The Fleet Report and Daily for Thursday March 16th, 2023

[ottahand7]

Sorry too late after posting from tiny photos I had added f a duck.  😳

[StLouisCruisers]

1 hour ago, HAL4NOW said:

 

Stopped in Coquimbo on the Zaandam in 2019. Loved the Cruz del Tercer Milenio (Third Millennium Cross). We didn't see any tours that interested us that day, so just did a walk about through the town and up the steep hill to the cross. We went up into the cross and saw the museum that is located in the cross-bars. There is a chapel under the cross and numerous sculptures situated all around the grounds at the cross. One of the wild dogs that were so prevalent around town seemed to be guarding one of the sculpture scenes, but I think she was actually watching over her puppies that were behind the sculpture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

         

 

 

 This very ornate set of doors led into the chapel under the cross. It read, "per me si quis introierit salvabitur" which translates from Latin into: if anyone enters through me, he will be saved.

      

 

Thank you for the wonderful photos taken at the Millennium Cross.  I've never walked up there.  

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

Good morning from a very cloudy central Texas.  It is currently 60F with a predicted high of 78F.  After today, it will be back to the 50s and 60s for the next week to ten days, with our spring winds.  We got a little rain last night, but not enough to measure, and more rain is in the forecast.  We have some weather advisories, but I suspect they are more for the DFW area north of us.  The skies in my pictures of Coquimbo look a lot like our skies today.

 

I'll repost some pictures from Coquimbo when we were there in 2015 on the Ruby Princess.  We did a tour that had an over view of Coquimbo, and took us to La Serena where we visited a Pisco vineyard and distillery, and then to Vicuna.

 

Coquimbo

 

La Serena and the Pisco vineyard

 

Vicuna

 

An interesting tree sculpture

 

The ship "graveyard" from our balcony

 

Now, I'll read the Daily and be back in a little while.

 

Lenda

 

Lenda nice photos taken in Coquimbo and the vicinity.  Looks like the skies cleared away from the shoreline later in the day. 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, JazzyV said:

Good morning. Thanks for the Fleet Report/Daily @richwmn and @StLouisCruisers.

I hope everything I do today is right. Freedom of Information is important and I think giant pandas are cute. Typical Wilde quote. I've not done a whole chicken in the slow cooker. I'll pass on the drink and wine.

I haven't been to Coquimbo.

 

It's going to be a very nice day, sunny and up into the 50's later, although it's an air action day here. Of course rain and cold again for the weekend. I'm going to go to BFF's DD DF's house to help more with the sorting and cleanout. Despite a couple of doses of Benadryl, I've got an itchy bump on my leg from my injection; I'll try a Claritin so I won't be so sleepy today.

 

@StLouisCruisers Thanks for our start today and the photos from Coquimbo. 

@seagarsmoker Safe travels and have a great cruise! Are you on NA or NS?

@rafinmd Chicken parmesan sounds good. Thanks for the photos of the Tololo Observatory. 

@GTVCRUISER That's a great sentiment.

@kazu I'm glad you got to physio and to the accountants. I hope your days of not being allowed to drive are over soon.  

@kplady Safe travels and have a great cruise! When I flew from LA to Auckland it was really long; I can't imagine NY to Auckland!

@smitty34877 I hope there's no complication like infection from the lancing of DH's cyst.

@dfish Good luck with the assessment fight; when I bought this house there was a big increase in the value, ouch! And fighting the insurance, ugh. 

@1ANGELCAT Happy CC anniversary!

@cruising sister That's a sharp Mustang! I'm glad the ride went well. 

@ger_77 I hope the changes help DH use the CPAP; since I turned on my air cleaner in the bedroom, I'm not finding I'm stuffed up.

@HAL4NOW Thanks for the Coquimbo photos.

@Quartzsite Cruiser Thanks for the nice photos.

 

Prayers for the Care List and Cheers for the Celebration List.

Be well everyone.

 

From my 2005 trip to China

 

 

Love your panda photos!  What a face!

