RMLincoln

HAPPY PI DAY. 3.14…. Working on a lemon meringue pie for DH today, his DD DM’s family recipe!  I’m behind this morning, will catch up later. Blue sky and 53F!  Nice. 
Blessing to all! Later. m—

Back home from haircuts and grocery run. Glad to have those done!  Short break before a mentoring call with teens in NM newly certified wildland firefighters! Very proud of them for their volunteer service to their community. Then early supper for us do I can get into a church group call with my prior home- staying connected during my transition… one foot on the dock and the other in the boat.  
 

@JazzyVVanessa, you do an outstanding service for all of us!  We are so appreciative of your dedication to keeping up the Care, Celebration and Cruising lists through all of your own pain, illness and upheaval. And you are much more competent at using the posting tools, quoting, cut and pasting than I will ever be. Many, many thanks for all you do for us!  I’ll keep you posted!  Hope your are much better from the Zpack! 
m—

From @JazzyV’s Rotation list today…. “RMLincoln’s in Rehab hospital, getting radiation treatments”, it’s for my SiL. I talked with my niece two nights ago and the scans were done and the schedule was to start yesterday, not confirmed to me that it happened. I’ll check in with them in a few days, I try not to bug them, they are overwhelmed. My job is to update my other brother, sister and cousins, usually a condensed version. The good news is that my brother seems glad for some family contact after the long years of isolation. I feel that they’re in for a rough ride ahead and will need all the support they can get. Thanks all for your support. m—

🤞Ann for a smooth transfer!  

m—

🎂 I do hope Pauline has a Happy Birthday amidst the inner and outer turmoil. May she kick off an inspiring year ahead!  🎉

@Haljo1935 I feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop for you with calls from your boss, it must be an added stress to your sinus infection. When DH got frequent sinus infections I’d make him a pot of green Chile stew, with chiles as hot as he could enjoy; also had him use a steam inhaler that I’d add a drop of essential oils to a felt near the vent, not in the water - lemon, eucalyptus, and if you can stand it’s chemical heat,  oregano oil. 🤞

I’ve made thousands of bran muffins. I was the muffin lady for the work crews working on the house addition-anybody who came that far to help us hit muffins!   And for a much longer time for the fire department we served in- every training…. extended calls, wildland fires…. I brought 10 dozen muffins once to an early morning briefing before a prescribed burn on the perimeter of our mountain community. There were 100+ firefighters gathered there from 100 miles around, including the inmate crews who left at 3am to make the 0630 briefing. They were such hard workers and so glad for a treat!  
Bran muffins are a great base for additions of most chopped fresh or dried fruit, and nuts. Apples, oranges, pineapple, banana, raisins, cranberries, peaches, blueberries, raspberries…. Very versatile. I’d often add protein powder to the mix to give the crews a little extra to work with!  My secret ingredient was a drop of lemon extract along with a light addition of spices- allspice, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom are all good options.  I did a lot of experimenting, it was fun!  Never ever had to throw muffins away!  
 

Blessings to all for a good day!  Healing, comfort, hope or your special need today!  
Cheering all who are celebrating🌈

Smooth travels to all away!

Maureen 

1 hour ago, grapau27 said:

Thank you Maureen.

We posted a nice condolences card  in Sarah's mam's door who lives next door to us and she pushed it back through our letterbox with 🤢 unfriendly words written on it.

How very sad!  Grief can bring anger but such bitterness comes from a tortured soul. It is her choice and her path, and a burden for you, Pauline and Sarah as you try to walk (live!) beside her with more kindness and strength than most people would imagine. I’m very grateful I saw my brother, sad for the circumstances that brought us together again after 22 years of trying. I will probably never understand. 

Even when there is no sun in the North Sea region, there is a great well of sun in your heart!  That was a mighty big step to extend your condolences!  💝 It blesses all of us!  m—
 

@Haljo1935 What a stressful day. We’re here for you, hoping for what’s best for you! m-

It is sunny today on north Jersey!  May get into 60s.   Very springlike. Yesterday was very windy but the sun came out earlier than the app predicted so that was a lift. @grapau27 North Sea looks grey today. I think I don’t mind the greyness of the sea as much because the sea is always moving. That tells me I need to look at the land a bit differently.🤔 Hugs to Sarah and you all, this loss will take its time to absorb, sending extra hugs!  
 

