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I THINK I had some good news today. The results came back for the specialty tests my doctor ordered last week and they were all within the normal range. Not sure how that relates to the regular tests but it is somewhat reassuring. Roy

Today's sunrise is among my earliest from Queen Mary 2. August 29, 2012 was part of a round trip transatlantic, over to the UK on Queen Mary 2 and back on Crystal Symphony. Roy

Today's sunrise is among my earliest from Queen Mary 2. August 29, 2012 was part of a round trip transatlantic, over to the UK on Queen Mary 2 and back on Crystal Symphony. Roy

Today's sunrise is among my earliest from Queen Mary 2. August 29, 2012 was part of a round trip transatlantic, over to the UK on Queen Mary 2 and back on Crystal Symphony. Roy

I agree but wonder about the future. I wonder if with ever larger ships Everglades may be unable to handle as many ships as in the past, and expect the lines that have ships there will have priority. At this time I think the ship most likely to be moved (for this year at least) is the Oosterdam since it has only 2 South Florida calls this season with single stops from a TA to South America and another single stop after South America and before the Caribbean. I actually think this is a one time event until at least fall 2023 since April 24, 2023 is a Monday and likely to use Fort Lauderdale. Roy

Thank you for the Monday report, Rich. As in the UK, Motorist Consideration is in short supply here. Bats are essential but most of us would prefer they keep a distance. One or more of my troop's Eagle Scouts has set up bat houses in certain areas to help control insects. More Herbs and Less Salt sounds great although I'm trying to figure out how that relates to my low sodium levels. Montreal is a great city but sadly HAL is down to 2 ships that can get under the bridges to reach it. I love the quote but am not sure about the meal. Today is the first day of school and my church men's group will be part of a welcoming party for new and returning students. Sad to hear on the news about another grocery shooting: Today’s care list: Marshhawk’s friend Jessee with throat cancer Sandi’s neighbors David (RIP) and Linda in critical condition Horizon Chaser 1957 needing new treaatment for arthritis The locks at Ijmuiden(Rotterdam diverted to at least 9/11) From the rotation: Tana with persistent problems although somewhat better Atrex6 Father severely declining Strength and healing (physical and emotional) for Kazu Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney Celebrations and Shoutouts: Hawaii Little League World Champions Tiogacruiser stepping up to cover wines for cat shepard 7 days for cat shepard (Nieuw Amsterdam 9/4 to 9/11) Cruisin Terri early appointment with hand surgeon Bon Voyage Oceansaway17 (Quantum OTS 8/29 to 9/5) Av8rix (Zuiderdam to 8/31), Kochleffel (Voyager OTS to 9/3), luvteaching (Crown Princess to 9/3), Eurodam to 9/10). Vax1700 (Rotterdam to 9/11) and Gail&Marty (Rotterdam to 10/15) at sea Staff Captain Sabine - Our first female Staff Captain and HAL’s likely first female Captain(I know this is a repeat but she’s worth it) Roy

I hope something less disruptive can be found to deal with your pain. Roy

I hope you don't have any issues enjoying food with the missing tooth. I vastly prefer both the Radiance and Vision classes over the Voyager class. Roy

Today's sunrise is from the same trip as the photo from my cousin's farm. I returned from Montreal August 27-28, spending the night August 27 in Poughkeepsie as the train to New York arrives too late for a reliable connection to Baltimore. This sunrise is from Poughkeepsie August 28, 2015: Roy

Today's sunrise is from the same trip as the photo from my cousin's farm. I returned from Montreal August 27-28, spending the night August 27 in Poughkeepsie as the train to New York arrives too late for a reliable connection to Baltimore. This sunrise is from Poughkeepsie August 28, 2015: Roy

