The Fleet Report and Daily for Thursday November 17th, 2022

[richwmn]

 

Today is Great American Smokeout, International Students Day, and National Baklava Day
 

I don't want to go to heaven. None of my friends are there.--Oscar Wilde

Meal Suggestion for today - Roasted Squash Panzanella
Drink of the Day - Nectarita
Wine of the Day - Château Malartic-Lagravière 2018 Pessac-Léognan Bordeaux
Destination of the Day - Nathon (Koh Samui), Thailand
 

Eurodam

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica 06:30 - 16:00
 

Koningsdam

At Sea Destination San Diego, California eta 11/19
 

Nieuw Amsterdam

St Thomas Island USVI, Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands 08:00 - 16:00
 

Nieuw Statendam

At Sea Destination Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Florida eta 11/19
 

Oosterdam

At Sea Destination Miami, Florida eta 11/19
 

Rotterdam

St Thomas Island USVI, Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands 08:00 - 17:00
 

Volendam

At Sea Destination Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Florida eta 11/19
 

Zaandam

At Sea Destination Maputo, Mozambique eta 11/19
 

Zuiderdam

San Diego, California 07:00 - 16:00

Eastern Hemisphere
 

Noordam

At Sea Destination Pulau Komodo Island, East Nusa Tenggara Indonesi eta 11/22
 

Westerdam

Tauranga, Rotorua, New Zealand 08:00 - 19:00
 

 

 

[portofrome]

Thank you for the Fleet Report.

[seagarsmoker]

Thanks for the Daily Report and I hope everyone has a great day!

[cunnorl]

Good Morning from  the Noordam.

   It is Thursday night here. 
our itinerary changed yet again. The Noordam left Papau New Guinea today and headed to Conflict Island tomorrow. 
Sunday we will be in Cairns. Really hard to keep up! DD can’t get off tomorrow because it is a floating dock and they just told me that the gangway in Cairns is not accessible so can’t get off there either. Very frustrating but that’s life. 
       Hope everyone is doing ok .

stay safe and enjoy today

  charlene

[Mr. Boston]

Good morning everyone.  Thanks for the daily report.  Good luck to everyone participating in Smokeout Day.  International students bring goodwill and teach us about other cultures.  Baklava, I don’t mind if I do!  Not sure that I agree with Wilde’s quote today as my friends are all angels 😇😅.  I’ll have to wait for the recipes before I make a decision on the squash. I look forward to seeing the photos of today’s port as I have not been there. Prayers for everyone on our prayer list.  Cheers to everyone celebrating happy events today!

[puppycanducruise]

Good morning.  Thanks for the Daily and Fleet Report.

 

Another cold snowy day for us.  We've got a snow squall watch.  Ugh.

 

Interesting days.  My hubby and I have never smoked (anything).  International students are important.  Baklava sounds great, yes please.

An amusing quote.

The meal sounds interesting, I like squash.  Looking forward to seeing the recipe.

I hope the drink isn't too sweet and the wine isn't too expensive.

I've never been to today's port.

 

Prayers for everyone.  I hope there are lots of celebrations, no matter how small.

 

Have a wonderful Thursday.

Stay safe.

[grapau27]

Good afternoon.

It has been raining heavily here for 12 hours.

Thank you for today's daily reports.

Plenty of good days today.

As Christians and church goers we want to go to heaven.

Today's food and drink does not appeal to me.

Good wishes for everyone to be in good health.

Best wishes to all who are cruising or due to cruise shortly.

Graham.

 

 

 

[MISTER 67]

Good morning from beautiful Southwest Florida.

Woke up to cool morning as we had a front move in, 56 right now with a high of only 72, brrrrr. Back to the 80s on Sunday but then another cool front on Monday.

Funny quote. 

Being of Greek ancestry, Baklava is a huge favorite of mine.

Pass on the food and drink.

My finger tip and nail are getting better by the day. Itching to get back on the golf course but doctors orders say no until I see him on Nov. 28.

Thanks for The Daily, everyone stay well and have a great day.

 

Edited November 17, 2022 by MISTER 67

[summer slope]

Good morning.  House sitter delayed by traffic on I 4.  Imagine that.  Stayed at a hotel and will arrive today.  It's cold here, 54, but not as bad as Buffalo is expecting.  4' of snow!!