🎂 Happy Birthday to Lenda and Mitzi! 🎆 Kicknoff an inspiring year!  
 

@Nickelpenny we are 💔 with you. It is traumatic to get unexpected news of a loved ones passing while you are far away. I’m sorry you are alone aboard … usually there’s a chaplain aboard, someone you could talk with - the 3Cs of chaplaincy are Comfort, Care and Counsel. Of course you have us!  Sending hugs 🤗 

@Cruzin Terri Glad to hear you’re there safely, hoping for smooth tests and a better path forward!  It’s extra hard keeping an eye in Jim, don’t be shy to ask for help!  
 

@StLouisCruisers We’re all relieved to know that Morgan is in her new home. I think at her time in life it’s fun setting up a new place!  
 

Can’t get the @name right, oiy,  but glad to hear the cyber attack is getting healed!  You are a wonder-worker!  
 

Thinking of @ger_77, DH and Wayne…. and @cat shepard’s DS… and @kazu’s winter mess… and others whose names and handles and situations muddle… but you are in my heart! 

Blessings to all in need of healing, comfort or hope!  For my country, your country and great sadnesses and sufferings in the world. 
Toasts to those celebrating Life🌈 is Good!  
Smooth travels to all away, stunning sunrise pictures @bennybear!  Glad you got something to eat before slogging your way home!  
 

@aliaschief glad to hear they will support those who want to debark in Dubai and rejoin in Venice!  I think that’s what we’d want to do!  So many places come to mind that I’d want to stay at for an extended time, what a grand opportunity!  
 

Quick update on my SiL… spoke with my niece last night, today is first radiation treatment🤞. No telling how well or how long she can tolerate treatment much less how effective it might be or what the next steps might be. There’s a lot we don’t know in this life, we all keep doing the best we can! 😇 

Thanks ALL for being here. Thank you Jacqui, Roy, Vanessa!  Everyone stay safe and well today!  One day at a time is Everything. 
Maureen 
 

Windy and chilly in north Jersey, even though it might reach upper 40s. The gray continues but I’m encouraged to see a sun symbol on the weather app for the hour prior to sunset!  

Monday means getting back to business… calls to make, plug some more on taxes, appointments to confirm. Still haven’t received mammogram CD images from Maryland, have this week still, appt is next Monday… if they don’t come I’ll give new radiology the info to chase them, maybe they’ll have better luck. Early supper tonight in the dining room on the other side of our complex but close to the woodworkers shop where there’s a meeting tonight so we’ll learn about all that. 
 

🎂 Happy Birthday Sue with a pleasant dinner with your sisters! 
 

Blessings to all in need and cheers to all celebrating. 🎉 

@cat shepard Ann, hoping your sister can get moved again soon! 🤞 Enjoy your great-nephew, it can be a lift to have youthful energy around us!  
 

Thanks for the updates from at sea Bruce, Tina, Pennie…. 
Smooth travels to all away, and welcome home Brenda 🤞no surprises 🫣. 
Maureen

Annie, I don’t think you need to be more like me or anyone else. I think a lot of people could stand to be more like you- kind, generous, honest, patient and caring!  
 

As far as appointments, it seems you get quite a few in. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other!
Hope you get some sleep in the best position for you! 💤  m—

I like Daylight Saving Time.  I feel better with the longer light in the evenings, easier driving. I wish it would stay all year. I spent a short time working in the Michigan UP one summer in grad school - it is in the far west of the Eastern Time zone so sunset was quite late, I loved that!  
 