Thank you for the Sunday report, Rich. I'll pass on the Red Wine and the Icons but celebrate the Rainbow Bridge. I love the quote but have not been to Baie Comeau. No idea what the meal suggestion is. Today’s care list: Marshhawk’s friend Jessee with throat cancer Sandi’s neighbors David (RIP) and Linda in critical condition jodi68 with painful wasp sting Tana with persistent problems although somewhat better kochleffel dental emergency while preparing for cruise The locks at Ijmuiden(Rotterdam diverted to at least 9/11) From the rotation: HAL Sailer Sister in Law recovering from cancer surgery and making hard decisions Status of St. Louis Sal (7/1), msmayor (5/20) and JAM37 (7/7) Heartgrove’s Sam severely declining Heartgrove brother discharged but in hospice care Celebrations and Shoutouts: Curacao and Hawaii Little League teams Father David on vacation irishjim good surgery report Tiogacruiser stepping up to cover wines for cat shepard cat shepard in Alaska 8/27 Nieuw Amsterdam 9/4 to 9/11 Cruisin Terri early appointment with hand surgeon 2 days for Oceansaway17 (Quantum OTS 8/29 to 9/5) Bon Voyage Kochleffel (Voyager OTS 8/28 to 9/3) and Vax1700 (Rotterdam 8/28 to 9/11) Welcome home Mtn2sea and kplady Av8rix (Zuiderdam to 8/31), luvteaching (Crown Princess to 9/3, Eurodam to 9/10) and Gail&Marty (Rotterdam to 10/15) at sea Staff Captain Sabine - Our first female Staff Captain and HAL’s likely first female Captain(I know this is a repeat but she’s worth it) Roy

A little bit about the memorial service today. It will involve stories of 3 couples: Morris and Edie Ralph and Marlene David and CJ The first 2 couples are very long time (since about 1970) members of my church. David is Morris and Edie's son and he literally grew up in my church. David decided a career in the ministry and met CJ. They spent several years as missionaries in the Caribbean and Ireland and as part of their fund raising activity they were "sponsored" by a number of churches, including ours, and visited annually giving reports so we got to know CJ as well as David. They eventually became pastors in South Florida. The other 2 couples as they aged moved to a retirement complex about a half hour south of here probably 10-15 years ago. Sadly, Edie died in 2013. I was on the Prinsendam Amazon Explorer in 2013, 11/26 to 12/22. I had cars at both ends of the trip and visited David's church pre-cruise. I let him know that I would likely be visiting CJ's church at the end of the voyage. I was a little late to CJ's service but as I arrived she was just starting to share a story. She mentioned that "my father in law" (Morris was still grieving and spent Christmas with his son) took a long walk early that morning. The police called him and thought he might be lost and confused. When he got back he gave David and CJ a very detailed report (things like I passed the Waffle House and there were 6 people inside). A bit slow perhaps but hardly confused. Ralph died 7 in 2014. A friendship between Marlene and Morris blossomed and they had a commitment ceremony in 2015. They continued to be active in my church as long as they were physically able, and Morris even continued to come in monthly to help count the offering right up until the shutdown for the pandemic. Marlene contracted cancer about 6 months ago and left us last Friday. She would have turned 91 yesterday. It was a lovely service today at the retirement center chapel with my pastor, the center chaplain, David and CJ all helping out. Sadly, Morris is now in a wheelchair so I am very concerned for his future. Roy

Love it!. Choices are better today but I saw a lot of things I would enjoy. I have never been on a BHB between mid August and late September so for now the alternate menu selection is getting a rest. Roy

I do not have an August 27 sunrise so this is from August 24 (2010), again on VIA's Canadian on the way to one of Cruise West's final cruise. That morning the Canadian was approaching Edmonton. Roy

I do not have an August 27 sunrise so this is from August 24 (2010), again on VIA's Canadian on the way to one of Cruise West's final cruise. That morning the Canadian was approaching Edmonton. Roy

I have a thought but hope @Out2See will chine in soon. Roy

Thank you for the Saturday report, Rich. The Pony Express paid a very vital role in our national heritage. Music on the Porch (please not too loud) and especially kind words are very worth celebrating. I love Audrey Hepburn's attitude but have not been to Mykonos. Penne and Vodka sound like quite an interesting combination. Must leave later this morning for a memorial service for a church member. Today’s care list: Cruisin Terri hurting Sandi’s neighbors David (RIP) and Linda in critical condition HAL Sailer Sister in Law recovering from cancer surgery Tana with persistent problems although somewhat better Fluff healing from surgery ger_77 with loss of taste The locks at Ijmuiden(Rotterdam diverted to at least 9/11) From the rotation: Heartgrove brother discharged but in hospice care Atrex6 Father severely declining Strength and healing (physical and emotional) for Kazu Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney Celebrations and Shoutouts: welcome aboard jodi68 irishjim good surgery report Tiogacruiser stepping up to cover wines for cat shepard Safe travels cat shepard to Alaska 8/27 and Nieuw Amsterdam 9/4 to 9/11 Norseh20 finding DM great assisted living facility 2 days for Oceansaway17 (Quantum OTS 8/29 to 9/5) 1 days for Vax1700 (Rotterdam 8/28 to 9/11) 1 days for Kochleffel (Voyager OTS 8/28 to 9/3) Bon Voyage luvteaching (Crown Princess to 9/3, Eurodam to 9/10) Welcome home Mtn2sea and kplady Aliaschief (Rotterdam to 8/28), Av8rix (Zuiderdam to 8/31) and Gail&Marty (Rotterdam to 10/15) at sea Staff Captain Sabine - Our first female Staff Captain and HAL’s likely first female Captain(I know this is a repeat but she’s worth it) Roy

