rafinmd

Thank you for all the thoughts on the sodium. I think I will likely resist all attempts to treat it, something I may have partially brought on to myself. I have watched my diet many years to control my diabetes but really concentrated on carbs, fiber, fat and total calories. I never really looked at sodium but was encouraged to do so as part of my cardiac rehab so I have been trying especially hard to minimize it for about the last 8 months. The "reference range" is 135-146 and I think this time it was about 129, actually up a bit from 126 in December. I think the Doctor was concerned that he did not want a precipitous drop and I don't think that's the case, and it may actually be in my best interests for heart health to stay on the low side. Roy

Yesterday was my 6-month followup with my primary Doctor. I got a bit of a surprise that he is a bit concerned that my blood sodium level is lower than normal. I would have thought that would be a good thing but he is a bit concerned and ordered an extra lab test that I'll take care of today. Roy

The (former) Maasdam has been tied up right side to side with the Veendam for about 18 months without moving. Yesterday, Veendam pulled away from that position long enough to allow Maasdam to move to another dock less than a mile away with Veendam pulling back into Maasdam's former position. No official change in registration yet but AIS is showing a new name of Renaissance for the Maasdam. Roy

Thank you for the Tuesday Report, Rich, and Happy Birthday Ann. A very nice group of days and I like the Longfellow quote. I've been to Nuku'alofa twice, 2011 on Crystal Serenity and 2018 on Crystal Symphony. The meal sounds nice. My alternative is Lebanese Lamb Shank and Baked Alaska as served on MS Veendam August 23, 2013. Today’s care list: HAL Sailer Sister in Law with metasticizing mole ger_77 losing cruising friend Melanie Tana with persistent problems although somewhat better Fluff healing from surgery ger_77 and DH with covid fatigue The locks at Ijmuiden(Rotterdam diverted to at least 9/11) From the rotation: Heartgrove brother discharged but in hospice care Atrex6 Father severely declining Strength and healing (physical and emotional) for Kazu Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney Celebrations and Shoutouts: Happy Birthday Vict0riannSafety and a new loving home for Shadow Volendam caring for refugees ger_77 starting to feel like herself New owner for Maasdam Norseh20 helping DM find assisted living 6 days for Oceansaway17 (Quantum OTS 8/29 to 9/5) 5 days for Vax1700 (Rotterdam 8/28 to 9/11) Mtn2sea and kplady (Nieuw Statendam to 8/27), Aliaschief (Rotterdam to 8/28), Av8rix (Zuiderdam to 8/31) and Gail&Marty (Rotterdam to 10/15) at sea Staff Captain Sabine - Our first female Staff Captain and HAL’s likely first female Captain(I know this is a repeat but she’s worth it) Roy

For about 18 months Maasdam and Veendam have been together in Aigio with Massdam docked and Veendam "rafted", tied alongside Maasdam. This morning, Maasdam is at another dock less than a mile away, with Veendam alongside the dock where Maasdam had been. No official change of registration yet but AIS is showing a new name of Renaissance. Roy

If you do wish to rent a car it appears to be possible but you would want to start the process early. An Expedia test search indicated a price of $300 to $400 per day with Avis. Roy

Stay safe, Keith. In 2010 I was one of the very last passengers to leave a Cruise West ship before the line went our of business. I got to the ship by train and ferry. On August 22, 2010, the sun went down up as the Canadian was in Western Ontario on the way to Winnipeg. Roy

In 2010 I was one of the very last passengers to leave a Cruise West ship before the line went our of business. I got to the ship by train and ferry. On August 22, 2010, the sun went down up as the Canadian was in Western Ontario on the way to Winnipeg. Roy