I’m glad I don’t have to be concerned about the batteries in the smoke detectors, that was always such a nuisance in our mountain home- when we’d return from travel to a cold house the smoke detectors would be chirping because the batteries were cold.  We had 11 smoke detectors distributed in the old cabin section, the new house addition, the garage, attic and partial basement!  Eventually they would all warm up of course, but we would heat up by wood stoves first and not the whole house instantly!  ….things I don’t miss! 🤣. m—

Yesterday’s rains are over, maybe a lingering shower midday here in north Jersey, still chilly at 40ish and breezy. Still gray. 
 

We made good progress on taxes yesterday, maybe finish federal today and have that ready as a base for preparing three state returns - New Jersey, Maryland and New Mexico. Next year will be easier. I’m so glad we are still able to manage through these tasks!  

Blessings for all on our Care list and Jacqui… thank you Vanessa, Roy, Jacqui, Ann, Debbie and all here, sharing your caring. Comfort for Sarah, Graham, Pauline and all their family. Special thoughts to Melissa and all our Caregivers. Thinking too of Ann and her DSis, 🤞for the best direction for now. And all those seeking a direction for relief, May it come soon!  
 

🎆Cheers to all celebrating milestones of Life, and for those who celebrate Ramadan. Life is Good! 🌈

🛳️Smooth travels to those away! Welcome home Brenda!  ✈️. Trusting your return will be without any unpleasant surprises. 
May everyone stay safe and well! 
Maureen

 

@erewhon you’ve been missed, hoping all is well with both!  M—

Lots of rain coming this afternoon and overnight, and chilly. 
 

My condolences to @grapau27 Sarah, Graham and Pauline, and all the family. Deaths in estranged families bring an end to the hope that rifts can someday be reconciled…. new heartbreak on top of old heartbreak.  Prayers of support during these difficult times.  
 

I’m glad I saw my brother after 22 years, although we had the occasional phone call all along it still was hurtful and confusing to be rebuffed every time we’d be in the region and suggested a visit. But now I see more of what he was dealing with, and not dealing with well. I can’t say it changes my feelings but it adds pieces to an unfinished puzzle. I plan to call him today to check on how he’s managing, if his wife will be able to undergo treatment. Mostly it’s all so very sad. 
 

Ann, you and your family are making Amazing progress for your sister!  🤞she can be transferred soon. 
 

Yesterday I took an afternoon for me. I went to a Mindful Meditation class then to our aquatic center to soak out some soreness from yoga and do hip exercises in the pool. DH met me there and soaked too. His eye doctor has been very conservative about any activities that could get water in his eye but he’s lightening up just a bit 👍. 
 

Annie, @marshhawk I’m saddened by your difficulties getting affordable meds, and by so many other parts of our medical system that I saw as broken during my years in the Emergency Medical Service. For those who read here from other countries, I add some historical background, not to be political but historical - we the US, are, from our roots, very imperfectly pro-capitalism/ anti-socialism. There exists some softening such as our federal retirement Social Security pensions and retirement Medicare programs, as well as regulatory oversight on business, but our documents of origin - especially laying out our strong states rights with limited federal control - make some parts of life hard to corral and  much harder to shift.  Each state has its own constitution, and administers their Medicaid program for their poor; these are separate from federal Medicare for workers 65+ which has choices for if you sign up for all parts (A,B,D-drugs, or a part C- contracts with private insurers for more comprehensive “Advantage”plans).   It’s especially difficult for newcomers to grasp how complicated our many governments are here, yet there seems to be enough good here to continue to attract hopeful and hardworking people like my ancestors…. which will bring me genealogy… but before I go there I want to say that my heart goes out to everyone dealing with our difficult, often broken, sometimes dysfunctional medical system. I have seen people suffer as they fall through its cracks, and been there when they died, especially those who needed and deserved mental health care. I will leave my tears😥 here, not my other thoughts and ideas which belong elsewhere. 
 

