The Fleet Report and Daily for Monday April 8th, 2024

[Haljo1935]

Happy Anniversary @erewhon🥂

 

[Haljo1935]

Happy Anniversary @Overhead Fred and Mitzi 🥂

[StLouisCruisers]

Thanks so much everyone for the birthday wishes.  That includes Vanessa @JazzyV, Roy @rafinmd, Melanie @puppycanducruise, Ann @cat shepard, Charlene @cunnorl, Debbie @dfish, @MISTER 67, and Elizabeth @Haljo1935.

 

Here's a photo of twin and I which I posted last year.

I am on the left and Twin (Linda) is on the right.  We are fraternal twins.

 

Twin Linda and I are 6 minutes apart.  11:53 pm for me and 11:59 pm for her.  From what I remember hearing, our parents had no idea there were twins arriving until birth.  I'm sure Dad was sitting in a waiting room and a nurse or doctor came out and announced the news.  Shock!  Big sister Nancy was thrilled with her Easter gift.  At the time we all 5 were crammed into a 1 bedroom flat until they could find something bigger.  😳

 

[summer slope]

Good morning.  I like sweet drinks, but I think today's is oner the top.

 

Cotton Candy cocktail:

 

Ingredients

1 large bag cotton candy (any flavor)
1 bottle marshmallow vodka
1 bottle sparkling water

Fill a glass with fluffy cotton candy and place them on a serving tray.
Pour one ounce (2 tablespoons) vodka over the cotton candy. Top with sparkling water  and
iice. The cotton candy will melt immediately and sweeten the cocktail to taste like, well, cotton
candy!

Garnish with a cotton candy drink stick.

 

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for the info.

[Haljo1935]

Eclipse Day is here!! 🌕🌔🌓🌒🌑😎

Pass on the meal & drink, yes to the 🍷,  not been to the port.

 

Today is work, a trip to WM to drop off a return, eclipse watching and a visit from the plumber to install the new kitchen faucet. Finally no more washing dishes & meal prep in the bathroom!

 

Rain has been taken out of our forecast for today, but still calls for clouds. So, Totality may not be spectacular, but I will be outside to witness it. I've read it could make the dogs anxious and that their eyes should be protected, so they'll be crated. DH took his eclipse glasses w/him to work so he can pop outside when the time is right; I'm sure it will align w/cigar break, lol.

 

Currently 54° headed to cloudy 82°. Possible hail & tornadoes tonight.

 

Prayers 🙏 and positive thoughts for all. 

 

 

[cat shepard]

Thank you for today’s FR&D, Jacqui! Roy thank you for our maps! Another cool start to what promises to be another exquisite day. These are the days that make Florida special. 
 

Vanessa thank you for keeping our lists so diligently. Praying that you get permanent pain relief from your upcoming surgery. 
 

My first “normal” Monday since February 12th! 😎 Gym, laundry, patio deck cleaning and Bindi walks. I want to spend as much time outside as possible, because I know Summer is coming. 
 

 

 

 

In honor of U.S. tax season….

 

 

Prayers for all who need our support. Those suffering from pain, debilitating conditions, the loss of a loved one, trauma. The caregivers. 
 

Cheers to all who are celebrating!

Happy Anniversary @erewhon and @Overhead Fred & Mitzi!

 

May we each find a reason to smile today. 
 

 

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

Liberty Lake Wine Cellars 2020 Heart of the Hill Vineyard Carménère

This wine sounds lovely, though a bit pricey. This vintage presented some challenges to the Western wineries because of the wildfires and the pandemic. A bit elusive. I found a few online distributors with prices starting at $44.97.

93 Wine Enthusiast 

This wine's aromas of dark raspberry, cinnamon, straw and orange-flavored Starburst candy are so enchanting, it was difficult to move on to actual sipping. Then I reveled in the wine's fresh, brisk texture, lighter body, restrained alcohol and flavors like raspberry, lemon and a hint of cranberry.

Edited April 8 by cat shepard

[Haljo1935]

Awe @StLouisCruisers what a cute picture - you and Linda look like very happy babies.

She tried to get her own birthday, didn't she? If she'd have baked just 1 more minute...🤭

I hope you have a wonderful day today and enjoy the special present the Universe has sent your way - talk about a big party!!

[smitty34877]

@StLouisCruisers, Sandi, a very Happy Birthday to you and your twin Linda.!
 

@erewhon, Happy Anniversary to both of you!

 

@Overhead Fred, Happy Anniversary to you and Mitzi!

[Denise T]

Happy Monday and Happy Eclipse Day. Thanks for the Daily and Fleet reports. 

Sun is out this morning, a bit chilly. Going up to 66 today so the plan is to get outside. Working on grading assignments today. Then I will work on my dissertation. I will watch the eclipse on NASA's YouTube channel. 

Happy birthday to @StLouisCruisers.

 

Happy anniversary to @erewhon and @Overhead Fred.

 

 

Thinking of all on the care list. 

Celebrating with all who are celebrating. 

Have a safe and healthy day. 

[cat shepard]

19 minutes ago, summer slope said:

Good morning.  I like sweet drinks, but I think today's is oner the top.

