The Daily for Sunday 05/15/2022

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

This what I posted on September 14, 2021, about our visits to Taormina.

 

We have been to Taormina twice on BHBs.  In October 2017, the Prinsendam docked in Messina, and we took the transfer to Taormina.  In August 2019, the Veendam tendered at Naxos just down the coast, and we took a local bus to Taormina.  I  hope I'm not duplicating too many of @StLouisCruisers Sandi's pictures.

 

The first two pictures were taken from the top of the parking garage where the bus dropped us off in 2017.  The top one is the road from the coast up to Taormina, and the second is Mt. Etna.

 

The next ones were taken in 2017 as we walked around the walled part of the city.

 

The next pictures are from our 2019 visit, where we started from the other end of town.  The first is the remnants of the city gate. 

 

The street leading to the ancient Greek theater and a view of the ocean

 

A few pictures of the Greek theater which is still used for concerts and other events.

 

Both times, we stopped at here for gelato, and the view.

 

The town outside the old city gate

 

Lenda

 

[mamaofami]

Good morning everyone. It rained  so much yesterday but it’s going to be 80 degrees today and our friends are coming to visit on our patio. It’s going to be warmer here than in parts of southern Florida.

@rowsby, what a great idea for a vacation to rest and relax. Haven’t been to Hawaii and probably won’t ever get there.

Prayers for so many on our care list.

Stay safe everyone,

Carol

[marshhawk]

@Rowsby I too think your trip sounds like a great idea.  I hope you have a wonderful time (and stay in touch).

 

Great photos from everyone today.  

 

@grapau27 Thank you for your recent food "porn" pictures...and glad that you are enjoying another cruise.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for the info.

[0106]

The Super Flower Blood Moon lunar eclipse of 2022 occurs tonight.

 

(I did not take this beautiful picture.  I found it when I was researching tonight’s eclipse.)

 

@ger_77My gerbera daisies bloom all summer.

[marshhawk]

@0106 It's still a great picture.  Full east coast time of complete eclipse will be 12:11 a.m.

 

I used pictures in my review, but took none of them.  They are all from the sites.  The pictures my BFF sent me to use, will not let me copy.  and they have disappeared from the email.

[travelingbums]

Thank you everyone for sharing and caring.😀

 

In the process of buying/selling home....crazy. Now packing.

 

Prayers and hopes for many.

[smitty34877]

 

Many years ago I worked in a Bronx hospital and found the Original White Castle on Fordham Road.The smells would entice me when I was stopped at the very long light on the corner.I had never had them but my brothers went to school near there and were crazy about them.I brought some home to my own family and often got phone calls prior to leaving work that more were needed!

We have been to the port and got to Taomarina on a Sunday.Crowds were less and it was fun walking around.Sandi's pictures @StLouisCruisers, do it justice.Thank you Sandi and Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser for always taking us places.

I am always aware of the sacrifices and

danger police officers are in daily.We have 2 NYC  officers in the family  now. 

Take care everyone 

Terry

[kazu]

2 hours ago, Crazy For Cats said:

 Yesterday’s trip to the garden center seemed more expensive than past years and DH wants a few more plants for the deck.

 

Seemed?  things are much more expensive here this year.  Big jump - a 6 pack of small annuals which was $9 last year (and cheaper the year before) is now $12 here.  OUCH.  Pretty much everything is substantially pricier 😔 

 

1 hour ago, ger_77 said:

 A question for @kazu, or our other gardening experts:  if you purchase blooming calla lily plants, do they continue to bloom throughout the year or are they one and done?   Does the same apply to gerbera daisies?

 

Gerry, callas bloom for nearly a month - depending on your temperature, light, etc.  You can get them to rebloom if you move them to a cool dark space and bring them back 2 months later.  I don’t do that as mine are all intermingled in pots.  BUT I do save the bulbs every year so once bought, you don’t need to buy more (unless you want to).  Callas are not annuals as long as you are willing to dig them up, dry and store them.  They will bloom year after year for many years.

 

Gerberas bloom all season as long as you dead head them.  Gerberas are true annuals with our cold temperatures in late fall and winter.

[Cruising-along]

Good morning all!

We love chocolate chips, and always have a bag in the pantry for making cookies for the DGSs.  I can take or leave sliders, and sadly there seems to have been too many police officer memorials lately. 😞  

 

Will pass on the wine and meal, the drink sounds good but only on very rare occasions.  The fajitas last night were outstanding, DH said that recipe is a keeper.  Tonight I plan to make chicken pot pie with the second half of the rotisserie chicken -- if I have the energy.  