Very interesting. I did want to go through the new locks at least once. That cruise is a bit too close to my fall New England cruise on QM2 but I am thinking about some other dates. Roy

Finally back and posting. Service completed just after 9, then a stop at Wegmans, takeout at Panera, putting the groceries away and I'm finally back. Thank you Rich for the TGIF report. I haven't had a dog in over 60 years, don't use a lot of toilet paper. Women's Equality is far too long in coming. I love the quote but will pass on the meal. I've been to Petra just once on a mostly forgettable cruise on the Silver Whisper. The thing I remember most is walking down a long dull trail and coming to a point where the glory of Petra is just sudden and breathtaking. Going to be a hot hunker down inside day but I got in about a 25-minute walk on the way to the ship. Today's sunrise is from a 2015 trip with a Blount cruise from Maine to New Brunswick. After a few cruise i spent a couple days with my cousin south of Montreal and this was taken on their farm: Roy

Today's sunrise is from a 2015 trip with a Blount cruise from Maine to New Brunswick. After a few cruise i spent a couple days with my cousin south of Montreal and this was taken on their farm: Roy

Thank you for the report. I was here just a couple of minutes after they opened but not first in line. I expect 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Working with an IPAD so l’ll not be entering much text. Roy

I'm going to try to get my car in early for service today so here's a preview of my TGIF lists. Today’s care list: Cruisin Terri hurting Sandi’s neighbors David (RIP) and Linda in critical condition HAL Sailer Sister in Law recovering from cancer surgery Tana with persistent problems although somewhat better Fluff healing from surgery ger_77 with loss of taste The locks at Ijmuiden(Rotterdam diverted to at least 9/11) From the rotation: Heartgrove brother discharged but in hospice care Atrex6 Father severely declining Strength and healing (physical and emotional) for Kazu Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney Celebrations and Shoutouts: Happy Anniversary Crabby Pattil indaler’s son settled in new house Volendam caring for refugees Tana’s spunk Quartzite cruiser making progress on medical appointments Norseh20 finding DM great assisted living facility 3 days for Oceansaway17 (Quantum OTS 8/29 to 9/5) 2 days for Vax1700 (Rotterdam 8/28 to 9/11) 2 days for Kochleffel (Voyager OTS 8/28 to 9/3) 1 day for luvteaching (Crown Princess to 9/3, Eurodam to 9/10) Mtn2sea and kplady (Nieuw Statendam to 8/27), Aliaschief (Rotterdam to 8/28), Av8rix (Zuiderdam to 8/31) and Gail&Marty (Rotterdam to 10/15) at sea Staff Captain Sabine - Our first female Staff Captain and HAL’s likely first female Captain(I know this is a repeat but she’s worth it) Roy

@StLouisCruisers such sad news about Linda and David. Prayers for that family. Roy

Kobe was actually my embarkation port in the middle of a strange trip. I started with a Queen Elizabeth Transatlantic, then a long flight to Angkor Wat for a few days and another long flight to Japan for a trans=Pacific cruise, Although we started with an overnight in Kobe, the first day I was pretty wiped out from the travel and did just a bit of sightseeing the second day. An overview of Kobe: The Kobe tower: Kobe experienced a serious earthquake in 1995. There was a plaque in the monument with a tribute to the victims of the quake. My photo of the plaque did not come out but here's the inscription: This Earthquake took some things. Lives, Jobs, Communities, Cityscape, Our Memories. These things appear safe, permanent. Even moments before, we cannot know,. This earthquake left many things behind. Kindness, Compassion, Human Bonds, Friendship This flame links the lives which were taken away, With our thoughts, the survivors. Roy

Point to ponder. What does it mean to be off topic when the topic is off topic posts. Doesn't that make it on topic, and doesn't being on topic make it off topic. Roy