The Fleet Report and Daily for Monday March 4th, 2024

[dfish]

Good morning, everyone!

 

It is going to be a beautiful day here in mid-Michigan with mostly sunny skies and a high of 73F.  We'll probably spend part of the day working out in the yard and cleaning some stuff up.  We have a lot of branches and sticks to pick up.  Sue is anxious for flower season.  

 

We agreed we were going to get serious about our dieting this week, so no fries for us, regular or sweet potato.  But these fries would go well with a burger on the grill or fish on the grill or anything on the grill.   As you can tell, I'm getting anxious for grilling season and today might just kick it off.  This recipe is easy to do, but in order to get enough fries to feed more than one person, you have to cook in batches.  https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/air-fryer-sweet-potato-fries/

 

 

This page has directions for air frying regular sweet potato fries or for extra crispy sweet potato fries.  https://www.skinnytaste.com/crispy-air-fryer-sweet-potato-fries/

 

 

Have  you tried a bit of Creole seasoning on your fries?  That is what this recipe does.  https://www.budgetbytes.com/air-fryer-sweet-potato-fries/

 

 

@ottahand7 Best wishes for an easy and successful surgery!

@ger_77 I am sure your neighbors are very thankful you stopped by with supplies for them before this storm hit.  I hope you and Maurice stay snug and warm.  

@cat shepard Keeping your sister in our thoughts today and everyday.

 

Wishing you all a wonderful day!

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, rafinmd said:

Thank you Rich, Jacqui, Vanessa, Debbie, Dixie, and Ann.  Thank you Graham for the explanation of Casmir Pulaski Day.  I like Corageous Followers Day, standing up both to the leaders and for them.  I think the ultimate love is loving something despite it's faults but working for it to be the best it can be.  Brain injury awareness is certainly important.

 

I have a feeling the Jane Austen quote was not intended to be taken seriously.

 

I have not been to Alicante.   I remember it as the home of one of the early maintainers of the Future Cruise list.

 

Two great dates in American history and then a day that started out great but had a horribly tragic ending.

 

I prefer regular fries to sweet potato fries, but the air fryer sounds like a great way to prepare them.  My alternative is Chilled Blackberry Soup, Penne Primvera, and Mango and Berry Crisp as served on MS Prinsendam March 4, 2019:

 

A mild day today before rains come much of the week.  My main agenda item today is a followup this afternoon with my oncologist.

 

Roy

Good luck at the oncologist this afternoon Roy @rafinmd

[grapau27]

2 hours ago, kazu said:

More of Alicante:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 4 by grapau27

[VMax1700]

Good afternoon from a wet and windy Cork. 

 

I noticed the mention of the Hindenburg's first flight at Friedrichshafen and it suddenly reminded me of my years of gainful employment and trips to Germany.  Friedrichshafen is the home of 'Interboot' an international trade fair for the marine industry and is situated on the shores of Lake Constance aka Bondensee.  The Bodensee is the only area in Europe that does not have a legally defined border. Three countries (Germany, Switzerland and Austria) surround the lake and it was the first place in Europe to introduce regulations regarding pollution of the waters by marine engines, leading to a specification in Europe named 'Bodensee Spec'.

I'm sure that not many of you knew all that, and even less are interested in it, but you never know when it will come up in a trivia question 🤣

Hope that everyone stays safe and well, 

take care!

 

[GTVCRUISER]

Greetings from San Diego 

[grapau27]

2 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

We love the port of Alicante, Spain and have seen it 3 times.  We first visited it in 2012 on the Crown Princess.  A favorite spot to visit is the Castillo de Santa Barbara on the top of the hill.  You can't miss it.  The first time we walked up the hill.  Our second visit was on the Westerdam in 2017 and we tried going up in the elevator they have but it was having technical problems so we passed.  The third visit was on the Prinsendam in 2019, and we did take the elevator that day.  Here's a photo of us at the top in 2012.

 

A 2017 photo, when we couldn't get up there, but you can see the fortress at the top of the hill behind me.  Also Alicante is known for those beautiful mosaic type walkways.

 

 

In 2019, a view of the beach as we headed to the fortress elevator.

 

Entrance to the elevator.

 

Also in 2019 a view of the Prinsendam with a fortress cannon.

 

View of the city from the top of the hillside.

 

 

 

 

We love visiting Alicante and are always happy to have it on the itinerary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope to be back there in the future.  Always hopeful!!

Nice photos Sandi.

[marshhawk]

Good Monday Morning Dailyites!  It's 54 degrees and cloudy. I checked NOAA last night, we are to have rain every day except Thursday.  

