Jump to content

The Daily for Monday Apr 19, 2021


richwmn
 Share

Recommended Posts

Good morning from a sunny and non windy central Texas.  We use a lot of garlic, and often I'll add a little more than called for in the recipe.  Like both meanings of Hanging Out day.  In Quartzsite, I use my clothes line a lot, but do not have one here.  Even though not in Massachusetts, we can still celebrate Patriots day.  The quote is a good one.

 

We were ahead of the day as last night's dinner was a Cornish hen, with asparagus instead of potatoes.  I cooked the  hen in the air fryer using the rotisserie attachment, and the skin was brown and crispy.

 

@summer slope Hope the storms are not too bad and that no tornadoes develop.  Stay safe.  @Mr. Boston Welcome back to the daily.

@kazu  Hope the appointment today is an easy one.  Congratulations on Jose getting his first jab. Your turn will come soon. The statement by the Queen is so true.

 

We have been through the Suez Canal once in 2003 on the old Regal Princess.  It was one of the few ports on that cruise that did not get cancelled and replaced with another port as this was during SARS and right after we invaded Iraq.

 

We entered the canal from  the south.  The canal was we approached.

IMG_2958.thumb.JPG.693df4f6dbc33276716b5ba7bc95932a.JPG

 

A few pictures of the town Suez.

IMG_2960.thumb.JPG.4bbe91e17672ee4c6cb6cd8247fa39e0.JPG

IMG_2962.thumb.JPG.5ae0070773d3d4646954e3b39a7a0c2f.JPG
IMG_2964.thumb.JPG.8577e6e39943ba726c6c21029084b91c.JPG

 

A village on the west bank.

IMG_2973.thumb.JPG.cc9aa68ced9db1f12deadf0ca32947f7.JPG

 

A village on the east bank.

IMG_2995.thumb.JPG.612e4974afd8742e2878d6bd102a6981.JPG

 

Looking down the canal.  As you can see, the west bank is more developed than the east bank.

IMG_2990.thumb.JPG.cd0bbe3047bed3a8481e0f5285119736.JPG

 

If you like sand, you will enjoy the eastern side of the canal.  It is mostly sand, with a few villages.

 

Lenda

 

  • Like 28
Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 minutes ago, ger_77 said:

@rafinmd I love your menu suggestion and would likely have ordered that right along with you.  I am intrigued though, by your statement that after your cruise with Silversea, you wouldn't go back - was it that bad?

I can't really say "that bad" but far below my expectations.  I think you know my cruise line of choice is Crystal, and I was very optimistic about the possibility of the equal of Crystal and the benefits of a smaller ship.  I thought Silversea was really the equivalent of Crystal in the extras but more like Carnival in the basics.  A few things stood out to me:

 

They were late getting documentation to me.  One of the ports (and an overnight) was Safaga, Egypt.  It is a truly grim port and the reason to stop there is an opportunity to visit Luxor, but by the time I got my documents the deadline to sign up for the tour had already passed.

 

I like to walk early and at the end of the walk stop at the lido and take a cup of coffee back to my room.  Coffee was in a lounge.  A steward asked to escort me to a table and when I said "I'm taking this to my cabin" he countered "If you want coffee in your cabin go back to your cabin and call room service".  I actually tried that once and the steward tried to raise the end table to a dining level and pulled it right out of the stand and I had no table for about 3 days.

 

Luxury ships generally have free self service laundries.  We left for 4 days at sea with a one day supply of laundry soap.

 

This gives kind of an idea.

 

Roy

  • Like 18
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, summer slope said:

Good morning.  Nasty thunderstorms going on. Tornado warnings not far from us. Love Garlic and Hanging out day.  Seems we've done that a lot lately.  Agree with Roy about Patriot's day.  Love the Keller quote.  Will skip the meal, not sure what we will have for dinner.

Prayers and toasts for our lists.

Stay safe, social distance, and please continue to wear your mask.

