Quartzsite Cruiser

Good afternoon from a hot central Texas where it's 98F. The trip to Cleburne for the CT Scan and a W-M visit was good. Actually, the CT Scan went well as usual, and we weren't there very long. BTW, DH got a cd of the scan, and as far as we could tell, every thing looks good. We'll know more Friday morning. It didn't take too long at W-M since there was not much on the list, and I only got three things that weren't on the list. 😉 We were home in a little more than 3 hours, and it takes about an hour each way. Then, of course, I had to unload the car and get everything put away. Now, I can stay cool and relax the rest of the afternoon. Bruce, thanks for the pictures of the beach house. It looks comfortable and relaxing. I now understand why you were worried about getting everything in the cars. Gerry, thanks for the good wishes today for DH. Most of the doctor visits are now routine check ups. Your Ukrainian friends seem to have settled into their new home nicely, and it is very nice of them to help with the set up and take down from summer fest. I'm glad everyone had a good time working on the leftovers last night, and realized no one was in any condition to drive. Tony, thanks for the pictures today. They have done a lot more excavating of the sites since we were there in 2001. Roy, thanks for the pictures. We didn't get too much time in Trujillo, and we saw a different area than most tourists see. Our driver also asked us not to take pictures of the polling site or the area. Pennie, I'm glad you did not have too much damage from the storm. It sounds like it could have been an F0 tornado like the one that came through our little community several years ago. I hope you get some more rain without all the wind. Thanks for the good wishes, Carolyn. We visited all the areas your family is seeing with our DDs and have some great memories. Karen, that was not political, and I also hope everyone in and around both political conventions have a safe and fun convention. I hope your DSIL stays safe this week. I'm sorry your neighbors garage was damaged, but I'm glad your lake house was not. Vanessa, I'm glad you are beginning to feel better. If the vertigo continues, there are some exercises that could help with that if it is due to crystals in the ear. Thank you for nice comments about the pictures, and about DH's recovery. We never knew that it can take quite a while to recover from a concussion. Dixie, I hope your DGS is doing well if the broken wrist was recent. Ann, I hope the refrigerator part arrives soon. Thanks for all the pictures. I wish we could grow such pretty flowers here. Lenda

Thank you, Charlene. Terry, thank you for the good wishes. I'm glad your DB and DSIL are there to help, and to give you some good laughs. Thank you, Graham. Thank you, Sandi Thank you, Annie. I hope today is a good day for both of you. Lenda

In 2001 on b2b cruises from Valparaiso to Ft. Lauderdale and then to Seattle, we stopped in Salverry, Peru. We hired a taxi for a tour that day and visited the Temple of the Moon, Temple of the Sun, an adobe citadel, a fishing village and Trujillo. It was an election day, and our driver needed to vote before the poles closed, and since he would not have time after we returned to the ship, we went with him to vote. At that time, Peru required a passport to vote, and they stamped the passports of those who voted. Without the stamp the person could not leave the country. The driver's poling place was in a rough part of Trujillo; so for our safety, he cracked the windows a bit and locked us in the car. There was a band on the dock when we arrived in Salverry. Our first stop were the archaeological sites of the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon. These were taken at the Temple of the Sun (La Huaca del Sol), and we did not explore the Temple of the Moon (La Huaca del Luna). This is a reproduction of some of the decorations in the temples. DH and our taxi Chan Chan an ancient adobe citadel. Our next stop was the fishing village of Huanchaco Here they use reed boats, and you can see some on the beach. The Plaza de Armas with the Freedom Monument in Trujillo The Provincial Municipality of Trujillo building Cathedral de Santa Maria Lenda

