The Fleet Report and Daily for Thursday March 23rd, 2023

[StLouisCruisers]

Today is Melba Toast Day, National Chip and Dip Day, and National Puppy Day
 

My uncle Sammy was an angry man. He had printed on his tombstone: What are you looking at? - Margaret Smith

Meal Suggestion for today - Baked Feta Pasta
Drink of the Day - New England Apple Pie
Wine of the Day - Michel Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon, Rhone Valley, France 2014
Destination of the Day - Punta Arenas, Chile Antarctica
 

Eurodam

At Sea Destination Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Florida eta 3-25
 

Koningsdam

At Sea Destination San Diego, California eta 3-25
 

Nieuw Amsterdam

Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos 0700-1800
 

Nieuw Statendam

At Sea Destination Nassau, Bahamas eta 3-24
 

Oosterdam

At Sea Destination San Antonio, Chile eta 3-24
 

Rotterdam

St. Vincent, St. Vincent & The Grenadines 0800-1700
 

Volendam

Castries, St Lucia 0800-1800
 

Zaandam

Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Mexico 07:00 - 15:00
 

Zuiderdam

At Sea Destination Takoradi, Ghana eta 3-25

Eastern Hemisphere
 

Noordam

At Sea Destination Auckland, New Zealand eta 3-25
 

Westerdam

Jeju Island, Cheju City, Korea 07:00 - 16:00

 

 

Sandi for Rich and Roy

[portofrome]

Thank you for the Fleet Report.

[StLouisCruisers]

Good morning friends!  This morning no problems at all getting onto Cruise Critic and especially the Holland America board.  Weather wise we have a temp of 50F, and later today it will be a ridiculous (after last week) of 79 and sunny.  

 

Thank you Rich @richwmn  for our Fleet Report and Daily information for us to enjoy.  We have National Puppy Day which will be a big hit here, Melba Toast Day, and National Chip and Dip Day.  I celebrate puppies, but couldn't care less about melba toast.  I've tried to cut out the dip but enjoy potato chips often I'm afraid.  The quote is a bit silly.  The menu suggestion sounds unique as does the drink.  It sounds more like dessert than a mixed drink!  I have no idea what the wine describes.  And our port is Punta Arenas, Chile which is a very popular one on the South America and/or Antarctica cruises.  Of course I have plenty of pictures from there and I apologize in advance for the amount of them.  We have only seen Punta Arenas, Chile as our port one previous time, on Aug. 17, 2022.  I will post the link to that date below.  Thanks in advance for all photos you have to show us.

 

My goodness, Vanessa must have been so busy yesterday updating the Care and Celebration lists!  We had good news and bad including the ability to continue on a scheduled cruise and getting back to driving.  We have Carol @mamaofami having her cataract surgery and we pray for her to have good results and no pain.  Lorraine @cruising sister is having cast removal too.  Prayers for all on the list, and those who aren't who are in need.  Praying also for those around the world in tough situations especially the Ukrainians.🙏  For everyone with happy news and on their cruises, congratulations to them and may everything continue going well.  Good news for DGS in Michigan (Ren's older brother).  I found out last night he has been named 2nd in his graduating class this May.  He is still waiting to hear from some of the California schools he applied to (USC and Berkeley) but has many others to choose from.  So a big hurray for him from us!  It's nice to get some good news for a change isn't it??🥂

 

Thanks go to Vanessa @JazzyV, Ann @cat shepard, Dixie @summer slope and Tina @0106 for their reports.  Thanks also to Tina for handling the menu suggestion recipes for Debbie @dfish as she recovers from her successful surgery yesterday.  We couldn't do this without you!  Roy @rafinmd happy to see you posting more each day and before long you will be back watching over our Care and Celebration lists.  🎉🎈

 

For National Puppy Day I present my two granddogs Sadie and Milo.  It seems Sadie hates to have her fur brushed but had been at the groomers the day this photo was taken.  That is the only reason she doesn't look like a ragamuffin in this shot!!

 

They both have mastered the command SIT and are awaiting their treat!

 

Here is the link to Rich's August 17, 2022 post:

 

 

Punta Arenas, Chile is a first time showing for port of the day.  I thought I'd been there four times, but the fourth time was a miss because of a huge storm while on Coral Princess in January 2020.  We stopped instead at Puerto Montt.  The other times there were a March 2012 Star Princess South America cruise, then a February 2015 Ruby Princess South America cruise (which included Lenda and DH) @Quartzsite Cruiser, and finally a Christmas day 2016 stop on our Seabourn Quest Antarctica and South Georgia Island cruise.  You'd be surprised how busy the town was on Christmas Day!  

