Quartzsite Cruiser

A late good morning from central Texas where it is sunny and getting hot. By the time I finish typing this, it will probably be afternoon. A busy morning, but things had to be done. I got outside earlier than normal, but not as early as I planned. It was already 80F before I got out side. It isn't the heat as much as the intense Texas sun that gets to me. My hat and the cooling towel helped. The yard was trimmed and mowed, and the patio and port were blow clean (or as clean as possible with the breeze) in about an hour. It helped that not all the yard needed mowing since the grass is very dry and not growing. By now, the first load of laundry, which I started before I went outside, is dry, folded and put away. The sheets have been changed. Now I'm waiting on the second load to come out of the dryer, so I can put the third load in and the last load in the washer. Yesterday afternoon, we got to do something that we hadn't been able to do in many weeks. We got to open the binds and look outside. It has been so hot, that the blinds are closed most of the day to keep out the sun and reflected heat. Even our west facing blinds are closed down a ways to keep the reflection from our neighbors house out of ours. Our electric bill is high enough without letting extra head inside. Unfortunately, the clouds did not bring rain although it was raining all around us. Kittens and teddy bear picnics will be celebrated here even though our last cat died many years ago. It's also too hot for a teddy bear picnic if we had a teddy bear. I'm not a fan of pina coladas. The quote by Charles W. Eliot is very true, since I'm an avid reader. The meal, drink and wine all sound good. I'll keep the meal in mind of another day, and unfortunately, unless someone else is buying, the wine is a little pricey. Have enjoyed many mai tais, and the best place to have one is at the patio bar at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel watching the sunset behind Diamondhead. We have been lucky enough to be there when we could get a table looking toward Diamondhead. We were in Kristiansand in 2009 on Tahitian Princess. I'll post my pictures from July 24, 2021, in a little while. The second load is waiting to be folded, while the third is drying and the last one is washing. I use cold water for washing, but with our heatwave, that is even warm water. In Quartzsite, many people turn off their water heaters in the summer as the water is very warm out of the tap.. @kazu Jacqui, ouch about your toe. I hope it is healing well and not too painful. After reading your second post about the plan to talk to the person at what we called the doggie spa, I think you are making sure what's in your heart will work. If she is on onboard with working with a dog with issues, then follow your heart. Only you, not your friends, know what is right for you. That is a lovely scarf that Laura @Horizon chaser 1957 sent you, and it was so nice that we were included in the gift. Wear it and remember all the love that it represents. @Horizon chaser 1957 Laura, the scarf is lovely. It was a sweet thing to do, and even sweet that you included all of us in the gift. @Heartgrove Jack, I'm glad your brother is now home. I hope you have a good visit with him when your go to the wedding. @aliaschief Safe travels, and may the airline gods look favorably on you when you fly home Tuesday. @mamaofami Carol, what a nice surprise to see your grandsons, their father, and his sister when you went out to eat with friends. Now, it's back to the laundry, and then an afternoon with my book. Lenda

Here are the pictures I took of Mumbai from the bus on the way to the ship from the airport. These are the ones I posted on August 8, 2021. As I said earlier today, we have seen India. Cochin was not too bad, but in Agra and Mumbai, we have never seen such filth. The Taj Mahal was always on my bucket list, but not India. Now it's Been There, Done That!. Lenda