Good morning from a mostly clear central Texas. It is 76F and feels like 76F with 97% humidity and a dew point of 75F. There is a 7mph wind from the south. It looks like our high will be 100F later this afternoon. As Vanessa @JazzyV mentioned in the cares list, DH has a CT Scan today. However, the follow up appointment at UTSW will be Friday. At this time, both appointments are part of the routine after a shunt adjustment. Just a bit of information about the process for clarification. The CT Scan is used to determine if it is safe to adjust the shunt so more cerebrospinal fluid will flow out of the brain, or if the last adjustment was more than needed. It is a delicate balance because too much fluid in the brain causes problems, but too little causes other problems. I doubt they will make another adjustment Friday, since there was some reluctance to make the adjustment last month. DH was doing very well after the first adjustment in April until he fell and more likely had a concussion from the fall. Those symptoms are slowly resolving. We both than everyone for their good wishes for today and Friday including @JazzyV Vanessa, @Seasick Sailor Joy, @ottahand7 Nancy, @dfish Debbie, @kazu Jacqui, @cunnorl Charlene; and @smitty34877 Terry. Today, I'll try not to be a dock, and someone else can have my share of gummi worms. National give something away day is good, and I have some items in the closet to take to the local thrift store soon. The Fred Allen quote is funny. The sheet pan roasted salmon recipes look good, and I'll tuck them away for a cooler day. We'll pass on the drink, but with the name Anejo Highball, I was expecting a drink with tequila. The wine sounds lovely, but I wish the price was lower. We were in Salverry and Trujillo in 2001 on Ryndam, and I haven't seen the port on an itineraries since then. That was the last cruise where I was using a film camera. Last night, I dug out some of the photos from the cruise and scanned them into the computer, and I'll post them in a few minutes. The 1799 discovery of the Rosetta Stone was a game changer in studying ancient Egypt. @StLouisCruisers Sandi, I'm glad Ren and his father made it home safely yesterday afternoon. @ottahand7 Nancy, thanks for the pictures of the beautiful flowers, butterflies and caterpillar. @Seasick Sailor Joy, I hope all goes well for Allen his appointment today. I'm glad he had a good time at his birthday party yesterday. @kazu Jacqui, I hope all goes well with both your and Ivan's appointments tomorrow. I hope tonight and tomorrow morning go well with Ivan. Your report on the potential home buyers yesterday sounds encouraging. Lenda

Vanessa, I'm sorry you had stomach problems. I hope you are feeling better now. I also hope the vertigo has gone away. Lenda

Annie, thanks for sharing such sad news. May they both RIP, Gerry, I'm happy your summer fest went so well, but it's too bad the rain ended it early. All that food looks so good, too. Oh no, Terry about the truly frightening night. I hope all is better today, and that tonight is a whole lot better. HUGS! That is a really pretty sunset, thanks. I'm glad the job is going well. Lenda

Good morning from central Texas where it is hazy today. It is 76F and feels like 76F with a 5mph wind from the south. The humidity is 94% with a dew point of 74F. It looks like our high will be 97F and the wind will increase to 12mph. The only thing on the agenda is watering the backyard with a sprinkler on the hose. I took a good look at our sprinklers when they came on last night, and saw the water is not reaching some of the grass which explains why part of the yard is brown. The low water pressure didn't help either. Until we can get someone in to redo the sprinkler system in the backyard, I'll be doing supplemental watering. All I'll say about the despicable shooting last night is this is not the way to conduct an election no matter which candidate you support. No one who attends a political rally should die or be critically injured. I'll keep my clothes on so I do not shock everyone today. It is always good to be aware of sharks when in the water. What happened in Nice in 2016 was horrible. Leonardo da Vinci was as, but we need both courage and a little fear in our lives. We'll pass on the meal, drink and wine today. We may have been through the Cockburn Channel, but if so I didn't realize it, and did not take pictures. Bastille Day is an important day in the history of France. Hats off to the election of the first female parliamentarian in the Arab world in 1957. The software releases in 1992 opened the world to many people. Sandi, I hope you enjoy your day in St. John's, and glad that you enjoyed your tour yesterday. Safe travels to Ren and you DS today. @grapau27 Graham, thank you for the information about the events in Nice in 2016. @luvteaching Welcome home, Karen. I'm glad your friend loved the cruise. Safe travels to her and her son as they head to his new home. @rafinmd Roy, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your nephew. @Cruzin Terri Terri, I hope you can fest and feel better soon. @ottahand7 Nancy, those were three good size fish. Thank you for the pictures from the Cockburn Channel. @kazu Jacqui, I hope the prospective buyers fall in love with your house, and make a good offer. I know while the move will make things easier for you, it will also be difficult to leave the house you and your DD DH shared for so many years. @Lady Hudson Katherine, that is good news the blood tests were normal. I hope the echo cardiogram will give the doctor and you both some answers to the pain. Lenda

