The Fleet Report and Daily for Saturday September 9th, 2023

[Heartgrove]

@smitty34877 Terry, we are so sorry to hear the news about Lou.

[travelnap]

44 minutes ago, RedneckBob said:

Thanks for the Fleet Update and General Info from all the contributors.

 

National Weirdos Day! Does anyone have any idea who this day is for! 😬

RedneckBob, if you are looking for volunteers, count me in.  

[1ANGELCAT]

Good cloudy and 98% humidity morning.

@smitty34877, Terry sending prayers and hugs to all of you. 🙏❤️

No update on the escaped prisoner, more sightings but they believe he is still in the Longwood vicinity.

Blessings and prayers to all on our lists.

[smitty34877]

Roy @rafinmd, I am so sorry  to hear of your positive covid.I hope you are able to rest comfortably and that the case is mild.

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

@marshhawk and @catmando

 

Annie and Chuck, I hope you have a wonderful anniversary today, and that there are many more to follow.

 

Lenda

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

1 hour ago, smitty34877 said:

Good morning. We had a very sad day yesterday  and it was decided that my DH would be cared for by home Hospice once he can leave the hospital.

He has had quite a few complications but is comfortable  with this decision. My Massachusetts and New Hampshire family members will be down in the next few days to visit with  him.

Once again, thank you all so very much for  your prayers , thoughts and encouragement. 

I don't  think either of us thought it would happen so quickly.

 

Terry, I'm so very sorry you had to make such a difficult decision yesterday, but I'm glad Lou is comfortable with the decision.  Sending positive thoughts and hopes that you both find peace, and that Lou remains comfortable and pain free going forward.  I'm glad the family will be able to visit with him.

((((((((((HUGS)))))))))).

 

Lenda

[GTVCRUISER]

Happy Saturday 🙂 

[Heartgrove]

Thank you Rich, thank you Debbie, thank you Vanessa, thank you Ann, and thank you Dixie for all your work. And thank you everyone for being here!

 

We are packed and just need to add a few things to our bags for our flights tomorrow!  Keeping an eye on the weather as the SAS flight on Thursday from Copenhagen was diverted to Newark due to afternoon storms . A bit later it then continued on to Washington. Hopefully the weather tomorrow is not as extreme. For our connecting flight to Hamburg, I chose the later flight which will allow us to freshen up in the SAS lounge at CPH.

 

Stay Safe and prayers today for those that need them, especially Terry and Lou!

 

- Jack

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good morning from a cloudy central Texas.  It is 79F and feels like 84F with 79% humidity and a dew point of 72F.  There is an 11mph wind, so it may still be somewhat comfortable to take a walk.  Our high is predicted to be 99F on the hourly forecast, but 100F on the daily.  I hope the hourly is the correct one.  I'll be inside doing laundry today either way.

 

I think there are a couple of the DDs' Care Bears in the attic.  I'll celebrate wonderful weirdos, and some might add me to that list at times.  I have never figured out Sudoku, and prefer crossword puzzles.

 

An interesting quote by Toni Morrison.

 

We'll pass on the meal and the drink, but I would like to try the Prosecco.

 

We have been to Livorno many times beginning in 2001.  I'll look for my pictures in a few minutes.  We did spend some time in Livorno in 2019, and found some things to do in town.

 

We honor an important day in US history.

 

@grapau27  Graham, it looks like you are trying to copy our high temperatures.

@Crazy For Cats  Jake, I hope you have a wonderful day in St. John's.

@puppycanducruise  Beautiful hibiscus.

@Haljo1935  Glad the PT is working and you can do more with the arm.

@ottahand7  Safe travels tomorrow, Nancy.

@rafinmd  Roy, I'm glad you are feeling no worse.  Take it easy, rest and drink plenty of fluids.

@1ANGELCAT  We've been following the manhunt on the news.  I saw the prison guard who was supposed to be watching the escapee was fired.

@Heartgrove  Safe travels and no hiccups with your flights tomorrow, Jack.

 

 

 

 

 

Lenda

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

We've been to Livorno seven times and missed it once due to wind.  

 

In 2001, we took a tour to Florence and Pisa.  Walking into Pisa from the parking lot was one of those moments where it was better than expected, with the Baptistry, Church and Tower backed by a clear blue sky.  After that, we have done our own thing, renting cars most times.