A very late good afternoon from a very hot central Texas. Our thermometer said it was 107F about an hour ago. Tuesday is supposed to be 108F. This is more like Arizona weather in the summer on cooler days. 😱 My plan for today was to mow a small part of the yard where the weeds are growing. With our hot weather and lack of rain, the grass does not need mowing. In fact, it crunches when you walk on it, it is so dry. At least with Bermuda grass, it does not die with lack of water in the summer if it gets watered occasionally; instead, it just goes dormant. It doesn't look good, but then most yards are brown now, and we have been asked to limit water use. When I saw that it would be 90F by 9 am, I decided to do the yard and laundry tomorrow, and clean house today. I was almost finished at a decent time when I remembered that I needed to vacuum under the bed since the dust bunnies had great, great, great grandbaby dust bunnies. To see what I was doing required lying on the tile floor with a flashlight and looking under the bed. Anyway, that's done until it gets really bad again. 🤣 I like sugar cookies, but I'm the only one in the family. When I make them, I usually turn them into snickerdoodles. I think the call of the horizon applies to all on the Daily. I'm not too much into fashion, but try to wear what is comfortable. My style runs more to tailored looks, and our daily outfits are shorts (jeans in cool weather) and t-shirts. It has been years since I made a deep dish pizza, since we prefer thin crusts. When I make them, they have just about everything but the kitchen sink and anchovies. If I order one for me, it's usually double pepperoni, onions and mushrooms. In Italy, we tend to get a Margarita pizza. We'll pass on the drink and the wine. We have been to Mumbai once, and that was enough. We actually did not see much of the city since it was at the end of an two night overland trip from Cochin to Agra and picking up the ship again in Mumbai. What we saw was from the bus going from the airport to the ship, which was the old Regal Princess in 2003. @MISTER 67 I hope your back is better today. @cat shepard Ann, enjoy your visit with your niece and her family. I loved the meme her daughters picked out. @rafinmd Roy, I'm glad you made it home safely. Relax, and plan for your next cruise. @Heartgrove I hope your brother made it home today. @Crazy For Cats Welcome home. I enjoyed your live from. @StLouisCruisers Sandi, I hope Buddy remains comfortable in the time he has left. I know it was hard for Amy to go to the funeral home yesterday and make plans, but it would have been harder later. @Vict0riann I'm glad you are enjoying your time in England and getting to see Pat's cousin and friend. Hope the rest today makes tomorrow a better day. @smitty34877 Safe travels tomorrow and enjoy your visit with your family and at the Cape. Looking forward to pictures of you finally meeting Miss Camilla. Even with all her problems, I like Tana's attitude that she could still order people around. @ottahand7 Great pictures and a great view. @jimgev Glad you enjoyed your cruise and your tour and that your luggage made it with you. Sorry the flights were so messed up. @aliaschief Enjoy your last day at the beach and your drive up the coast. Safe travels back to Seattle and home with hopefully no flight problems. @ger_77 Gerry, I hope today is calmer and that your temperatures stop imitating ours. @TiogaCruiser Sorry the tire deal turned out to be too good to be true. @durangoscots Susan, that's good news that the shelter staff is well with not lasing effects. It's good you got the animals moved. @Cruising-along Hope you've recovered from yesterday's babysitting. Wow, about the sky light. It may have been from something from July 4. @kazu Jacqui, I'm glad you got the tetanus shot without having to go to the hospital. I'm pretty sure my last one in 2018 was just the tetanus vaccine. @bennybear I'm sending good thoughts that the surgery in two weeks gets it all and that is the end of the melanoma. Lenda

I think today you could fry an egg not on the sidewalk, but on the new black paving on the Wal-Mart parking lot. I could feel the heat rising from the asphalt and that was at 1:30. 😱 @JazzyV Vanessa, DH looked up the back surgery that uses glue, and it's for herniated discs, one thing he doesn'thave. The surgeon we saw yesterday uses polymer ties that look like cable ties to hold the vertebrae together, with polymer wedge discs between the vertebrae. He drills two holes in the vertebrae to thread the cables through. The cactus flower is lovely. Too bad it doesn't last long. @bennybear Thanks formthe good wishes. I just wish it didn't take so long to jump through the hoops to get approval fot the surgery. Love the Japanese peony. Lenda

Maybe @Horizon chaser 1957 needs to start posting the elevator mat pictures again.😉