 

 

 

43 minutes ago, durangoscots said:

Good morning. I am starting to feel almost human this morning. I am very slowly trying to bring the house under control and will allocate plenty of time for resting. My appetite is coming back slowly. Have not checked this morning but I think the weight loss was about 10 lbs. I am sure I will regain it much too quickly. Weather here is sunny right not but that is now supposed to last with rain/snow mix forecast. I will try to get some garbage hauled out before it turns on me. Also, need to start the car. And on and on......

 

Susan

 

Glad you're feeling better now but it's a tough way to lose 10 pounds.  Start slowly with activities.  I hope the weather isn't too, too bad.

 

 

 

20 minutes ago, bennybear said:

Good morning and thanks all!  Feeling sad as two young police officers were killed early this morning going to a domestic call in our province.  

@dfishsorry you are fighting so many battles,  don’t know how they can withdraw and approval after you’ve had the scan, but it seems insurance companies try to get out of whatever they can.  I’m grateful we have medicare.  
@cruising sisternice wheels!  
I have always loved Pandas,  spent a lot of time years ago at the London Zoo watching them, and we’ve been fortunate to host them twice in our city.  Unfortunately they had to return early because of the pandemic; it made the bamboo hard to get.  

 

So cute!  We have so much bamboo growing wild in our county.  We could supply several pandas.

 

 

 

17 minutes ago, ottahand7 said:

From our January visit in Coquimbo.  We shared an Uber to the lighthouse then walked to the Japanese Gardens.

 

Excellent photos of the gardens there.  Very nicely kept.

[smitty34877]

Debbie @dfish, we had a s similar nightmare when we moved to this two family house seven years ago. The man DD and DSIL bought it from had owned it for thirty five years. The tax assessment the first year was eye watering and the assessors wanted them to provide info on other homes in the area. Taxes  in this area are ridiculous anyway but this was terrible. It took several weeks and a reassessment before it was settled. They were able to get it reduced from the astronomical amount initially given. DD is a very persistent woman and it did pay off.

 

Whoa on the approval being rescinded after the test was done. It certainly has been an exercise in frustration to get the appropriate procedures done. I received paperwork the other day that did not approve the numerous blood tests needed prior to my surgery. I have a clotting disorder that has been serious in the past. The surgeon tested the blood right before the surgery and they won’t pay it. The medical industrial complex is frustrating to work in as well as trying to receive care. I hope things are resolved for you very quickly.

[Cruising-along]

Good morning all!

Woke up to a frosty morning and hope this was the last of it.  I'm looking forward to tomorrow when it's supposed to get up to the low 60's!

 

All 3 days are good today.  I don't like the quote either, the meal sounds great (I too would leave off the brown sugar in the first recipe), pass on the drink but Nobilo is my wine of choice many nights on a BHB.  I have some here in the house -- along with many other Marlborough SB's.  

 

Sandi @StLouisCruisersI wouldn't like having sticker bushes over my flowers...why have the flowers if you can't see them?  I'd rather find some other way to keep munchers away.

 

Today both DH and I have appointments for dental check ups and cleaning.  Not much else on the agenda other than the usual cruise planning.

 

@seagarsmokerSafe travels to Florida and Bon Voyage!  Enjoy the NS -- my favorite ship.

 

Laura @kpladySafe travels to Australia!

 

Debbie @dfishI'm sorry you've had the hassles with both the county assessor and with Aetna.  Yikes that they would take back their approval!!

 

 

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good morning again.  While it looks like it's been raining, but it really is just heavy mist  There is still not enough to show on the digital rain gauge.

 

I've finally gotten the few chores done and read the Daily.

 

I hope everything I do today is right, but watching what I'm typing, so far that's not happening.  I just hope I catch all my typos.  Freedom of information is very important.  I love the giant pandas, and IIRC, we saw them in the National Zoo many, many years ago.

 

The Oscar Wilde quote is typical of him.  I think it was the quote of the day once before.