 

Nectarita cocktail:

 

Ingredients
1 part DeKuyper® Peachtree® Schnapps Liqueur
1 part DeKuyper® Triple Sec Liqueur
3 parts Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila
3 parts Sour Mix

Instructions
Build over ice, stir gently, and serve.

 

[4966and556]

Thank you for the Daily Fleet Report!  I will pass on the meal, but I'm fairly certain that I would enjoy the drink and possibly the wine.  I've never been to today's port and I look forward to the pictures.  Buffalo is supposed to be getting one heck of a storm, but we have nothing here yet and we are fairly close.  "Across the river" as everyone here refers to our neighbours to the south.  

[rafinmd]

Thank you for the Thursday report, Rich. Running way behind in Puerto Limon today.  I do hope @marshhawk and DH can have a successful Smokeout day.  I'll pass on the Baklava but celebrate International Students. Wilde had a strange sense of humor.  Been to Ko Samui twice, Queen Victoria in 2010 and Zaandam in 2012.  No idea what the meal is, and my stuff for that is on my other laptop.  I'll try to go into edit mode over there in a minute for my alternative:

Ok, my alternative is Radicchio and carmelized pear salad, Parmesan coated Veal Loin, and Butter Pecan Ice Cream as served on MS Eurodam November 16, 2022:

Today’s care list:

Kazu severe foot injury
Ottahand7 Brother in rehab
Terri’s next door neighbor Joanne with stroke and complications
Atexsix weighing complexities of traveling with disabled Dad
From the rotation:
Status of St. Louis Sal (7/1) and JAM37 (7/7)
HAL Sailer Sister in Law with aggressive cancer therapy
Cruisin Terri leak damage
Marshhawk and DH struggling with smoking

 

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

Alianchief in California
Work about to start on Cruisin Terri’s house and great progress with insurance and contractor
4 days for Cruise Suzy, Lazey1, and HAL Lover (Rotterdam 11/20 to 11/30)
3 days for StLouisCruisers and Summer Slope (Volendam 11/19 to 12/17)
3 days for Damcruiser (Nieuw Statendam 11/19 to 1/14/23)
Norseh2o (Sirena to 11/18),   Kazu , 0106, jimgev, Heartgrove and ger_77 (Oosterdam to 11/19).  RednckBob (Beyond  to 11/20), CrazyForCats (Nieuw Amsterdam to 11/20), and me (Eurodam to 11/20) at sea
Cunnorl (Noordam to 1/2/23),  and  Horizon Chaser1957 (Zaandam 10/1 to 12/20; Zuiderdam 12/22 to 5/12) at sea

Roy

Edited November 17, 2022 by rafinmd
Alternative menu

[StLouisCruisers]

Good morning friends!  It's only 332F now and clear with a high of 48 expected.  So much to do and I have to get busy.  I will run out to the hair salon later then in late afternoon we have to drive (through all that traffic) to the Atlanta airport to pick up our rental car for our drive tomorrow to Fort Lauderdale.  In between all the last minute things like stopping mail and figuring out what we've forgotten to do or pack.

 

Last night I was finally able to get my negative Covid test uploaded to VeriFLY app but right after that I attempted DH's several times and was rejected each time.  So we are only halfway there.  I hope I can remember what type of test I said it was when I began trying again today!  There seems to be some debate on PCR or antigen.

 

Today's port destination is Nathon (Koh Samui), Thailand and that is a first time for that one so no link to a former post of Rich's.  We have not been to that port so anyone who has, please show us your photos.  I'll be gone for a month starting tomorrow so won't be posting any photos from the past or otherwise.  I know Lenda has her hands full so I won't burden her with posting my photos.  If things calm down Lenda I give you permission to post my old photos.  Just don't feel like you have to because everyone will do fine without them.

 

A good idea to have the Great American Smokeout.  Good wishes to all trying to quit that habit.  A big cheer for all the students!  Hope everyone learns something new today.  I would enjoy a little Baklava.  I don't care for the quote because my friends are in heaven and that's where I want to be someday.  Not sure about the menu suggestion but will wait to see what Debbie @dfishsays.  Thanks to Rich @richwmnfor the Daily and Fleet Report.  I enjoy watching the Volendam and Oosterdam racing across the Atlantic together.