 

On our first stop in Punta Arenas, Chile in 2012 we and another couple who cruised with us walked to the overlook to see the whole town.  We also did some shopping and visited some monuments. 

 

A good gift store right down the street from Plaza de Armas.

 

The Plaza de Armas

 

The Magellan statue

 

I think I saw one of these dogs sleeping here three years later on our 2015 stop!

 

On our tender ride back to the Star Princess we were accompanied by some dolphins.

 

In 2015 on Ruby Princess, arriving at our anchorage.

 

We walked downtown again and visited the Shackleton Bar inside the Sara Braun Palace

 

Here's the bar

 

And the much lighter and brighter conservatory near it

 

 

A protest on a street corner

 

 

Back at the Plaza de Armas a lot of vendors were set up.

 

 

And here is a local stray who looks like he could have slept in front of the Magellan statue, or perhaps a relative of one of those dogs I photographed 3 years earlier.

 

On December 25, 2016 we were able to dock instead of anchor on Seabourn Quest's stop there.

 

All the goodies were on display for us even though it should have been a holiday.

 

Penguins are the star here.

 

These look warm!

 

A sign similar to the one in Ushuaia, Argentina

 

For the first time we took a walk in the cemetery.  Very interesting place!

 

 

 

 

 

I could do that walk again.  So much to see there.    From there we walked back to the church across from Plaza de Armas.

 

Many of us quietly popped our head in the door to see the interior but left quickly so we wouldn't disturb the worshippers.

 

 

Time to head back to the Quest for a snack at the poolside restaurant.  Heaters and blankets are provided for your comfort.

 

 

Whatever we ate, I'm sure it was great.  

 

Hoping everyone here has a Terrific Tuesday!  Stay safe and well.  I am off to the treadmill then later the gym.

Edited March 23, 2023 by StLouisCruisers

[grapau27]

Good morning.

It is partly cloudy and 46°F here at 09.30am in the UK.

Thank you Sandi @StLouisCruisers for the early commencement of today's daily reports.

Puppy day is important for the well being of puppies.

The quote is funny but I hope his attitude didn't cause his downfall.

Not sure about Feta pasta.

We have never been to today's port so I eagerly anticipate some wonderful photos.

Thanks to our lovely food and beverage ladies as well as Vanessa who supplies the important care lists.

I hope everyone is well this morning and everyone has a lovely day.

Graham.

 

Edited March 23, 2023 by grapau27

[0106]

Very happy to hear that @dfish had a successful surgery and was home eating ice cream last night.  Positive thoughts to those who need them. Looking forward to the pictures of Punta Arenas; we will be there next February and are beginning to think about shore excursions.  Thank you to all the Daily posters. 

 

Are you familiar with the story of how Baked Feta Pasta became so popular? During the second week of February 2021, Instacart started to notice something strange. Sales for block feta had skyrocketed 117%, and the cheese was now the top-trending search term on its website. Cherry tomatoes and basil were not far behind. What on earth was causing this random spike?

 

Baked Feta Pasta, the ooey-gooey dish- composed of whole cherry tomatoes, pasta, garlic, basil, and a big block of feta cheese- had been blasted all over the For You pages of millennials and Gen Z’ers for weeks. As of March 1, 2021 #fetapasta had more than 661.7 million views on TikTok. The similar yet more specific #bakedfetapasta had more than 86.7 million. Between the two hashtags, there are more than 45,000 videos of the feta pasta circulating around the app’s ether. It has evolved forms too: vegan feta pasta, feta pasta with shrimp, a feta pasta that doesn’t use feta at all but Boursin yet is still widely considered part of the feta-pasta canon despite not having any feta. 

 

Why is it so popular? McArthur Joseph said, “To me, it breaks down into a couple of things: (1) an easy recipe, (2) inexpensive/accessible ingredients, and (3) instructions that feel like an art-and-crafts project.”

How to make tik tok pasta with feta cheese?

• Drain your block of feta and place in the center of a baking dish.

• Surround your block of feta with cherry tomatoes, sprinkling chopped garlic on top.

• Drizzle olive oil and add your seasoning: dried Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.

• Bake for 30 minutes, until the cheese melts and the tomatoes burst.

