Quartzsite Cruiser

RABBIT 🐰 RABBIT 🐰 WHITE RABBIT 🐇 Good morning from a mostly sunny and slightly breezy central Texas. It was 48F when I woke up this morning and is now 51F. It should warm to the mid-70s this afternoon, and then repeat the cooling/warming cycle over night. There is an interesting collection of days today. I admire the finished product of those who can do tatting, but I would not have the skill or patience to try tatting. Most of the time I had fun at work, and atheist day gives atheists a day to celebrate. The Anthony Burgess quote is one I need to think about. The chicken tacos look good, but we usually wind up having chicken fajitas with guacamole. We'll pass on the drink, but would like to try the wine if we ever see it in NZ. We have not been to Hammerfest -- yet. Sandi, @StLouisCruisers thank you for your pictures. @grapau27 Graham, thank you for the explanation of the days. @StLouisCruisers Sandi and @marshhawk Annie, I hope you remain safe during the storms, and Sandi, I hope the gutter fix works. @richwmn Rich, thanks for the information about Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs founding Apple on April 1, 1976. @Crazy For Cats Jake, a VERY HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY TO AMELIA. She is beautiful even if spoiled. @cruising sister Lorraine, I hope the internet problem is fixed soon. Ours acts up, and every so often, we have to reboot the router. @smitty34877 Terry, I hope your DH gets good news from the consultant soon. @marshhawk Annie, I hope your power remains on, and I hope you make a sale today. @ger_77 Gerry, bless you for getting others to help the young couple get settled. And bless all those who answered the call to help. Lenda

@Sharon in AZ Sharon, we've changed cabins many times. The last few times, including last year, we were told to pack everything except the clothes hanging in the closet. Either the cabin stewards or someone from housekeeping will move your things to the new cabin. We've noticed the process has changed over the past five to eight years. You should get information about changing cabins a day or two before. Lenda

Jane, it seems you got a good report over all today. That is good news. Terri, I hope the installation of the washer goes as smoothly as ours did last week. They were in and out in almost no time, so it really wasn't stressful. Lenda

Mary Kay, I hope you have a great day in Key West. It is a very interesting town. Karen, it's good to read about your DH making more progress. Susan, I'm glad you are doing better, and hope your energy levels improve soon. Roy, it was good to read that you are notching some improvement now. All the stories about the delayed and damaged luggage made me wonder if the gorilla from those old luggage commercials is now working for the luggage forwarding shippers. 🤣 Thanks for sharing your pictures of Robinson Crusoe Island. Jake, glad you could take advantage of the $25 deposit and book another cruise. I think the most we've had booked at once is two. Usually, we book closer to when we want to cruise. Carolyn, I hope your eye feels better soon. Sandi, I also hope the roofers fix the leak. While ours is better, there is still a leak, and we are not ready to have the ceiling torn down to have the leak. We've been to several countries in Africa, and I would also recommend stops in Namibia and South Africa. I think I'd be interested in doing the Grand Africa some day. Lenda

Gerry, that is interesting about someone dropping off more afghans. Nancy, thanks for sharing your pictures. I'm sorry you decided it was better to stay on the tender and had to miss the island. My mother also thought the 24 box of crayons was enough. I think I finally talked her into getting the 48 count box. Welcome to the Fleet/Daily. I hope you'll join our happy group again. When we were in Puerto Vallarta last year on the Koningsdam, we stayed until 9 p.m. but I've never been on a ship that overnighted there. Not good for the ego! Lenda

Charlene, enjoy your golf with your DS and his friends, and the dinner afterwards. Please wish your DS ⛳ A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 🎂 for us. Terri, we like hearing from you and how your are doing, but please post when you feel up to posting, and try to get some rest. Except for the deadline for the taxes, the other things will wait until you feel up to tackling them. I'm sorry that Gdansk was cancelled on your cruise. We enjoyed seeing the town and some of the surrounding towns. Annie, I'm glad you are both sleeping soundly and getting some rest. I know what you mean about the forms that need filling out for different doctors and tests. When possible, we fill them out on line, but sometimes you have to do it in the doctor's office. I'm the designated form filler since my writing and printing are a little better than DH's. What gets me is often having to answer the same questions three times on different sections the same page. I've filled out so many forms for DH in the last ten months that I almost give his birthday instead of mine when I'm asked for mine. 🤣