Today's drink has a lot of directions, but sounds yummy.

Milk and Cookie shots:

1 cup Vegetable Shortening
1/3 cup Granulated Sugar
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1 Egg , separated yolk only
1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
2 cups All-Purpose Flour , sifted
1/2 tsp Salt
1 cup Mini Chocolate Chips
1 cup Dark Chocolate Candy Melts
1 1/2 cups Milk
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C), and grease the molds of a popover pan.
Step 2
In a large bowl, cream together Vegetable Shortening (1 cup) , Brown Sugar (1/2 cup) and Granulated Sugar (1/3 cup) . Add the Egg (1) and Vanilla Extract (1/2 Tbsp) and mix until completely incorporated.
Step 3
Gradually add the sifted All-Purpose Flour (2 cups) and Salt (1/2 tsp) and mix until completely incorporated.
Step 4
Add the Mini Chocolate Chips (1 cup) and mix together until evenly distributed. The dough should be a little crumbly at this point.
Step 5
Form the cookie shots inside the molds, making the walls of the cookie shot about 1/4 inch thick.
Step 6
Chill for 20 to 30 minutes before baking.
Step 7
Bake for about 20 minutes or until the cookies just start to brown. Remove from the oven, and let cool completely.
Step 8
Melt Dark Chocolate Candy Melts (1 cup) and then pour the melted chocolate into the well of each cookie. Let it sit for a minute, and then pour the excess chocolate back into the pan.
Step 9
Chill cookie shots until the chocolate has set.
Step 10
Mix together Milk (1 1/2 cups) and Vanilla Extract (1/2 Tbsp) and serve inside each cookie shot. Serve and enjoy!

 

 

Screen Shot 2021-04-19 at 6.54.36 AM.png

I have a somewhat easier alternative - Eat a chocolate chip cookie and wash it down with a shot of your favorite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Like 12
  • Haha 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

I can't really say "that bad" but far below my expectations.  I think you know my cruise line of choice is Crystal, and I was very optimistic about the possibility of the equal of Crystal and the benefits of a smaller ship.  I thought Silversea was really the equivalent of Crystal in the extras but more like Carnival in the basics.  A few things stood out to me:

 

They were late getting documentation to me.  One of the ports (and an overnight) was Safaga, Egypt.  It is a truly grim port and the reason to stop there is an opportunity to visit Luxor, but by the time I got my documents the deadline to sign up for the tour had already passed.

 

I like to walk early and at the end of the walk stop at the lido and take a cup of coffee back to my room.  Coffee was in a lounge.  A steward asked to escort me to a table and when I said "I'm taking this to my cabin" he countered "If you want coffee in your cabin go back to your cabin and call room service".  I actually tried that once and the steward tried to raise the end table to a dining level and pulled it right out of the stand and I had no table for about 3 days.

 

Luxury ships generally have free self service laundries.  We left for 4 days at sea with a one day supply of laundry soap.

 

This gives kind of an idea.

 

Roy

WOW!  That is not what I would expect from an upscale cruise line.  That's why HAL's service and crew are hard to beat.

 

Lenda

  • Like 15
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just got a call from University of Maryland.  While the standard mitral clip surgery is not ideal due to calcification of the valve they have reviewed the details  and decided the mitral clip would have a high probability of helping me.  The operation is less invasive than would have been involved with the test procedures but rather technical.  They would be working from a catheter inserted in my groin and they estimate about 3 hours in surgery.  Under ideal conditions I might be able to go home the next day but more likely a bit longer.
 
The procedure is tentatively scheduled for 7AM May 14 (A Friday).  We discussed my walking which I was a bit concerned might be over stressing me but he encouraged me to be as aggressive with it as I can.  This morning I walked a trail which I had never expected to be able to walk again and while I walked very slowly I was able to complete it without ever needing to completely stop and catch my breath.  I know there will be blood work and a Covid test before the procedure and likely some other things but so far this is just getting started.
 