 

Cotton Candy cocktail:

 

Ingredients

1 large bag cotton candy (any flavor)
1 bottle marshmallow vodka
1 bottle sparkling water

Fill a glass with fluffy cotton candy and place them on a serving tray.
Pour one ounce (2 tablespoons) vodka over the cotton candy. Top with sparkling water  and
iice. The cotton candy will melt immediately and sweeten the cocktail to taste like, well, cotton
candy!

Garnish with a cotton candy drink stick.

 

 

Ewww. Just ewww, Dixie! 😱

[summer slope]

@StLouisCruisers Happy Birthday

Edited April 8 by summer slope

[ottahand7]

@StLouisCruisers  Happy birthday Sandi and DS Linda!  🎂 Thanks for sharing the darling photo.  

 

 

[grapau27]

Sandi @StLouisCruisers.

Wishing you and your dear twin sister a wonderful birthday.

[ottahand7]

Happy Anniversary to @Overhead Fred and  Mitzi  and to @erewhon!  🍾

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

@StLouisCruisers  Sandi and twin Linda, I hope you both have a wonderful birthday, and many more.

 

 

Lenda

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

@Norseh2o  I hope you have a wonderful day today on your birthday.

 

 

Lenda

 

[GTVCRUISER]

Happy Monday 🙂 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

@Overhead Fred  Fred and Mitzi, wishing you a wonderful anniversary, followed by many more anniversaries.

 

Lenda

 

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, StLouisCruisers said:

If you don't like heat and humidity, be glad that you haven't been to Darwin! 🥵 I was there twice, in Nov. of 2013 on Diamond Princess and in October of 2017 on Sun Princess.  And even though I hate heat and humidity I'm not sorry I was there because I love seeing Australia.

 

When you arrive in Darwin, you walk off the ship and head through a park-like area towards an ELEVATOR so that you can head into the downtown area.  Yes, an elevator.  It's a very unique place.

 

 

  

Walking through the park

 

 

Approaching the glass elevator area

 

Leaving the elevator looking back towards the park and water.

 

 

Christmas decorations seen along our walkways, since this picture was taken in late November.

 

Heading towards the shopping areas of town we passed by statues and town hall ruins.

 

 

 

We also walked near the Parliament building

 

Wanna go for a boat ride?

 

When we reached the downtown area, we noticed the overhead sun protection and misting stations to keep people comfortable while they shopped.  Something I haven't seen too often in my travels.

 

 

I don't suppose they'd mind if you slipped off your shoes and cooled your feet in this spot.

 

 

You could even learn a little history if you took the time to read this bronze plaque.

 

 

By this time we were ready to retrace our steps and enter the cool air conditioned interior of our cruise ship.  Even with their tropical climate, I am willing to visit the capital of the Northern Territory anytime!!

 

Nice photos Sandi.

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

@erewhon  I hope you and your DH have a wonderful day, and many more anniversaries to celebrate.

 

 

Lenda

 

[ottahand7]

Good morning everyone.  Thanks for the Daily and Fleet reports Jacqui and for the maps Roy.  Good wishes for the cardiologist visit today and for your busy day.  A good group of days.  A very nice quote by C.S. Lewis.    Pass on the chicken, the goofy cocktail and I would drink today's vino if I could find it.  I don't even know where it is from so what section to search at Total Wine?   Thanks for the photos of Darwin Sandi, I look forward to more coming.   

 

Thanks for the cares and celebrations reports Vanessa staying on top of all these events while you are suffering from all the pain that keeps you awake.   Prayers for Tana and her family.   Prayers for all in war zones, Ukraine and the innocents in Gaza.  Prayers for whatever is going on in Haiti.   

 

We are leaving in a while to head to the Lake Michigan city South Haven where I am doing a talk on butterflies and their host plants.  That begins at 2 and just as that ends the close to full eclipse (95%) will be happening at 3:05 or so.  Then we head to New Buffalo for some free nights at the casino hotel that John was comped.   When we come back from that fling we will really have to buckle down and get the yard ready to be abandoned, save for mowing.  We plan on heading to our cabin on May 19.  It will be here before we know it.   Have a lovely Eclipse day everyone!  Nancy 

[grapau27]

Good afternoon.

It is 52°F and cloudy here.

I'm late today as I had a hospital appointment for foot pain.

3 good days and quote.

I hope everyone is safe and well.

This is the other video of our water taxi ride in Rotterdam.

You can see the Hotel New York and our ship P&O Iona.

Edited April 8 by grapau27

[cunnorl]

 Good Morning from a warm and cloudy day at the beach

     We were in Darwin on the Noordam in 2022. I thought it was a great port. A little warm. We walked into downtown on the new covered walkway. Very accessible and a pretty walk. 

Thank you Sandi for the great pictures. DS and DH got much needed haircuts there. 

    We arent going to see much of the eclipse today. Most of the good viewing will be in the North. We have to wait until 2045!

      Off to water aerobics.

 

Stay safe and enjoy today

     Charlene

[grapau27]

Happy birthday Kathy @Norseh2o