lazey1

Bon Voyage to all. Makes me want to sing "Take me along".

Bon Voyage

I have only been to Bora Bora once and yes I took Patricks tour. While with the sting rays one of the larger ones apparently got made at me and decided to goose me. Having that big animal force itself between my legs was quite frightening but several of our friends thought it was funny and took photos. Fortunately they do not post here in the Daily. Like @kazusaid some things are better left unseen. Bora Bora is hands down my favorite island and Patricks Tour is the best non-HAL excursion I have ever been on. Jane

I will happily celebrate National Dessert Day and World Egg Day, no on bald and free at least for myself. I would love those Croquetas as long as someone else prepared them and would certainly enjoy the wine of the day with the Croquetas. Roy's alternativel meal looks wonderful also, maybe I am hungry. Got my Covid jab and flu shot both on Thursday. Both arms were somewhat sore yesterday but both are fine now. I have been to Ensenada several times and thank you to all who posted their lovely photos. At the Civic Center I saw folkloric show on 3 seperate occassions, all were HAL excursions. Prayers for all who need them, and for some who don't realize their need. Jane

Sharon thank you so much for sharing this photo and identifying several dailyites that I have yet to meet. I hope your psoriatic arthritis is improving and you start feeling better soon. Jane

My visit to Russia was limited to 2 days, 1 night aboard the Eurodam in St. Petersberg but the description of the security guard is a perfect description of several guards that were at the Hermitage. The ladies were seated about 30' apart throughout the entire museum. Every one looked alike with their black clothes, heavy shoes and permanent scowl. Glad we got to visit back is 2008 when it was basically safe. Thank you to all who posted photos of Vladovostok. This wine of the day sounds wonderful but it is way over my pay grade. The meal today (the baked one) sounds so good and looks so easy that I printed it to try next time I have company for dinner. Yep, I do cook like maybe once in a blue moon. It just isn't worthwhile to try to cook for just 1 person. @richwmnand @rafinmdand to the food and drink department for all that you do keeping this thread going. Jane

Baldness does not run in either my family or my late husbands family so I can't appreciate it as much as some. I walked to school from 1st grade through 6th grade then rode a bus to Jr. High and Senion High Schools. I have been to Dawson on a land tour/cruise and actually rode on the Steamboat on a HAL excursion.. That was back in 1989. Usually I love salt water fish but I prefer to have it either grilled or fried. The wine sounds good. I have been trying to read the daily but haven't been posting because I haven't felt so good. After undergoing numerous tests over the past couple of months I finally got a diagnosis of collagenous colitis. I have been started on a course of strong steroid capsules and am feeling much, much better. Next week I wll get the 3rd Covid jab along with the flu shot. I am a bit green with envy of our dailyites who are gathering for the cruise from Quebec to FLL. Just kidding, I hope that all of you have a fabulous cruise. @cunnorlLucky, lucky you. Bora Bora was my favorite port and I highly recommend that you take Patrick's Tour if possible. @jimgevkeep your chin up, remember this too will pass. Thankful that you are safe.

ON 09/11/01 I was driving from home in the Ca. high desert to work in Ontario Ca. AT the half way point of the Cajon Pass I was listening to Tim Mc Graw sing My Next 30 Years on KFRG when the dj broke in saying that a plane had crashed into the Twin Towers, he resumed play then a few minutes later came on again saying there was another plan crash into the Twin Towers. As soon as I got to work I turned on my computer and watched what was happening. After a short time I called my husband, told him to get the car ready and finish packing because we were going to have to drive to New Mexico for my parents 65th anniversary party instead of flying the next morning.

Bon Voyage

Grief Awareness Day and Touch a Heart Tuesday covers a good deal of the work done by the Hearts In Service ministry of the church I belong to. I have the honor to provide flower bouquets for funereal and memorial services plus help serve meals for the bereaved afterwards. When I attended Grief Recovery classes after the death of my husband I learned 2 of the best ways to provide comfort. #1 Be a heart with ears, #2 offer hugs and if accepted hug tightly and as long as wanted. I have been to Barbados and it will be one of our ports on my upcoming Nov. cruise. Sorry, again I have, no photos to share. Jane

I have never been to Aqaba but I have been to Petra on a land trip through the Holy Lands. This was back in the mid 1980's. At that time the only way to go to Petra was individually, by horseback with a Bedouin guide leading each horse. The long winding entrance then the sudden sight of the Treasury was awesome. At that time there were no facilities at all., only the Bedouin tent city which we were not allowed into. I am another cat person who is enjoying seeing all of dog photos. Jane

@kazuI just reread his post and realized that Roy has said what I am feeling and has done so far more eloquently that I could have. I am hoping that Shadow is found soon and I am praying that the grief classes are beneficial to you. Jane

Oh no, Jacqui. My heart bleeds for you and Shadow and this terrible situation. You have every right to be seriously depressed. You are doing everything possible to help Shadow. I am happy and relieved to see that you will see your doctor next week and will be attending grief counselling. When I attended grief counselling; actually grief recovery classes; I was taught that the best thing to do for someone who is greiving is to be a heart with ears. Anytime you feel the need to express your concerns please come back and we will all be hearts with ears for you. That said sometimes we just need to take it to the Lord in Prayer. I will be praying for you. Jane