 

Whole chicken cooked in the slow cooker is an interesting idea, but we like crispy skin, so I guess I'll keep cooking it in the oven, but not today.  Before the forecast changed from rain and highs in the 60s to rain and a high of 78F, I took the last of the chili out of the freezer.  Tonight it will be chili and cornbread muffins.  We'll pass on the drink and the wine, although DH likes tequila.

 

DH reminded me we were also in Coquimbo in 2001, but at that time I was still using a film camera.

 

@StLouisCruisers  Sandi, I don't know what computer you have, but Microsoft updates and my Sony don't work well together at times.  After an update, it will stop working due to an error, but doesn't restart again because it tells me it can't find the operating system.  It will restart on the third try after two forced shutdowns.  It's annoying, but at least now, I can pretty well predict when it will happen.

 

@seagarsmoker  Safe travels tomorrow.  Have a great cruise on the NS

 

 

@cat shepard  Ann, great memes today.

@GTVCRUISER  Loved the Irish toast.

@kazu  Jacqui, I'm glad you made it to your therapy session yesterday and to the store.  Sorry about the garage, but a little paint can work wonders.  I hope the surgeon gives you the ok to drive.

@rafinmd  Roy, thanks for the pictures of the Tololo Observatory.  If we every get back to Coquimbo, I think we'd like to visit the observatory if it would be doable in a day in port.

 

@kplady  Laura, have a safe flight to Auckland and on to Melbourne.  Enjoy your cruise on Grand Princess.

 

 

@smitty34877  Terry, I hope there is nothing seriously wrong with the site where the cyst was lanced.

@dfish  Debbie, good luck with the battles of the tax assessment and the insurance denial after the fact.  Because we travel extensively (before 2020 lockdown) and have a place in Texas and Arizona, we opted for traditional Medicare and a supplemental policy, which we pay for.  We also got the top supplement, which is not offered now, but we're grandfathered.  This past year with all the tests, scans, surgeries and doctor visits, we have not had to have preapprovals nor have we had claims denied.  With all the stress, it was worth the money to not have to worry about fighting an insurance company too.

@cruising sister  Wow, Lorraine, Ruby is beautiful.  That is my favorite red for a car.  I also loved my Mustang GT 5.0.

@durangoscots  Susan, I'm glad your are feeling better today.  If you're like me, you'll feel better when the house is "under control" again, but I am glad you will allow time to rest too.

@Heartgrove  Jack, I'm so sorry Sam is having more down days lately.  Do they give dogs steroid injections for hip problems?  It will be hard seeing him needing more and more help, but I know you will do what is best for Sam no matter how difficult it is for you.

@Cruising-along  Carolyn, I hope neither you or your DH have any surprises at the dentist.

 

Lenda

 

[grapau27]

3 hours ago, HAL4NOW said:

 

Stopped in Coquimbo on the Zaandam in 2019. Loved the Cruz del Tercer Milenio (Third Millennium Cross). We didn't see any tours that interested us that day, so just did a walk about through the town and up the steep hill to the cross. We went up into the cross and saw the museum that is located in the cross-bars. There is a chapel under the cross and numerous sculptures situated all around the grounds at the cross. One of the wild dogs that were so prevalent around town seemed to be guarding one of the sculpture scenes, but I think she was actually watching over her puppies that were behind the sculpture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

         

 

 

 This very ornate set of doors led into the chapel under the cross. It read, "per me si quis introierit salvabitur" which translates from Latin into: if anyone enters through me, he will be saved.

      

Interesting photos.

[aliaschief]

Good afternoon. Maybe we need an afternoon chuckle.

 

[Heartgrove]

1 hour ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

 

@Heartgrove  Jack, I'm so sorry Sam is having more down days lately.  Do they give dogs steroid injections for hip problems?  It will be hard seeing him needing more and more help, but I know you will do what is best for Sam no matter how difficult it is for you.