 

Prayers for all on Roy's list and cheers for the Celebration people.  I am thinking of each and every one of you every day and will continue to do so while away.  I hope there is improvement each day for those ailing.  Have a great Thursday!

[cat shepard]

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! We had a 25 degree drop in temp compared to yesterday morning!  Fall is back!

 

Roy, thank you for keeping our lists! Mani- pedi for me this morning. My poor fingernails need it badly. Then this evening I am going to try a HIIT training session with one of my former gym’s instructors. We will see how Bindi deals with this schedule change, and how I do with the workout. 

 

 

Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone!

 

********

Château Malartic-Lagravière 2018 Pessac-Léognan Bordeaux

This Bordeaux blend has great reviews and though the price is not outrageous, it is a bit outside of my budget. Available from several online distributors with prices starting at $54.95.

Winemaker notes

The wines had all the characteristics of a great vintage. 2018 was a very hot year, but this had relatively little effect on the aromatic profile of the white wines. They have superb balance, tremendous freshness, and a distinguished, elegant character. The reds are beautifully crafted. The Merlot offers a sublime mid-palate, with a silkiness and density that are rarely achieved. The Cabernet is spectacular, with exceptional aromatic profiles and levels of quality. The Petit-Verdots, co-fermented with the merlots, are particularly silky. This superb 2018 vintage comes after more than 20 years of environmentally-friendly practices at Malartic, continually striving for the best possible quality. The vineyard’s maturity is now giving its full expression, enabling us to obtain remarkable precision on the palate and incredibly well-defined tannins.

Blend: 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc

WE96 Wine Enthusiast

Despite its weight, this is a well-crafted wine. It combines richness with sophisticated tannins, dense black fruits and considerable potential. Ripe berry flavors give depth. Drink this wine from 2026. Cellar Selection.

WS95 Wine Spectator

This has a big ball of warm plum and boysenberry compote notes at the core, framed with a liberal dose of singed cedar and apple wood. Hasn't integrated fully yet, but there's good length and energy here, with a positive vibe. 
Barrel Sample:92-95

D95 Decanter

This remains a little hidden and distant at this point in time, but there are some gorgeous rich liquorice and cassis fruits here, and the texture stands out for its silkiness. Clearly a very good wine, which opens up slowly and carefully. Classic but with depth and grip, continuing a run of successful vintages at Malartic. Last vintage before they take on Eric Boissenot as consultant. 2% Petit verdot makes up the blend, with 70% new oak for ageing. Drinking Window 2026 - 2042

JS94 James Suckling

Blackberry, hot-stone and blueberry aromas follow through to a full body with chewy, dusty tannins that are long and chewy. It shows lots of Pessac character, reminding me of the stoney soils of the area. Give this at least three or four years to come together. Try after 2024.

JD94 Jeb Dunnuck

An outstanding wine, the 2018 Château Malartic Lagraviere (57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and the rest 3% Cabernet Franc) offers a deep purple hue as well as beautiful cassis and blackberry fruits intermixed with lots of graphite, gravelly earth, violets, and spring flower-like aromas and flavors. Beautifully balanced, medium to full-bodied, with ripe tannin's and impressive purity of fruit, it's another gorgeous 2018 that can be drunk today or cellared for 15 years.

RP92 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Composed of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc and aged in 70% new oak barriques, the 2018 Malartic Lagraviere has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and pronounced notions of stewed black and red plums, boysenberries and cassis on the nose, with hints of hoisin, dried Provence herbs and unsmoked cigars. The medium-bodied palate has a firm, grainy texture and just enough freshness to support the black fruit preserves flavors, finishing savory.

Edited November 17, 2022 by cat shepard

[Cruzin Terri]

Good morning everyone,

If i don’t write now, it won’t happen;  Life seems to get busy around here.

It is a cool 46 degrees here on Hilton Head, SC this morning.

We have spent the last three days getting everything we need out of our house that we need and have brought it to out apartment.  When our house is ready, it is going to take forever to get all this stuff back there.

Thankfully the Service Master people have come to help us.  I don’t know how we would have done it alone.

Today we have to go to Savannah and select the tile for our bathroom — shower and flooring.  Since our contractor is based in Savannah, all his suppliers are there.  It makes it a bit difficult for us.

We have our paint colors selected, And I am pretty sure i know which vanity I want.  I just want it to be compatible with the tile and paint.

Then we are done and can relax a bit.