Good morning from a very windy and cloudy central Texas. It is currently 71F and heading to a high of 84 before dropping 54 overnight. The last time I used a Bunsen burner was in a chemistry class in college. Clams casino would be a nice appetizer, but I haven't seen the dish on a menu in decades. It's been a long time since we had crayons in the house. As far as the quote is concerned, I think we can get something from life as we're adding to life. The red snapper without the broth might be nice, but we'll pass on the drink. The wine sounds nice, but unattainable. We have not been to Robinson Crusoe Island, so I'm looking forward to seeing any pictures someone wants to share. @Crazy For Cats Jake, congratulations for getting a good deal on your big birthday cruise. @StLouisCruisers Sandi, I hope the gutter replacement will solve your leak problem. @seagarsmoker An interesting, but probably frustrating story about the milk and cookies. @RedneckBob RNB, we also liked the fried clams at Howard Johnson restaurants, but added one of their 28 flavors of ice cream for dessert. I usually got the Fudge Ripple. @Seasick Sailor Joy, I'm sorry you are sick and hope it's just a cold and you are well soon. Yikes 😱 on the damaged suitcase. @cruising sister Lorraine, be careful in that wind. @smitty34877 Terry, I'm glad your DD can relieve your cousin today. Lenda

Ann, thank you for the pictures of the Rotterdam. The Club Orange, Crow's Nest and library are an improvement over the Koningsdam, which I like. Also, thank you for sharing your walk down memory lane.

Good afternoon from a dreary central Texas. It has been cloudy, windy and humid all day, which made it a good day to stay inside, except for my almost daily walk. Otherwise, not much is going on around here. Karen, that is good news that your DH is slowly improving. Sending positive thoughts that he continues to improve and that his tests keep coming back clear. Debbie, I'm glad you had a good time at the Whiting Forest Canopy Walk. Good for River to try things that scare her, and I'm not sure if I would have done some of those things even now. 🎂 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUR BROTHER! 🎈 Tina, thanks for the pictures of the eagles feeding their babies. Lenda

For those who have Katakolon on an upcoming cruise, but who don't want to take a ship tour to Olympia, I thought this might be of interest. The locals have a regular big bus that they sell tickets to Olympia and back. You can’t miss them as they outside the first group of buildings across from the dock. In 2019 it was €8-10 round trip. My advice is to check with several “sellers” as they have different prices for the same bus. You need to be off the ship early. Our bus left at 9 am and they picked us up in Olympia at noon. This does not include the entrance fee to the museum or the grounds. This beat the ship tour prices and the €90 to rent a car. The two hours in Olympia was plenty of time for us Lenda

We have been to Katakolon twice. In 2016 on the Prinsendam, we just stayed in town. In 2019, on the Veendam, we took a local bus to Olympia and saw both the town and the site of the first Olympics. A few pictures from Olympia. It's hard to get pictures with out a lot of people in them. The big event field. DH had not seen pictures of this and was a little disappointed. Pictures of the town Olympia. Like Katakolon, the main street is full of shops. We enjoyed Katakolon, the museum (which takes donations and has demonstrations if there are enough people) and sitting in one of the many cafes visiting with friends. The main street in Katakolon The waterfront and cafes. An Olympic torch from the 2004 summer games in Athens. The owner of one of the jewelry stores carried the torch during the relay before the Olympics. We met the owner when we purchased a Greek key necklace at his store. We'd looked in very Greek port for the necklace, and DH found one like I wanted when he went back into town in 2016. The owner let DH take the necklace back to the Prinsendam for me to see without DH having to pay for it. We went back to the store and settled on a price. His mother escorted me to the one ATM in town to get the money to pay for the necklace. You don't find many people that are that trusting, but then he knew where to find us. Finally, the waterfront as the Veendam sailed for her next port. Lenda

@USN59-79 Sara and Ray, I hope you have many more very happy years together. Lenda