I am enjoying all the pictures of today's port. It is a lovely place to walk around and relax, especially on a sunny day. It always amazes me that even in a smaller port, we all find different things to do and different things to photograph besides the main attractions. Even if I've been to a port before, I always see something I missed and want to see next time. @rafinmd Welcome home, Roy. I hope disembarkation and the trip home are both easy. @smitty34877 Thank you, Terry for the information about patients you've seen that did well after the shunt. Any improvement from the shunt placement will be a game changer. We're still waiting for the hospital in Dallas to call with an appointment time for the first visit. The surgeon is using a new procedure for spinal fusion that does not use metal screws. It was approved by the FDA in 2021. We hope we don't have a long wait, but as I mentioned yesterday, in order for Medicare approval, there are certain steps and tests the surgeon must take before surgery. I'm hoping that both doctors can go through those steps concurrently. Then it will be the shunt, recovery and the spinal surgery. BTW, sometimes the blue bubble seems to go on strike or the CC gremlins hide it. 🤣 @TiogaCruiser That is a good deal on the tires. When you asked what you were missing, I thought of the saying "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." Just enjoy getting such a good deal. @ottahand7 I'm glad the pork shoulders turned out so well. @ger_77 Gerry, the advice to let the bank know where you are traveling is good advice. We also inform our credit card companies. For I last cruise, the cc companies said the travel advisory was not longer necessary as they monitor the cards 24/7. I'm not sure how that helps when the cards are used in foreign countries. Then again, unless it's a tour, car rental or large purchase that requires a credit card, we mainly use cash overseas. I also want to thank everyone for their kind words and positive stories about DH's problems and their solutions. It is so nice to have a supportive family to turn to in times of trouble or joy. Lenda

From the pictures I posted on December 30, 2021, we have been to St. Peter Port three times, and did not miss the port. This is what I shared last December. We have been to St. Peter Port three times on BHBs. In 2004, when the Noordam III stopped, it was a overcast and dreary day. We took a city bus that made a loop of the island, but I don't have any pictures from the bus ride. Here a a few from our walk around the harbor. It was very low tide when these pictures were taken One of Noordam's tenders We were back in St. Peter Port on the Prinsendam in 2016 and 2017. In 2016, we walked over to the war museum and then to Castle Cornet that is in the background of the picture just above this. in 2016, there was a lady near the museum entrance selling her book about her experiences in St. Peter Port during the war. It was fascinating to talk to her and hear some of her stories. I now regret that I didn't buy the book. A couple of pictures as we walked from the museum to the castle. The swimming area along the beach with the Prinsendam and a P&O ship in the background. Castle Cornet Pictures from our walks around St Peter Port. Most were taken in 2016, but there are one or two from 2017 when we just walked into town, did a little shopping and went back to the ship. We went in the church in the picture above.. More pictures from our walks around town. Lenda

Good mooring from sunny central Texas. There's not much on the agenda today, except running errands while DH is at PT. The errands will be to drop of used towels at Paw Pals and pick up a few thangs at Wal-Mart. Today, I''ll pass on the body paint and motorcycles. DH had a motorcycle for several years. There are blueberries in the refrigerator and some will go on my cereal this morning. Today's quote is interesting and it made me smile. We'll pass on the meal, drink and wine. We've been to St. Peter Port several times, and we may have missed it once, but I'm not sure. @dfish Debbie, I hope your get your flights home ticketed and don't have that worry any longer. @marshhawk There are several ways to get euros for your trip. You can order them from your bank and take them with you. The ship will have euros and can exchange dollars for euros, but the exchange rate is not good. We've found the best exchange rate is getting euros at an ATM once you are there. A word of caution, always use an ATM at a bank, not a free standing one in a store. If you have euros left, the ship will exchange them for dollars, but again the rate is not good. We usually just bring them home to ise on the next trip until we can get to an ATM. On our last trip, a woman was at Guest Services trying to exchange her euros back to dollars, and DH noticed the rate of exchange was not in her favor. We did not have lot of euros left, so he brought her to the cabin and we exchanged our dollars for her euros at the prevailing rate. It was a win for both of us. @Cruise Suzy That is also good advice your gave @marshhawk. We also have a credit card with not exchange rate fee. Our ATM card company refunds any ATM fees in foreign countries. @cunnorl The birthday celebration weekend sounds like it will be a lot of fun. Glad you are getting help with the golf tournament, and are having the food catered. With less work and stress, you will be able to enjoy the celebration more. Lenda

