Quartzsite Cruiser

Thanks, Jacqui. BTW, the new doctor is Canadian. He got is degree and medical degree at McGill in Montreal and his neurosurgery training at Stanford University. How he wound up in Waco, Texas, I'm not sure, but I'm happy he did. Maxine, that is good and encouraging news about your sister. A BHB out of San Diego or even Princess, sounds good. Terri, I'm happy things are improving for you. If the steroid shots keep working, the trip, anniversary celebration and cruise are worth the wait. Sending good thoughts all three happen without any problems, especially from the airline. Lenda

@Cat in my lap Great news on the negative tests. Enjoy your cruise. Lenda

Thank you, Graham. As I said, it could take quite a few months to get everything lined up and then get the procedures scheduled. In the meantime, we'll keep on doing what we're doing. Lenda

Yesterday, DH had an appointment with a new doctor, for a second opinion about his spinal stenosis and sciatica. Tuesday, we found out the results of a head CAT scan ordered last week by our PCP in time for yesterday’s visit. It turns out DH also has normal pressure hydrocephalus, which can occur as we get older. Fortunately, both the back and head problems can be fixed with a surgical procedure. However, the process to fix them will be on going and will take many months. The fixes shouldn't take too long, but first you have to jump through all the hoops before Medicare will agree to pay for the next step. DH was very impressed with the new doctor, who answered all our questions and did not hem and haw on the answers. He started the first step to fix the back problem and referred DH to a neurosurgeon in Dallas to work on the head problem, which will most likely be a shunt to drain the excess fluid from his brain. We were impressed when he said in the end both problems could be fixed, but he added that since they had gone on so long, he did not think the results would get DH back to where he had been previously, but would show a big improvement. It was nice to have a doctor no promise what he might not be able to deliver. He also wants DH to continue the physical therapy. We agreed that the first course of action would be to handle the fluid on the brain as it is making DH lightheaded and not feeling all that well. It looks like we’ll be in Texas for longer than expected, but it also looks like we will be able to enjoy more time in Quartzsite and on BHBs in the future. @rafinmd Roy, since this is a long term, ongoing situation, DH does not need to be on the care list. I don't intend to make updates unless it is something major. @Cruising-along Thank you for your pictures from Corner Brook. I want to go there even more now. @JazzyV Vanessa, it looks like the Benadryl is keeping the reaction to the injection under control. @HAL Sailer Melisa, your are the picture of grace under pressure. Your attitude is an example to all of us. @Seasick Sailor Enjoy your visit with your sister. @grapau27 Graham, I'm very happy the shot has made use a difference. They can hold off the need for surgery for quite a while. @rafinmd Roy, safe travels home tomorrow. Lenda

Good morning from breezy, sunny and hot central Texas. It was 82F at 8:30. Today will be an easy day, and it will be spent inside the cool house. My day, Chocolate Day, led the list! I try to forgive, but sometimes it is hard, and it doesn't mean you have to forget either. I would love to take a walk with my father who I miss terribly. It would be nice if the DDs and DH could take a walk, but the DDs are at work in Austin. As far as today's quote, I don't really like it. A Cobb salad would be nice, if someone else made it. The wine sounds nice, but we'll pass on the drink. We have not been to Corner Brook, yet. Maybe someday. @marshhawk I agree with Jacqui, @kazu, Madeira is worth seeing as it's a beautiful island. The last time we were there we rented a car and drove to the other side of the island. The other coast is rugged and completely different and the views from the top of the mountain in the middle of the islad are great. @kazu Jacqui, your flowers are beautiful as usual, and I get to enjoy them without all the work. 🤣 As far as the extra hangers, the thrift store might be able to use some to display the clothes. Also, a women's shelter might be in need of hangers since most of the women they serve leave home with almost nothing. @StLouisCruisers Sandi, and @richwmn Rich, thank you for your pictures of Corner Brook. @kochleffel My thought when I read your post about the upcoming meeting was GOOD LUCK! 🍀 @cunnorl Glad you got your Global Entry taken care of easily. Your nephew's 50th birthday party sounds like it will be a lot of fun. @ottahand7 The port shoulders look wonderful already. @aliaschief Thank you for the pictures of the Oregon coast. It has been many years since we spent time on the coast. We also toured the Tillamook Creamery. Lenda