 

My polymyalgia is still acting up and I think it may calm down once I stop doing so much.

 

My neighbor Joanne is still in the hospital.  She has some sort of infection and a specialist from MUSC from Charleston had to be called in.  Don’t know any more than that.  Her husband says she is holding her own as of yesterday morning.

 

We have a POD in our driveway.  I am sure that our neighbors are not thrilled with this.  Thinking of putting holiday lights on it (LOL).  Don’t have much of a choice.  Need a place for the furniture while work is in progress.

 

Thank you @richwmn for the Daily and Fleet report.  Interesting days.  Not sure about the quote.  I want to go to heaven regardless of who’s there.

Have not been to the port.  Pass on the meal and libations.

 

Thank you @rafinmdRoy for the lists and for including Joanne on the list.  She really needs all the prayers she can get.  

Prayers for all who are on the cares list and cheers to thos celebrating and cruising.

 

Hope everyone has a great day and stays safe.

God Bless,

Terri

[lindaler]

Good morning everyone. lt is cold today and we have warnings of a freeze alert. Seems silly to me who lived with nights below zero and days on end that never got above freezing. But for here, a few days getting down to 35 at night is alarming.  And I must say, it feels cold even to me. Maybe because I threw all my winter stuff away, I must have as I can't find anything warm in the mornings. Still nice to be here as I know it will warm to 65. The drink sounds really good. I will watch for the meal and port. Thanks everyone for making this such a good place to visit each morning. 

[marshhawk]

@StLouisCruisers Say that temp is not so!  32 in stone mountain. I still have not gotten to the store, but now that I am down to cans of soup, and stale french bread, it's time!  Just waiting for DH to get up guzzle some coffee and head out.  I even called in to work to let them now it was now a food emergency.  That, and I worked 9.5 hours yesterday, and lets face it for a part time job? it's way too full time.

 

To all of you getting ready for your cruises and travels, travel safely and cruise happy!

Have a great Thursday!

 

 

 

 

[Cat in my lap]

Good morning!  I went to cardiologist Tuesday and news was basically good, but in September I had a 99 hour episode of afib  that I self converted out of.  My pacemaker maintains records for a year.  Cardiologist was not concerned, but because I will be on a long world cruise he prescribed a new pill to prevent that during the cruise.  So now I have to get enough pills for from now to May.  Since I get pills from MacDill and I needed a new DOD logon, the process is not easy.  I may need to get pills elsewhere.

 

Today I have several fun events, concert, lunch, museums.  We stay busy when we are home!  Best wishes to all!

[dfish]

Good morning, everyone!

 

We had another dusting of snow overnight, but I'm sure it will melt off shortly.  It is supposed to stay cold over the weekend and then warm up to more seasonable temps next week.  Sue is not coming down this weekend because she is deer hunting with her son.  She did get a deer yesterday and is processing it for the freezer.  She does that herself and she uses this as her meat source for the winter.  It is all hers.  

 

Panzanella [pantsaˈnɛlla] or panmolle [pamˈmɔlle] is a Tuscan and Umbrian chopped salad of soaked stale bread, onions and tomatoes that is popular in the summer. It often includes cucumbers, sometimes basil and is dressed with olive oil and vinegar.

It is also popular in other parts of central Italy.

 

The 16th-century artist and poet Bronzino sings the praises of onions with oil and vinegar served with toast and, a page later, speaks of a salad of onions, purslane, and cucumbers. This is often interpreted as a description of panzanella.

The name is believed to be a portmanteau of "pane", Italian for bread, and "zanella", a deep plate in which it is served.

 

Our first selection comes from A Taste of Home.  The use of horseradish intrigues me.     https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/roasted-butternut-squash-panzanella/

 

 

In this next one you can use any root vegetables you like along with any number of squash selections.  It need not be butternut.  And then, of course, you want a good crusty bread.  https://food52.com/recipes/84407-squash-panzanella-with-bagna-cauda-recipe

 

 

Here's a panzanella with butternut squash and brussels sprouts.  I love brussels sprouts!   https://lidiasitaly.com/recipes/butternut-squash-brussels-sprouts-panzanella/

I'm in!

 

 

And this one has brussels sprouts and creamy lemon dressing.  Can you get any better than that?  https://www.labreabakery.com/recipes/fall-panzanella-roasted-squash-and-creamy-lemon-pepper-dressing

 

 

@Seasick Sailor I did get the ingredients for the brussels sprouts and cauliflower. I'll let you know what I think.