 

Here is the recipe from one of the original viral posters. Baked Feta Pasta {With Cherry Tomatoes} - FeelGoodFoodie

 

 

This recipe adds shrimp. Baked Feta Pasta with Shrimp - This Delicious House

 

This one is made with high protein, high fiber and gluten free chickpea pasta and chicken.  Baked Feta Pasta - Stay Fit Mom

 

I frequently make this pasta.  It is an easy dinner party dish.  I have substituted Boursin cheese for the feta.  I have added spinach and broccoli.  I hope you try it and enjoy it too.

[grapau27]

14 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Good morning friends!  This morning no problems at all getting onto Cruise Critic and especially the Holland America board.  Weather wise we have a temp of 50F, and later today it will be a ridiculous (after last week) of 79 and sunny.  

 

Thank you Rich @richwmn  for our Fleet Report and Daily information for us to enjoy.  We have National Puppy Day which will be a big hit here, Melba Toast Day, and National Chip and Dip Day.  I celebrate puppies, but couldn't care less about melba toast.  I've tried to cut out the dip but enjoy potato chips often I'm afraid.  The quote is a bit silly.  The menu suggestion sounds unique as does the drink.  It sounds more like dessert than a mixed drink!  I have no idea what the wine describes.  And our port is Punta Arenas, Chile which is a very popular one on the South America and/or Antarctica cruises.  Of course I have plenty of pictures from there and I apologize in advance for the amount of them.  We have only seen Punta Arenas, Chile as our port one previous time, on Aug. 17, 2022.  I will post the link to that date below.  Thanks in advance for all photos you have to show us.

 

My goodness, Vanessa must have been so busy yesterday updating the Care and Celebration lists!  We had good news and bad including the ability to continue on a scheduled cruise and getting back to driving.  We have Carol @mamaofami having her cataract surgery and we pray for her to have good results and no pain.  Lorraine @cruising sister is having cast removal too.  Prayers for all on the list, and those who aren't who are in need.  Praying also for those around the world in tough situations especially the Ukrainians.🙏  For everyone with happy news and on their cruises, congratulations to them and may everything continue going well.  Good news for DGS in Michigan (Ren's older brother).  I found out last night he has been named 2nd in his graduating class this May.  He is still waiting to hear from some of the California schools he applied to (USC and Berkeley) but has many others to choose from.  So a big hurray for him from us!  It's nice to get some good news for a change isn't it??🥂

 

Thanks go to Vanessa @JazzyV, Ann @cat shepard, Dixie @summer slope and Tina @0106 for their reports.  Thanks also to Tina for handling the menu suggestion recipes for Debbie @dfish as she recovers from her successful surgery yesterday.  We couldn't do this without you!  Roy @rafinmd happy to see you posting more each day and before long you will be back watching over our Care and Celebration lists.  🎉🎈

 

For National Puppy Day I present my two granddogs Sadie and Milo.  It seems Sadie hates to have her fur brushed but had been at the groomers the day this photo was taken.  That is the only reason she doesn't look like a ragamuffin in this shot!!

 

They both have mastered the command SIT and are awaiting their treat!

 

Here is the link to Rich's August 17, 2022 post:

 

 

Punta Arenas, Chile is a first time showing for port of the day.  I thought I'd been there four times, but the fourth time was a miss because of a huge storm while on Coral Princess in January 2020.  We stopped instead at Puerto Montt.  The other times there were a March 2012 Star Princess South America cruise, then a February 2015 Ruby Princess South America cruise (which included Lenda and DH) @Quartzsite Cruiser, and finally a Christmas day 2016 stop on our Seabourn Quest Antarctica and South Georgia Island cruise.  You'd be surprised how busy the town was on Christmas Day!  

 

On our first stop in Punta Arenas, Chile in 2012 we and another couple who cruised with us walked to the overlook to see the whole town.  We also did some shopping and visited some monuments. 

 

A good gift store right down the street from Plaza de Armas.

 

The Plaza de Armas

 

The Magellan statue

 

I think I saw one of these dogs sleeping here three years later on our 2015 stop!

 

On our tender ride back to the Star Princess we were accompanied by some dolphins.

 

In 2015 on Ruby Princess, arriving at our anchorage.

 

We walked downtown again and visited the Shackleton Bar inside the Sara Braun Palace

 

Here's the bar

 

And the much lighter and brighter conservatory near it

 

 

A protest on a street corner

 

 

Back at the Plaza de Armas a lot of vendors were set up.

 

 

And here is a local stray who looks like he could have slept in front of the Magellan statue, or perhaps a relative of one of those dogs I photographed 3 years earlier.