Thanks, Jacqui. BTW, the new doctor is Canadian. He got is degree and medical degree at McGill in Montreal and his neurosurgery training at Stanford University. How he wound up in Waco, Texas, I'm not sure, but I'm happy he did. Maxine, that is good and encouraging news about your sister. A BHB out of San Diego or even Princess, sounds good. Terri, I'm happy things are improving for you. If the steroid shots keep working, the trip, anniversary celebration and cruise are worth the wait. Sending good thoughts all three happen without any problems, especially from the airline. Lenda

@Cat in my lap Great news on the negative tests. Enjoy your cruise. Lenda

Thank you, Graham. As I said, it could take quite a few months to get everything lined up and then get the procedures scheduled. In the meantime, we'll keep on doing what we're doing. Lenda

Yesterday, DH had an appointment with a new doctor, for a second opinion about his spinal stenosis and sciatica. Tuesday, we found out the results of a head CAT scan ordered last week by our PCP in time for yesterday’s visit. It turns out DH also has normal pressure hydrocephalus, which can occur as we get older. Fortunately, both the back and head problems can be fixed with a surgical procedure. However, the process to fix them will be on going and will take many months. The fixes shouldn't take too long, but first you have to jump through all the hoops before Medicare will agree to pay for the next step. DH was very impressed with the new doctor, who answered all our questions and did not hem and haw on the answers. He started the first step to fix the back problem and referred DH to a neurosurgeon in Dallas to work on the head problem, which will most likely be a shunt to drain the excess fluid from his brain. We were impressed when he said in the end both problems could be fixed, but he added that since they had gone on so long, he did not think the results would get DH back to where he had been previously, but would show a big improvement. It was nice to have a doctor no promise what he might not be able to deliver. He also wants DH to continue the physical therapy. We agreed that the first course of action would be to handle the fluid on the brain as it is making DH lightheaded and not feeling all that well. It looks like we’ll be in Texas for longer than expected, but it also looks like we will be able to enjoy more time in Quartzsite and on BHBs in the future. @rafinmd Roy, since this is a long term, ongoing situation, DH does not need to be on the care list. I don't intend to make updates unless it is something major. @Cruising-along Thank you for your pictures from Corner Brook. I want to go there even more now. @JazzyV Vanessa, it looks like the Benadryl is keeping the reaction to the injection under control. @HAL Sailer Melisa, your are the picture of grace under pressure. Your attitude is an example to all of us. @Seasick Sailor Enjoy your visit with your sister. @grapau27 Graham, I'm very happy the shot has made use a difference. They can hold off the need for surgery for quite a while. @rafinmd Roy, safe travels home tomorrow. Lenda

Good morning from breezy, sunny and hot central Texas. It was 82F at 8:30. Today will be an easy day, and it will be spent inside the cool house. My day, Chocolate Day, led the list! I try to forgive, but sometimes it is hard, and it doesn't mean you have to forget either. I would love to take a walk with my father who I miss terribly. It would be nice if the DDs and DH could take a walk, but the DDs are at work in Austin. As far as today's quote, I don't really like it. A Cobb salad would be nice, if someone else made it. The wine sounds nice, but we'll pass on the drink. We have not been to Corner Brook, yet. Maybe someday. @marshhawk I agree with Jacqui, @kazu, Madeira is worth seeing as it's a beautiful island. The last time we were there we rented a car and drove to the other side of the island. The other coast is rugged and completely different and the views from the top of the mountain in the middle of the islad are great. @kazu Jacqui, your flowers are beautiful as usual, and I get to enjoy them without all the work. 🤣 As far as the extra hangers, the thrift store might be able to use some to display the clothes. Also, a women's shelter might be in need of hangers since most of the women they serve leave home with almost nothing. @StLouisCruisers Sandi, and @richwmn Rich, thank you for your pictures of Corner Brook. @kochleffel My thought when I read your post about the upcoming meeting was GOOD LUCK! 🍀 @cunnorl Glad you got your Global Entry taken care of easily. Your nephew's 50th birthday party sounds like it will be a lot of fun. @ottahand7 The port shoulders look wonderful already. @aliaschief Thank you for the pictures of the Oregon coast. It has been many years since we spent time on the coast. We also toured the Tillamook Creamery. Lenda

