The Fleet Report and Daily for Sunday May 5th, 2024

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

@YourWorldWithBill  Have a great time on your cruise.

 

 

Lenda

[marshhawk]

Good Sunday Morning Dailyites!  So much happening today with everyone!

@kazuNice to have you home, glad that Ivan was happy to see you and that the sitter worked out well.  Get in to see the doc again about the foot, and sorry you have to make your own coffee again.

@YourWorldWithBill and @Heartgrove Bon Voyage!  Enjoy the cruise, and relearn how to be spoiled again.

@dfishThank you for the recipes.  Those steak ones look fabulous!  Especially since Cannibalism is illegal, and not very appealing, it was a much better choice than Eleanor.

 

We went out for Mexican last night before we went grocery shopping.  I had something fabulous, very tasty, and cheesy.  I did try the non alcoholic Sangria soda pop.  And left over half of it. Way too sweet.  

 

Today is CLEAN THE HOUSE!  As our friend Debbie is going to come over to see which kitten she wants to adopt. We are pretty sure she is going to take the white and black one.  We never did settle on a time, just sometime after noon.  She really is not a morning person so I have a few hours to make this place look clean.  Since it's a home, an office and a cat rescue center it seems that papers fly, dust settles and fur balls blend into carpet.   And I get to make breakfast too!

 

With so much going on between appointments and the jobs, I sometimes have no idea what day it is, and I thought today was Monday, and woke up way to early. Oh well. 

 

@grapau27Thank you for the sermon this morning.  Not only history, but a straight forward approach to a good life, and when DH is ready I will play it for him.  I also meant to thank you for this week's food porn.  

 

One of the reasons I love cruises is that I dont have to cook, or even think up a menu that will be best for the two of us. Me low carb, DH something he will actually eat. 

 

 

 

[kazu]

Bon Voyage @YourWorldWithBill

 

 

Bon Voyage @Heartgrove

 

 

 

Have a great cruise and a WONDERFUL time !!!!!

 

[grapau27]

33 minutes ago, Seasick Sailor said:

Good morning Daily-ites from a very soggy Georgetown. Oliver tried getting closer and closer to me with every boom of thunder. I think he lost weight from shivering in fear.

 

Sandi, congratulations to Morgan. There's a lot of pride in your family today!

 

We had fun last night at the Kentucky Derby party at our ballroom. Appetizers, ham, chicken, potatoes, green beans, and bread pudding with whiskey sauce. Voted for the favorite hat for ladies and crazy socks for the guys. Our neighbor was fully dressed with wig and all as Colonel Sanders. When it was time to show off the guys socks on the runway, his socks were chicken feet! He won. The band was a country western group, but we left before they came on.

 

 

 

 

I guess we won't celebrate Cinco d Mayo dinner suggestion.  Allen put in his request for greens, ham hocks, and corn bread. Maybe I'll make us a margarita..

 

Prayers and cheers to all on Vanessa's well planned lists. Thanks to Debbie, Sandi, Dixie, Ann, Roy and Graham (Father David) for your contributions. 

 

Wait! A question:

For those who cruised in Japan, do you or don't you need a visa? I've read conflicting articles. Also, although no immunization is required, what shots do you recommend?

 

Thanks to all. Have a blessed day, and a safe, healthy, happy week.

Nice photo of you two Joy.

[kochleffel]

4 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Today in History:

 

In 1995, Addison and Fergus were born in Waterford, Conn. Their mother was a homeless cat who chose to have her kittens in the back of a car (parked at the time). She chose well: she and all the kittens got good homes.

 

When we lived in Los Angeles, Addison and Fergus thought it was wonderful that the whole city had a party for their birthday.

 

On a Bermuda cruise I had dinner several times with a food and travel writer--not Eleanor Chalstrom--who had lots of good travel stories. Her method was to stay in a place for a while and develop articles for half a dozen different publications--one about restaurants, another about home cooking, one about an artisan in the neighborhood, etc.

 

No on the drink (coconut). Not a lot of Sangiovese in the Finger Lakes, but Ventosa Vineyards at the north end of Seneca Lake grows it, so I'll suggest the 2019. "This wine greets with aromas of strawberry and rose. On the palate, savory touches merge with creamy red currant and hints of cherry blossoms and tobacco. Sleek tannins ensure a harmonious finish," $32.95.

 

1 hour ago, dfish said:

Today we are going over to Mt. Pleasant to have dinner with some friends from Ohio.  I had the daughter in class back in Ohio and she is now living in Ohio and working at Central Michigan University.

 

I hope that she is actually living in Michigan. It would be a long, long commute.