 

On December 25, 2016 we were able to dock instead of anchor on Seabourn Quest's stop there.

 

All the goodies were on display for us even though it should have been a holiday.

 

Penguins are the star here.

 

These look warm!

 

A sign similar to the one in Ushuaia, Argentina

 

For the first time we took a walk in the cemetery.  Very interesting place!

 

 

 

 

 

I could do that walk again.  So much to see there.    From there we walked back to the church across from Plaza de Armas.

 

Many of us quietly popped our head in the door to see the interior but left quickly so we wouldn't disturb the worshippers.

 

 

Time to head back to the Quest for a snack at the poolside restaurant.  Heaters and blankets are provided for your comfort.

 

 

Whatever we ate, I'm sure it was great.  

 

Hoping everyone here has a Terrific Tuesday!  Stay safe and well.  I am off to the treadmill then later the gym.

Thank you Sandi @StLouisCruisers for your amazing photos.

Congratulations to your DGS in Michigan for his accomplishments.

Sadie and Milo are 2 darlings and so cute.

Edited March 23, 2023 by grapau27

[JazzyV]

Today’s care list:

Roy recovering from pneumonia and working on getting stronger

dfish recovering from parathyroid surgery

Mamaofami’s cataract surgery today

SusieKIslandGirl’s DH with Covid, but improving

Cruzin Terri with PMR flare

Marshhawk’s abnormal lung scan and COPD

Bennybear’s test results

Citizens of Ukraine

From the rotation:

RMLincoln’s DH’s sensitivity to glaucoma meds

Tana’s pulmonary issues

StLouisCruiser’s DB with pulmonary fibrosis

Scrapnana getting chemotherapy

 

Celebrations and Shout outs:

0106 (Tina) pitching in on the meal suggestions of the day

Kazu’s good report from the surgeon and ok to drive

Cruising sister’s cast coming off today

Many Dailyites with upcoming cruises

 

4 Days for USN59-79 (Westerdam 3/27 to 5/7)

6 Days for Cruzn single (Rotterdam 3/29 to 4/19)

6 Days for Vict0riann (Rotterdam 3/29 to 4/19) 

6 Days for Sailingdutchy (Rotterdam 3/29 to 4/29)

 

Seasick Sailor and 57redbird (Koningsdam to 3/25), Seagarsmoker (Nieuw Statendam to 3/25), DWAliaschief’s sisters cruise (Rotterdam to 3/29), Norseh2o (Oceania Marina to 4/6), Kplady (Grand Princess to 4/28) and Cat in My Lap, Gail&Marty, Richwmn and HorizonChaser1957 (Zuiderdam to 5/12) at sea

[seagarsmoker]

Good morning aboard the NS. 

Celebrating my birthday on a windy day today as we move towards the Bahamas. 

Last night was a relaxing evening and not much new to report except the crew are back wearing dust masks. Supposedly not covid, but still amazed 3 years later they have not supplied all the staff with N95 masks for these occasions. 

No plans today, a sea day, except we are having pinnacle grill delivered to the cabin for dinner. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful day and will report back later. 

Edited March 23, 2023 by seagarsmoker

[RedneckBob]

Thanks for the Fleet Update and General Info.

 

A couple of interesting days! One celebrates my Aunt. Aunt Melba was the toast of the town. And National Chip and Dip Day. My favorite chip is large Tostitos and dip is Redneck caviar. (Photo below)

 

[puppycanducruise]

Good morning.  Thanks for the Daily and Fleet Report.

 

We've got a foggy morning here, with rain in the forecast for later today.  Most of our snow has melted.🙂

 

A great collection of days.  I like Melba toast (with dip or pate), I eat far too many chips and dip and I love puppies! 

An amusing quote.

The meal sounds great, I think we will have that soon.

The drink sounds like dessert,  looking forward to reading about the wine.

Thanks for the pictures of today's port.  Love looking at pictures from people's travels.

 

So many happy events.  @StLouisCruisers Hooray for your DGS.  Glad to hear @dfish's surgery went well.

Prayers for many.  Cheers for all the celebrations.

 

Have a wonderful day.

Stay safe.

[Mr. Boston]

Good morning everyone.  Thanks @StLouisCruisers for the daily report. Nice collection of days, who can resist a puppy, or in that case chips and dip!  You don’t really see melba toast as much as before, it used to be a staple with a house salad.  The meal sounds interesting and I agree that the drink could be dessert.  I haven’t been to today’s port but am enjoying the photos.  Prayers for everyone on our prayer list and for those who need them.  Cheers to all celebrating happy events today!