Although I love empanadas I will not be having them today as today is my birthday and my BIL & SIL are taking me out for dinner. Now I have to make a decision Texas Roaadhouse or Red Lobster. My good news for myself is my friend Camille has decided to join me on my Nov. cruise. I do enjoy going solo but with a companion is better for me. She has cruised previously on Carnival and on Princess but never on a HAL ship. For over 30 years I lived in the Los Angeles suburbs and being a true blue Dodger fan I listened to Vin Sculley a lot. There will never be another like him. To quote one of his lines; it's deuces wild time, 2 on, 2 out, 2 strikes, 2 balls, what is next? @kazuI have been a cat person all my live but I can not tell you how much I am enjoying your photos and posts regarding Shadow Little. Or should I say the Trials and Tribulations of Shadow Little? @RedneckBobwelcome to the daily. It seems that we were both on the roll call of one of the 4 or 5 of my cruises that was cancelled because of Covid. Jane

Isn't it amazing how others think they know how we should be living our lives! Ignore these people. Each and every one of us that has lost a loved one has grieved in their own way for as long as we need and no one has the right to tell us that we are wrong. I admire you for your courage in booking another cruise and in stepping up for this little dog. I expect that you will eventually feel that she has done far more for you than you have done for her. ( I know I feel that way about the cats that I adopted after my husband passed. Jane

I ordered this same arrangement on my recent Koningsdam cruise and the flowers were just as fresh looking the last day as they were on the first day. I have ordered different flowers on different cruises for several years now and the only one that needed to be replaced was a tropical arrangement on a 30 day Hawaii/South Pacific cruise. Jane

@marshhawkThank you for posting the song make me a channel of your peace. It is beautiful and I can't belive that I had not heard it before. Thank you also for complaining about the deletion of Father David, for letting us know why Father David was deleted and for being instrumental in his being backi on board. @smitty34877Your family has been through so much and now this. I am sorry that all I can do to help is assure you that both of your houses are in my prayers. @Paw13Welcome to the daily. I have admired your elegance in the photos that Grahm has posted. Jane

I am another fan of the Mrs. Murphy series, believe I have read all of Rita Browns book. Another suggestion for books to read while cruising are The Cat Who series by Lilian Jackson Braun. I will gladly take all the avacados from any of you who don't care for them and exchange them for watermelons. I love the taste of watermelon but the watermelons do not love me. Today's meal and wine sound good. I agree that we will probably have some variant of Covid with us forever. Thank God the current variations are usually mild. Hopefully Maderna will have it's new vaccine ready in time for me to get a jab before my Nov. cruise. There are many different school districts here in the greater Phoenix area and it seems that each district sets it's own date for opening. The Mesa schools begin next week. Sorry I don't know when they get out for spring. Back in the beginning of time when I was in school in New Mexico school started the last Monday in August and ended in the middle of May. We only had the week between Christmas and New Year for our winter break. We were off on Thanksgiving and the next day and got out of school at Noon on Easter. To quote the old song "the times they are a changing"'. Jane

Yes, I read it today and will try your suggestions tomorrow when I have more time. Thank you very much. Jane

We were in St. Petersburg Russia aboard the Eurodam in 2008 for 3 days, 2 nights. We saw most of the usual opulant buildings, including the Hermitage Museum and one evening we went to a Russian Folkloric Show. Fascinating the way the men can dance so fast without loosing their balance. One of the days we were there was 08/08/08 and apparently the Russians saw that as THE DAY for weddings. We saw at least a dozen different wedding processions walking around the various parks. So glad we went when we did s I will never go there again. This native New Mexican ate lots of pan dulces for breakfast growing up but I had never heard the term concha. I enjoy bag pipes in moderation and I value my life to much to try to walk on stilts. @0106Thanks for your offer to teach me how to post photos. I do all my posts on my desk top computer, I have a new cell phone and so far when I go on Cruise Critic I have not even been able to find the Holland America Board. If you want to take on a real challenge please email me; themang;inos@cox.net. (Omit the ; after the g.) Jane

Guilty! I am one of the lurkers who reads daily but doesn't post often. I always love to look at everyone's photos, whatever the subject is. If I wasn't so computer illiterate perhaps I could learn how to post photos. I had 1 aunt and 4 uncles, all deceased for many years. As an only child I have no nieces or nephews so I claim my late husbands 1 niece and 2 nephews as my own. @aliaschiefKnowing nothing of Scotland or it's history I find your photos are magnificent and I would very much appreciate an explanation of what you are seeing. @kazuI am looking forward to seeing photos of Shadow.

I have been away since Sunday when our power went out at 8PM and was not restored until 7:15 the next morning. The power had only been off for 2 hours whtn the back up battery for my computer (which I didn't know I had) decided to squeal at me. By flashlight I disconnected everything I could find to disconnect in my home office so when the power came back on I had no computer, no printer, no telephone and no t.v, but the squeal continued. About 1PM I was able to get hold of a neighbor who came over and turned the battery off then reset it stopping the squeal and plugged in my t.v.. No computer, telephone or printer until after 5PM on Tuesday. Thank God when the power came back on my air conditioner worked. We had a low of 92F that night and a high of 112F. The power had been knocked out by either lightning or 80mph straight line winds. Thankfully no damage outside other than my heavy chairs being blown about 40' to the end of the patio. A lot of neighborhood trees, fences, signs etc blown down but no injurys reported. Yesterday I took my next door neighbor and her dog to a new vet for some ongoing problems. 4 new meds for dog plus blood work $$$ but we both were very impressed with how thorough the new vet was and with his caring demeanor. I think that I will transfer to this new vet for my cats. Prayers for all who need them whether they know it or not and congrats to those who are celebrating. Now I need to go back and catch up. Jane

I have had, pre-covid, fixed early dining and had a late HAL excursion. I explained to the dining room manager the day before the excursion and he was fine with me going to the flexible dining after the excursion. I would not do so without asking the dinning room manager first.