Thank you for the Monday report, Rich. An interesting collection of days. I love the quote. It looks like I've been to Cartagena just once, 2017 on the Elegant Explorer. I think I'll pass on the Posole. My alternative is Chilled Apple Vichyssoise, Orange-Ginger Pork, and Tiramisu as served on MS Veendam August 22, 2013. Today’s care list: HAL Sailer Sister in Law with metasticizing mole ger_77 losing cruising friend Melanie Tana with persistent problems although somewhat better Fluff healing from surgery ger_77 and DH with covid fatigue The locks at Ijmuiden(Rotterdam diverted to at least 9/11) From the rotation: Strength and healing (physical and emotional) for Kazu Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney Status of St. Louis Sal (7/1), msmayor (5/20) and JAM37 (7/7) Heartgrove’s Sam severely declining Celebrations and Shoutouts: Happy Birthday Superoma DH Happy Anniversary Graham and Pauline Safety and a new loving home for Shadow Volendam caring for refugees ger_77's prescious “almost daughter” New owner for Maasdam Norseh20 helping DM find assisted living Tana starting t feel herself 7 days for Oceansaway17 (Quantum OTS 8/28 to 9/5) 6 days for Vax1700 (Rotterdam 8/28 to 9/11) Welcome Copper10_8 to Montreal. Mtn2sea and kplady (Nieuw Statendam to 8/27), Aliaschief (Rotterdam to 8/28), Av8rix (Zuiderdam to 8/31) and Gail&Marty (Rotterdam to 10/15) at sea Staff Captain Sabine - Our first female Staff Captain and HAL’s likely first female Captain(I know this is a repeat but she’s worth it) Roy

@kb4683 This is (was) the entrance to Durgin-Park, a very iconic steak house on the upper level Quincy Market. It was renowned for taking no reservations, attentive but no nonsense waitresses who would remember a customer almost forever, and huge cuts of steak. We had the celebration dinner there for Roger's 1962 graduation from Harvard, and I returned a couple of subsequent times for lunch. It was under the same management from 1827 to 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durgin-Park Roy

Today's sunrise is quite subdued. It's from MS Veendam August 21, 2013. That day we were in Sydney, NS, and all there was was an orange ribbon right at the horizon. Roy

Today's sunrise is quite subdued. It's from MS Veendam August 21, 2013. That day we were in Sydney, NS, and all there was was an orange ribbon right at the horizon. Roy

Thank you Rich for the Sunday report and Graham for the latest word from Father David. I like all 3 of today's days but am a bit confused by the quote, Boston is a great city; embarked MS Veendam there twice and spent a month there at a Northeastern University seminar as well as many other visits. Noted earlier this morning that MS Oosterdam in Trieste is just a stone's throw from my beloved Crystal Symphony and Serenity. Not into spicy so I'll pass on the meal. My alternative is Chilled Blueberry Soup and Grilled Strip Loin as served on MS Veendam August 21, 2013. Today’s care list: HAL Sailer Sister in Law with metasticizing mole Tana with persistent problems although somewhat better Fluff healing from surgery Atrex6 Father severely declining ger_77 and DH with covid fatigue The locks at Ijmuiden(Rotterdam diverted to at least 9/11) From the rotation: Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney Status of St. Louis Sal (7/1), msmayor (5/20) and JAM37 (7/7) Heartgrove’s Sam severely declining Heartgrove brother discharged but in hospice care Celebrations and Shoutouts: Welcome Skicruiser55 51st anniversary of cruisin single’s wedding Safety and a new loving home for Shadow Volendam caring for refugees ger_77's prescious “almost daughter” New fur baby for Crazy for cats sister Norseh20 helping DM find assisted living Superoma DH attaining next age Tana starting t feel herself 7 days for Vax1700 (Rotterdam 8/28 to 9/11) Welcome Copper10_8 to Montreal. Mtn2sea and kplady (Nieuw Statendam to 8/27), Aliaschief (Rotterdam to 8/28), Av8rix (Zuiderdam to 8/31) and Gail&Marty (Rotterdam to 10/15) at sea Staff Captain Sabine - Our first female Staff Captain and HAL’s likely first female Captain(I know this is a repeat but she’s worth it) Roy

@Overhead Fred, this photo of yours is a real classic: That whole area has been demolished and will be replaced by a new cruise terminal which I think is designed primarily for ships homeporting in Nassau. I'm adding a couple of photos of somewhat off the beaten path places that I have enjoyed in Nassau. The first is the Public Library which was a favorite of mine in the days when internet was purchased by the minute. The library had very fast wifi; it was not free but you could buy a pass for the day for about 2 hours and get a LOT done in a short time. The library was originally the town jail with about 8 cells arranged in a circle around a small central core. The cells are not really changed but the gates are now gone and the bunks are replaced by tables and bookshelves. You kind of needed to clear out a space for your laptop but once done the service was great: The other is the Queens Staircase, a series of 66 steps leading up to Fort Fincastle, the highest point on the island. It was carved out of the rock by slave labor in 1793-4. It was later named in honor of Queen Victoria who was instrumental in freeing the slaves. Roy

I have a sunset rather than a sunrise today. It's from a 2017 Blount New England Islands cruise. On August 20 Grande Caribe visited Block Island, Rhode Island: Roy