Roy
  • Like 40
  • Thanks 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's great to hear the news the doctors have a plan for you now.  I hope that this will make a very positive difference in your life, and that all goes extremely well.

 

Now, do you have any "people" in your life who can help you out when you get home from the hospital?  Family or friends nearby?

  • Like 12
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Mr. Boston said:

You have a Dailyite lurker here, enjoying his vacation day! Since we’ll be driving past Perkins Institute for the Blind on our way to the grocery store, Helen Keller’s quote is perfect for this sunny day.

 

Welcome to the Daily 🙂 

  • Like 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

17 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

The procedure is tentatively scheduled for 7AM May 14 (A Friday).  We discussed my walking which I was a bit concerned might be over stressing me but he encouraged me to be as aggressive with it as I can.  This morning I walked a trail which I had never expected to be able to walk again and while I walked very slowly I was able to complete it without ever needing to completely stop and catch my breath.  I know there will be blood work and a Covid test before the procedure and likely some other things but so far this is just getting started.

 

Roy, I am so glad there is now a plan in place for you and you don’t have too long of a wait.  I am sure there will be bunch of tests and hoops to go through but if this will work and help you, it is so worth it.  

 

 That’s great news on your walk today, too.

  • Like 15
Link to comment
Share on other sites

23 minutes ago, rafinmd said:
I just got a call from University of Maryland.  While the standard mitral clip surgery is not ideal due to calcification of the valve they have reviewed the details  and decided the mitral clip would have a high probability of helping me.  The operation is less invasive than would have been involved with the test procedures but rather technical.  They would be working from a catheter inserted in my groin and they estimate about 3 hours in surgery.  Under ideal conditions I might be able to go home the next day but more likely a bit longer.
 
The procedure is tentatively scheduled for 7AM May 14 (A Friday).  We discussed my walking which I was a bit concerned might be over stressing me but he encouraged me to be as aggressive with it as I can.  This morning I walked a trail which I had never expected to be able to walk again and while I walked very slowly I was able to complete it without ever needing to completely stop and catch my breath.  I know there will be blood work and a Covid test before the procedure and likely some other things but so far this is just getting started.
 
Roy

Roy, it’s good to know you now have a plan and a date for the surgery.  The positive thing is their high probability that the procedure will help you.   Being less invasive is always a plus with surgery and recovery.

 

Glad you can continue your walks and that today’s walk went well.

 

Lenda

  • Like 16
Link to comment
Share on other sites

43 minutes ago, rafinmd said:
I just got a call from University of Maryland.  While the standard mitral clip surgery is not ideal due to calcification of the valve they have reviewed the details  and decided the mitral clip would have a high probability of helping me.  The operation is less invasive than would have been involved with the test procedures but rather technical.  They would be working from a catheter inserted in my groin and they estimate about 3 hours in surgery.  Under ideal conditions I might be able to go home the next day but more likely a bit longer.
 
The procedure is tentatively scheduled for 7AM May 14 (A Friday).  We discussed my walking which I was a bit concerned might be over stressing me but he encouraged me to be as aggressive with it as I can.  This morning I walked a trail which I had never expected to be able to walk again and while I walked very slowly I was able to complete it without ever needing to completely stop and catch my breath.  I know there will be blood work and a Covid test before the procedure and likely some other things but so far this is just getting started.
 
Roy

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

image.png.810687a076eef0b33c73f7f53c1a093e.png

Roy, I just grabbed my coffee and went out on our patio to sit and I took this picture for you! I will tell you why in a moment!

image.jpeg.e21dd708fe2b7ab4b0690a470a73f5e5.jpeg

Remember when I sent a picture of my water lily pond? Guess what my Lotus flower bloomed!! That is good luck!!

I read your wonderful news and it is fate! I am so happy for you Roy!! Like my sister 🌺Joy said you have prayer warriors right in your corner!

God bless you my dear friend!