We haven’t done a lot of genealogy but enough to try to understand why our ancestors came here. We have English Lincolns and Irish Kennedys in our “family tree”; others from Cornwall, Prussia, France, Italy.  Some came very early 1700s others late 1800s. It’s been fun and meaningful to visit some of our ancestral lands in our travels here and abroad. We immersed ourselves in Cornwall for 10 days finding graves, homes and workplaces of DH’s great-grandfather, and his grandfather before he left his family to establish himself here, then had them come two years later, a wife and 6 children!  I can’t imagine. We visited the South Dakota homestead farm where DHs father was born. And colonial locations in Virginia and West Virginia of the Roane family (as in Roanoke) that eventually adopted my mother in New York. Heritage is such a meaningful addition to travel!  
 

✨Blessings to all in need of healing, comfort, direction or hope, all our Care list. 
💐Cheers to those celebrating!  
🌈Smooth travels to those away.

Eager to hear @aliaschiefBruce’s report on Azamara’s options! 

⛈️❄️Please take extra precautions to stay safe and well during the difficult weather. 
Maureen 
 

Some sun today, Yay!  Not enough sleep, came out and eventually slept in the recliner so maybe tonight I’ll be tired enough to sleep better.

I love all the International Women’s Day posts!  My middle name is special to me… my sister born before me died as a baby from a sudden illness and mom was getting old for pregnancy in that era… she prayed for another daughter and named me for her favorite saint. 
 

We spent a thrilling day visiting Great Barrier Reef by excursion boat from Cairns. I did it all - snorkeling, plus dry viewing from semi-submersible sub and staircases in huge plastic tubes. The excursion boat took us to a floating base that had everything. It was a magnificent experience. It was part of our 6week stay in Australia from Cairns to Tasmania including stays with two sets of cruise friends. We cruised from CA across on a repositioning instead of flying, then cruised from Sydney over to and around NZ for 4 weeks there, all part of 4 months in the Pacific. So many once in a lifetime experiences and Great Barrier Reef is high up there!  
 

DH’s eye check went very well. Doc looked at it through his instrument and said, It looks beautiful! Pressure is good, continue tapering steroids, come back in 3 weeks. But continue the physical restrictions… DH wasn’t too happy about that but the eye is still vulnerable. Well, we sure don’t want to damage it!  And we’ll go through this again with the next surgery for the other eye but we’ll get there!  Amazing! Absolutely Amazing! is all I can say!  
 

On the way home we navigated to my next two upcoming appts so we’d be familiar with where they are. We got home just in time for my zoom yoga. After that I was tired, by bedtime I was sore. 
 

Blessings to all in need!
Toasts to all celebrating!

Strength and a good day for all the caregivers.  
Great to hear Ann’s DS showing strong improvements!  And Sam too!  
And Morgan getting to a new place!  
And Lauren getting the care she needs. 

Smooth travels to all away!  

@aliaschiefBruce:  Wondering if there’s an option to get off in Dubai, do a month of touring on one’s own then rejoin the ship in Venice?  

Thanks all for being here!  See something special today !

Maureen 

Seems the rain is mostly over, maybe a few lingering showers. Warnings are for flooding in low areas and near creeks… really? after an inch of rain overnight?  Seems quite pleasant around 50 today. A bit of blue sky always helps me. We’ll be heading to the eye doctor mid-day for a check on things…. seems stable now, I hope he’s not going to do anything dramatic, like cut the second stitch, but we’ll see what he says. Thanks for your continued support!  
 

The enchiladas sound so good!  I miss New Mexican cuisine. But we get fed a nice variety of foods here and it’s a luxury to go to our community dining rooms for daily dinners!  
 

I resonate with the e.e. cummings quote….  to me it’s a reminder to make the most of being alive!  I think everyone here does that by continuing to dream, to work towards making those dreams come true, and especially by helping each other here and all around us …. family, friends, strangers, the world. 
 

Cheers to all celebrating, Life is Good!🌈
 

Blessings to all in need of healing, comfort or hope.💐 Immediate prayers for Joy and Allen that something changes for the better quickly!  
 