 

Wishing everyone a wonderful day!  Prayers for those in need and cheers for those celebrating.

[Lady Hudson]

Good morning!  Prayers for all on our care list.  I’d love to see that list get down to zero.  
 

36 degrees here — that’s mighty cold.  My day today — preparing guests rooms for next weeks holiday and waiting for ADT to call to try to fix a wacky sensor.  Then sister and her DH coming over with a meal DS thinks will be soft enough for Bill to eat.  Yesterday she brought him a pan of freshly baked corn bread—DS is surely helping me to get Bill to eat.  Have a great day, everyone.  Katherine 

[Rowsby]

 

It is 29 degrees right now....and my new cell phone is torturing me with "way back when..." pictures...I had no idea it could be so cruel....!!!   🙂

 

 

[GTVCRUISER]

Good morning from San Diego 

[Ichiban Nekko]

Good Morning It is now a balmy 😉 39F in Central Virginia now — up from 31F earlier! Thanks to all the regular and not so regular contributors to this thread: you continue to ensure it is a welcoming and warm place.

 

The unpacking is almost done. Ish. The garage floor has been epoxied and the walls painted. Glass door for shower has been installed. Replacement fridge door (dented) has been installed. Window treatments scheduled for Tuesday. No date on closet install yet. Hoping USPS can start delivering our mail a little more regularly.

 

We have invited some dear friends who put up with us during the craziness of moving twice this year to come over Saturday night for Ina’s Beef Bourguignon. FaceTime Cocktails with dear cruising friends on Sunday (they are on another line for Xmas this year). Then prep for T’Day with former neighbors (we are the mushroom gravy and roasted veggies people). Oh, and packing!😁.  After our T’Day celebrations, we off off to the airport hotel with a Friday flight to FLL, boarding the Nieuw Statendam for three glorious weeks on Saturday.!!! Some people are stressing over port and/or itinerary changes. We aren’t too wired up about them. We just know that it will be a delightful break. We are so ready for it.

 

Have been following @rafinmd Roy’s and @kazu  Jacqui’s current sailings, both of which look absolutely terrific. For all of you either on a Dam Ship or preparing to get on a Dam Ship — or any ship for that matter — Bon Voyage.

-Cat & David

[RedneckBob]

Thanks for the fleet update and general info.

 

RNB reporting live from the Celebrity Beyond. Day 5 of 7 in St Maarten. Opted out going to nude beach. I don’t think the Misses would approve. Had really bad thing happen last nite. Five minutes into singers and dancers show, one of performers got hurt badly and the show was stopped. An hour later the CD reported that the performer was ok but someone told me this am that the ship stopped and a helicopter landed on ship. We were close to St Thomas. Snorkels yesterday with sea turtles and stingrays at Secret Beach on St Thomas. Incredible beach with only 40 people at the beach and five of us snorkeling. Thank goodness it is a secret because no one goes there. Well, it’s almost time for lunch so RNB out.

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good morning from a clear, wind still, and cold day in central  Texas.  The thermostat says it's 37F and the indoor/outdoor thermometer says 42F.  Either way, it is cold outside.  I'd been noticing that no matter the outside temperature, the auxiliary heat strips in the heat pump would come on when I'd raise the temperature more than two degrees, no matter the outside temperature.  I called our heating/ac guy, only to learn the digital thermostat is set for them to come on whenever the setting is raised more than two degrees.  Now, I just have to raise it by two degrees until the desired setting is reached.  The good news is I don't have to stay home and wait for them to come out.

 

The Great American smokeout is good, but quitting smoking takes more than one day for many.  Students can learn a lot form being or hosting international students.  I'm not a fan of Baklava so @MISTER 67 can have my share.

 

Another weird quote from Oscar Wilde.

 

We'll pass on the meal and the drink.  The wine sounds nice, but pricey.

 

We have been to Ko Samui (the name of the island) once on April 9, 2003, on the old Regal Princess.  It was a substitute port on our mystery cruise from Bangkok to Rome.  Koh Samui is a district on the eastern side of the island, and Nathon is on the western side where the cruise ships tender.