@Seasick Sailor Joy, I hope Allen enjoys his 81st birthday. Lenda

Sandi, I'm sorry Ren was hurt. With a clean break and being young, he should heal quickly. Maureen, yhanks for the pictures of the lovely flowers. That is too bad that Shirl has reverted to distrusting her son. Lenda

Joy, I hope your stepson's case is mild and that he and the neighbors are well soon. We're probably overdue for a booster, but we're trying to wait until the new one comes out. In the meantime, we're trying to be careful. Lenda

Good afternoon from a partly cloudy central Texas where the 8mph wind is not moving the neighbor's flag. It is 90F and feels like 96F. The yard was finished in just a little more than two hours. One good thing about yardwork this time of year when we haven't had any rain for weeks, is the non-watered part of the yard does not need mowing, or at least, not as often. I did discover that while some of the Bermuda had turned brown where the sprinklers did not reach it, it was not dormant, and still needed mowing. I've cooled off and showered, and have now finished reading The Daily, and yesterday's Daily. Gerry, I'm glad your weather will be about perfect for the party today. It was nice of your Ukrainian friends are helping set up this morning. Pennie, I like the design for the hutch top. The picture of the cruise route is nice, too. Eva, I'm sorry you now have a cold and cough, and I hope you feel better soon. I'm also sorry your friend contracted Covid, and I hope her husband does not catch it. I hope things improve and you don't have to change your plans, but traveling while not feeling well is not fun. Carolyn, it is a shock when you realize how old your children and their friends are. My stepmother said there were only two things about getting old she did not like. One was she was out living all her friends. The other was realizing her children were middle aged. Our oldest daughter was not amused when I told her that, and she was in her early 40s then. Roy, that is concerning about @HAL4NOW Tony. I hope he and his wife are well and just very busy. Lenda

We have been to Horta once in 2002 on the Noordam III. I don't think too many ships had called there before. We just walked around town. I hope there is only one picture that is a repeat of those @StLouisCruisers Sandy posted. Lenda

Good morning from central Texas where it is sunny, but I see one of our daily clouds already forming. It is 75F and feels like 75F with what the weather app says is a 4mph wind. The neighbor's flag says not enough wind to get it moving. The humidity is 92% with a heat index of 73F. The predicted high is 91F and the wind is supposed to increase to 13mph this afternoon. I hope there is more of a breeze in an hour or so when I head out to mow the yard, but there will be a little less to mow since we also haven't had any rain in weeks, except the little bit we got from Beryl last week. We got an interesting but unexpected call last night from the imagining center where DH has an appointment Monday morning for a follow up CT scan after his last shunt adjustment. They called about 6:45 to tell us they had not gotten the orders for his CT scan, which we are sure they got on June 14th because they texted DH to make his appointment. The orders were on his patient portal for UTSW, and we emailed them to the imaging center. I also printed the orders and have them in my purse. DH and I were both gruntled workers and enjoyed our work. Barbershop music is good in small doses, but "Give Me That Old Time Rock and Roll" any time. The quote from Mahatma Gandhi is true and should be kept in mind, especially during unsettled times. The meal sounds good, but I'm not sure about using a good drink on the chicken instead of drinking the Mojito. We'll pass on the drink, but I would try a glass of the wine if it was offered. We were in Horta once on Noordam III. Three good days in history, but this might have been the voyage that Captain Cook did not get to complete. Yes, on Krispy Kreme donuts. I remember the Live Aid concert. @StLouisCruisers Sandi, I'm glad the weather is better today. Enjoy your day in St. Anthony. @1ANGELCAT I'm glad your friend Denise was not injured in the accident. @kazu Jacqui, I'm glad you got most everything done with the house, but sorry your legs are hurting so much. I hope the prospective buyers make an offer this weekend. @marshhawk Annie, I hope today is a better day for both of you. The last time we stopped at Popeye's the chicken was the only thing that was good. The sides and biscuits were not as good as we remembered. @smitty34877 Terry, I'm glad everyone enjoyed the meal last night. I'm also glad Tana requested another meal from years ago. Since 2020, I've been making meals from my childhood and early in our marriage. Sometimes something from the past is exactly what is needed to whet the appetite. @aliaschief Safe travels today to your DS and family. Your St. George get away sounds like fun. Lenda