A late good evening. It was a busy afternoon in Waco. DH had an appointment with a new doctor, and we think now we are finally on the right track. We were there 1 1/2 hour between the nurse getting the information and history, and time with the doctor. Sorry for being vague, but we still processing information, plus it's very early in the process. After we left the doctor, I had a few errands. Somehow last week when replacing our ancient towels, I didn't get enough. Not sure what I was thinking, if I was thinking. Anyway, this week, the towels were 25% off. At the next store, I had to return some chair cushions which didn't work out, and I wasn't sure they would take them back, but they did and no questions asked. At the last store, I needed to exchange a top for a different size. The tops were marked down further, so I got a small refund on what was an even exchange. We even filled the car up and paid $3.999 per gallon. @durangoscots Susan, I heard back from Paw Pals rescue in our county seat, and they will take themold towels and sheets. @Vict0riann Ann, I hope you and Pat had a safe flight to Gatwick. Joy, I'm not Roy, but before the shut down, captains and staff captains like Sabine were on three months and off three months. She was on Koningsdam in early December, but was she was off when we boarded Kdam in early March. She returned about March 20, so it seems they are still using the same rotation. BTW, I'm glad you are enjoying Maui and are out of the Texas heat for awhile. We've found over the last several years that it's difficult to get an appointment with a specialist without waiting weeks, if not months. However, they would return calls and answered requests in a timely manner. I'm glad your nurse practitioner was able to get you a referral with a hand specialist and that you have an appointment relatively soon. Mykonos is walkable. In Santorini we did a tour to Akureyri and Oia. However, at the end they gave us a ticket for the gondola down, and there are steps involved at each end. Ephesus, as someone said, is fairly rough walking in some areas. However, in 2019, there were boardwalks in some of the worst areas. Because of all the steps, I would not advise doing the Terrace Houses. DH found his walking sticks helped in the rough, uneven areas. Katakolon is the port for Olympia. You can catch a bus from the end of the pier, and do it on your own. That way, you can go at your own pace and avoid the rough areas. The bus gives you two hours there, which was plenty of time for us to visit the museum and walk around the area. There is a slightly steep walk down from and back up to the drop off point. Also, Katakolon is a easy town to walk around. It has a small museum that was interesting, and there are cafés along the waterfront.. The toboggan in Funchal was fun, and we enjoyed the cable car to the top. There is also a Ho-Ho bus in Funchal. In Ponta Delgado, it is easy to walk along the main street, or you could take a tour in the countryside. Ann, it sounds like the cruise without the friends will be more fun. Lenda

Way to go girl! I'm very happy you decided to get out of your comfort zone and booked a great cruise which includes an trans-Atlantic. We like longer cruises since you can get in a routine and really enjoy the ship instead of unpacking, running around for 6 or 7 days and repacking. We have been to some places that were out of our comfort zone, and with very, very few exceptions were glad we did. You will have a great cruise and meet new friends even if your friends decide not to join you. Just think of the fun you and DH will have planning for and anticipating your cruise. And you have a family here to answer questions and give advice. Sandi, I am sorry about the sad news about Buddy. I hope hospice can give him the comfort he deserves. It sounds like Amy, the family, friends and members of the church can help make his final days peaceful too. Familiar surroundings with friends and family should also bring him comfort. My father also wanted his last days to be at home. All the outpouring of help renews our faith in our fellow man, especially in the wake of all the tragedy lately. Amy, Buddy, and the rest of the family will be in our thoughts. Gerry, what a nice thing you are doing to let your "daughter's" cousin stay with you for the summer. It's another example of the good in people that we should never forget. Lenda

These are the pictures I shared when Geirangerfjord was the port of the day. Our tour the day we were in Geiranger started in another town and ended in Geiranger. These pictures are from our stop in the icefield and at the overlook above the town and fjord. The ship nearer town is the Saga Rose, and the Marco Polo is further out. The two pictures I took in town, both while we waited for the tender. Our sail down the fjord and the Suitor and Seven Sisters Lenda

An early good morning from central Texas where it's sunny, breezy and heading into triple digits. International Kissling Day sounds interesting. I like fried chicken, but haven't had it in a long time. The air fryer chicken has not turned out as well as I'd like, but I may change the way I fix it and give it another try. I haven't used an umbrella in years, as I too prefer a hood or hat. I like the Emerson quote. Since my next door neighbor is an "old" friend of 70 or so years, we can be ourselves around each other. The meal sounds good. I like mojitos, but the peach one sounds a little too sweet. The wine sounds interesting as it's a dry Riesling. We have been to Geiranger once in 2005 on Marco Polo. Since we left the ship in one port and reboarded her in Geiranger we did not have much time in town. I hope to return someday and explore the town. @dfish Debbie, I hope the blood test finds the source of the extra calcium. @Ichiban Nekko Wow, you have been busy. I hope when it's ready, you enjoy your new home. @Crazy For Cats and @rafinmd Sorry your weather isn't better today. Roy, there is always one or two that keep everyone waiting. @StLouisCruisers Sandi, and @dfish Debbie, thanks for your great pictures. It looks like I'll be heading to Waco today. I need to exchange one thing I got last week, get a few things I forgot and try to return a couple of items. I'm not sure if they will take them back. Lenda