 

In 2002, on the Noordam, the Leaning Tower had just opened to visitors,  With the suggestion from the port guide, Barbara H, we left the ship early.  In fact, we were the first ones off the ship, even before the ship was cleared.  The Security Officer told the gangway crew to let us leave since he knew us.  They were still getting everything set up for the day.   We found a taxi to take us to the train station, but he said he could get us to Pisa quicker, and on the way to the Leaning Tower, he showed us the train station in Pisa.  We were at the ticket office by 7:30 am and had tickets for the 8 am climb.  Your are allowed 35 minutes to go up and back.

 

Here are a couple of different views of Pisa.

 

This is one of the anchors cables attached to the tower in the latest attempt to straighten the tower.  IIRC, it did pull it back several degrees and concrete was poured under the foundation of the raised area.  In 2001, the tower was closed because of the anchors and the correction being made to the lean.  After 9/11 when the tourist levels fell, the tower was opened for tours to help bring the tourists in.

 

In 2016, on the Prinsendam, we rented a car and drove to Florence and then to Sienna.  This is what I call the $120 picture.  We were driving through the walled part of Sienna, not knowing we were not supposed to be there.  A year later, the day before we were leaving for another long Pdam cruise, we got a letter from Italy, that was a fine for driving in a no auto area.  The funny thing was, I got the ticket even though DG was driving, since my name was on the rental agreement.  This is the cathedral in Sienna.

 

 

In 2019, on the Veendam, we were in Livorno three times.  Since we had never really explored Livorno, we decided to stay in town that year and avoid the crowds in Florence.  

 

The first day, we took the Ho-Ho and visited the village of Santuario al Montenero, by funicular which was included in the Ho-Ho ticket.

 

The next two stops there, we rode the local bus, stopping once at the beach.   At several areas of the beach you have to pay to get in, but we found a nice place where we could sit and get a coke.

 

Livorno is not a tourist town, but we still managed to enjoy the days there, since they were slow paced and we could take it easy.

 

Lenda

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

On several of our visits to Livorno, we have rented cars are toured the countryside of Tuscany.  These pictures are from visits to three different towns in the area.

 

We visited Lucca in 2004 while on Noordam III.  The two of the gates to the walled city.

 

 

Inside the walls

 

 

 

 

 

In 2008 while on the Prinsendam, we drove to San Gimignano, which is known for it's square towers.  This is the Piazza del Duomo

 

 

An interesting building in the Pizza del Cisterna

 

 

The countryside west of San Gimignano with the town in the background of one picture.

 

 

 

Our final stop that day was Volterra, which sits on top of a hill as the name implies.  It is a climb from the parking garage to the main part of the town.  The first picture is Volterra from the highway.

 

 

 

 

We found the best gelato in a small shop on one of the narrow streets.

 

Lenda

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

This is what I posted on September 18, 2022.

 

I just realized that no one has posted pictures of Florence.  I guess all those who posted their pictures last year, are not here today.  I went through my pictures of the days we actually visited Florence instead of touring Tuscany.  After our day in Florence in 2016, we decided the crowds were just getting too big.

 

My pictures are a collection from our visits in 2001, 2002 and 2016.  I'll begin with the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Flore, also know as the Duomo, and the Baptistry. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Basilica di Santa Croce di Firenze, which has the tombs of many famous Italians or at least monuments to them.

 

 

 

 

A replica of Michelangelo's David and another statue outside a church near the Uffizi Gallery, and the gallery.

 

 

Ponte Vecchio over the Arno River.

 

 

Looking toward the Uffizi Gallery from the Pone Vecchio

 

In 2001, we took a ships tour to Florence as it was our first visit to the city.  The tour buses were not allowed in the main tourist area.  We had to board these little buses to go from the parking lot into the main area. 

 

Lenda

[grapau27]

@marshhawkAnnie & Chuck.

Happy anniversary.

 

[Nickelpenny]

Good Morning to All!  Thanks for the daily and fleet reports.  I don't have any teddy bears (I do have a panda!!), don't do Sudoku but I do consider myself a weirdo and darn proud to do so!  Love the quote and since I do like quinoa, I will like the meal.  I will pass on the cocktail but do like Prosecco (I had never had it until I went to Italy).  What a great day for the USA!  

 

I have some photos of Florence from my packbacking trip through Europe almost 2 years ago.  Let me go find them.

