Quartzsite Cruiser

What I thought would be an easy day was busier than expected. I did a little weeding of clothes and straightened several drawers. Now, I have two boxes to take to the thrift store tomorrow. I have needed a haircut for the last week or so, but kept putting off getting an appointment. The place where I've been going for about 15+ years closed last fall. It survived the lockdown but not the prejudice. The owner, who bought out the original owner in 2019, is a legal immigrant, and over time the clients and then the stylists started leaving. The owner and one stylist are now working at a place near me, but my stylist is working at a place I have avoided since we moved here in 1999. Now, I'm torn about where to go. I planned to get an appointment some place for Friday, but today, I realized I could not wait that long, so I gave my self a haircut. At least, DH didn't say anything about it looking horrible. 🤣 Now, I have a few weeks to decided where to get a good haircut. @mamaofami Carol, I'm glad you had such a nice Mother's Day with your family. @travelnap Thanks for solving the mystery of the extra lids. 😉 @Cruzin Terri Terri, I'm glad you enjoyed your day in Assissi. Thank you for the great pictures. I'm glad you both are feeling better, and I hope your appetite returns soon. Lenda

Ray, thank you for that gracious reply. Lenda

Sandi, glad your father's car was found with only the wheels and tires missing. We had an Astro van stolen and by the time it was found not only the wheels, but the seats were missing. They did leave the cell phone which was a big boxy unit bolted to the floor. The more I think about the car in the picture, it could even be a 1962. The picture could have been and probably was taken in 1962. Lenda

Good morning from central Texas where it will be hot again today. Our orphan socks are usually due to the mate having a hole in it and being tossed out. The laundry on Koningsdam lost one of my socks in March, so it is not just home dryers that send socks into a black hole. I think the tags are off the mattresses. Women's check-up day is important. We had our check-ups last month, and my mamogram is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. I like the quote of the day. The meal looks interesting, and I'd like to try the wine. We'll pass on the drink. We have not been to Abu Dhabi yet. We were supposed to be boarding Coral Princess in less than ten days with Abu Dhabi as one of the ports, but the cruise was cancelled last fall. We have another chance on Coral P's world cruise next year. 🤞 @kazu Jacqui, it was good to see your post. Thank you for the translation. My high school Spanish was never good enough to understand spoken Spanish. Take care of yourself during this difficult time. We'll be here when you need us. @cat shepard Ann, I hope the new waterheater is installed soon. Take your time on returning to the beverage department. Also, take care of yourself. @ger_77 Gerry, sorry the patio furniture did not work out. It sounds like the factory has a quality control problem. Lenda

Ray, I don't like to disagree, but it is impossible that the car is a 1965 model. My grandmother died in March 1964 and was in the hospital from September 1963. I seriously doubt the 1965 models were out then, especially since I think the picture was taken in the spring. BTW, I looked up images of 1962-1965 Impalas, and the tail lights looked basically the same every year. Lenda

Sandi, I saw this when I was looking for the information about reactions after receiving the booster. I saw an article on several news sites that some experts think they can learn something from the "few" who don't get covid. They think there might be a gene mutation which helps prevent getting the virus. That would be great if they could find something in the study. But, I couldn't help thinking that part of why some did not get covid was due to the precautions they take and not returning to normal life completely. The article mentioned a couple where he got sick and she didn't as an example, even though they both worked outside the home. We've read of others where only one got sick, so there may be something to the theory. Lenda

My grandmother was a remarkable woman, and she somehow managed to keep track of all the announcements, parties, clubs, etc. she had to cover. In addition, for many years, she had a radio program on a local station, and she was considered the Emily Post of our small city. But best of all, she was a wonderful grandmother. Lenda

Terri, I remembered about your canceled tour when I posted the pictures. I thought that if you hadn't seen many pictures of Fatima, they would give you an idea of what to expect when you do visit. Lenda

Carolyn, you are very welcome. It is a nice way for me to relive our adventures in Lisbon and other ports. Lenda

Thank you, Graham, for your nice comments. When you've been someplace many times, you tend to look for out of the way places. Lenda

I could not find the link about the stronger reaction. DH found it, but he is better at finding things than I am. I looked through the CDC site, but a lot of the information was not germane or was pretty technical. While I had a stronger reaction to the shot than the other three, it did not last all that long. I'd much rather feel bad for a few hours than get Covid. I noticed on the CDC site that even though you can get the booster after six months, it was suggested waiting until fall when they expect another surge in cases or when a booster that covers the newer Omicron variants is available. For several reasons, we felt we needed the shots now. Frankly, we are thinking the shots might be needed semi-annually for a while. Lenda