Safe travels and have a great time. Lenda

We had some really good news yesterday. Our credit card company sent an email that they'd received two refunds from Princess Cruises. The refunds were actually received last Friday by the CC company, but only posted last night. Our TA canceled one cruise on Thursday afternoon and the other early Friday, so that was a quick refund from Princess. The request to return the funds to our bank account is in the works, but according to the person I talked to, it will take a few days. Ray, thanks for the nice comments on my pictures. Since peach is a legitimate word, spell check didn't mark it as misspelled, and I didn't catch it when I proofread the post. Proofreading is not my strong point, and I often read what I meant, not what I wrote. Even autocorrect would not have caught this, and I don't use it because of the weird things it tries to substitute. I hope I did better proofreading this post. Lenda

We have been to Stockholm twice on BHBs. In 2003 on a 33 day roundtrip from NYC on Rotterdam IV, we stopped in Stockholm as part of the Baltic portion of the cruise. In 2016, on a Baltic cruise on Prinsendam, we spent another day exploring the city. The first time, we walked around town, and the second time we took the Ho-Ho and the water Ho-Ho to see more of the area. The pictures are from both visits. A view of the city as we sailed into port in 2016 The amusement park along the way to the dock Scenes from our walk around town in 2003. The picture of the palace is from 2016, and the changing of the guard is from 2003. In 2003, we toured the Nobel Museum which honors all the Nobel Prize winners except those who receive the Peach Prize. They are honored in a museum in Oslo. In 2003, we also went to the Vasa Museum. This is the only picture that is not a little fuzzy due to the lighting in the museum. The outside of the Vasa Museum from the water ho-ho. Another scene from the water In the same area as the Vasa Museum is the amusement park and the ABBA Museum. We really enjoyed the ABBA museum. The area from the boat dock leading to the ABBA Museum and the museum. One of ABBA's early tour "buses" One of the attractions in the amusement park. I loved how they had so many flowers in the park. I'll leave you with a picture of our home away from home in 2016, Prinsendam, docked behind a beautiful flower arrangement and a fence with a picture on it. Lenda

Good morning from sunny, breezy central Texas. It's been a while since we had an apple turnover. I never wore a bikini, but did have a two piece for several years. Now, I wouldn't even think about wearing either. I was never a work-a-holic, but some might have said that about DH when he started his company and was updating the software program. Since he enjoyed what he was doing, he never considered it work. The quote is true of some people, but I don't think it applies to the vast majority. The cookies sound good, but then I do have a sweet tooth. We'll pass on the drink and the wine. Last night, the only fireworks we saw or heard were on TV from Washington, DC, NYX, and Boston. Our gas prices dropped again the other day. The lower prices range from $4.23 to $4.28 a gallon. Since we are on a lake, the prices are slightly higher than in other areas. Last week, I paid $4.15 in Waco. The shooting in Highland Park yesterday and the other shootings are very upsetting. I saw a headline yesterday, that there had been 308 mass shootings this year. That's almost two a day. 😒 I wish we could civilly come to an agreement about assault weapons. Sadly, a social issue has become highly politized. @Heartgrove Congratulations on the second booster. My second one threw me for a loop for about 12 hours, but I consider that a small price to pay for protection. @Overhead Fred Your deck and view are lovely. Safe travels and enjoy your visit with SIL. @TiogaCruiser Just WOW on the sunflower plant. It's stunning. We have been to Stockholm twice on BHBs. I'll put my pictures in another post. Lenda

I totally agree with you about people are the same the world over. We may look different and have different customs, but basically we want the same things out of life. Watching very young children who have not been taught to hate those who are different really brings the lesson home. It always reminds me of the song from South Pacific, "You've Got To Be Carefully Taught". Children aren't born hating others, they are taught by those who hate. Maybe someday, we'll learn from the little children of the world, and look at others as people. Lenda

The fireworks ban of both sales and use has made for two peaceful nights, and tonight will be the third one. It's too bad it took a drought and dry grasses and trees fot the ban to be put in place. I wish it could be permanent, but that won't happen. The salad is made and cooling in the refrigerator. Supper will be easy. All I have to do is put the meat in the George Foreman and get the fixings ready. @ger_77 Gerry, that's a good idea using the salad as dessert. It might be good as a topping on ice cream. By the time I get all the ingredients mixed, we have more than we really need; so it makes several appearances at dinner. It is also good on cereal for breakfast. @durangoscots Susan, I like that Bandit with your help is getting Monty into the household routine. @Horizon chaser That is good news about the safari and having the 2020 payment applied to the Grand Africa cruise. @kazu i'm sorry your computer seems to have died. Hope Jose’s MAC works for you. @aliaschief Thanks for the great pictures. The trip sounds wonderful. Lenda

Terry, that salad is not only heathy, it is refreshing on a hot day. It can be made with other fruit depending on the season. When I use apples, I omit the Jell-O and add an orange since the juice keeps the apples and other fruit fresh. I hope everyone enjoys it. Lenda