 

Interesting and quiet day yesterday.  No real teaching but the students were very well behaved.  Well except for maybe 5th period but they were just very talkative!!  We are under an excessive heat warning this weekend.  When will the heat end???!!!!  Time to take my car in for servicing while I am at the gym.

 

I have had ruptured disks in my back twice (with surgery) and it seems to be acting up again.  Numbness on the lateral side of my L leg seems to be getting worse.  I swear, my health problems are all ortho related.  I need to get another skeleton somewhere.  Maybe with Halloween coming up they will be on sale!!

 

@smitty34877 My thoughts for you and your DH at this very difficult time.  Thoughts for others on the care list and cheers to those celebrating.

 

Have a great day everyone.

[dfish]

Good morning, everyone!

 

It will be a beautiful day here in mid-Michigan.  We have sunshine and a high of 73F.  We're hitting the Farmer's Market this morning and have a neighborhood picnic this afternoon.  I'm going to make the corn salad from a couple of days ago.  

 

@smitty34877 Hugs and warm thoughts being sent your way.  I hope Lou has nothing but comfort and peace once he's home.  

 

@marshhawk Annie and @catmando Chuck;

 

 

Raw, uncooked quinoa is 13% water, 64% carbohydrates, 14% protein, and 6% fat. Nutritional evaluations indicate that a 100 g (3+1⁄2 oz) serving of raw quinoa seeds is a rich source (20% or higher of the Daily Value, DV) of protein, dietary fiber, several B vitamins, including 46% DV for folate, and the dietary minerals magnesium, phosphorus, and manganese.

 

After boiling, which is the typical preparation for eating the seeds, quinoa is 72% water, 21% carbohydrates, 4% protein, and 2% fat.[25] In a 100 g (3+1⁄2 oz) serving, cooked quinoa provides 503 kJ (120 kcal) of food energy and is a rich source of manganese and phosphorus (30% and 22% DV, respectively), and a moderate source (10–19% DV) of dietary fiber, folate, and the dietary minerals iron, zinc, and magnesium.

 

Quinoa is gluten-free. Because quinoa has a high concentration of protein and is a good source of many nutrients including zinc, magnesium, folate & iron, has versatility in preparation, and a potential for increased yields in controlled environments, it has been selected as an experimental crop in NASA's Controlled Ecological Life Support System for long-duration human occupied space flights.  

 

The bottom line. Although it's considered a health food, quinoa is high in carbs and should be extremely limited on a low carb or keto diet. If you decide to consume it, never eat full portions.

 

So, to get us started I offer the following:  https://domesticate-me.com/caprese-quinoa-bake/

 

 

This recipe uses your favorite pasta sauce to make life easy.  https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/creamy-caprese-quinoa-bake/

 

 

This one includes some chicken for those who want to make it a one dish meal with meat.  https://www.rachelcooks.com/caprese-quinoa-bake/

 

 

Again, hugs to @smitty34877 Terry and Lou.   We are all holding you close to our hearts.  @rafinmd Roy, I hope your recovery is swift.  

 

Wishing you all a good day.

 

[Nickelpenny]

Pics from Florence

[marshhawk]

Good Saturday Morning Dailyites!  Thank you for all the Anniversary wishes, we've been together for 23 years, but are celebrating 14 this anniversary.  Turns out that Anniversary 14, the gift is ivory, which of course is no longer allowed in the US to be sold.  @catmando wants to go to the science museum gift shop this afternoon to find an alternative gift.  So, while he is hunting for fake ivory, I will be looking for a ring for him.  The chemo took him from 220 pounds  to 180, and his wedding band has not fit for years. Maybe something masculine with amber...I dont have to worry about amber.  

 

Work for 4 hours, then go to the museum, and then out for dinner.  And then tomorrow, I get to sleep late!  Without an alarm clock!

 

Temperature per my computer says 71, and the forecast for the week, is chance of showers. I see that the temps will get down to 57 for a morning low, maybe open the windows and get some real air.

 

 

@smitty34877I'm sending hugs to you and Lou.  This was the decision my mom made, and it's not an easy one, so my heart goes out to you and your family.  If you get a moment, please email me at 

annie dot mounce at yahoo dot com.  Hugs.

[Nickelpenny]

Happy Anniversary to you and your DH @marshhawk!