A late good evening. It was a busy afternoon in Waco. DH had an appointment with a new doctor, and we think now we are finally on the right track. We were there 1 1/2 hour between the nurse getting the information and history, and time with the doctor. Sorry for being vague, but we still processing information, plus it's very early in the process. After we left the doctor, I had a few errands. Somehow last week when replacing our ancient towels, I didn't get enough. Not sure what I was thinking, if I was thinking. Anyway, this week, the towels were 25% off. At the next store, I had to return some chair cushions which didn't work out, and I wasn't sure they would take them back, but they did and no questions asked. At the last store, I needed to exchange a top for a different size. The tops were marked down further, so I got a small refund on what was an even exchange. We even filled the car up and paid $3.999 per gallon. @durangoscots Susan, I heard back from Paw Pals rescue in our county seat, and they will take themold towels and sheets. @Vict0riann Ann, I hope you and Pat had a safe flight to Gatwick. Joy, I'm not Roy, but before the shut down, captains and staff captains like Sabine were on three months and off three months. She was on Koningsdam in early December, but was she was off when we boarded Kdam in early March. She returned about March 20, so it seems they are still using the same rotation. BTW, I'm glad you are enjoying Maui and are out of the Texas heat for awhile. We've found over the last several years that it's difficult to get an appointment with a specialist without waiting weeks, if not months. However, they would return calls and answered requests in a timely manner. I'm glad your nurse practitioner was able to get you a referral with a hand specialist and that you have an appointment relatively soon. Mykonos is walkable. In Santorini we did a tour to Akureyri and Oia. However, at the end they gave us a ticket for the gondola down, and there are steps involved at each end. Ephesus, as someone said, is fairly rough walking in some areas. However, in 2019, there were boardwalks in some of the worst areas. Because of all the steps, I would not advise doing the Terrace Houses. DH found his walking sticks helped in the rough, uneven areas. Katakolon is the port for Olympia. You can catch a bus from the end of the pier, and do it on your own. That way, you can go at your own pace and avoid the rough areas. The bus gives you two hours there, which was plenty of time for us to visit the museum and walk around the area. There is a slightly steep walk down from and back up to the drop off point. Also, Katakolon is a easy town to walk around. It has a small museum that was interesting, and there are cafés along the waterfront.. The toboggan in Funchal was fun, and we enjoyed the cable car to the top. There is also a Ho-Ho bus in Funchal. In Ponta Delgado, it is easy to walk along the main street, or you could take a tour in the countryside. Ann, it sounds like the cruise without the friends will be more fun. Lenda

Way to go girl! I'm very happy you decided to get out of your comfort zone and booked a great cruise which includes an trans-Atlantic. We like longer cruises since you can get in a routine and really enjoy the ship instead of unpacking, running around for 6 or 7 days and repacking. We have been to some places that were out of our comfort zone, and with very, very few exceptions were glad we did. You will have a great cruise and meet new friends even if your friends decide not to join you. Just think of the fun you and DH will have planning for and anticipating your cruise. And you have a family here to answer questions and give advice. Sandi, I am sorry about the sad news about Buddy. I hope hospice can give him the comfort he deserves. It sounds like Amy, the family, friends and members of the church can help make his final days peaceful too. Familiar surroundings with friends and family should also bring him comfort. My father also wanted his last days to be at home. All the outpouring of help renews our faith in our fellow man, especially in the wake of all the tragedy lately. Amy, Buddy, and the rest of the family will be in our thoughts. Gerry, what a nice thing you are doing to let your "daughter's" cousin stay with you for the summer. It's another example of the good in people that we should never forget. Lenda