@cruzn single Mary Kay, enjoy your big day on the Rotterdam. Lenda

@Suslor Wishing you many more birthdays, Lenda

Good morning from a very cloudy and windy central Texas. It was 59F when I got up and is now 61F. The temperatures are supposed to reach 72F early this evening and not go below 70F until sometime tomorrow night. We could get a little rain, but I'm not holding my breath about that. At least, it wasn't cold when I ran my early morning errands. That is one holdover from 2020 that I've kept. I like going to the store when it is not crowded and there are no lines at the checkout. During the last three years, I've learned that we are definitely in control. A walk in the part would be nice, but I'll settle for my walk around our small community later if the weather cooperates. We both like our PCP and the Physicians Assistant very much. They both listen to what we tell them, but we've had a couple that seem to be in another place when we saw them. I very much like the Albert Einstein quote. If DH had not had an idea for a computer program that was outside the box, our lives would have been very different. He was told many times by "experts" that his approach to a technical solution would not work by those who only knew the textbook method. In a way, we are glad all the people who tried to compete with DH used the textbook method. For the 32 years he had his company, no one was able to develop a program to compete with his. The recipe for the ham roll ups looks good. We'll pass on the drink, but would love to try the wine if the price was not so high. We've been to Katakolon twice on BHBs. I look for my pictures in a few minutes. @richwmn Rich, I'm sorry your day in Dakar was canceled, but glad the captain put the safety of the passengers and crew first. After our tour to the Ile Goree, where we felt perfectly safe, we took the shuttle into Dakar. We walked about two blocks toward the market, but turned back because we began to feel uneasy. After that shuttle, the shuttles would take passengers into Dakar to give them a look at the town, but would not let them out to wander around. @seagarsmoker Thank you for your comments on your cruise last week. I was happy to read that the staff is beginning to enforce the rules. I also enjoyed your pictures. @RedneckBob I'll also celebrate the doctors who saved your life. The Daily wouldn't be the same without your humor. @mamaofami Carol, I'm happy you are seeing better every day. @kochleffel Paul, I loved the dachshund meme. Walking our two was a challenge at times as they'd "braid" their leashes around me if I wasn't careful. @cruising sister Lorraine, I'm glad the therapy on the hand is going well, but sorry the skin is still so sensitive. @RMLincoln Maureen, I'm glad things are going well for you and your DH, and you are getting back to a more regular routine. @grapau27 Graham, thank you for reminding us about "I am in control" when Reagan was shot. @Suslor Susan, I'm sorry both you and your DH have had major health challenges in the last few months. I'm glad your heart issue is resolved, and that your DH is recovering well. Enjoy planning for and taking your upcoming cruise. @JazzyV Vanessa, I hope the change on your leg is not serious and not related to the injection. @rafinmd Roy, thank you for the link to the see the Elegant Explorer. She still looks good, but I wish her livery was still HAL blue. Lenda

Good evening from a cloudy central Texas. The sun came out this afternoon while I did my walk. I thought we'd be able to see the planetary alignment, but that didn't happen. The nearer it got to sunset, the more clouds appeared. A salute to all the Vietnam veterans on the Daily and in our neighborhood. DH was a Vietnam era veteran. He was inducted on Friday, December 13, 1969, into the Army. After boot camp at Ft, Bliss in El Paso, he was stationed at Picatinny Aresenal, working on the 750 pound bomb which was used in Vietnam. Jo, I'm happy you stopped Penny before she ate too much chocolate. I'm glad you are enjoying your cruise, and hapo6 they did not mess with the Crow's Nest. We were on Weterdam before and after they redid Deck 1 and the Crow's Nest. We liked it before the conversion. Maureen, I'm glad your DH's vision is better, and the pressure is lower next week. Lenda

Why not live dangerously? We're not that bad a group of people. 🤣

Vanessa, sorry about all the aches and pains. Hopefully, they will be gone by the time of your cruise. RNB, you should of waved or said hello. 🤣 Vanessa, I wish I could answer your questions, but I'm just a puzzled about what makes people do such things. Karen, I'm glad you DH was moved out of ICU, and hope he continues to improve each day. I hope he also can be moved back to your local hospital soon. I looked up the bacteria, and it is nasty to say the least. Ann, it's good you are on the ship, unpacked and settled in. I'm glad Pat found the Vaseline and it stopped the nosebleed. Linda, that is good news that HAL will compensate you for your damaged suitcases. Yuck, on the smashed bottle of sweet chili sauce. That is as bad as the plastic pouch of shower gel that broke in one Amazon package. Thankfully, the rest of the items in the package were not damaged, just very clean. 🤣 Amazon sent a replacement, and we were able to salvage some of the shower gel still in the pouch. I have been enjoying all the pictures of Honolulu, Thank you to all who shared their picture. Lenda

