Quartzsite Cruiser

Good morning from a calm (for now) central Texas. There's not much on the agenda today. Our Property Owners Association (POA) is having a board meeting this morning, and I may go. There are a couple of issues that might prove interesting. If I play music on the porch or patio, I usually use my iPod and earphones. I try to use kind words, but once in a while my mouth gets ahead of my brain. 🤣 The Pony Express, while only in operation for a short time, played a big part in opening up the West. I like the Audrey Hepburn quote. I would like to try today's meal, but only if someone else made it. The wine sounds nice, but will pass on the drink. @kochleffel That is good news the dentist was able to remove the failed implant without costing an arm and a leg. @cat shepard Ann, have a great trip and a great cruise. Safe flight to Anchorage tomorrow, and good thoughts that your luggage stays with you. @marshhawk I'm sorry about your friend Jesse's diagnosis and hope they can get the cancer during the surgery and he tolerates the chemo and radiation treatments. @luvteaching Karen, BON VOYAGE and have a great cruise. We have been to Mykonos twice. In 2003, we were there on the old Regal Princess as part of the mystery cruise. We rented a car and drove around most of the island. In 2016, we were there on the Prinsendam and just walked around town. Today's pictures are a combination from both visits. After going to Santorini twice, we decided we like Mykonos better. A couple more pictures of the iconic windmills on Mykonos. Outside the town For the Garden Club Back in town, Paraportiani Orthodox church on the waterfront Some of the back streets in town Mykonos from the ship Lenda

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Good afternoon. The yard work is finished, and I'm cleaned up too and enjoying sitting outside. It's not too hot today, and there is a good breeze that keeps coming and going. To celebrate the cooler, but still hot for many weather, we'll grill a ribeye to split for dinner. There will be baked potatoes, salad and of course our, cardbordeaux Pinot Noir, too. We still miss Brandy and Nikki, and miss watchimg them play together. I'm enjoying all the dog pictures. Sandi, I also suspect a medical emergency. There is a good chance he was either unconscious or already dead, and did not feel any pain. Linda and her recovery are in my thoughts. Susan, I hope the shelter roof does not leak. I think sorting books takes longer than anything else because you just have to look through so many of them. Bruce, glad the train made it up the hill. That is spectacular country. Thanks for the pictures. Linda, it was nice of your stewards to give two dogs for your cruise. The HAL stewards are so amazing and caring. I really like the quote. Our Nikki was the best dog, and Brandy was too, until we got Nikki. Then, Brandy turned into the ultimate Alpha female. Vanessa, I hope you feel better soon. Welcome to the Daily, Jo. I had to laugh when I read what all your grand dog ate. I just hope the two socks were a matching pair. 🤣 Jim, that is great news about your recent surgery. Terri, i hope you can work through the situation soon, and find the best results for you. (((HUGS))) Lenda

Brandy and Nikki looking out the motorhome in Quartzsite in 2001. Lenda

Good morning from central Texas. It's supposed to be cloudy to partly cloudy with a light breeze. Unfortunately it is humid now, but I hope the humidity lessens in an hour or so. This morrning I need to get out and mow the yard. Since the rain earlier this week, the weeds have grow like weeds, plus they are taking over the yard. I guess they are better than dirt, and they are green. We will celebrate dog day by remembering our two dogs who are on the other side of the rainbow bridge. Women's Equality day is worth celebrating, but we do have a ways to go yet. Every day is toilet paper day. 😉 I like today’s qoute. We'll pass on the meal and the drink. The wine sounds nice. Sadly, we have not been to Aqaba or Petra. They were on our two Princess cruises we canceled. @StLouisCruisers Sandi, thank you for your wonderful pictures. @Cruzin Terri Terri, I hope today is better for you. @Heartgrove Jack, good luck with the inspector and the roof. @kazu Jacqui, I'm glad you like the new doctor. I wondered if the shaking legs were due to stress and grief. It ia anazing how different people react to stress and grief. I better get moving before it warms up too much. At least we're out of the triple digit highs. Lenda

We just got back from the opthmaogist, and he gave a clean report. They were worried a lesion near the optic nerve might be pressing on the nerve and causing some or all the ptoblems. With this report, we guess the NPH is the culprit. There were a lot of different tests, and the exam took two hours. The doctor's only concern was one eyelid is drooping, but it wasn't when Steve saw him three years ago. We wonder if it is also caused by the NPH too. Now, if they will just move the appointment with the neurosurgeon to an earlier date. It was set fot late September in case it took a while to get the appointment for the eye exam. Lenda Lenda