Annie, there are no words to let you know how badly we all feel about what happened yesterday. Lenda

Annie, there is no need to apologize, especially here. What they have put your DH and you through three times, is unbelievable. I can see the second attempt, but honestly, what were they thinking. Vent all you want here. You have been busy, and I hope you enjoy the clean rooms now. Hope all this wasn't too hard on your DH. Lenda

ICE CREAM DAY! Lenda

Sharon, I take the easy way out. It costs a bit more, but I buy the skin-on bone-in legs and thighs for "frying" and casseroles. I only buy whole chickens for roasting or smoking and for chicken and dumplings. I have to cut the chicken in half to lay flat in the Dutch oven for the chicken and dumplings. Annie, I was so hoping they would be able to open the stent today. I don't blame you for being angry about the situation, DH still being in pain, and having to go through all the waiting to reschedule. Take your anger out on the house today. They say no one cleans a house faster than an angry woman; so your house should sparkle when you finish. HUGS! Lenda

Terry, that is good news about Tana asking for a special dinner. I hope her appetite is returning. Thanks for the pictures of the shed. You did a great job, and it looks professionally built. I just wish our shed looked half as organized and clean. Joy, I'm glad Bonnie's MRI showed the cancer is still just in her right breast. I hope the surgeon can get her operation scheduled soon. Maureen, I'm glad your DH was better yesterday with more antihistamines. That made me wonder if the itching was caused by an allergy other than the eyedrops he'd had to take for so long. Susan, I'm sorry the thrift store is in such a disarray. I hope things get straightened out soon. I know it must be disappointing in the BOD's lack of interest or concern in what is happening. Gerry, it sounds like you pretty much have things under control for tomorrow. I hope the weather cooperates. Jacqui, I hope with all going on that everything for your surgery works out as planned even with the added doctor's appointment for a prescription. HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY, IVAN! Thanks for the pictures, Tony. Karen, I'm glad your DM is home and doing well and that she sounds good. I'm sorry about the fall and the gash and black eyes. Thank you, Graham. The memory garden looks lovely. Lenda

We have been to Nanortalik twice. The first time was on the Tahitian Princess in 2009, and the second was on the Prinsendam in 2017. The first time the weather was clear and sunny, but on the Prinsendam there were low clouds and some rain. It should be easy to tell which cruise the pictures were taken on just by looking at the weather. This was the village from the ship or the tender. A few pictures as we walked around. The buildings in the third picture are part of their museum where you can go through various buildings and can climb to the view platform by the flagpole. There are stairs on the far side of the big rock. Their museum was interesting and showed how they lived. A carving representing a whale. Some overall pictures of the village and area. A call to a tender port would not be complete without a picture of the Elegant Explorer at anchor. Lenda

Good morning from another sunny morning in central Texas. It is 74F and feels like 74F. There is not wind, and the weather app actually says calm for the wind speed. The humidity is 95% with a dew point of 73F. Our high should reach 95F this afternoon. The main thing on the agenda is laundry, so I better get it going soon. Jello-O is nice especially on a hot summer day, but I don't think I have any in the house. Pecan pie is DH's favorite, and I haven't made any since Christmas, but I'll probably wait until it is cooler to make one. Night of Nights is an different day to honor. The Laurence J. Peter quote is amusing. We'll pass on the meal, drink and wine. I prefer a medium Riesling to a sweet one. We have visited Nanortalik twice, and enjoyed our days there. The ratification of the Habeas Corpus Act in 1679 by Charles II was a good step forward in jurisprudence. @Crazy For Cats Jake, we found it was good to sign up for Medicare the month before we were eligible. A word to the wise, be sure to cancel you existing health coverage the month effective the month you turn 65. Our plan kept charging us even though they would no longer cover us once we were 65. Even telling them to cancel the policy didn't stop them from trying to get the monthly premium until I called. Congratulations to your DH on the Omaha Steaks bonus. @StLouisCruisers Sandi, thanks for the information on Night of Nights. @marshhawk Annie, 🤞 that this time the surgery works. I hope all goes smoothly for DH today. Good meme. As an unrepentant chocoholic, I say you can't go wrong with dark chocolate. @Lady Hudson Katherine, I'm sorry your friend is not improving, and I hope they can remove the feeding tube. Glad you found an accessible cabin, but sorry you will need to wait until October for the cruise. @dfish Debbie, I agree. Hamburgers have beef patties. Chicken burgers are a chicken sandwiches under false pretenses. @kochleffel Paul, thanks for all the information on Night of Nights. I didn't realize the commercial Morse operations didn't end until 1999. Lenda