[ger_77]

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily!  We still have a couple of teddy bears in the house; they reside in the guest bedroom and get cuddled when the DGS's are around.  Yay for wonderful weirdos - my kind of people, as they tend to be so creative.  While I don't do Sudoku puzzles often, I always have a small book of them in my travel purse to pass the time in airports, rather than focusing on electronics all the time.

 

@smitty34877 what a gut wrenching decision you've both had to make - please know you and Lou are in my heart as you face the coming days.  I pray for peace and pain-free times for Lou, and strength for you and your family.

 

@marshhawk and @catmando, a very Happy Anniversary to the two of you!

 

@rafinmdsorry to hear you've tested positive; hopefully it's short lived and you'll be feeling fine soon!

 

It's a cool morning out there, but that's what our fall feels like; right now we've got a temp of +7 (44F), but I just heard on the radio that a place about 400 miles north of us had frost and a temp of -3 already.  It's coming, and there's nothing we can do about it.  Hopefully we'll have a long autumn, without snow until at least after Halloween. 

 

Last night after it got dark,  DH and I spent some time putting things out on our lawn for the city wide curbside swap.  Many things were from DH's mad scientist workshop and garage, very little from the house - lots of solar lights, lanterns, motors, fans, craft pieces from birdhouse making, etc.  About an hour later when we were going to bed, I looked out and more than half of it was already gone - yay!!!!

 

I'll take a pass on the drink of the day, am always up for a glass of Prosecco, and have never cooked quinoa, although I love the quinoa salad from the big box store.  I don't have to cook tonight because we've been invited to the house of a former colleague who is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his having survived a serious brain bleed - definitely cause for celebration if ever there was!  Apparently he's smoking a brisket and we'll have something from his husband's native country of Ghana, so I'm sure it will be delicious.  We'll be joining them and a few others on their patio for great food and relaxed conversation.  And wine.

 

Prayers for everyone who is in need - especially those affected by the earthquake in Morocco, our sweet baby Murphy, dear Lou, and all others with life threatening conditions.  Cheers to all with celebrations, particularly Annie & Chuck.

 

Smooth Sailing! ☺️☺️☺️

Gerry

[grapau27]

Lunch today.

[Seasick Sailor]

Good morning Dailyites. 

 

A sad day in our Daily family. I'm sorry to hear about Lou. A difficult decision.  Also hoping to hear a remnant of hope for Baby Murphy. The folks in Morocco had a very frightening night and praying there are more survivors found. Prayers being said for all on our Cares list. Roy, stay healthy for us! 

 

Anniversary blessings to @marshhawk and @catmando

 

Thank you Lenda and Sandi for your beautiful pictures. We loved the Italian Riviera. We stayed in Monterosso al Mare, hiking the trails above and driving all along the beautiful towns. The little transport boats along the Cinque Terre were a little nerve wracking getting on and off. I went into a restroom in Vernazza,  looked around, came back out and asked Allen where the toilets were! It's the 1st time I  ever used a toilet less restroom! 

 

We have had the 2 little pups now since Sep 1st. I'm ready for them to be picked up tomorrow night. They are sweet, busy, barky, want in and out 20 times a day, and blatantly steal Oliver's food and treats..  I know Oliver will be relieved to say goodbye to them. Hoping he hasn't picked up their habits!

 

Today my cleaning helper will clean the front 2 bedrooms and bathroom while I tackle the planters in the backyard. Our annuals are not pretty at all, being burned up from 100+ degree temps for so long. There's no reason to continue watering them. I think tonight we will order in.

 

I have 1 teddy bear left that we got on a cruise to Alaska. 

 

 

I believe there were a few weirdos in our family tree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have an awesome weekend.  Be kind. 

[grapau27]

2 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Good morning friends!  Happy Saturday!  Here I am experiencing 65F, expect about 85 with mostly sunny skies.  There's a small chance of a shower this evening.  Happy Anniversary Annie @marshhawk and Chuck @catmando!!

 

 

Thanks Rich @richwmn for our Daily and Fleet Report.  Great days, food and beverages.  I appreciate teddy bears and have an Ohio State and a Michigan teddy bear on the guest room closet shelf.  When family stays there they feel right at home.  Seeing weirdos as wonderful is a very charitable attitude.  And I do Sudoku all the time.  I have a book of them right here next to me in fact.  The quote is interesting and a bold idea.  I'm not a fan of quinoa so will leave that to others.  Love the name of the cocktail and will take a glass of that prosecco.  Thank you Debbie @dfish, Dixie @summer slope and Ann @cat shepard for your great reports each day.