🌺Mahalo

Sincerely

Denise😊

  • Like 21
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you for another nice Daily this morning to all the contributors . Looking forward during this  Covid crisis reading and learning from my CC friends . 

 

Had a nice crop of garlic last year  and DW loves to cook with quite a bit of garlic so planted even more last fall and it seems to be doing pretty good right now . 

 

IMG_4140.thumb.JPG.3a409907b5b96d3c01784a7591b579ce.JPG

 

IMG_4142.thumb.JPG.39dbb454b1892fff5b24dbfc846ca98e.JPG

 

Also because we can't go anywhere so far I hope that we also have more veggies and fruits to harvest . Nothing tastes better than when it is fresh from the garden onto your plate , it also gives us lots to freeze for a cold nasty winter that we usually have around us here and DW loves to cook and experiment her new dishes on me !😄

 

 

DSCN3403.thumb.jpg.17ebc24fa08e468f91a07601c1b9eee1.jpg

 

Happy gardening everybody ! 

 

Tony 😄

 

 

  • Like 28
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, rafinmd said:
 
 
The procedure is tentatively scheduled for 7AM May 14 (A Friday).  We discussed my walking which I was a bit concerned might be over stressing me but he encouraged me to be as aggressive with it as I can.  This morning I walked a trail which I had never expected to be able to walk again and while I walked very slowly I was able to complete it without ever needing to completely stop and catch my breath.  I know there will be blood work and a Covid test before the procedure and likely some other things but so far this is just getting started.
 
Roy

Great news, Roy!  I’m so glad that the doctors have come up with a solution.  I’m even happier that you did so well on your walk this morning.   Prayers continue.

  • Like 13
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good morning, all! Hooray for garlic! I use lots - as Debbie has mentioned it has great health benefits. When all this is over and we can socialize in person again, I must remember to reign in the garlic use with a firm hand! We’re in town at the condo now, and hanging out laundry is forbidden. So I will hang out on the patio with a glass of wine later and see if Rizu’s babies are ready to peek out of the dog house yet.

Dinner is pizza tonight, and yes, garlic will be involved. I like the quotes, including the Queen’s very moving one on grief. A non alcoholic cocktail is interesting. It seems to cry out for a little Baileys in there. The grainy tannins in the wine sounds like a politely phrased sediment issue, somehow.

The week has opened with a beautiful day, so Happy Monday everyone!

F7649E0E-A971-43E3-8D1C-90FB17837252.thumb.jpeg.a02af81cc3c1ca84f3732efb75723ebe.jpeg

  • Like 19
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, rafinmd said:
I just got a call from University of Maryland.  While the standard mitral clip surgery is not ideal due to calcification of the valve they have reviewed the details  and decided the mitral clip would have a high probability of helping me.  The operation is less invasive than would have been involved with the test procedures but rather technical.  They would be working from a catheter inserted in my groin and they estimate about 3 hours in surgery.  Under ideal conditions I might be able to go home the next day but more likely a bit longer.
 
 
This is excellent news. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!
 

 

  • Like 7
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, rafinmd said:
I just got a call from University of Maryland.  While the standard mitral clip surgery is not ideal due to calcification of the valve they have reviewed the details  and decided the mitral clip would have a high probability of helping me.  The operation is less invasive than would have been involved with the test procedures but rather technical.  They would be working from a catheter inserted in my groin and they estimate about 3 hours in surgery.  Under ideal conditions I might be able to go home the next day but more likely a bit longer.
 
The procedure is tentatively scheduled for 7AM May 14 (A Friday).  We discussed my walking which I was a bit concerned might be over stressing me but he encouraged me to be as aggressive with it as I can.  This morning I walked a trail which I had never expected to be able to walk again and while I walked very slowly I was able to complete it without ever needing to completely stop and catch my breath.  I know there will be blood work and a Covid test before the procedure and likely some other things but so far this is just getting started.
 
Roy

Excellent news all around

  • Like 9
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • Hurricane Zone 2024
      • Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com Summer 2024
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...