Great place to meet. And of course, we'll arrive by cruise ship! Lenda

Oh, Annie, I'm sorry your DH is having such a hard day today, and so much pain. I hope tomorrow is better. Hugs to both of you. Carolyn, I'm glad both families are having a good time on their vacations. RV trips with the DDs when they were little were a lot of fun. Pennie, good luck with your project. It sounds like you have a good plan in place. A looooooong two hours. 😁 Maureen, I remember when the 7-11 type stores first opened in my home town in the mid-50s. There was one where when you drove up, the clerk would come out to the car, take your order, and then deliver it to the car and take the payment. That went the way of full service gas stations decades ago, before I graduated from high school. I'm sorry your DH's eyes are itching again. I hope the new cream helps. Lenda

Good morning from a sunny and windless central Texas. It is 75F and feels like 75F with 84% humidity and a dew point of 70F. Our predicted high is 97F with no chance of rain. I need to go to the store and run another errand, which I plan to do as soon as I finish here, and before it gets too hot. I will not be honoring Bowdler's Day since I do not believe in rewriting someone else work or censorship. I think the world population is way beyond five billion now. It is always good to cheer up the lonely or even someone who could be lonely. I'm not a fan or this quote from Oscar Wilde. We'll pass on the meal, drink and wine today. We have not been to Maceio, but we've sailed by it from a great distance when sailing along the east coast of Brazil. Today is another great day in England's and the Catholic Church's history. @grapau27 Graham, please wish Father David a happy 51st birthday for us. Thank you for the explanation of two or our days. @kazu Jacqui, I'm glad your neighbor is brining you boxes and taking things to a local charity. If I lived closer, I would come help you get the house ready. @ottahand7 Nancy, I'm sorry your neighbor hurt his eye, and they have to head home today. I hope the eye heals quickly. I hope your DB does all right at home and does not have any more problems with the knee until he see's the doctor. @Mr. Boston I'm sorry your cold is worse, and hope it's gone quickly. Otherwise, I hope the move into your new home went smoothly, and you are beginning to settle in. @smitty34877 Terri, I'm glad the edibles helped Tana with her nausea a bit, and that she didn't feel any side effects. Her comfort should be the first consideration. Camilla is still so cute and so grown up. Thanks for sharing the picture with us. @Seasick Sailor Joy, I've cut my news watching way back. I just don't want to hear the same stories over and over, much less the talking heads. I agree the Texas bugs are relentless, and they have to be to survive in Texas. Sending positive thoughts to Bonnie for her MRI today. Lenda

Good evening. It's still hot, 86F, but the good breeze made the golf cart ride pleasant. We had a call yesterday from DH's brother who lives just north of The Woodlands, and he did all right during Beryl. He did not have power, but his generator was running the refrigerator and a/c unit in his bedroom. He is in Montgomery County, and said 80% of the county was without power. There was no power in The Woodlands except the 55+ neighborhood. Thanks for the beautiful flower pictures, Brenda. Joy, I hope all goes well for Bonnie tomorrow. Annie, I hope they can unblock the stent Friday. Quite a lot of excitement with all the animal escapes today. Tony I've enjoyed all your pictures today, but especially the last batch. Joy, those bushes are huge and pretty. Lenda

Debbie, meeting you, Sue, Sharon and Dixie on the Hawaii cruise made it all the more special. I'm looking forward to meeting Carolyn @Cruising-along and Edi @NextOne next year year on the Westerdam 28 day summer solstice cruise. You and Sue should think about doing that one. Lenda