 

Today's day in history is my favorite so far.  What a great day for this country!

 

Prayers for our Care list, and a special prayer for Roy's @rafinmd quick recovery from Covid.  Also many prayers for Lou, Terry's DH @smitty34877 and little Baby Murphy.  All on the Care list were included in my prayers as well as DB, friend's DB Mark, our Maui citizens who lost so much, and the people of Ukraine.  🙏  Three cheers for the Celebration list and everyone cruising and preparing to cruise.  Jake @Crazy For Cats, I hope you enjoy St. John's today.  We took a tour of Old St. John's and Cape Spear.  Our tour guide Susan Flanagan was the best ever.  What a fun time she made it for all of us!  Thanks to Vanessa @JazzyV for her wonderful list keeping!

 

Our port today is Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy.  We had that port way back at the beginning on March 19, 2021 and Sept. 18, 2022.  3/19/21 has dropped off Rich's activity on his profile, but I was able to bring it up by using the link I included on Sept. 18, 2022.  Voila!  Here are the links for Livorno.

 

 

 

 

According to my records we've been to Livorno 6 times.  We've of course traveled from Livorno to Florence, Pisa, and Lucca.  But one trip we took the shuttle into Livorno to see what it offered.  Not much!  One and done!

 

 I recall we took a tour of Cinque Terre once from Livorno, on the 2018 Prinsendam Grand Africa and Med cruise.  There's plenty to see when you visit Livorno (outside town) so I hope you can all get there someday if you haven't already. I'll leave all the wonderful Florence, Pisa and Lucca photos to the rest of you and post photos from the day we toured Cinque Terre from Livorno.  If anyone wants to see how little there is to do in Livorno, I could post photos from there too.

 

The beautiful scenery along the way to Mararola.  We passed by the Carrara marble region.

 

 

Our tour went to three coastal villages in Cinque Terre - Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso, a string of centuries old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline.  Part of our trip was to be by boat but seas were dangerous so later we took a train from Manarola to Vernazza.

 

Our route to the sea in Manarola.  We noticed small boats stored right on the street, and that pink was a very popular color for houses.

 

 

 

 

The ocean in Manarola.

 

 

No boat ride from here!  Getting on the train in Manarola.

 

Here in Vernazza we had a similar experience.  In fact, I can't tell this street from the last one in Manarola.  The walk to the seaside, the boats, the pink buildings, the cafes.

 

 

 

 

 

Why we didn't take the boat!

 

The scenery along the way on the train to Monterosso was gorgeous.  But it was just as pretty upon arrival.

 

 

 

A street scene and shops

 

 

A harmless looking church and its scary interior

 

 

Yep, skeletons!

 

Looking for lunch we decided to eat closer to the train station.  This walk was so gorgeous.

 

 

 

Last view of Monterosso and our day in Cinque Terre

 

Enjoy your weekend!

 

Lovely photos Sandi.

There is usually a big market in the central square at Livorno but not much else.

It is a great stop for touring nearby attractions.

[Overhead Fred]

We stopped in Livorno in 2018, the port was not particularly scenic. We did an excursion to Lucca which was very nice. There were some amazing wisteria and we had a lovely pastry and coffee at a sidewalk café. 

 

 

 

 

 

[grapau27]

2 hours ago, smitty34877 said:

Good morning. We had a very sad day yesterday  and it was decided that my DH would be cared for by home Hospice once he can leave the hospital.

He has had quite a few complications but is comfortable  with this decision. My Massachusetts and New Hampshire family members will be down in the next few days to visit with  him.

Once again, thank you all so very much for  your prayers , thoughts and encouragement. 

I don't  think either of us thought it would happen so quickly.

Oh Terry.

We are both very sad to hear your news.

Sending you all our prayers 🙏 love 💗 and hugs 🤗.

 

[Denise T]

Happy Saturday! Thanks for the Daily and Fleet reports. 

Expecting rain later today and then thunderstorms for tomorrow. Not much planned for today. Doing some research on Quebec for next year's cruise. I am excited because I have never been there. 

Thinking of all on the care list. 

Celebrating with all who are celebrating. 

Hava a safe and healthy day!