Sandi, thanks for the update about Linda. It does sound like a long recovery. I'm glad she is alert and has family with her. That is interesting. Was there a storm? It's good the crew escaped safely, and that they got the catch and fuel removed. Thanks for the interesting pictures. Lenda

Brenda, thanks for the wonderful pictures. We had a taste of Kobe beef at DH's retirement party. Two of the three people who worked with him the last 17 years he had his company met us in Las Vegas for a celebratory weekend. The retirement dinner was at Le Cirque, and one of the guys ordered the Kobe beef at a supplement price of $100. (Their company was paying). Even at that price, it was a very small piece of steak that he shared, Our bite was wonderful, but we wouldn't pay $100 for it. 😉 Lenda

Well, it the lull between a busy morning and a busy afternoon. I'm trying to catch up on some things I didn't get finished yesterday. After the haircut, I feel lighter. My hair had grown so fast over the last four weeks, that my stylist cut it even shorter this time. I think after about 25 years with really short hair DH is getting used to it. It is so much easier to take care of than when it was shoulder length, not to mention cooler too. Jacqui, I'm sorry you had another spill. I hope the knee heals quickly, and I'm glad the wrist is all right now. Gerry, I hope you can reeducate your taste buds about wine. Remember, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again". 🤣 🍷🍷🍷 Roy, thanks for the pictures of Kobe. It's on my bucket list, but I think it will be sometime before we get back to Asia. Sandi, that is such sad news about your neighbors. Our condolences to you, your neighbors and David and Linda's families on the loss of David. Sending good thoughts that Linda makes a full recovery, and also that their dog is found and is safe. Joy, such sad news that your friend's brother died alone, and that no one knew for several days. People living alone need a buddy system so that if they have not heard from the person, they know to check on them. @JazzyV Vanessa is lucky to have her BFF who knows to check if he doesn't hear from her each day. DH just looked up the list of US National Parks, and we've been to 45/46 of the 63 National Parks in the almost 55 years we've been married. This does not include National Historical Parks, National Monuments, National Recreation Areas, etc. We've also been to several national parks in Canada. Lenda

A quick good morning from central Texas. It is going to be a busy day. This morning, I need to make a quick trip to the store, get home and put away the groceries. Then, I have to turn around and go get a very much needed haircut. This afternoon, we head to Cleburne for DH's opthmaogist appointment. An interesting collection of days. It's been years since we've had a banana split, and I always have them leave the pineapple sauce off and substitute more chocolate sauce. On our last Princess cruise, DH often got a banana split inn the MDR for dessert. I salute the national park founders. An interesting quote today. I like being with people, but alone time is good too. We'll pass on the meal, drink and wine. We have not been to Kobe. @aliaschief Bruce, I'm sorry the tour guides decided to strike. One of our best tours was when the guides canceled, and they could not find guides at the last minute. We enjoyed the bus ride in peace and quiet, saw what we were supposed to see, and the drivers went out of their way to make it a good tour, including an extra stop. Canaletto is also a favorite of mine. And, sad about the lost passenger. @cat shepard Ann, I hope you find a volunteer. I can't make that commitment right now. @marshhawk Ann, good luck with the new campaign. @StLouisCruisers Sandi, sending positive thoughts for safe travels, on time flights and no lost luggage for your DS and family. Lenda

Finally, I think I've got all my chores done for today, except folding the sheets. I can hear my new book calling me. Your welcome. I quit using autocorrect because sometimes it replaces words with something that means an entirely different thing. I nearly didn't get the name correct either. There are two towns with similar names with only one letter different. I looked it up on Google maps to make sure I was spelling it correctly, and the other town came up. I noticed it was in the wrong place, and that's how I discovered both Kristiansand and Kristiansund. It just makes it even more confusing. We might have gone there, but I can't be sure. We lived over in Pike Creek Valley and did not get out 202 very often. Later, between 1980 and 1985, we lived in PA off Rt 896. When DH was in the Army stationed in Dover, NJ, there was a hamburger place on Rt 46 toward Rockaway, that had a double burger that was just like the Big Mac before there was a Big Mac. It was a Goody burger, and it was good. Linda, I'm glad your son is in his new house. Hope everything with the roof is all right now. Lenda