Smooth travels for all away especially thinking of our many cruisers.🛳️ Bruce I’m sure you will have an Amazing rest of your cruise!  I hope Azamara will provide some enrichment presentations during your trip around Africa. Looking forward to hearing about it but first enjoy Cairns!  
Stay safe and well everyone, enjoy this day of living life!  Thanks for being here. 
Maureen 
 

It’s been a very foggy morning!  Lots of rain expected today, maybe flooding tonight in lower areas. Hoping it won’t interfere with our drive to the eye doctor tomorrow which is to our east, across some rivers and lowlands. 🤞
 

I salute our veterans, especially the stepsons I raised - one was army for a short time after 9/11, the other retired as a navy commander, 27 years. Thank you to all who served!  
 

On one of my first visits to Texas I bought a souvenir - a lined notepad with the heading “Things to Remember”…. top line was filled in: “The Alamo!”  History is brutal. They bought time with their lives and Sam Houston did come. 
 

I still have a Periodic Table of the Elements in my kitchen, always have had. I refer to it more often than one might imagine…. mine is 2-sided with different data on each side including valance states, isotopes, crystal structure and much more. I’m a data person!  Geology, chemistry, physics, yup, all of it!  
 

Yay for Aspirin!  Still the best first option in a heart attack - makes the platelets slippery to keep a clot from growing. Chew up 2-4 baby aspirin and let it absorb through the mouth tissue, faster into the bloodstream than through the stomach… if you’re not allergic to it and have no bleeding disorders.  
 

I think I’d like a Hurricane, I enjoy rum and passion fruit juice!  Tonight, the soup of the day is listed as beef barley, should be good!  The soups in our 3 dining rooms usually are a treat for me. 
 

I’ve been told that my name is Gaelic for “little Mary”;  Maura= Mary and -een is the diminutive, similarly for Kathleen and Coleen (little girl).  
 

I’ve enjoyed many visits to Hilo and the Big Island, both extended land visits and by ships. Rented cars nearly every visit. Loved seeing Lenda’s pictures of the Wiapio Valley! Got a local to take us down into it in his Land Rover in about 1985.  He told us there were no trees there until the 1946 tsunami brought in seeds; hard to imagine, it’s so overgrown. His family had a taro farm there where we stopped for him to pull up a “potato” to show us. 
Of course, as a geologist I can’t say enough about how thrilling it was to see the volcanoes up close! Lava, steam at the water’s edge, sulphuric vents, lave tree-molds, lava-tubes…. black sand and green (olivine/peridot sand beaches!  Pete’s hair strands!  First time was when I was still in college, between my BS graduation and starting my MS work…. seems 100 yrs ago but it’s almost 50🤣
And more recently, the botanical gardens not far from the port are stunning!  

@dfish maybe ice will help reduce the swelling in your injured thumb. 👍 

@Heartgrove difficult days and decisions, so much love 💔 

@Nickelpenny Thank you for the Amazon experience!  

My DSIL had a scan yesterday, another is scheduled for Friday, treatments should begin next week. Thank you all for your caring support. Thinking of all in our Daily family dealing with their own and their family’s health needs. 🙏 for better days soon. 
 

Blessings sent too early while I couldn’t sleep. May everyone stay well and safe!  Especially through their storms… those from outside and those from within!  😢
 

Cheers to all celebrating and cruising, Life is Good🌈

Maureen 
 

Rain today and parts of the next few days. Oh well. As long as we can get to the eye doctor Thursday. 
 

DSIL is supposed to be taken to radiology today, then back to Rehab facility, I hope it’s not too hard on her and that she doesn’t make it harder on her family. 

@marshhawk Extra prayers for you and Chuck today. 
 

@rafinmd great news!  DH will have bloodwork this months- numbers have been inching up each time. So glad you’ve had a decrease. 
Bubbles stopped..   oh they’re back? Maybe…. @StLouisCruisers

Sandi- great news on Morgan!  Extra hugs!

@ottahand7Nancy, congrats on the truck deal!  It’s never easy. And dealing with your arm too I’m sure didn’t help. @MISTER 67 moving is hard. It sounds like you’re doing great!  I’m still not through the address changes!
@ger_77I just hope Wayne stays safe. And you and DH too. It’s dangerously cold out there! @Heartgrove Sam is lucky he found you and you him!  What love you’ve give him and he’s given back. Extra hugs!  @Quartzsite Cruiser Happy celebrating with Steve! @grapau27
 Happy memories of your dad! @Nickelpenny it’s fun to hear about the bugs!   @cat shepard You are so right about patients needing advocates. Sure hope things pick up for your DS. 
 