Here are some pictures from our many drives around the island. The entrance and some pictures in Waimea Valley on the north shore Of course, pictures from Hawaii would not be complete without chickens. We in 2017, we stopped at Sunset Beach on the north shore where the pro surfing was being held. That day, it was too rough for the surfers to compete. 18 months later, the event had been moved to a more protected area. Just after the turn from the north shore headed back to Honolulu, there are shrimp ponds and several food trucks selling shrimp meals. We have eaten at this one twice. The shore past Diamondhead is very rough. In 2013, as we sailed from Honolulu, Kainoa was at the sail away hosting a lei tossing party. Instead of throwing them in the ocean, we threw them in the Sea View pool. One last look as we sailed toward Ensenada. Lenda

We tried to figure out how many times we've been to Hawaii, and it is at least 10 times. All but one time, we have rented a car and circled the island I will try not to duplicate pictures, with maybe the exception of Diamondhead and the Aloha Tower. Since we have so many pictures, I'll post the ones of Honolulu first. BTW, we have toured the Arizona, the Missouri and the plane museum, but I'll not duplicate with pictures of the first two. The last time we were in Honolulu was Veterans Day, 2018, and Punchbowl (National Cemetery of the Pacific) was decorated in honor of the day. The view of Honolulu from Punchbowl A few pictures of The Pink Lady, the Royal Hawaiian Hotel Another iconic symbol of Honolulu was the original International Market. Unfortunately my pictures of the original market are pre-digital. These are pictures of the International Market as it was being rebuilt and after it was rebuilt. At least, they kept the banyan tree. Some of the vendors from the original market, relocated, and I believe it was across the street from the back of the International Market. Old downtown Honolulu In 2007, we arrived three days before a cruise and stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. We lucked out and got an end room The room had two balconies, one facing the sea and where you could see the Aloha Tower, and the other faced Diamond Head. We'd have breakfast on the first balcony, and wine and a lite snack for supper on the balcony facing Diamondhead. Views from our room, including a sunset. Modern buildings new Waikiki A couple from our 2018 cruise on Westerdam taken from the ship In 2000, our call into Honolulu on P&O's Oriana was her maiden call. As we sailed in at sunrise, we were met by fireboats, and a helicopter that dropped small orchids on the ship. Somehow, we did not get any pictures of the orchid drop. Lenda

Mary Kay, sending best wishes and positive thoughts to your Dstepson on his up coming surgery. I hope that soon the cancer will be behind him. Ann, I like Roy's @rafinmd suggestion to get more backup Vaseline just in case. Lenda

Good morning from a wet and cold central Texas. We finally got some much needed rain. When I checked earlier we'd gotten 1/10 of an inch, but they are predicting more off and on for the next several days. It is currently 48F and will warm into the mid to upper sixties this afternoon. I like to shop at mom and pop business, but there are not many in our area. I'm not fond of smoke and mirrors. Once on the way back from Disney World before the DDs were in high school, we stopped at Manatee Springs State Park to see the manatees. The are such interesting animals, and they deserve all our efforts to save them. I can agree totally with today's quote. 😉 We'll pass on the meal, drink and they wine. We have been to Hawaii many times since our first visit in 1997. I'll look for my pictures in a few minutes. @lvhh Glad your new refrigerator will be here later this week. @seagarsmoker Thank you for showing us the Pinnacle Suite. That is probably as close to seeing one in person as we'll ever get. I don't know what we'd do with all that room. @cat shepard Great memes today, Ann. @smitty34877 Terry, your cousin is an angel to help with getting your DH to his appointments after working all night in what must be a stressful job these days. @Vict0riann Ann, I know you will be busy when you get home, but I bet you'll both be glad to get his surgery done sooner. I'm sorry he is having nosebleeds, and I hope they stop soon. @RMLincoln Maureen, I'm glad your DH did well last night, and I hope the follow-up appointment goes well. @superomaEva, an early HAPPY 19TH BIRTHDAY to your grandson. @ger_77 Gerry, nice work on the pretty blankets. I know the kids going into foster care will love having something of their very own to take with them. @marshhawk Annie, that is great news about your friend Jesse being cancer free. I hope they get the infection under control and then cleared up very soon. He and Penny have been through enough recently. @aliaschief Bruce, wishing your DW safe travels home today. Loved the memes, but now I can't get that song out of my head. 🤣 Lenda

@sailingdutchy Tony and Martha enjoy your cruise and a have great time. Lenda

@cruzn single I hope you have a wonderful cruise. Lenda

@Vict0riann Ann, I hope you and Pat have a wonderful cruise. Lenda