These are the pictures I shared when Geirangerfjord was the port of the day. Our tour the day we were in Geiranger started in another town and ended in Geiranger. These pictures are from our stop in the icefield and at the overlook above the town and fjord. The ship nearer town is the Saga Rose, and the Marco Polo is further out. The two pictures I took in town, both while we waited for the tender. Our sail down the fjord and the Suitor and Seven Sisters Lenda

An early good morning from central Texas where it's sunny, breezy and heading into triple digits. International Kissling Day sounds interesting. I like fried chicken, but haven't had it in a long time. The air fryer chicken has not turned out as well as I'd like, but I may change the way I fix it and give it another try. I haven't used an umbrella in years, as I too prefer a hood or hat. I like the Emerson quote. Since my next door neighbor is an "old" friend of 70 or so years, we can be ourselves around each other. The meal sounds good. I like mojitos, but the peach one sounds a little too sweet. The wine sounds interesting as it's a dry Riesling. We have been to Geiranger once in 2005 on Marco Polo. Since we left the ship in one port and reboarded her in Geiranger we did not have much time in town. I hope to return someday and explore the town. @dfish Debbie, I hope the blood test finds the source of the extra calcium. @Ichiban Nekko Wow, you have been busy. I hope when it's ready, you enjoy your new home. @Crazy For Cats and @rafinmd Sorry your weather isn't better today. Roy, there is always one or two that keep everyone waiting. @StLouisCruisers Sandi, and @dfish Debbie, thanks for your great pictures. It looks like I'll be heading to Waco today. I need to exchange one thing I got last week, get a few things I forgot and try to return a couple of items. I'm not sure if they will take them back. Lenda

Safe travels and have a great time. Lenda

We had some really good news yesterday. Our credit card company sent an email that they'd received two refunds from Princess Cruises. The refunds were actually received last Friday by the CC company, but only posted last night. Our TA canceled one cruise on Thursday afternoon and the other early Friday, so that was a quick refund from Princess. The request to return the funds to our bank account is in the works, but according to the person I talked to, it will take a few days. Ray, thanks for the nice comments on my pictures. Since peach is a legitimate word, spell check didn't mark it as misspelled, and I didn't catch it when I proofread the post. Proofreading is not my strong point, and I often read what I meant, not what I wrote. Even autocorrect would not have caught this, and I don't use it because of the weird things it tries to substitute. I hope I did better proofreading this post. Lenda

We have been to Stockholm twice on BHBs. In 2003 on a 33 day roundtrip from NYC on Rotterdam IV, we stopped in Stockholm as part of the Baltic portion of the cruise. In 2016, on a Baltic cruise on Prinsendam, we spent another day exploring the city. The first time, we walked around town, and the second time we took the Ho-Ho and the water Ho-Ho to see more of the area. The pictures are from both visits. A view of the city as we sailed into port in 2016 The amusement park along the way to the dock Scenes from our walk around town in 2003. The picture of the palace is from 2016, and the changing of the guard is from 2003. In 2003, we toured the Nobel Museum which honors all the Nobel Prize winners except those who receive the Peach Prize. They are honored in a museum in Oslo. In 2003, we also went to the Vasa Museum. This is the only picture that is not a little fuzzy due to the lighting in the museum. The outside of the Vasa Museum from the water ho-ho. Another scene from the water In the same area as the Vasa Museum is the amusement park and the ABBA Museum. We really enjoyed the ABBA museum. The area from the boat dock leading to the ABBA Museum and the museum. One of ABBA's early tour "buses" One of the attractions in the amusement park. I loved how they had so many flowers in the park. I'll leave you with a picture of our home away from home in 2016, Prinsendam, docked behind a beautiful flower arrangement and a fence with a picture on it. Lenda