 

Edited May 5 by kochleffel

[StLouisCruisers]

27 minutes ago, smitty34877 said:

Good morning. It is cool and rainy here. It was 46 earlier and will only get to 54 today. Every time I think I can put my heavier coat away…

@StLouisCruisers. Sandi, please congratulate Morgan for me on her graduation. Her apartment looks great and I am so glad that things are better for her. I also realize how LOUD some family gatherings can get . Last week was wild at our dinner time with our NH family here. The quiet when they leave is much harder!

@kazu, Jacqui, I am so glad that you are safely home and enjoying Ivan’s company but sorry the foot is still not right.

@JazzyV, Vanessa, I am amazed that you progressed to sleeping upstairs and I am so glad the pain level is decreasing.

 

I have utilized all the physical help I can in the last week as I only make things more painful for myself if I try to do too much. Sometimes when it is just the two of us here I know I have overdone it. Our teenager and his girlfriend spent most of yesterday with Tana while I did the things that I can do without aggravating my shoulder and neck. They were so tired by the afternoon that the three of them collapsed watching a movie. It is good that one can rewatch things easily nowadays. Today I will have DD and DSIL for transfers and lifting.

Have a great day everyone!

 

Terry, thank you for your congrats for Morgan.  Last night there was a second even louder group of people celebrating a young lady's graduation, and inside the restaurant just on the other side of the window behind me an engagement party.  So many people having a good time!  

 

Sending you and the family a hug as you all work together to keep things together there.  Just know you are doing a great job!  Prayers for Tana and the family who cares for her.🙏

[JazzyV]

Good morning. Thanks for the Fleet Report/Daily.

It's Cinco de Mayo! I'll salute cartoonists. My DM liked Chanel No. 5. Childhood stroke is a sad thing. Good quote. I'd like fajitas. Maybe for the drink and yes to the wine. I have not been to Exmouth. A good day in history.

 

It's rainy and cooler here today. The big marathon race was this morning, so runners probably liked the weather. I'm not getting as good sleep in the bed, so I'll have to decide about returning to the recliner. BFF will leave this evening, after his 2 week stay with me.

 

@StLouisCruisers Thanks for our start. Enjoy Morgan's graduation and congrats to her!

@YourWorldWithBill Bon Voyage!

@Heartgrove Bon Voyage!

@MISTER 67 Happy Easter.

@kazu Welcome home! Hugs on this anniversary of Jose's memorial. I hope your foot feels better and that you are not getting a cold.

@VMax1700 Lovely photo from Kukenhof.

@Seasick Sailor What a nice photo of you and Allen. Looks like the Derby party was fun!

@1ANGELCAT I hope Houdini starts feeling better.

@smitty34877 I'm glad you're trying to protect your shoulder and neck as much as you can. I hope it starts feeling better, but then don't overdo it when it does.

@marshhawk I hope you and DH have a good day today.

 

Prayers for the Care List and Cheers to those Celebrating.

[ger_77]

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily!  I look forward to the cartoons every day in the newspaper - they're always uplifting.  I can't wear Chanel No.5; it turns rancid on me; when I do wear a fragrance (which is rarely), it's Alfred Sung.  Childhood Stroke Awareness is so important - for the children and the parents as well.  Happy Sinko de Mayo!!

 

A bright sunny day in the offing for us today, but the overnight temperatures are still dipping into the freezing zone, so the plants will stay indoors for a few more days.  Looking at the forecast, we could get more rain tomorrow and Tuesday, so we'll see what happens - maybe the plants can head out to the deck on Monday.  

 

@StLouisCruisersplease congratulate Morgan on her graduation - a wonderful accomplishment along with her new apartment.

@HeartgroveBon Voyage; have a great cruise!

@YourWorldWithBillBon Voyage to you as well!

@kazuwelcome home - my thoughts went to you right away this morning, remembering the date and Jose's memorial.

 

Yesterday we went over to visit Ollie and came home with an entire vehicle full of things she wanted to either give us or donate . . . it got to the point that Maurice nearly ended up being a hood ornament, there were so many things.  Telescopes, tri-pods, a couple of netbooks (one with Windows XP, the other with Windows 10), an original iPad, a Samsung tablet, an original iPod, and those were just the electronics!  Lots of stuff for us to work on - DH will manage the telescopes, etc., while I'll deal with the tech things, not that I'm very good at it, but at least I don't think you can fix them with an axe like DH does.

 

I'll give the drink of the day a pass, would definitely like the wine, and because it's Cinco de Mayo, one of the Mexican style restaurants has a deal on tacos which we'll go and pick up to enjoy at the kitchen table tonight.  And wine.