When you have visited a city 11 times, you tend to have a lot of pictures. I promise, these are the last pictures. They are from our 2019 Veendam cruise, and we were on our way to Boston. This time we took the yellow Ho-Ho, and it had a different route on both loops that covered the high points but some different neighborhoods too. A few more pictures of the Park of Nations area. Rosario Station There was another advantage of the yellow bus. The ticket allows you to ride the city buses too. Lenda

In 2017, the Prinsendam took us to Lisbon twice. The first time was on the way from northern Europe to the Mediterranean, and the last time was on the TA back to Fort Lauderdale. On our first visit, we took the train to Cascais, so here a few more pictures. I had forgotten our arrival for our second visit that year was later than normal, giving us a great sail in. The last two times we have been in Lisbon (2017 and 2019), we have tried to visit the MAAT (Electricity Museum). In 2017, we were there on a Tuesday and the museum was closed. In 2019, we were there on a Monday, but they had changed to day it was closed to Monday. Someday. 🤞 It's an off beat museum, but my father worked for the electric utility company, and DH worked for a sister company for five years, so it will be interesting to us. Once on shore, we took both loops of the Ho-Ho. These are from the first loop. The bull ring, but the bulls get to live! An unusual place for tiles Jerónimos Monastery The second Ho-Ho loop took us to the Park of Nations, a revitalized industrial area, where the 1998 Expo was held. Lenda

In 2016, when the Prinsendam stopped in Lisbon, we had a easy, relaxing day. We took the Metro into the main area and and walked around. These pictures are a combination from our walk and from the sail away, with some of the best weather we've had in Lisbon. The walkway from the Santa Justa Lift to the upper level of town. I'm glad we took the elevator in either 2002 or 2004 before the lines got so extremely long. Pictures from the ship and as we sailed back down the Tagus River. Lenda

I hope everyone is not getting bored with all the pictures of Lisbon and the surrounding areas. Right now, we're up to 2011, with 2016, 2017, and 2019 yet to come. Going through all the pictures from 11 visits to Lisbon has brought back many wonderful memories. With each visit, I seem to enjoy and like Lisbon more. In this case, familiarity does not breed contempt. The Prinsendam arrived in the late afternoon on her TA. That night, we just walked off the ship after dinner and walked around the immediate area. The next day, we took a tour to Batalha and Fatima. The graves of John 1 and Phillippa I'm not sure what I expected Fatima to be like, but this modern shrine was not it. The Basilica de Nossa Senhora do Rosario de Fatima The three children who saw the visions in 1917 were rebured in the church. I hope I've got the pictures of the graves correctly identified. The grave of Francisco who died in 1920. The graves of Jacinta who died in 1919, and Sister Lucia who died in 2005 at the age of 97. Looking across the plaza from the steps of the Basilica Lenda

we've been there at least 11 times, so we try to find something different each time, while still seeing our favorite places. We have been to Lisbon at least 11 times. We were there in 2009 on Tatihian Princess and took a tour to Sintra and Cascais, mainly so we could see the rest of Sintra. These are from Sintra. We could not tour the palace that day as it was closed, but we saw this model. A few more pictures from Cascais I was primarily taking picture of the statue and the tile work, but today I noticed the O'Neill's Irish Pub in the background. I wonder if it is part of the O'Neill's Pubs in Ireland. Lenda

These next pictures are from our Noordam 2002 and 2004 TAs and from our b2b 2008 cruise on Prinsendam. Lisbon from our 2002 Ho-Ho tour. The same day, we took the train from Rosario Station to Sintra. Since we were on foot in Sintra, we walked around the area by the train station and did not attempt to climb up to the palace. Our second time in Lisbon on our 2004 Noordam b2b2b2b cruise we took the train to Cascais and Estoril. We were back in Lisbon in 2008 on the Prinsendam. These are from our Ho-Ho tour. Lenda

These are a few we took on our first visit in 2001 on Golden Princess' inaugural TA. We docked at the cruise terminal that was away from downtown. Pictures from our tour and our walk around downtown after our tour. And the elevator, Santa Justa Lift, from the lower streets to the upper part of town I'll check the pictures from our many visits to see if I find others that are not duuplicates. Lenda