 

@ger_77Oddly enough I am jealous of your snow.  I know that you have a lot of snow, and are housebound for a while, but even that I am jealous of.

 

I love the silence of snow.  Especially here in the south.  No cars, no trucks flying up the highway. No buses going up the major road near us.  I call this time the scream of silence, and I enjoy it.

 

I used to take vacations (cruises) in February just to get away from the gray skies, now it seems that I need to start planning vacations in March.  But this year that wont happen.  I had to tell my BFF Dan last night that we will not be able to make our planned trip up north to see him.  DH was off the entire month of February, and I missed 3 weeks of work due to illness and the Internet conundrum.  The one month of the year where we both made lots of money?  didnt happen this year.  And I will probably not be offered a return for next year.  Still have no sales.  Im not even sure I will remember how to process one on the computer.  

 

Tigger stayed out way too late yesterday, but was very glad to see me with food this morning.  Munchkin was here this morning, and Chumley (the long haired black cat) came to feed.  I put his plate on the edge of the car port, as he does not play well with others.

 

DH suffered a brain injury in 2016 when he fell on the pavement outside Macy's.  Medication, and self medication was to blame, and he spent a week in the hospital.  After he came home he only watched TV shows that were from the 60s, he couldnt remember much of his past, or our anniversary.  His sense of humor had changed, he lost vision in his right eye (which never returned) .  I took him to a neurologist who said that he would not ever let him drive again, but because he wasnt walking correctly he put him in physical therapy.  DH does drive, but I wont get in the car with him when he does.  It took almost 2 years to bring him back to normal, but every time he has surgery and gets put under, we go through a brief repeat period.

 

But it was during this time that I remembered there are angels on earth.  Our air conditioner had gone out, and one day when I was talking with one of the nurses who called for a weekly check up, and she asked if I needed anything.  I said air conditioning.  (you really cant be comfortable in Atlanta in July and August without it).  She knew a young doctor who had purchased two window units, but his neighborhood covenant would not allow him to install them.  She told him about my problem, he came over when I was at work, and when he saw DH's condition, he installed them, one in the den, and one in the living room.  I had left a check out for him, and told Chuck to fill it out, and I guess he did, but he couldn't remember for how much. ( it was under 100) We used those units until 2020 when we put in a new furnace and air conditioning

system. 

 

 

 

[Haljo1935]

Here's my 2nd set of pictures from our Nov 28 2023 stop in Alicante. Looking at their pictures @StLouis Cruiser @kazuwere blessed w/prettier days than we had, but the rain held off and we were able to enjoy the amazing architecture and views. 

 

The arches started before we left the bus

This is where we were

 

 

 

Plaque inside

One of many statues

Cats enjoy the views - heading to restroom

View from restroom

 

With the tile and stonework, the outides are as impressive as the insides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sheer heights are impressive and contrasted against the intricate details, I'm in awe of the amazing architecture and the talented people who designed and built these structures 

 

Moving inside

 Look up and down - the ceilings and floors are as beautiful as the walls.

 

 

The pipe organ remains unfinished with years of work still to do to complete it.

 

 

 

This is an attempt at highlighting how thick the walls and arches are

A few of the paintings; the ones closer to the alter have stained glass above them.

 

 

 

 

A few more pictures from inside and the grounds

Edited March 4 by Haljo1935
Typo

[grapau27]

3 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Good morning.

Thank you for today's daily reports.

It is currently 41°F and sunny.

3 interesting days and quote.

We have been to Alicante on a cruise.

I hope everyone is well.

 

I took Pauline's car for a service but the Renault main dealer didn't open until 08.30am so I took an opportunity to look out at the North sea with a coffee.

[grapau27]

11 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

Here's my 2nd set of pictures from our Nov 28 2023 stop in Alicante. Looking their pictures @StLouis Cruiser @kazuwere blessed w/prettier days than we had, but the rain held off and we were able to enjoy the amazing architecture and views. 

 

The arches started before we left the bus

This is where we were

 

 

 

Plaque inside

One of many statues

Cats enjoy the views - heading to restroom

View from restroom

 

With the tile and stonework, the outides are as impressive as the insides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sheer heights are impressive and contrasted against the intricate details, I'm in awe of the amazing architecture and the talented people who designed and built these structures 

 

Moving inside

 Look up and down - the ceilings and floors are as beautiful as the walls.

 

 

The pipe organ remains unfinished with years of work still to do to complete it.

 

 

 

This is an attempt at highlighting how thick the walls and arches are

A few of the paintings; the ones closer to the alter have stained glass above them.