 

Prayers for everyone who is in need, in grief, in turmoil, and in wars.  Cheers to all with celebrations happening today.

 

Smooth Sailing!  ☺️☺️☺️

Gerry

 

[kazu]

 

Congratulations Morgan on hour graduation 🙂 @StLouisCruisers

 

Well done!

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good morning from central Texas.  I sound like a broken record since it's still cloudy and soggy, but no rain is predicted until later today.  But, the weather forecast around here is merely a suggestion.  We had quite a sound and light show last night with a lot of thunder and lightning that lasted for several hours.  We also received 2.31 inches of rain according to the weather station rain gauge, and eyeballing the old fashioned rain gauge from a distance, it looks like about 2.5 inches.  There is now a river flood warning for the area.  Since our lake is a flood control lake, I expect to see the water level has risen during the past week.  At this rate, the beaches and picnic areas near the shoreline will be flooded.  It is currently 67F with a predicted high of 78F and more rain overnight.  I hope we don't have to dig out the snorkels and masks.  😁

 

Cartoonists deserve a day, and we should all be aware of childhood strokes.  I'll also celebrate Chanel No. 5 since that is the scent I wear, which I buy at duty free shops.  Cinco de Mayo is a bigger celebration in Texas than in Mexico. 

 

The Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quote is a little heavy for early in the morning.

 

I'm glad Debbie @dfish decided to skip Eleanor and instead give us fajitas for dinner.  I'm not sure if that will be on our table tonight since we had them last week, and chicken nachos Friday night.  BTW, the chicken nachos started out to be the queso chicken from several months ago.  I wanted to used boneless, skinless thighs instead of breasts, and by the time I trimmed all the fat off the thighs, they were in pieces.  I cut them in bite size pieces, and added all the other ingredients.  We served them on tortilla chips with sour cream and guacamole, and the were surprisingly tasty but messy.

 

We'll pass on the drink, but the wine sounds like one I'd try, and with a decent price.

 

We have not been to Exmouth, Australia.

 

The 1891 opening of what is now Carnegie Hall was a good day for music lovers.

 

@grapau27  Graham, thank you for giving us the history of Cinco de Mayo.  Even many Texans mistakenly think it's Mexico's independence day.

 @misrad4  We agree that it was a thrilling finish to the Kentucky Derby.  I don't remember ever seeing so many horses in the lead that close to the finish line.

@aliaschief Bruce, please be careful in the rough seas.

@kazu  Welcome home, Jacqui.  I'm glad Ivan did well and it's always nice when someone else thinks our fur babies are good boys and girls.  I'm sorry your foot gave you problems on the cruise, and I hope you can see the doctor soon.  I hope all your wonderful memories of DD DH help ease the sadness of today.

@VMax1700  Hope you have a safe and smooth flight today, Colin.  Thanks for the picture of the beautiful flowers.

@Seasick Sailor  Joy, that's a great picture of you and Allen.  The party sounds like fun.

@ottahand7  Congratulations on the win yesterday, but sorry John lost.

@smitty34877  Terry, I'm glad you had so much help yesterday, and will have help today.  Please take it easy, and I hope the neck and shoulder are better soon.

@JazzyV  Vanessa, I'm sorry you are not sleeping as well in your bed, but glad the recliner is an option.  Give BFF a big hug for taking such good care of you these past two weeks.

@ger_77  Gerry, I hope Ollie is doing well, and I'm glad she has you and your DH to help.  Good luck with the electronics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lenda

 

[Haljo1935]

Welcome home @kazu! May you find the Great Cracker Shortage of 2024 has ended and all is right with cheese plates again.😉

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

1 hour ago, Seasick Sailor said:

Good morning Daily-ites from a very soggy Georgetown. Oliver tried getting closer and closer to me with every boom of thunder. I think he lost weight from shivering in fear.

 

Sandi, congratulations to Morgan. There's a lot of pride in your family today!

 

We had fun last night at the Kentucky Derby party at our ballroom. Appetizers, ham, chicken, potatoes, green beans, and bread pudding with whiskey sauce. Voted for the favorite hat for ladies and crazy socks for the guys. Our neighbor was fully dressed with wig and all as Colonel Sanders. When it was time to show off the guys socks on the runway, his socks were chicken feet! He won. The band was a country western group, but we left before they came on.

 

 

 

 

I guess we won't celebrate Cinco d Mayo dinner suggestion.  Allen put in his request for greens, ham hocks, and corn bread. Maybe I'll make us a margarita..

 

Prayers and cheers to all on Vanessa's well planned lists. Thanks to Debbie, Sandi, Dixie, Ann, Roy and Graham (Father David) for your contributions. 