[rafinmd]

Thank you Rich, Sandi, Vanessa, Ann, Dixie, and Debbie/Tina for the almost Friday reports.  Happy birthday @seagarsmoker.  I think I'll pass on on  today's days.  The quote is very amusing.  I have been to Puento Arenas twice, Zaandam in 2017 and Prinsendam in 2019,  I was due to visit there in 2016 on the Crystal Symphony but unable to dock due to strong winds.  It was to be our resupply port after visiting Antarctica and the next port (Puerto Montt) was a tender port.  A couple of containers of fresh produce was rushed to Puerto Montt and loaded by landing craft but there were a couple days of creative menu substitutions in the meantime.  The menu suggestion sounds good.  My alternative is Chilled Peach and Ginger Soup, Rustic Home Made Lasagna, Chocolate cake, and Cherries Jubilee as served on MS Zaandam March 23, 2017 (the cake was for a tablemate's birthday):

 

 

My progress is very slow although I slept well last night.

 

Roy

[summer slope]

New England Apple Pie cocktail:

 

Ingredients
1 part DeKuyper® Hot Damn!® Cinnamon Schnapps Liqueur
1 part DeKuyper® Mixologist Collection Ginger Liqueur
1 part Pinnacle® Vanilla Vodka

Instructions
Pour the ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a shot glass (this cocktail can also be served as a martini).

 

[cat shepard]

Just a quick post before heading out to get my car serviced. 
 

My not so puppy, puppy - Bindi.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Get well and stay well everyone!

 

************

Michel Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon, Rhone Valley, France 2014

All released vintages of this wine have excellent - superb ratings, and this Syrah/Shiraz has a price to match. Several online distributors with prices starting at $205.00.

RP96

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2014 Ermitage le Pavillon is another wine from this team that defies the vintage. Full-bodied, concentrated, impeccably balanced and seamless, with classic notes of crushed rocks, graphite, cassis and blackcurrants, it hits the palate with no hard edges, has a great mid-palate and possesses sweet tannin. Michel commented that this wine reminded him of the 1982, and while it offers pleasure even today, it won’t hit maturity for another decade.

WS95

Wine Spectator

Juicy and energetic, with lots of raspberry, blackberry and boysenberry confiture notes, inlaid with briary grip. Hints of sage, mint and tobacco fill in throughout, while a flash of iron enlivens the finish. Best from 2018 through 2030.

Edited March 23, 2023 by cat shepard

[smitty34877]

I stepped outside earlier into a foggy mist and 49 degrees already. Rain will arrive later today. We always celebrate puppies here and chips and dip but will forgo the Melba toast.We have not been to the port but thank you Sandi for the pictures. Congrats to your DGS as well on his accomplishments,  @StLouisCruisers.

@0106, Tina, thank you for the recipes and information about the feta sensation. DD asked me to make a version of this a while ago and we have been hooked ever since. I like the idea if the Boursin cheese as we have an individual here who does not care for feta and that might win him over.

@mamaofami, Carol, hope all goes well today with your cataract procedure. 
We have yet another MD appointment today and have a retired friend of mine is coming to stay with Tana while we are gone. Although both DD and DSIL both work from home they had very busy schedules for today. This woman worked with me years ago and was always very calm and capable. 
take care everyone 
 

[rafinmd]

I have a sunset today rather than a sunrise.  It's from the 2019 Prinsendam Grand South America cruise and March 23 was a sea day from Aruba back to Fort Lauderdale:

 

 

Roy

[Cruzin Terri]

Good morning from a Sunny Jacksonville, Florida.

I am writing before DH wakes up.

Need to take a shower and get moving. 

I don’t have an appointment until 3 pm today so the morning and early afternoon is free.  Plan to go to the St. John’s Towne Center.  Lots of nice stores there.

Not a fan of Melba Toast but love chips and dip.  And who doesn’t love a puppy.

Would definitely try the meal.  Maybe the wine.

I have been to Punta Arenas.  We went to Isla Magdalena to see the Penguins that day.  Sorry I don’t think I have any photos on this Ipad.

Thank you to Sandi for the Daily and Vanessa for the Cares list and including me.

Will post more later if i can.

Will be meeting friends for dinner tonight.

Have a great day.

God Bless,

Terri

[smitty34877]

Fred the cockapoo  with his best buddy Zoey 

 

 

[dfish]

Good morning, everyone.

