our last full day in Yellowstone. Yesterday was another full day. We spent it at Old Faithful, did the 5+ mile hike around one of the geyser loops, ended the day at Grand Prismatic and then a very late dinner. We saw more mama and baby bears, and of course had several bison road jams. 🤣 Today I think we’ll be heading to Mammoth Terraces and Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. At least I think that’s what DD would like to do. Since DH and I come every year this trip is for them especially. This is Shep’s second time here and Foster’s third. Prayers for those who need them and cheers for all on the celebration list. This chart is a winner! Old Faithful erupted exactly on time and was a good show. Being silly by Grotto Geyser Grand Prismatic Beauty Pool Morning Glory sadly isn’t as glorious after years of people tossing things into it. 😞 At dinner

Good morning from Yellowstone! We’re up and getting ready to start our 2nd day here. The weather has been great. Yesterday we saw a mama black bear with her 3 cubs who couldn’t have been more than a few weeks old. Right outside our car window!—a ranger kept the traffic moving and I didn’t get a photo but SIL got a good one. Today will be another full day of geyser peeping and hiking. The grandsons are working on their Junior Ranger booklets in hopes of advancing to bear level. Having a great time, prayers for all who need them and cheers for all on the celebration list! My shirt says “Do not pet the fluffy cows” Lots of babies, I love Yellowstone in the spring! Beautiful colors at Norris Geyser Basin Tired boy!

Good morning all from our hotel just outside Yellowstone! We arrived last night and are getting ready for our first full day in the park. This is also our youngest grandson’s 7th birthday. He’s hoping to see a fox (one animal we’ve only seen a handful of times in the many, many times we’ve come here). But fingers crossed! I’ll catch up on all the posts later but for now want to say I’m very happy Debbie @dfishis doing well but very sorry to hear that @Sharon in AZ’s DH has Covid. 😞 More later! Last night around the fire at our hotel.

When we sailed last fall I was told that they took into account that we are 5-star when we were assigned our boarding time. It was around 1:00. Whether that is true or not, I don't know.