A quick break between folding a load of clothes. Also busy with getting medical records ready for appointments with the ophthalmologist tomorrow and our PCP next Tuesday. We were pleasantly surprised we could get the appointments so soon The next appointment at UTSW with a neurosurgeon is scheduled for September 26 to allow time to see the other two doctors and for UTSW to get their reports. It might be wishful thinking, but maybe we can get the 9/26 appointment moved up. 🤞 At least, by seeing the Nurse Practioner first, we got the necessary tests done before seeing an MD, and before an appointment with a MD could have been scheduled, so I feel we haven't been wasting time. At yesterday's visit, the NP reviewed the MRI with her supervising doctor, and he concurred on the treatment plan moving forward. Our favorite restaurant in Baltimore was Haussner, which featured German food. In the late 60s and early 70s, we'd stop there whenever we were in Baltimore, but sadly it closed in 1999. DH found the recipes for their Strawberry Pie and Crab Imperial that I still have not tried. When we moved to Wilmington, DE, in 1974, there was a Howard Johnson's with the iconic orange roof near our home. We'd often go there on Friday night to have fried clams followed by one of their 28 flavors of ice cream. The last one closed on June 1, this year. Howard Johnson opened his fist restaurant on February 1, 1925. In the 1960s and 1960s , it was the largest restaurant chain in the US. Terry, I'm glad Tana is feeling like resuming her executive chef duties. She must be a very strong, determined person to tackle a challenging thing everyday, even on not so great days. In 2017, we found a Big Boy restaurant in Bismarck, SD, and the Big Boy hamburger was as good as ever. It is drive through only, and the line of cars can be quite long, but it moves quickly. IIRC, there are a few Big Boy restaurants in California. Bruce, thanks for the pictures from Kristiansand. We enjoyed our day there in 2009. Thanks for your pictures of the Vesuvius crater. Now, I don't have to make that climb. 😉 🤣 Lenda

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Good morning from a cloudy central Texas where the chance of rain is about 15-20%. However, the actual weather does not look at the forecast. When I think of iconic American restaurants, Howard Johnsons comes to mind, and yes, I'm dating myself. Sadly, the last one closed earlier this year. Going to the top of Vesuvius has never appealed to us, but we've been to Pompeii and Herculaneum. There is a lot of strange music. I like today's quote. We'll pass on the meal, but a margarita would be nice. The wine is a bit pricey. We have not been to the UAE. It was on our two canceled Princess cruises, but today's port wasn't the scheduled port. It's time to go start the laundry. Lenda

This is getting better and better. BTW, I also use a roller, so your back will be covered. Lenda

With cardbordeaux, I can see the four of us turning into the Three (Four)Stooges and hitting each other in the face with loaded brushes. Maybe, I should have skipped the wine tonight. 🤣 Lenda

On Lake Whitney, but not on the lake. We're near the Katy Bridge, which was the old railroad bridge that was made into a road bridge. We're about 4 or 5 miles outside of Whitney. In other words, we're about 2 1/2 hours north of Austin. Lenda

We made it to Dallas and back in one piece, but traffic was heavy in places. It was particularly slow on I-35W coming home. We took I-30 to Ft.Worth with some slow downs and then the toll road to Cleburne and home from there. It was longer, but not as crazy as the other way. The MRI showed a couple of problems that need checking out and one that will probably need surgery before the nph is addressed. At least, it looks like we'll be headed in the right direction. Keeping our fingers crossed 🤞 the are no more surprises. We had some rain going and coming, but saw no flooding. Last time, the Trinity River bed was grass. Today it was a river. Lenda

And messier too, so our reputations as the messiest painters would be intact. Lenda

Texas weather is unpredictable. Right now, our wind has changed to out of the north and it can't decided whether or not it should be cloudy or sunny. @dfish Debbie, @superoma, and @Cruising-along Carolyn, just think how much fun and messy it would be if we all got together to paint a room, or maybe help paint the hull of a BHB. 🤣😉 @HAL Sailer I'm glad your DSIL came through the extensive surgery and is resting comfortably. I hope the further tests do not show much more spread of the melanoma. Sending positive thoughts for a complete recovery for you DSIL. I'm happy her son was able to get the news to you about the surgery. I am amazed at how well he is doing given the extent of his injuries. @Heartgrove Jack, , thanks for the wonderful picture of Lily. Have you thought of getting a bigger couch for Sam, although he does look comfortable. @Horizon chaser 1957 Thank you, Laura for the pictures of Tonga. Lenda

Good morning from a cloudy central Texas. Our rain chances are a lot less than they were yesterday. The good news is the car that sits outside no longer needs washing. I like the days, but I'm not sure how I'd ride the wind now days. I've always loved daffodils, but I can't get them to grow here. I like the Longfellow quote. I think it could apply to all of us at times, but hopefully not now. We'll pass on the drink and the meal. I might try the red wine in a can sometime. We have not been to Tonga. @grapau27 Enjoy your anniversary dinner with Sarah. @rafinmd Roy, I hope today's test gives you some answers, and an easy fix. @superoma We only got 2 inches of rain here and no flooding. The DFW area was hard hit with floods. @mamaofami Carol, I hope you get the needed rain, but not in torrents. @dfish Debbie, I think we might be tied as the messiest painter. I have a shirt and a pair of shorts just for painting, and sometimes, I have more paint on me than on what I'm painting. @kazu Jacqui, it sounds like Henry and Jack are just what you need right now. I hope you wrist is better. We'll be heading to Dallas to see the PA later today. Lenda