 

My throat is still a bit sore, but not as bad as yesterday.  I'm just really tired and may actually  nap this afternoon.  I do have to go out and have one blood test done to make sure the parathyroid hormones are at the right level.  

 

Healing thoughts out to @mamaofami Carol for her surgery today.   I also hope @cruising sister Lorraine's cast comes off easily and all is well.  

 

We had a similar experience as @rafinmd Roy in Punta Arenas/Puerto Montt.   We couldn't dock in Punta Arenas due to a dockworker's strike.  We were also supposed to reprovision fruits and vegetables there and had to wait.  We were rationed spoonfuls of spinach each night at dinner.  Then, when we got to Puerto Montt they loaded up the boxes of produce and one fell off into the water.  They did retrieve it and we could once again enjoy salads and a variety of fruits and vegetables.  

 

Wishing you all a wonderful day!

[Crazy For Cats]

Good Morning Everyone, thanks for today’s daily fleet report.  I’ll pass on today’s meal suggestion. Instead I’m making sausage from Shady Maple with Harvard beets that arrived yesterday.  @mamaofami hope all goes well with your procedure.  Yesterday’s goof off afternoon turned into yard work. I cleaned up all the leaves and twigs from the wisteria bush.  It was a beautiful afternoon to be outside.  This weekend is promising to be cold and wet.  I hope everyone has a good day today.

[aliaschief]

Good morning.Sandi you had me thinking for a second when you said “have a good Tuesday.” I can only imagine how much thought and time you devote to keeping the Daily running? We have the densest fog of the year this morning. How dense? Can barely see the houses across the street. Trash bins are still erect so no bear this morning. I’m driving my neighbor to the airport at 10:15 so I hope it clears off for her noon flight.

I went out to a Mexican restaurant last night with neighbors and enjoyed a plate of sizzling fajitas. Tonight I have small church group so something quick an easy for dinner.

Hopefully Carol’s cataract surgery goes well today and again good news for Debbie and Jacqui.

Have a great day and thanks to all our contributors.

Bruce

 

 

 

[grapau27]

2 hours ago, seagarsmoker said:

Good morning aboard the NS. 

Celebrating my birthday on a windy day today as we move towards the Bahamas. 

Last night was a relaxing evening and not much new to report except the crew are back wearing dust masks. Supposedly not covid, but still amazed 3 years later they have not supplied all the staff with N95 masks for these occasions. 

No plans today, a sea day, except we are having pinnacle grill delivered to the cabin for dinner. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful day and will report back later. 

Happy birthday.

Pleased you are having a great cruise.

[grapau27]

16 minutes ago, smitty34877 said:

Fred the cockapoo  with his best buddy Zoey 

 

 

Lovely.

[RedneckBob]

20 minutes ago, aliaschief said:

Good morning.Sandi you had me thinking for a second when you said “have a good Tuesday.” I can only imagine how much thought and time you devote to keeping the Daily running? We have the densest fog of the year this morning. How dense? Can barely see the houses across the street. Trash bins are still erect so no bear this morning. I’m driving my neighbor to the airport at 10:15 so I hope it clears off for her noon flight.

I went out to a Mexican restaurant last night with neighbors and enjoyed a plate of sizzling fajitas. Tonight I have small church group so something quick an easy for dinner.

Hopefully Carol’s cataract surgery goes well today and again good news for Debbie and Jacqui.

Have a great day and thanks to all our contributors.

Bruce

 

 

 

Ok, enough is enough. Another RedneckBob sexy moment except I wear my ball cap bill forward. That’s old school. Wearing the bill backwards is new school. The bill sideways, No School ! 😀

[kochleffel]

Melba toast is OK but I would usually choose a whole-grain cracker such as Wasa. Chips and dip aren't on my list. I always like it on Dr. Pol when they're examining a litter of puppies. One of the veterinarians said that the first step was to check for cuteness, but all puppies are cute.

 

I would probably need Lactaid with the feta pasta. I'd like some real New England apple pie, but I'll skip it as a cocktail. The wine might be above my budget. I haven't been to Chile.

 

The situation at work continues to bother me, and it won't be resolved until the project either takes place or the time frame for it ends. Very possibly another bloodbath meeting next month. I'm having trouble sleeping. I have an appointment to donate blood this afternoon.

 

Another animal story: Mr. and Mrs. Pickles, of Houston, have three new babies. Mr. Pickles is 90 years old and a first-time dad; Mrs. Pickles is 56. They are tortoises. https://www.houstonzoo.org/blog/oh-sweet-baby-pickles/