Blessings for all on the Care list, all those in need!  
Toasts to those celebrating !

Smooth travels to all away, especially our many cruisers!  (We’re starting to look ahead… for when the timing is right. Just grateful for every day!). 
Thanks all for being here! 
Maureen 
 

It’s warm in north Jersey, almost 60. Gray. Will be gray and rainy much of the week. This is as far north as I’ve ever lived. When we retired we were looking for where to move to. We decided we liked the southern latitudes of the country for the sunshine, but summers could be brutal, so  the high elevation of our New Mexico mountain cabin gave us cool summers…. it seemed perfect, I’m so glad we were able to enjoy it for so long…. lived there longer than anywhere. 
 

Today we’ll clean up and follow up after the great work the grandkids did for us yesterday. And pick up again on the taxes project. I fought my way through a new medical portal this morning prior to appts coming up. Making progress. 
 

DB and niece have a rotation set up to help my DSIL in the Rehab facility. Tomorrow she is to be taken by med transport to radiology… we’ll see how that goes. One step at a time. 
 

Brain injuries vary widely depending on what parts of the brain are injured. It’s all difficult, bless them and their caregivers. 
 

I just cringed at the Austen quote. 
 

Sending blessings to all having procedures and consults today, all in need of healing, comfort or hope! 
Cheers to all celebrating!  Yay for Murphy and her family!  
 

Pulaski left his mark on this country. There’s a bridge named for him near Newark NJ, and in wildland firefighting we used a hand-tool called a Pulaski that was great for chopping roots, scraping soil, digging fire lines… the Pulaski is THE tool of the trade!  🫡

Good evening from north Jersey. It’s been busy here with granddaughter and her DH here today working on upgrades!  Wonderful to see them, have them share their time, talents and energy!  
 

Quick comments:  Fabulous that Baby Murphy got to go home!  
 

My dad had a cousin much older than him who was born blind, eventually taught in a school for the blind. She’d come visit us one week each summer when I was in early grade school. At one time she served as a temporary secretary to Helen Keller.  
 

I’ve never been to the Canary Islands but when I was high school my boyfriend and I dreamed we’d go there together someday - I think we liked the name, and that it seemed so magical to our imagination. Thanks for all the beautiful pictures! 

Blessings to all the Caregivers all in need, and all the Daiky family!  Smooth travels to all away. 
Maureen 

Rainy day in north Jersey. I’m a bit stymied. Haven’t heard from grandkids about their expected visit today🤷🏼‍♀️. Trying to roll with it but it just doesn’t feel good. A lot doesn’t feel good….  my brother’s situation with his wife being so sick I think has affected me more than I realized. It’s frustrating not getting updates from them but I won’t bug them. Not hearing from the grandkids about their visit today ti do some work here is more than annoying.  And not having any friends here affects me too so I reach out to friends afar. I need to focus on “What’s good right now!”  So much good!  So much to be grateful for!  And a good sleep last night, you’d think I’d feel better this morning!  
 

Blessings sent to all on our Care list. I’m especially impacted by what I’ve seen and read about the Texas-Oklahoma fires! Horrifying. Thank you Vanessa for including them!  And us- DH is tapering down steroid drops- 2/day now, down from 4, pressure in the surgical eye is holding. I think the steroids may have been alleviating the itching reaction in the eye still on the pressure-lowering meds because he’s needing more Benadryl and the skin is more inflamed on that side.  I have to remember that it’s all part of the zigzag progress path and we are doing ok!  My symptoms of a pinched nerve are mild but there is work to do!  Time to breathe…. 
 

@cat shepard thanks for updating us on your sister.   Interesting about her diaphragm!  In EMS classes they constantly reminded us that “patients haven’t read the textbooks!”  Everyone is unique. She’s made it this far and she is working hard, it’ll all come together!  How wonderful her son and daughter are helping you both!  
 