 

 

 

 

A few more pictures from inside and the grounds

 

Wow.

Impressive collection of photos.

[travelingbums]

Thank you everyone for sharing.

Have a great day.

[kochleffel]

I looked up Courageous Follower Day:

 

Courageous Follower Day is observed on March 4 every year to shed light on the virtue of followership. Brought into order after Ira Chaleff’s groundbreaking book on leadership, The Courageous Follower: Standing Up To and For Our Leaders, the holiday encourages all of us to become responsible followers. The book has become a source of debate about the multifaceted aspects of leadership since its publication in 1995. A learned and organized follower is an asset to any leader. On Courageous Follower Day, we ditch the idea of rugged individualism and propagate the ethos of genuine followership.

 

I like sweet potato fries well enough but like Roy I prefer ordinary ones. Pass on the cocktail, but I have Cocchi Americano on hand. There are just a couple of aperitif or aromatized wines from the Finger Lakes: L‘Moné, made at a winery on Keuka Lake and flavored with Meyer lemon, and Génépi, aromatized with flowers from the French Alps; it's made with Finger Lakes wine but the final production takes place in Brooklyn.

 

 

 

[Mr. Boston]

Good morning everyone.  Thanks for the daily report.  Brain injuries are serious and can change a life in an instant.  Casimir Pulaski’s statue is in the Boston Public Garden tricorns off to him and his contributions during the Revolutionary War.  I’m sure he had many courageous followers.  Staying far away from the quote. The meal suggestion would be a nice side dish.  I would definitely try the drink.  I haven’t been to today’s port but based on all of the photos that have been shared it’s definitely on my bucket list. Prayers for those on our prayer list.  Cheers to those of you who are celebrating happy events! 🥂

[Seasick Sailor]

Good morning Dailyites. 

 

Praying for all of our friends here today. Thinking of those having checkups,  procedures, surgeries and those who are feeling unwell. 

 

National Anthem Day - March 3rd

  

  September 14, 1812, Francis Scott Key wrote down the poem that became the Star-Spangled Banner. By the early 1900s, there were several different versions of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” so President Woodrow Wilson asked the Bureau of Education to standardize it making one official version. The Bureau hired five musicians, including John Philip Sousa, to standardize the song which was first performed on December 5, 1917. Finally, on March 3, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a congressional order into law making “The Star-Spangled Banner” America’s national anthem. National Anthem Day falls on March 3 annually commemorating the signing of the law.  

 

Goodness,  thank you for all the pictures of Alicante. What a beautiful city and history, wow.

 

Today we are going to breakfast, market, car wash, and possibly cruise by the nursery to check things out.. I had 100 pounds of soil mixture delivered and I'll probably start putting the planters and pots out this week. I think of Gerry and Jacqui with mountains of snow, and here I am wanting to pot plants.

 

 

I'm still excited to see baby Murphy going home. Hoping for periodic updates, and prayers lifted daily for her.

 

Have a great week!

[Haljo1935]

29 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Wow.

Impressive collection of photos.

Thank you - so hard to edit which to post, it was definitely a visual overload day.

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good morning from a clear Quartzsite.  It was 47F when I got up, and we have a predicted high of 70F this afternoon.  The good news is our winds will only be about 7 mph.  Yesterday, I bought a slab of baby back ribs, and we'll be smoking them this afternoon to have along with baked beans and potato salad tonight.

 

Brain injuries do not have to be traumatic, they can also be subtle and caused by hidden conditions that aren't obvious for quite a while.  Sometimes, when the condition is reversed there can be improvement.  Casimir Pulaski was an interesting person.  Courageous Follower Day is an interesting concept.

 

I don't agree with the Jane Austen quote.

 

We have sweet potato fries fairly regularly, but I confess that I cheat.  I buy the frozen air fryer sweet potatoes that you just put in the air fryer and cook.  We'll pass on the drink and the wine.

 

We were in Alicante in September 2001 when we did a short land trip before a cruise out of Barcelona.  We didn't have enough time there since we arrived late in the day, and then left early the next morning heading towards Barcelona.  Thank you to all who shared your pictures today.  I hope we can get back there sometime.

 

Three more interesting days in history.

 

@grapau27  Graham, thank you for the information about Casimir Pulaski.

@Nickelpenny  Pennie, that is a big fish.  I have two scales from a Arapaima.  When we did a boat tour out of Santarem, all the ladies were given scales.  We were told they are used as emery boards, and yes, they do work to file your fingernails.