 

Very sore arm post 4th jab yesterday.  That and a bad headache during the night kept me awake more than I'd like.  This morning just a sore arm and very tired, but that's to be expected after very little sleep.

 

We were in Taormina on October 27, 2019.  We took the transfer from the port Catania and wandered around on our own.  We walked through town and up the hill to the Greco Roman Theater and thoroughly enjoyed the day.  I would love to get back there again.

 

@RowsbySue what a wonderful idea to spend time at the condo in Waikiki!  You certainly deserve some "you" time.

@SusieKIslandGirlI'm so sorry to hear that you and your DGD both have Covid.  I hope they're mild cases and you feel better soon.

@Vict0riannAnn very sorry to hear that your DBIL and DSIL have Covid in Australia.

@lindalergreat news about your move closer to family in Mobile.  Best of luck in selling your home in Oregon -- at least the market is hot right now!

 

Here are some photos of our day in Taormina.  

 

I call these flower pots "pot heads" and thought they were funny.

 

As in all the Med, I love the flowers.

 

Lovely flowers and building on our walk through town.

 

We spent most of the afternoon here at the Greco Roman Theater

 

 

 

Our reward of gelato at the end of a long walk

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Himself]

Thanks for the update

[grapau27]

3 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Good morning friends!  It's going to be an iffy day here, sometimes sun and sometimes clouds with a chance of rain.  I think we will try to get a few groceries this morning while the store is quiet, and before the after church people come flooding in.  We're trying to avoid people as much as possible right now.  I'm happy to hear Sue @Rowsbyhas made the decision to spend a month in Hawaii to relax and unwind.  Also great to hear Linda @lindalerhas decided to move near family and enjoy them as much as possible.  You'll be glad you did it, Linda.

 

Thanks Rich for the Daily along with the days and places to celebrate.  Love Chocolate Chip cookies, can take or leave sliders, and especially appreciate police officers.  Those who give their lives for the public are so selfless.  I can do without the chole bhature.  Taormina is a beautiful spot to visit, and have only been there once due to cancellations.  It was last listed here as port of the day on September 14, 2021.

 

Thank you Roy for the Care and Celebration lists.  First, my condolences to the families and friends of those shot down in the Buffalo grocery store yesterday.  Senseless shooting!  They need to throw the book at that idiot.  I just wish someone had seen the signs and stopped him before it was too late.  Prayers too for the Ukraine people and helpers.  I hear now Poland is being threatened.  🙄  Prayers, too for the Care list and all who have lost their loved ones recently, especially Jacqui @kazuand Ann @cat shepard.   A shout out to all on the Celebration list.  Enjoy your happy times!🥂

 

Here is what I posted on Sept. 14, 2021 about Taormina, Italy.

 

I checked my Cruising Profile and it said we had been to Taormina on the Prinsendam Holy Land cruise we took in Oct. 2014.  But when I looked at my Shutterfly book of that cruise it turns out we were unable to go there and they substituted Messina instead.  Knowing I'd seen Taormina on a tour once I was able to determine we'd been there in October 2016 on Emerald Princess.  The port was Messina and the tour was to Mt. Etna and Taormina. 

 

October 5, 2016 on our tour of Taormina.  It's a charming town and very scenic but can be a problem to negotiate when crowds are large.  It would be nice here off season, whenever that is!

 

 

 

The Duomo and the funky fountain in front of it.  

 

A small walkway.  I love those lanterns hanging from the building.

 

A shopper's delight...

 

A dining/drinking delight...

 

 

 

The view from an overlook

 

A closer look at that ship in case you'd like to identify it...might be a Windstar

 

 

The Church of St. Joseph (or the Chiesa San Giuseppe)

 

In front of the church

 

Lots of people!

 

Enough for today.  

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

This what I posted on September 14, 2021, about our visits to Taormina.

 

We have been to Taormina twice on BHBs.  In October 2017, the Prinsendam docked in Messina, and we took the transfer to Taormina.  In August 2019, the Veendam tendered at Naxos just down the coast, and we took a local bus to Taormina.  I  hope I'm not duplicating too many of @StLouisCruisers Sandi's pictures.

 

The first two pictures were taken from the top of the parking garage where the bus dropped us off in 2017.  The top one is the road from the coast up to Taormina, and the second is Mt. Etna.