@Vict0riann 🎉🌹🎂 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANN! 🥂🍾🎈 We both hope you have a great birthday and many more to come. Lenda

We had the original shot in 2009 and did not have a reaction. Still even a bad reaction is better than shingles. Lenda

In the past two hours, we've had two more waves of very heavy rain come through. We have now received 2 inches of rain today, and we will probably get a little more this afternoon. Our rain chances will diminish but possible rain is still predicted through Friday. Our bushes and grass should be happy, and the weeds should be easier to pull later this week. The small front yard is full of Johnson grass which is an invasive grass that is just about impossible to kill or completely weed out. If I can get most of it this week, then we won't have much grass in the front yard. I'll either reseed it or put down sod if I can find it. Even then, it will still probably be a losing battle again next year, but I'll try. The only good thing I can say about the Johnson grass is it's green, 🤣 Sandy, I also hope the therapist is correct and the exercises will help. Until I had the second Covid vaccine, I never had a reaction to a shot except a sore arm. I was expecting a bad reaction to the next shingles vaccine shot, but only a sore arm with this one. I bet I even get a reaction now to the flu shot next month. These reactions may be another unexpected side affect of Covid related things. Still, I agree that a few hours of feeling bad with a reaction is a small price to pay to prevent getting shingles, the flu or Covid. Lenda

Good morning again. It is raining again and this time thunder has been added. The forecast is for rain today and tomorrow morning. It is predicted to slow down or stop here and in Dallas by the time we have to leave for DH's appointment at UT Southwestern in the afternoon. One advantage of the clouds and rain over the heat and sun is we can now open the blinds and look out. I will be the first one to admit that I am no angel no matter how hard I try. Sometimes, the imp in me just takes over. Happy Hoodie Hoo day to our friends in the southern hemisphere. I also had to look up the day, and I learned we get to celebrate Hoodie Hoo Day on February 9 to help chase away winter. It's been quite a while since we had to round up coins for the tooth fairy to leave, and my wonderful dentist is doing everything he can to prevent the tooth fairy from visiting me. I like the Suzanne Collins quote. We'll pass on the meal and the drink. I prefer strawberry daiquiris. The wine sounds nice. @superoma Please wish your DH a HAPPY BIRTHDAY for us. @grapau27 Graham, enjoyed seeing your wedding pictures. Thank you for your comments about my pictures. @dfish Debbie, I don't envy you painting your house. I have painted several of our houses over the years, but that does not appeal to me now. Besides, our ceilings in the great room and our bedroom are sloped from 9 feet to 17 feet, with crown molding. That is more than I want to tackle. @Lady Hudson Katherine, I cleaned out my side of the closet last year and this year, but I still have several formals, just in case. @StLouisCruisers Sandi, I hope they come up with a plan to help alleviate your leg pain. @kb4683, @smitty34877, and @Cruising-along Thank you for your pictures. I'm still amazed so many of us go to the same place, and see such different places and things. @ger_77 Gerry, I'm glad you are feeling close to normal. Please, don't try to do everything at once. The chores will still be there when you feel better and stronger.🤣 There's that imp again! 😈 @Cruzin Terri Terri, how nice of your neighbors to fix your mailbox. @JazzyV Vanessa, I hope you feel better. @mamaofami Carol, keeping my fingers crossed 🤞 that one call is all it will take to get the insurance mess corrected. The rain is getting heavier, and we're probably going to get a little more bad weather as the satellite dish just lost the signal. I was expecting a sore arm from the shingles shot Saturday, and I did get it, along with a red lump that was warm to the touch. What I was not expecting was getting the same reaction to the shot yesterday that I got from my last Covid booster. It hit me like a ton of bricks about 24 hours after the shot. Luckily, it didn't last as long, and maybe it was because I took Advil for the headache that was part of the reaction. I had wanted to comment on several posts yesterday, but even after the Advil kicked in, I was mentally too tired to comment. After a good night's sleep, I feel fine now, but I'm not looking forward to the second shingles shot. Our theory is with all the vaccines we've had in the past 18 months, my body reacted to a new invasion, but I guess it means the vaccine is working. I just checked and we've received a total of 0.61 inch of rain this morning. The grass will love it and hopefully, it will put an end to wildfires in the areas getting rain. Lenda