Good afternoon from a mostly sunny, windy and humid central Texas. This morning, DH took me out for a drive-thru breakfast, only the line of cars was so long, I wound up going in to get our food. Iris day is definitely celebrated here as they are my favorite flower, and one I can grow. My mother planted yellow and purple iris beside our driveway, and I now have purple iris in both my flower beds. This far south the iris are past their peak, but we were home in time to enjoy them this year. The Red Cross and Red Crescent do great work aiding people, and they have their work cut out for them with the Ukrainian refugees. VE Day marked the end of Hitler's madness, and I hope we can soon mark the end of Putin's madness. The quote is interesting. We'll pass on the meal and the drink. The wine sounds interesting. We have been to Lisbon many times beginning in 2001. I'll look for my pictures later. I have been enjoying all the pictures of Lisbon. Thank you all who posted pictures of your lovely mothers and grandmothers. @Mr. Boston I'm sorry for the loss of you neighbor. @ottahand7 Loved the pictures of the iris. @StLouisCruisers Sandi, thank you for remembering to add the date Lisbon was the port of the day. @durangoscots Susan, what a nice story about Ralph's iris. I'm very happy they did not get bulldozed along with the house. I will add pictures of my mother and both grandmothers. All were remarkable women, and I miss them very much. Unfortunately, none of them lived to see our DDs. My mother taken on what was probably my second Easter. My paternal grandmother and grandfather. This was probably taken in 1963. I'm pretty sure I took his picture and did not do a good job of centering them in the frame. My maternal grandmother at work as the Society Editor of our local paper. I don't know how she ever found anything on her desk or bulletin boards. All three were very camera shy, but she really worked to avoid the cameras. The tables were turned on her in 1950 when Life Magazine selected her for a picture story about a week in the life of a small town Society Editor. This is one of those pictures. Unfortunately, I don't have a copy of the one with a friend and the friend's Herefords on my computer. I do have several copies of the magazine, which I treasure. I want to add a word of caution. Get your boosters as close to the six month time as possible. The longer you wait the less immunity you will have, and the more likely you could have a stronger reaction. Yesterday morning when I was happy to report that I only had a sore arm, I was a little premature. Early yesterday afternoon I began having chills and later developed a low grade fever, headache and sinus pressure. By this morning, I was feeling fine again. It had been 7 1/2 months since our boosters. According to the CDC, if the antibody level is low a person can have a stronger reaction. Lenda

Terri, if I want to write something after a picture, I add quite a few spaces then add the picture at the top of the extra spaces. That leaves room for text under the picture, and any extra spaces at the end can be deleted. Lenda

Good evening. I've been readimg, but didn't comment until now. @JazzyV Vaneesa, that was a lovely picture with your mom. You can see the love in the picture. @dfish Debbie, you proved what good friend you are to stay and put with all hazzles so your friend could stay and enjoy the retreat. I like your attitude. @Cruzin Terri Terri, that was nice of the taxi company to put together a Plan B so your day wasn't wasted. How was the tour of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel? @USN59-79 Thank you for sharing the story and picture of your father and his race horses. BTW, it was nice to see a very longshot win the derby today. Lenda

I'm sorry you both tested positive, but I'm glad you are both feeling better today. Add me to those that wish masks were required on ships, airplanes and all public transportation. I know people want to get back to normal, but with all the new variants, we still need to be careful. Lenda

We have been to Tallin three times, 2003 on Rotterdam VI, 2005 on Marco Polo and 2016 on Prinsendam. It is a lovely place, and the old town is magical. In 2003, while walking down a back street in the old town, we passed this bar that had a Texas flag flying outside, and it may have been called Texas Bar, but don't hold me to that. The inside is a Texas type bar. An interesting downspout The big square once you've climbed the street to the top. Another interesting street in the old town. The view from the top of the old town The area outside the hall where the choral contests are held. A wooden submarine, and a couple of interesting boats. Looking at the plaza/transportation hub from the old town In 2005 and 2016, we took the Ho-Ho to see more of Tallin. These are scenes from the 2005 Ho-Ho. Lenda

Good morning from a cloudy central Texas. The sun is supposed to come out about 1 pm and our high is supposed to reach 94F. We'll watch the Kentucky Derby this afternoon. Birth mothers make a hard decision when they allow their child to be adopted so the child will have a better life. I haven't read a comic book since elementary school. Herbs bring added flavor to food. I also think the Marilyn Monroe quote is cynical, but probably true for her. The meal might be nice if someone else prepared it. We'll pass on the drink and wine. We have been to Estonia three times, and I'll look the pictures I shared in December. We enjoyed walking through the old town and seeing other parts of the city. @dfish Debbie, safe travels and enjoy your peaceful bedroom tonight. @grapau27 Graham, I hope the x-rays pinpoint the cause of the pain and that the doctors have an simple solution. @JAM37 Julia, the social sounds nice and a good way to meet your neighbors. Have fun. @Heartgrove Jack, loved the picture of you and Sam. @StLouisCruisers Sandi, I hope your neice kand her DH get home safely and without incideni. Thank you for sharing your pictures. @TiogaCruiser Have fun on your bike ride. @ger_77 Gerry, I'm glad your DH had a better night and is on the mend. Hope the new chairs can be put together eadily. I'm happy to report my only side effect from our second booster is a very slightly sore arm. DH hasn't reported any serious side effcts either. Lenda

We watched it the other night and thoroughly enjoyed it. We loved our days exploring Venice. Glad she will be able to to fly home. Lenda