 

The next ones were taken in 2017 as we walked around the walled part of the city.

 

The next pictures are from our 2019 visit, where we started from the other end of town.  The first is the remnants of the city gate. 

 

The street leading to the ancient Greek theater and a view of the ocean

 

A few pictures of the Greek theater which is still used for concerts and other events.

 

Both times, we stopped at here for gelato, and the view.

 

The town outside the old city gate

 

Lenda

 

Fantastic photos Sandi and Lenda.

We walked around Messina in 2003 but looking at both your photos next time we go to Sicily we will go up to the town of Taormina.

 

Edited May 15, 2022 by grapau27

[StLouisCruisers]

2 hours ago, smitty34877 said:

 

Many years ago I worked in a Bronx hospital and found the Original White Castle on Fordham Road.The smells would entice me when I was stopped at the very long light on the corner.I had never had them but my brothers went to school near there and were crazy about them.I brought some home to my own family and often got phone calls prior to leaving work that more were needed!

We have been to the port and got to Taomarina on a Sunday.Crowds were less and it was fun walking around.Sandi's pictures @StLouisCruisers, do it justice.Thank you Sandi and Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser for always taking us places.

I am always aware of the sacrifices and

danger police officers are in daily.We have 2 NYC  officers in the family  now. 

Take care everyone 

Terry

 

Terry, please tell your family police officers thank you for their service to the people of NY.  It's a tough job and they deserve our support.  I have a half-brother (Dad's first marriage) who was a police officer in the city of St. Louis.  One time while off duty he was sitting at a stop light and saw a man beating a woman on the sidewalk.  He jumped out of his car and ran over to help her, the man grabbed my brother's revolver out of the holster and shot him in the jaw.  He survived the incident but had to retire on disability because of it.  

 

I'm glad you enjoyed the photos.  I agree it's a beautiful spot!  I will be gone on my soon-to-be cruise for 35 days so Lenda will have to handle the posting of port photos without me. And of course everyone else will post their photos, too.   Lenda @Quartzsite CruiserI hope you have an easy way to search for past posting dates on the port of the day.  If you do, and want to copy and paste my photos while I'm gone, feel free to do that.  I'll be leaving May 25 and fly back from Southampton June 29.  I'll have to go back and document all the port destinations while I'm gone and update my spreadsheet.  That should keep me busy for quite some time!

[grapau27]

We were in this observation pod on Anthem of the seas 300 feet above sea level.

We were in for 15 minutes.

Edited May 15, 2022 by grapau27

[aliaschief]

For many of you it’s good afternoon but at 6:30 AM I’m inclined to say good morning! Yesterday at the farmers market we bought 2 lbs of Kauai Deep Water Shrimp. They were huge and so tasty. We made a New Orleans BBQ shrimp dish and it was divine.

 

Today it’s back to the lounges and sunning, loafing and reading. Throw in a swim and hot tub and it will be another perfect day.

 

Though our 30th Anniversary is tomorrow we are celebrating today as our restaurant choice is closed on Monday’s. So Blessed to have each other!❤️
 

Thanks for the report and post. Prayers for our fallen heroes and their families.

Edited May 15, 2022 by aliaschief

[smitty34877]

6 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

We were in this observation pod on Anthem of the seas.

Yikes!I  think  you are both very brave.

[grapau27]

15 minutes ago, aliaschief said:

For many of you it’s good afternoon but at 6:30 AM I’m inclined to say good morning! Yesterday at the farmers market we bought 2 lbs of Kauai Deep Water Shrimp. They were huge and so tasty. We made a New Orleans BBQ shrimp dish and it was divine.

 

Today it’s back to the lounges and sunning, loafing and reading. Throw in a swim and hot tub and it will be another perfect day.

 

Though our 30th Anniversary is tomorrow we are celebrating today as our restaurant choice is closed on Monday’s. So Blessed to have each other!❤️
 

Thanks for the report and post. Prayers for our fallen heroes and their families.

Happy 30th anniversary tomorrow.

[grapau27]

31 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

 

Terry, please tell your family police officers thank you for their service to the people of NY.  It's a tough job and they deserve our support.  I have a half-brother (Dad's first marriage) who was a police officer in the city of St. Louis.  One time while off duty he was sitting at a stop light and saw a man beating a woman on the sidewalk.  He jumped out of his car and ran over to help her, the man grabbed my brother's revolver out of the holster and shot him in the jaw.  He survived the incident but had to retire on disability because of it.  