 

Wait! A question:

For those who cruised in Japan, do you or don't you need a visa? I've read conflicting articles. Also, although no immunization is required, what shots do you recommend?

 

Thanks to all. Have a blessed day, and a safe, healthy, happy week.

 

Joy, I forgot to answer your questions about Japan.  I was just looking at that cruise, and it said visas are required for some nationalities.  We have never needed a visa to visit Japan, but our last visit was in 2018.  Usually, HAL will list the visas you will need when you check-in for the cruise on line.  We've never gotten special shots for Japan either.  There is a travel clinic in Austin that our DD uses when she is traveling to exotic places.  They seem to know which shots are needed for which country.   Sorry, but I don't know the name of the clinic or where it is located.

 

Lenda

[GTVCRUISER]

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

@StLouisCruisers  Sandi, I don't know where my mind is today.  Please congratulate Morgan on her graduation.

 

Lenda

[luvteaching]

Good morning, 

The day is starting out overcast but never fear - rain is coming! We have a couple of soggy days forecasted but highs in the mid-high 70's by the weekend so that's life in the Pacific Northwest. 

 

Welcome home @kazu. Enjoy a day cuddling with Ivan. 

Congrats to Morgan @StLouisCruisers! 

 

Today is a stay-at-home day and I'm hoping to get the closet changed over to the Spring and Summer clothes. Since it's Cinco de Mayo I may have a chicken burrito for dinner. I got some nice ones at the big box store and they heat up very nicely in the air fryer. I coat them with a bit of olive oil and wrap them in foil. They are filled with chicken and quite tasty. 

This week is busy with the pool and the widows support group potluck on Friday. Wednesday is my day I'll see how I'm doing on as it's DD DH's birthday (he'd have been 84) and more importantly our great granddaughter's 1st birthday (her name is Ivy). 

 

Have a lovely and relaxing Sunday. 

Karen

[Seasick Sailor]

1 hour ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

 

Joy, I forgot to answer your questions about Japan.  I was just looking at that cruise, and it said visas are required for some nationalities.  We have never needed a visa to visit Japan, but our last visit was in 2018.  Usually, HAL will list the visas you will need when you check-in for the cruise on line.  We've never gotten special shots for Japan either.  There is a travel clinic in Austin that our DD uses when she is traveling to exotic places.  They seem to know which shots are needed for which country.   Sorry, but I don't know the name of the clinic or where it is located.

 

Lenda

 

Thanks Lenda. I asked our roll call and was told to Google it or ask TA. Very welcoming...

 

 

[Seasick Sailor]

I have a request thru my chart for my doctor last Friday and an email to my PCC, but since it's the weekend,  I thought I would ask those in the know.

[Cruising-along]

Good morning all!

It's another gloomy, cloudy, wet day here.  I'm looking forward to Wednesday when we'll have a string of sunny days and into the 70's.  🙂  

 

I'll pass on the drink (coconut) and red wine, but fajitas sound really good to me so that's what we'll be having tonight.  We've had a lot of chicken lately, so it will be steak fajitas for us.  

 

I talked with BFF yesterday, their lives continue to be a roller coaster with not much progress.  Thank you Vanessa @JazzyV for keeping her on the Care List -- all the prayers are so very much appreciated.  Amber is out of ICU but was denied intensive PT at Swedish because of her low score on alertness. 😞  So now they're trying to find a skilled nursing facility or rehab. 

 

Bon Voyage @Heartgrove and @YourWorldWithBill!  

 

Welcome home Jacqui @kazu! I'm sure Ivan is very happy to have you back, but I'm sorry you're having so much trouble with your foot.  I hope the nurse helps you.

 

Congratulations Morgan @StLouisCruisers!

 

We were in Exmouth in February on the Grand Australia.  Not a very pretty port IMO, so my photos are of the tour we did on a glass bottom boat on the Tantabiddi Reef.  It was very, very hot (but blessedly cooler out on the water) and the area looked very dry and parched.  We had a nice time on the boat and saw 2 different kinds of sea turtles and 2 different kinds of sharks.  Our guides told us we saw more than any of their other tours that day.

 

On the drive we passed lots of termite mounds like this one.  Everything looked like this, dry and red.  It was around 100 degrees F.

 

And saw an Osprey nest on top of this pole.

 

One of the turtles we saw

 

And sharks

 

 

Lots of coral, too much to post -- but here's one part

 

All done and heading back to shore

 

 

 

[smitty34877]

1 hour ago, Seasick Sailor said:

I have a request thru my chart for my doctor last Friday and an email to my PCC, but since it's the weekend,  I thought I would ask those in the know.