@ger_77 Stay safe in the storm!  Sure hope Wayne’s situation improves soon. Was thinking, At least he’s not on a ship!  
 

@kazu Thanks for updating us. Give yourself a hug from all of us!  Glad Ivan is with you!  
 

Thinking of Terry on weekend duty. And Melissa every day!  
 

Blessings to all in need, near and far.  Please stay safe, especially in the storms. 
 

Bon Voyage Lisa!  Smooth travels to all away. A good visit for Pauline!  
Thanks to Pennie and Bruce for taking us along!  Great fun! Lifts my spirit on this gray and frustrating day. 
Maureen 

I said my Rabbits and prayers during the long sleepless wee hours. I did get back to sleep a bit but not enough. DH also…. it happens. At least we don’t have to drag ourselves to work. 
 

Yesterday I succeeded in speaking with a person in medical records who said she will send my previous mammograms to New Jersey🤞. Then I walked to my dental appt👍. Had a pleasant supper with neighbors from down the hall before attending a fun, on-campus concert in our chapel with a neighborhood band from the adjoining town of Bloomingdale’s who played a lot of Big Band swing. It was a lovely day, no idea why we couldn’t sleep!  
 

Tomorrow we’re expecting DGD and her electrician husband to come for the day and help us with installing new lighting. It’s been about 6 weeks since we saw them but it feels like 6 months. It’ll be a rainy day but I’m hoping that won’t be an issue for them!  
 

Blessings to all in need, especially our caregivers- Terry, Melissa, Ann…. and our spouses, family and friends who are always there. Gerry you are a gem helping so many, today helping Wayne!  Hoping he can improve quickly.   
 

🥂 Happy Birthday again @aliaschief Bruce!  🎂. Hope you got to see your Sydney friends. 
Smooth travels to all our friends away especially our many cruisers!  
 

Thank you Sandi for your map and pictures. We went to Cinque Terre with my cousins on the 2015 cousins reunion. It was miserably overrun with people in late September. Spent 3 nights in La Spetzia. We hiked part of the steep up-and-down trail between the villages but it was difficult terrain for me and overcrowded on the narrow paths. The train station platform at Monterrosa was 6 people deep waiting to get back to La Spetzia. The boat back was delightful with the tugged coastal scenery and for me the best part!  During a port call in Livorno on a different trip we took the local train to Pisa, then a local bus to the “Field of Miracles”.  DH climbed the tower. We had been there before on my first cousins reunion trip in 2010, both times it rained in Pisa. The tower can be treacherous- slanted, the well-worn marble slippery with sand and wet…. I preferred time in the church and baptistery taking in the magnificent architecture, marble work and art from 1100!    The sanctuary lamp hangs high overhead in the church and swings gently with the earth’s rotation, and is reported to have inspired Galileo to study 
the solar system. 
 

Thanks all for sharing here!  Please Enjoy this day!  
Maureen 
 

Rabbits rabbits white rabbits. 
Best of luck and good health to all. I hope I can get back to sleep!  m—

@smitty34877 Terry, We also have convolutions in our family trees. I have the greatest step-granddaughters!  The older one wanted us to move closer so they could “be there” for us. She said to me, “Grandma! You’ve been our grandma our whole life! You were there for us.  We’re here for you!”  We really do reap what we sow! Glad you will have some help this weekend. 
 

@lazey1 Jane, I hope you can fully enjoy your cruise, and that your care team will provide you the right options. Very glad to hear you are feeling better. 
 

@marshhawk Annie, cheering you on for success with new patterns, one step at a time. Be as good to yourself as you are to others! 
 

@aliaschief Happy Birthday Bruce.  Hope you can enjoy it in Sydney with your friends, such a special memory it will be for you. 
m—

@cat shepard Off the vent is major progress!  So glad your nephew is there to help, more help coming. Wonderful if you to prepare her home. You need a “toast” and a long nap. Trusting DS’s healing will continue.