 

Lenda

 

 

Thank you, Lenda. The problem with Sam is his hip dysplasia. I sometimes wonder if he had at onetime an accident to his rear hips the way he carries himself dragging both rear feet when walking and his tail always hanging down instead of curled over his back. Over the 1-1/2 years we have had him, he has been loosing rear leg muscle. He is totally dependent on his front legs being able to pull himself up to all fours. The best we can do is daily medications to lessen his pain which so far seems to help. No doggie health insurance so his meds are quite pricey. But the alternative for him would have been living out the rest of his life in a rescue organization kennel. Abandoned twice by owners plus two foster families before we got him. He is a most affectionate dog, and just loves his adopted pack. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Edited March 16, 2023 by Heartgrove

[richwmn]

@StLouisCruisersPlease send me an email, thanks!

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Before I add some afternoon laughs, I am not trying to compete with our Meme Expert, Bruce @aliaschief.  I already had these picked out and ready to post.

 

 

 

 

 

Lenda

 

[Sharon in AZ]

39 minutes ago, Heartgrove said:

 

Thank you, Lenda. The problem with Sam is his hip dysplasia. I sometimes wonder if he had at onetime an accident to his rear hips the way he carries himself dragging both rear feet when walking and his tail always hanging down instead of curled over his back. Over the 1-1/2 years we have had him, he has been loosing rear leg muscle. He is totally dependent on his front legs being able to pull himself up to all fours. The best we can do is daily medications to lessen his pain which so far seems to help. No doggie health insurance so his meds are quite pricey. But the alternative for him would have been living out the rest of his life in a rescue organization kennel. Abandoned twice by owners plus two foster families before we got him. He is a most affectionate dog, and just loves his adopted pack. I wouldn't have it any other way.

What a beautiful dog Sam is!!  I know you have said before but what breed is Sam?

[StLouisCruisers]

@aliaschief and @Quartzsite Cruiser thanks to you both for the laughs.  Thoroughly enjoyed the memes.

 

@Heartgrove your Sam looks so sweet.  How could anyone resist him?

 

@richwmn you have mail!

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

1 hour ago, Heartgrove said:

 

Thank you, Lenda. The problem with Sam is his hip dysplasia. I sometimes wonder if he had at onetime an accident to his rear hips the way he carries himself dragging both rear feet when walking and his tail always hanging down instead of curled over his back. Over the 1-1/2 years we have had him, he has been loosing rear leg muscle. He is totally dependent on his front legs being able to pull himself up to all fours. The best we can do is daily medications to lessen his pain which so far seems to help. No doggie health insurance so his meds are quite pricey. But the alternative for him would have been living out the rest of his life in a rescue organization kennel. Abandoned twice by owners plus two foster families before we got him. He is a most affectionate dog, and just loves his adopted pack. I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

Sam is a very handsome dog, and obviously, a lap dog wanna be.  He is very lucky that you rescued him.

 

Lenda

[Heartgrove]

1 hour ago, Sharon in AZ said:

What a beautiful dog Sam is!!  I know you have said before but what breed is Sam?

 

Sam is an Alaskan Malamute. He is my fourth, and third rescue. Whenever we walk him, people always compliment us when they see him. Plus commenting about his size!  I really enjoy the Mal's personality and this guy has a lot.

[cat shepard]

2 hours ago, Heartgrove said:

 

 

 

Oh Jack! That face!
And Sam is hugging your DW!

Damn, I got something in my eye.

 

Would something like this be an option for Sam?

 

[durangoscots]

5 minutes ago, Heartgrove said:

 

Sam is an Alaskan Malamute. He is my fourth, and third rescue. Whenever we walk him, people always compliment us when they see him. Plus commenting about his size!  I really enjoy the Mal's personality and this guy has a lot.

Sam looks like the Mal I used to have .... actually my neighbor's but she spent much time with me. Her name was Honey Bear. Mal's do have wonderful personalities. Honey's Mom and I traveled together with our dogs.... a mini van with 2 ladies, 1 Malamute, 4 scotties and 1 westie. We were quite the circus.