@rafinmd  Roy, I hope your oncologist is pleased with your lower PSA numbers, and that the appointment goes well.

@summer slope  Dixie, thank you for the history of today's drink.

@ger_77  Gerry, I hope you can be dug out from the storm soon, but glad you are comfortable at home for now.

@ottahand7  Nancy, I hope all goes well at the dermatologist today, and that he can get everything with one pass.

@VMax1700  I enjoyed your information about Lake Constance.  If it is a trivia question someday, I hope I remember the answer.   😉

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lenda

[Haljo1935]

Prayers 🙏 and positive thoughts for you today @ottahand7 for your procedure. 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

We spent a night in Alicante before our cruise in 2001.  Originally, we were supposed to fly to Spain on 9/13/01, and spend two weeks touring Spain.  We had all our reservations including the Alhambra, but then things changed.  After waiting to see if the cruise would still sail, we flew to Barcelona on 9/18/01, and it was a strange flight.   We flew from DFW to JFK, as our alternative flight from ATL was over booked.  Our flight was practically empty, with one business section completely closed.  We could not even go up there to sleep.  As far as we could tell, of the passengers on the flight, there were probably less than 10 who's first language was English.

 

We still had a week in Spain before the cruise, and we did not have any problems getting hotel rooms.  Only the Paradores were booked.  All the people we met were very nice and offered condolences for the tragic events on 9/11.   We enjoyed our time travelling around Spain and even went to Andorra.

 

My pictures from Alicante were taken in the early evening as we walked along the esplanade and had a nice meal at one of the sidewalk restaurants.  While they may some repeats or similar pictures, they should give you an idea of what the town looks like after the ship sails.

 

A view of the fortress from the waterfront

 

The marina

 

Downtown

 

The locals come out at night

 

We stopped here for gelato

 

I would love to go back someday and spend more time looking around the town.

 

Lenda

[kazu]

2 hours ago, rafinmd said:

A mild day today before rains come much of the week.  My main agenda item today is a followup this afternoon with my oncologist

 

Hope your follow up with our oncologist goes very well, Roy 🤞 

 

 

@ottahand7 My very best wishes for your procedure today 🙏 

 

 

[rafinmd]

Today's sunrise is among the last from my 2016 Crystal Symphony Antarctica cruise from Buenos Aires to Miami.  On March 4 we visited Key West.

 

 

Roy

[marshhawk]

I completely understand the quote of the day.  In Janes' time, and pretty much until the 1960's, a womans goal and purpose was to marry .

 

However my imagination goes about two week further, and goes into, well this wont last.  What a jerk. In other words, my imagination slaps back back to reality.

[grapau27]

2 hours ago, ottahand7 said:

Good morning everyone.   Thanks for the Daily and Fleet Reports and maps.   I will pass on all three comestibles again, the Saturn looks good but who to make it for me?   Thanks for the Cares and Celebrations lists.   Prayers for everyone needing them and the people in war zones, Ukraine and Gaza.   Thanks for remembering my skin surgery today @JazzyV!  We have to get a cashiers check for the new truck and will be heading to my Dermatologist's office 25 miles away.   Have a lovely Monday!  Nancy

Best wishes for your skin surgery today Nancy.

[RMLincoln]

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!  🫡

[AncientWanderer]

Good morning, Dailyites.  My goodness, the photos of Alicante are beautiful.  I actually had to look at records to see if we've been there, having enjoyed a number of beautiful Spanish ports, but no, we have not.  Definitely a goal.  Just beautiful.

 

We had a nice weekend -- celebrated DGS's fifth birthday.  Just pizza with close family.  He is autistic and it was so sweet that he kept coming and sitting by me and smiling.  He knew it was his day.  Just darling.

 

And to absorb some atmosphere for Japan travels, DD and I went to see a film called "A Perfect Day" that is nominated for best international feature film.  It's about the daily life of a public toilet cleaner in Tokyo.  (!!)  We enjoyed it very much.

 

I may have mentioned before, we now have one of those plush theaters very near us that have reclining seats, good food, and pitch perfect sound and screen.  It's a joy to "go to the movies."  Really got me back into the theater.  If there is one nearby, give it a try!

 

The photo of Baby Murphy yesterday was amazing.  What a beautiful and tough little cookie.  Just wonderful.

 

You're all in mind today as we start a new week.  Wishing everyone a pleasant day.  The group is scattered far and wide right now.  So fun to follow everyone's adventures.  ❤️

 

[puppycanducruise]

@rafinmd Good luck with the visit to your oncologist.

 

@ottahand7 Best wishes for a successful surgery.