🇺🇸 HAPPY 4th OF JULY! 🇺🇸 Good morning from central Texas. I hope everyone has a great day. Although we'll be having hamburgers today, it will be too hot to cook them on the grill. While we're not huge country music fans, we agree it usually has a nice rhythm, and you can understand the words. It can get hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk, but I've never done that. Another interesting quote from Oscar Wilde, but I don't agree with the first part. We'll pass on the meal, drink and win. Along with our hamburgers, we'll have what I call red, white and blue salad and ice cream. The salad is a fruit salad with strawberries, blueberries and bananas. To help keep the fruit, especially the bananas, fresh for a few days, a small package of sugar free strawberry Jell-O is mixed in with the fruit. We have not been to Geraldton, Australia. @Cat in my lap Safe travels, and I hope the connection in Philadelphia goes smoothly. 🥂 BON VOYAGE 🍾 Have a great cruise. @kazu Hope today is better than yesterday. @StLouisCruisers Sandi, it sounds like your DD and her friend are have a great cruise. Lenda

The last time we flew to Europe in 2019, we were on Delta with had a very tight connection in Atanta going from Terninal B to the international terninal. We were lucky our plane was on time, and we had enough time to get to our gate. We had the Delta app on our phones, so it was a relief when we got the message that our bags were also on board. Before we left, we tried to change to the earlier flight to Atlanta. Flight Ease said their guidelines said we had plenty of time -- 50-55 minutes. Beacause of Flight Ease, Delta couldn't or wouldn't change our reservation. We learned it pays to check available flights and request the ones we want. @Cruising-along My parents had a squirrel build a nest in the dryer vent hose. Talk about a fire hazard. DH got it cleaned out before any damage was done. Lenda

I made it to the store and back before it got hot, but not before there were lines at the checkout. I guess others had the same idea I did. I'll get the watermelon cut up and in the refrigerator, then spend the rest of the day relaxing with book. @ger_77 Gerry, sounds like everone is having a great time. @ottahand7 Sorry about the waterheater. It seems like the go out on weekends, especially holiday weekends. @dfish IIRC, when we had an itinerary change this spring and the website and Navigator disagreed, the wbsite was correct. @Vict0riann Ann, I glad you, Pat and the bags all made it to Gander safely, even if it was at 0 dark 30.. Hope Pat can get his prescription refilled. @Cruising-along You might want to check under the hood and under the car. Squirrels will make a nest in the engine, and they can gnaw on the wires. I hope this is not the case. He might have a nest someplace else in the garage. @mamaofami Carol, that is good news that Sam is feeling well. @TiogaCruiser Thank you for your great pictures. The Grand Canyon never ceases to amaze. Lenda

Good morning from central Texas where it will be hot again. Yesterday's high was predicted to be 96F, but the forecast was a bit off. Our thermometer read 100F in the late afternoon. We'll be between 100F and 105F f9rmthe foreseeable future. I'm going to make an early grocery run, and then stay inside the rest of the day. After seeing the crowd in the store Friday afternoon when I picked up a prescription, I figured they needed a day to restock the shelves. An interesting collection of days. We don't need a scarecrow here. I'll compliment my mirror when it compliments me. Disobedience Day is not to meant be an obervation of social or civil disobedience, but a day to learn about social and civil disobedience and the reasons for using it. Today's quote is interesting. We'll pass on the drink, wine and the meal. We like fried rice, but I haven't made made it. I loved the crab fried rice in the Tamarind. We have not been to today's port. @HAL Sailer I enjoyed the story about the loan for Barry Gordy. @Seasick Sailor Joy, have a safe trip. I know you both will enjoy Maui. Thank you to all who have posted such good memes today. Lenda

Good to know you and yor luggage arrived safely and together. Great pictures. Enjoy your family and the beach. Lenda

Glad you enjoyed a good trip, and that you made it home safely. I bought some there years ago and still have part of one bar I'm using now. Will have to get more next time we're in Juneau. Good that your GF's DH is home. Hope he passes the stone soon. Lenda

Thanks, Susan. I looked at shelters near our small town. Google said there were three here, but when I dug deeper the Humane Society website was not showing anything. I never found the third one, and the second was was a cat rescue in a house on a back road near us. After seeing the picture, I wouldn't take a dead cat there. They may do good work, but the house and grounds did not look well kept. I'll check for some in other towns including Waco. Lenda

Thanks for the answer. I hadn't thought about sheets, but we just replaced ours, so I have two sets. Lenda

Susan, I have a question about animal shelters that you might be able to answer. We have some very old, but still useable towels of various sizes that I hate to throw away, but the thrift store probably wouldn't want. Is it possible an animal shelter could use the towels for drying cats (?) and dogs after their bath? Lenda