 

Susan

[Vict0riann]

Just have to try to add a video of my granddog.  DS came over yesterday and said Oskar had had a nice trip to Willows Beach on his birthday.  I said - his second?  and DS said, no, his third  birthday.  How time flies!

 

 

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

2 minutes ago, durangoscots said:

Sam looks like the Mal I used to have .... actually my neighbor's but she spent much time with me. Her name was Honey Bear. Mal's do have wonderful personalities. Honey's Mom and I traveled together with our dogs.... a mini van with 2 ladies, 1 Malamute, 4 scotties and 1 westie. We were quite the circus.

 

Susan

 

Susan, that is a sight I would have loved to see.  It sounds like a three ring circus.

 

Lenda

[durangoscots]

6 minutes ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

 

Susan, that is a sight I would have loved to see.  It sounds like a three ring circus.

 

Lenda

What was really surprising is that we found motels to stay in - and there was no way we could hide that number of dogs. We did take two rooms and were upfront with doggie division. We actually drove cross country several times with that mob.

 

Susan

Edited March 16, 2023 by durangoscots

[Heartgrove]

9 minutes ago, cat shepard said:

 

Oh Jack! That face!
And Sam is hugging your DW!

Damn, I got something in my eye.

 

Would something like this be an option for Sam?

 

 

I have seen videos of dogs using this type of cart. It is wonderful invention! Sam still has use of his rear legs but it is also taking a toll on his front legs. Last week he did something that caused him to limp on his front leg for a day. We just take it day by day and regularly give him his meds, which is what the vet told us to do.

[erewhon]

Thanks for the HAL Fleet locations and daily.  Another New Zealand wine, thank you.

 Will read all the posts later.

[StLouisCruisers]

17 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

Just have to try to add a video of my granddog.  DS came over yesterday and said Oskar had had a nice trip to Willows Beach on his birthday.  I said - his second?  and DS said, no, his third  birthday.  How time flies!

 

 

 

 

An adorably athletic doggie!

[quilty964]

Good afternoon from dreary SE Wisconsin.  It rained for a while, an maybe some snow tomorrow.  It was 40+ F yesterday.  DH is busy watching basketball games, he's got Marquette in the final game, we shall see!  

 

@JazzyVThanks for including me on the cares list. You can take me off.   I saw the Dr. today, he wasn't concerned about anything, but did change 1 med.  Said to come back in a year.  

 

I'm loving all of the pictures today!  The pandas are so cute!  Prayers for all that need them, and cheers to everyone else!   Karen

[dfish]

@Heartgrove Sam is lovely and I had the same thought about the rear wheelchair for dogs.  A dog in my dad's neighborhood used to walk by everyday and seemed quite happy to be able to get out and move.  

 

Today is a day for the record books.  The County Assessor did reduce the assessed value a bit (not much), but it is more in line with the neighborhood.  The problem is still that the taxable value was raised to equal the assessed value and it had been protected for the last 16 years.  That is what is causing the huge increase.  Sounds like a law that meant well but has disastrous consequences.  

 

Aetna was totally confused by what they had done and agreed the revocation was a mistake.  The third party they contracted with thought it was a second request for a CT and turned it down because they had already approved one and a second one wasn't needed.  I learned a few years back not to call Aetna directly on these things. I call my retirement system because they control it all.  Aetna is a third party administrator.  

 

So, feeling pretty good about those victories, I tackled my taxes today.  I was waiting on some papers that were delayed and had finally come in.  I knew I was going to owe on federal taxes, but it isn't as much as I thought it could be.  At first Michigan taxes said I owed them $1000, but redoing some of the entries took care of that.  They are giving me back $21.  Ohio is sending me $121.  I'm happy.  It was a productive day!

[cat shepard]

1 hour ago, Vict0riann said:

Just have to try to add a video of my granddog.  DS came over yesterday and said Oskar had had a nice trip to Willows Beach on his birthday.  I said - his second?  and DS said, no, his third  birthday.  How time flies!

 

 

 

 

Oh Oskar!  There is sheer joy in that gallop!