Good morning from sunny, breezy central Texas. It's been a while since we had an apple turnover. I never wore a bikini, but did have a two piece for several years. Now, I wouldn't even think about wearing either. I was never a work-a-holic, but some might have said that about DH when he started his company and was updating the software program. Since he enjoyed what he was doing, he never considered it work. The quote is true of some people, but I don't think it applies to the vast majority. The cookies sound good, but then I do have a sweet tooth. We'll pass on the drink and the wine. Last night, the only fireworks we saw or heard were on TV from Washington, DC, NYX, and Boston. Our gas prices dropped again the other day. The lower prices range from $4.23 to $4.28 a gallon. Since we are on a lake, the prices are slightly higher than in other areas. Last week, I paid $4.15 in Waco. The shooting in Highland Park yesterday and the other shootings are very upsetting. I saw a headline yesterday, that there had been 308 mass shootings this year. That's almost two a day. 😒 I wish we could civilly come to an agreement about assault weapons. Sadly, a social issue has become highly politized. @Heartgrove Congratulations on the second booster. My second one threw me for a loop for about 12 hours, but I consider that a small price to pay for protection. @Overhead Fred Your deck and view are lovely. Safe travels and enjoy your visit with SIL. @TiogaCruiser Just WOW on the sunflower plant. It's stunning. We have been to Stockholm twice on BHBs. I'll put my pictures in another post. Lenda

I totally agree with you about people are the same the world over. We may look different and have different customs, but basically we want the same things out of life. Watching very young children who have not been taught to hate those who are different really brings the lesson home. It always reminds me of the song from South Pacific, "You've Got To Be Carefully Taught". Children aren't born hating others, they are taught by those who hate. Maybe someday, we'll learn from the little children of the world, and look at others as people. Lenda

The fireworks ban of both sales and use has made for two peaceful nights, and tonight will be the third one. It's too bad it took a drought and dry grasses and trees fot the ban to be put in place. I wish it could be permanent, but that won't happen. The salad is made and cooling in the refrigerator. Supper will be easy. All I have to do is put the meat in the George Foreman and get the fixings ready. @ger_77 Gerry, that's a good idea using the salad as dessert. It might be good as a topping on ice cream. By the time I get all the ingredients mixed, we have more than we really need; so it makes several appearances at dinner. It is also good on cereal for breakfast. @durangoscots Susan, I like that Bandit with your help is getting Monty into the household routine. @Horizon chaser That is good news about the safari and having the 2020 payment applied to the Grand Africa cruise. @kazu i'm sorry your computer seems to have died. Hope Jose’s MAC works for you. @aliaschief Thanks for the great pictures. The trip sounds wonderful. Lenda

Terry, that salad is not only heathy, it is refreshing on a hot day. It can be made with other fruit depending on the season. When I use apples, I omit the Jell-O and add an orange since the juice keeps the apples and other fruit fresh. I hope everyone enjoys it. Lenda

🇺🇸 HAPPY 4th OF JULY! 🇺🇸 Good morning from central Texas. I hope everyone has a great day. Although we'll be having hamburgers today, it will be too hot to cook them on the grill. While we're not huge country music fans, we agree it usually has a nice rhythm, and you can understand the words. It can get hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk, but I've never done that. Another interesting quote from Oscar Wilde, but I don't agree with the first part. We'll pass on the meal, drink and win. Along with our hamburgers, we'll have what I call red, white and blue salad and ice cream. The salad is a fruit salad with strawberries, blueberries and bananas. To help keep the fruit, especially the bananas, fresh for a few days, a small package of sugar free strawberry Jell-O is mixed in with the fruit. We have not been to Geraldton, Australia. @Cat in my lap Safe travels, and I hope the connection in Philadelphia goes smoothly. 🥂 BON VOYAGE 🍾 Have a great cruise. @kazu Hope today is better than yesterday. @StLouisCruisers Sandi, it sounds like your DD and her friend are have a great cruise. Lenda