 

@cunnorl  Charlene, I'm sorry your DD will not be able to go ashore in Cairns (pronounced cans like two coke cans according to an Australian entertainer once).  It is a nice town and easily walkable.

@StLouisCruisers  Sandi, good luck with getting DH's information into VeriFly.  Be safe going into Atlanta and on the road tomorrow.  I'll also look for your pictures when I look for mine.  It just might not be until late afternoon some days.

@Cruzin Terri  Terri, I hope your polymyalgia is still acting up.  I hope that being able to slowdown after picking out the tile and vanity, will help it calm down.  Sending positive thoughts for your neighbor Joanne.  I bet the neighbors understand why the POD is there and don't mind it.

@Lady Hudson  Katherine, how nice of your DS to help with meals for your DH.

@Ichiban Nekko  You must be relieved that the unpacking is just about done, and the house is almost complete.  Enjoy Thanksgiving and your much deserved cruise.

 

We hired a taxi for a tour of the island.  This is a map of the island that was at one of our stops.

The red arrow points to the park with the giant Buddha and other statues is located.  The other arrow points to Nathon and the area of the tender dock.  Koh Samui district is around the "bump" on the eastern side of the island.

 

This is the dock where we tendered.  The people on the right side of the pictures near the bus with all their luggage were catching up with the ship.  They fly flew to Bangkok in time to catch the ship, but there were problems with the plane, and they made an unexpected stop in Anchorage until another plane became available.  Most were dressed for tropical weather, and were not dressed for Anchorage in April.  Regal Princes is in the background.  There were so many flying from Bangkok that Princess chartered the plane so there would be room for the passengers and their luggage.  The non-ship passengers were booted off the plane.

 

The Giant Buddha up close and viewed for a town outside the park.

 

 

Here are a few more of the many statues.  The park was still a work in progress.

 

 

 

A small temple

 

 

Ko Samui has many very nice beaches and an interesting coastline.

 

 

 

We just viewed the shore from the top of the steps.

 

 

A shopping and dining opportunity near a beach

 

This is as close to riding an elephant as we've ever been.  😉

 

The main street in Nathon.

 

We enjoyed our day on Ko Samui and meeting all the friendly people.

 

Lenda

 

[ottahand7]

Good morning!   I saw my DB yesterday briefly.   He is back on his IV antibiotic and it appears that the rash is still receding so that is great news.   My DS visited yesterday afternoon and reported he did do his PT which is great.   Today he goes to the surgeon's office to have his staples removed.  I told him to do everything possible to do his OT and PT.  I told him I wouldn't see him until Sunday at the earliest because we are going to get a huge, extended dump of lake effect snow.  We were in balmy New Buffalo a week ago.  In the last 2 days they got over a foot of snow, timing is everything and we lucked out.  

An interesting group of days.   The Great American Smoke Out was a big thing for us when I was working for several years.  One of our obscure anti-depressants was found to help with smokers' cravings and the company got it FDA approved.   Always a big sales push in November through January peak times for people pledging to stop smoking.   The only international student I remember at my school was 5th grade and I recall the boy was from Cuba.  That was post Cuban missile crisis and he spoke no English.  His name was Raul.   I love Baklava, I had friends from Pakistan when I lived in Ohio and she made rolled Baklava and it was more crisp than sticky and syrupy.   I have friends and family probably in both Heaven and Hell, I will go with my family in Heaven.  OW quote is his view.   The panzanella looked good, I have a couple of squash my DS grew and I will be cooking a part of a large butternut tonight.   The cocktail looks really good, enough to take a photo of it for future drinking on a BHB.   The wine looks great too, Bordeaux has had a good run of vintages.  @Quartzsite Cruiserthanks for the photos of today's port.    

I have already been out shoveling to get to my bird feeders and also pushing the heavy recycling bin to the curb for tomorrow's pickup.   I am glad I didn't wait any longer.   It was difficult pushing it through wet snow that built up on the wheels.  I will have to shovel again when I go feed the birds again.   I have garden club tonight and I am really hoping that they have the wisdom to cancel it.   Usually when schools are closed is the guide.   I think the local schools are doing conferences so they probably won't close early because it was happening anyway.  I am providing food and doing a brief  talk so there is no way I can bail out if they go forward.    Prayers for all on our care report and the people of Ukraine.   Thinking of all of you on cruises and preparing to go one one!  Have a great day!