I have a sunset rather than a sunrise today. It's from a 2017 Blount New England Islands cruise. On August 20 Grande Caribe visited Block Island, Rhode Island: Roy

One ship we have both sailed as Enchantment is currently home ported in Baltimore. Where did you board Enchantment? Roy

Thank you for the Saturday report, Rich. Honey Bees are both vital and endangered. Radio still plays a vital day in our lives; I hope Mosquito day is for control and not for celebration. Nassau is a very popular port and was actually my very first port on a conventional cruise ship (Carnival Fantasy, 1993) but I don't think HAL goes there very often. I find the Marilyn Monroe quote quite sad. I think I'll pass on the meal. My alternative is Oven Roasted Rack of Lamb as served on MS Veendam August 20, 2013. Today’s care list: RIP Cruisin Terri’s neighbor Tana with persistent problems although somewhat better Fluff healing from surgery Atrex6 Father severely declining ger_77 and DH with covid fatigue The locks at Ijmuiden(Rotterdam diverted to at least 9/11) From the rotation: Status of St. Louis Sal (7/1), msmayor (5/20) and JAM37 (7/7) Heartgrove’s Sam severely declining Heartgrove brother discharged but in hospice care Strength and healing (physical and emotional) for Kazu Celebrations and Shoutouts: Safety and a new loving home for Shadow Volendam caring for refugees ger_77's prescious “almost daughter” New fur baby for Crazy for cats sister Norseh20 helping DM find assisted living Welcome home SharoninAZ New booking for Vict0riann 9/11 Tana starting t feel herself Welcome Copper10_8 to Montreal. Mtn2sea and kplady (Nieuw Statendam to 8/27), Aliaschief (Rotterdam to 8/28), Av8rix (Zuiderdam to 8/31) and Gail&Marty (Rotterdam to 10/15) at sea Staff Captain Sabine - Our first female Staff Captain and HAL’s likely first female Captain(I know this is a repeat but she’s worth it) Roy

Really commercial aviation but I have only rarely been in small planes. Roy

Fantastic news from @kazu. And Liz should be nominated for sainthood. Hope the new fosters will do right by her but I expect one very sad good-bye when the final transfer occurs. Roy

Today's sunrise is from August 19, 2014 on MS Statendam. On that day we visited Glacier Bay: Roy

Today's sunrise is from August 19, 2014 on MS Statendam. On that day we visited Glacier Bay: Roy

Thank you for the TGIF report, Rich. I love all 3 days although I do not like to fly. I love the Sparks quote as well but have not been to Croatia. Since I don't eat seafood I'll pass on the meal. My alternative is (appropriate for National Potato Day) is Dive-In fries which was part of my lunch on MS Statendam August 19, 2014 while we were in Glacier Bay. I've made a pot of decaf and finished half my morning walk so I'm taking a bit of time to relax. Today’s care list: Strength and healing (physical and emotional) for Kazu RIP Cruisin Terri’s neighbor Shadow missing Tana with persistent problems although somewhat better Fluff healing from surgery ger_77, DH, and DS with covid fatigue The locks at Ijmuiden(Rotterdam diverted to at least 9/11) From the rotation: Status of St. Louis Sal (7/1), msmayor (5/20) and JAM37 (7/7) Heartgrove’s Sam severely declining Heartgrove brother discharged but in hospice care Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney Celebrations and Shoutouts: Volendam caring for refugees Happy 75 and new car for 1Angelcat brother Heartgrove meeting his grand daughter ger_77's prescious “almost daughter” New fur baby for Crazy for cats sister ottahand7 successful self care Tana starting t feel herself Copper10_8 (Zaandam to 8/20) , Mtn2sea and kplady (Nieuw Statendam to 8/27), Aliaschief (Rotterdam to 8/28), Av8rix (Zuiderdam to 8/31) and Gail&Marty (Rotterdam to 10/15) at sea Staff Captain Sabine - Our first female Staff Captain and HAL’s likely first female Captain(I know this is a repeat but she’s worth it) Roy

I visited Noumea February 12, 2018 on the Crystal Serenity. I had 2 tours that day a morning helicopter tour and an afternoon "tour train". I'll start with a birds eye view of the town: A fortress: . Many of the tourist facilities are villas right on the water: The "Train": and the highest point in the island, Ouemo battery: Roy

Today's sunrise is from my 2014 Alaska trip; August 18 was the first sea day on the way from Seward to Glacier Bay. Roy