 

I'm glad you enjoyed the photos.  I agree it's a beautiful spot!  I will be gone on my soon-to-be cruise for 35 days so Lenda will have to handle the posting of port photos without me. And of course everyone else will post their photos, too.   Lenda @Quartzsite CruiserI hope you have an easy way to search for past posting dates on the port of the day.  If you do, and want to copy and paste my photos while I'm gone, feel free to do that.  I'll be leaving May 25 and fly back from Southampton June 29.  I'll have to go back and document all the port destinations while I'm gone and update my spreadsheet.  That should keep me busy for quite some time!

I'm so sorry to hear what happened to your half brother Sandi.

Your police officers are very brave.

[StLouisCruisers]

1 hour ago, grapau27 said:

 

Fantastic photos Sandi and Lenda.

We walked around Messina in 2003 but looking at both your photos next time we go to Sicily we will go up to the town of Taormina.

 

 

Thanks Graham!  You have to go to Taormina.  Besides the scenery there's the shopping.  😁  Did you notice yesterday I renamed your ship The MALL?  I figured it was a cruise but I saw you two were enjoying the shopping there.  It's nice you can get away to enjoy yourselves so often.  It's good for a person's mental health.

[StLouisCruisers]

3 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

I'm so sorry to hear what happened to your half brother Sandi.

Your police officers are very brave.

 

Thank you Graham.  Let me put this delicately - The woman involved was a "working girl" and the man was her "boss" and he was beating her because she wasn't making him enough money.  I do hope that woman got out of the business after that and is living a much happier life now.🙏

[grapau27]

3 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

 

Thanks Graham!  You have to go to Taormina.  Besides the scenery there's the shopping.  😁  Did you notice yesterday I renamed your ship The MALL?  I figured it was a cruise but I saw you two were enjoying the shopping there.  It's nice you can get away to enjoy yourselves so often.  It's good for a person's mental health.

Thank you Sandi.

We were at Le Havre.

[StLouisCruisers]

Just now, grapau27 said:

Thank you Sandi.

We were at Le Havre.

 

Wonderful photos!  I would be a little unnerved at being in the observation pod for 15 minutes though.  Relaxing in the shade with a cool beverage (wine) sounds more like it.

[grapau27]

1 minute ago, StLouisCruisers said:

 

Wonderful photos!  I would be a little unnerved at being in the observation pod for 15 minutes though.  Relaxing in the shade with a cool beverage (wine) sounds more like it.

Thank you Sandi.

It was an amazing experience with amazing views but I was a little relieved when we came back down.

Graham.

[Mr. Boston]

Was able to make it to the Black Falcon Pier and see the Zandaam docked.  Slowly things are getting back to normal.

[JazzyV]

Good afternoon. Thanks for the Daily.

Yes to chocolate chips and sliders. A salute to all the police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. I like the quote.

I like the meal (Love Indian food) and Irish coffee drink. Maybe on the wine; I usually like deeper reds.

I've not been to Taormina. Thanks for the pictures @StLouisCruisers @Quartzsite Cruiser@Cruising-along

 

After some rain and thunder yesterday, another sunny, warm (80F) and humid day today. I set my cacti out, as well as a couple of tomato plants to get used to the sun. Other than that, I'm staying inside. So sad about the senseless shootings in Buffalo.

 

@AncientWanderer Welcome home!

@rafinmd Congrats on the Actuary anniversary!

@lindaler What exciting news. Enjoy your new home in Mobile, once you get all settled. Lots to do in the meantime.

@Vict0riann Sorry to hear that Pat's sister and DBIL have Covid. Hopefully mild cases.

@Cruzin Terri Welcome home. Getting back to real life can be tough. Sorry about the tooth and good that you can see the dentist tomorrow.

@Rowsby Good for you for treating yourself to time in Hawaii.

@kazu It sounds like you got a lot done in the garden.

@grapau27 You were brave to go on the North Star on AOTS.

@NextOne Sounds like a good trip.

@ger_77 When I was mowing the other day, it was like it was snowing with all the catkins flying through the air and all over the yard.

@marshhawk Thanks for the review of your vacation. 

@travelingbums Good luck with the buying/selling of homes!

@aliaschief HAPPY ANNIVERSARY tomorrow!

 

Prayers for the Care List, Ukraine and its people and helpers, and the community of Buffalo.

Cheers for the Celebration List.

Stay safe everyone and wear your mask if needed.