Joy, around here no one gets back to you on weekends. I imagine it is the same in Texas. The one time I did hear back all they said was to go to urgent care or the ER.

[AncientWanderer]

4 hours ago, Seasick Sailor said:

 

 

Wait! A question:

For those who cruised in Japan, do you or don't you need a visa? I've read conflicting articles. Also, although no immunization is required, what shots do you recommend?

 

Thanks to all. Have a blessed day, and a safe, healthy, happy week.

Onboard Westerdam now…

Our itinerary included South Korea, so I did get the visa for that, but never needed it.  I think your itinerary only includes Japan.  No visa requirement for that with U.S. passport.
The Westerdam team has done an amazing job of working with Japanese officials so that immigration requirements go smoothly.   Even flying in, things went quickly.  Arriving and departing on the ship should be simple as pie.  I filled out the “Visit Japan” form online, but that was totally unnecessary.  It was hard to fill out and there wasn’t even a quicker line at the airport.   
 

Again, high marks to Westerdam team.  I hope hotel manager Dustin Coomer is onboard for you.  Very well-run ship.

 

(Your itinerary is different than ours, so I can’t help much with excursions, but suggest booking early.  They do fill up.  Anything scenic or outdoor park type is great.  So fun people-watching.  The Japanese ladies dress themselves and their dogs beautifully for a day at the park!  😍)

[Seasick Sailor]

1 minute ago, AncientWanderer said:

Onboard Westerdam now…

Our itinerary included South Korea, so I did get the visa for that, but never needed it.  I think your itinerary only includes Japan.  No visa requirement for that with U.S. passport.
The Westerdam team has done an amazing job of working with Japanese officials so that immigration requirements go smoothly.   Even flying in, things went quickly.  Arriving and departing on the ship should be simple as pie.  I filled out the “Visit Japan” form online, but that was totally unnecessary.  It was hard to fill out and there wasn’t even a quicker line at the airport.   
 

Again, high marks to Westerdam team.  I hope hotel manager Dustin Coomer is onboard for you.  Very well-run ship.

 

(Your itinerary is different than ours, so I can’t help much with excursions, but suggest booking early.  They do fill up.  Anything scenic or outdoor park type is great.  So fun people-watching.  The Japanese ladies dress themselves and their dogs beautifully for a day at the park!  😍)

 

Thank you so much. I had a covid shot yesterday and asked the pharmacist about the shots. She said she had a few suggestions but wanted me to contact my doctor for sure.

 

 

[Haljo1935]

3 hours ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

... We've never gotten special shots for Japan either.  There is a travel clinic in Austin that our DD uses when she is traveling to exotic places.  They seem to know which shots are needed for which country.   Sorry, but I don't know the name of the clinic or where it is located.

@Seasick Sailor we use Passport Health in TX for travel shots.

[kochleffel]

5 hours ago, Seasick Sailor said:

For those who cruised in Japan, do you or don't you need a visa? I've read conflicting articles. Also, although no immunization is required, what shots do you recommend?

 

The CDC recommends vaccination against hepatitis B, because of a fairly high rate of it there, but I think a sedate traveler on a cruise is unlikely to be exposed. I've gotten hepatitis A and B vaccinations even though I'm very unlikely to engage in any risky behaviors. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended if you will eat street food or spend time in rural areas. Where I live, the county health department is the only source for these vaccinations.

 

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/japan?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001

 

[Seasick Sailor]

18 minutes ago, kochleffel said:

 

The CDC recommends vaccination against hepatitis B, because of a fairly high rate of it there, but I think a sedate traveler on a cruise is unlikely to be exposed. I've gotten hepatitis A and B vaccinations even though I'm very unlikely to engage in any risky behaviors. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended if you will eat street food or spend time in rural areas. Where I live, the county health department is the only source for these vaccinations.

 

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/japan?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001

 

 

I had Hep A, TDAP and typhoid for travel in 2019 but not a Hep B. I'll check on that. Thanks Paul.

[rafinmd]

Thank you Rich, Sandi, Vaessa, Debbie, Ann,Dixie,and Granam/Father David.  Childhood strokes are terrible, Cartoonists enrich our lives, and I’ll pass on Chanel no 5 and Cinco de Mayo.   Welcome home Jacqui.

 

Interesting quote by Goethe.

Sadly, I have not been to Carnegie Hall.

I have not been to Exmouth.

I’ll pass on the meal.  My alternative is a Custom Lido Omelet which was part of my last meal May 5, 2019 before disembarking Nieuw Statendam in Amsterdam.

 

A wet Sunday here.  

Roy