The Fleet Report and Daily for Wednesday March 6th, 2024

[Sharon in AZ]

Good morning and Happy Wednesday. The painting is coming along but has turned out to be more stressful than I expected. All of our windows and doors, even the sliding glass door, are taped off and covered. I should say all but the front door but it’s still difficult to go in and out that way. Even the walkways and patio are covered. I’m very glad that they are being so careful. Poor Blue is confused about getting to the backyard via the front door and always with an escort. Keeping him from peeing on the paper and ladders and equipment is quite a chore. I love the new colors, the main color isn’t a big change, it’s a creamy beige versus the yellowish beige. But the trim is much different, it’s a dark grey blue and it’s turning out to be more blue than I expected which is good with me, I love blue, both the color and my dog. 
 

We have been to Hilo twice, once in 1984 and just last month on the Koningsdam. We went on a fantastic excursion and I’ll have to post them in a separate post after I go through the pictures Craig took. 
 

Have a great day everyone!

[bennybear]

Good morning and thanks all!  
We visit Hilo every year at least once. We were just in Hilo last week, DS has a good friend there.  Highly recommend a visit to Akaha falls and Mauna Kea.  Also  check the local shops, some sell beautiful vintage Kimonos.  Beautiful murals and great local food.  
 

 

 

Edited March 6 by bennybear

[bennybear]

@rafinmd love the maps! 
@Heartgrove you’ll know when it’s time, sending hugs!  Enjoy each day with beautiful Sam! 
@ger_77 echo Gerry’s comments about only one Hurricane,  I finished DH’s as well in New Orleans,  barely lived to tell about it! 
 

Grief is like waves, sometimes barely noticeable lapping at your feet, other times it knocks you right over and you didn’t even see them coming. 
 

Edited March 6 by bennybear

[Vict0riann]

Carrot cake is out of the oven!  Just a small amount of thumb in it...  😉  Now I remember why it was so much easier just to buy it!

[Heartgrove]

4 hours ago, kazu said:

 

 

Jack, that’s good news but if you don‘t mind me speaking up and if you haven’t called already, please WAIT.  It’s not that I don’t want Sam to recover, I do 🙏 but, dogs will often seem to bounce back right before it is their time.  I discovered that people do that too (the hard way). 💔 

 

I had the vet here for Marley and bam, he was great so she said no need and what to watch for.  The next day, he was doing exactly what she said to watch for and was obviously in huge pain.  I had to round up 3 neighbours to help me lift him in the SUV and get him to a vet clinic to relieve him of his pain 😢 

I hope with all my heart that Sam is not like Marley but I just want to give you fair warning.  I would wait until tomorrow and if he is still improving, then cancel.

 

Forgive me for sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong.  It is with the best intentions, believe me.

 

 

Jacqui, feel free to speak up! I know that a rally can be shortlived. At the end with Juno, she surprised us with a rally but two weeks later she needed to be putdown. Sam seems to be mending well, but he has taken to licking his one forepaw over the weekend. He has not stopped licking so I know that something is still not right. I monitor how he is in the evening into morning closely. If he comes and wakes us up in the morning to be fed, it is going to be a good day!

[Sharon in AZ]

We took an amazing excursion in Hilo just last month on February 10, 2024 while on the Koningsdam. It was labeled as “Tropical Farm Fruit and Waterfalls”, however it was much more. The farm is O.K. Farm named after the two men who own and started the farm. I’m going to try doing this by asking if you know what something is before I tell you what it is, answers will be at the end.  This is really a great excursion for those who love food and knowing where your food comes from. 
 

We didn’t have to go very far to get there, our first stop was the little store, a coupe of delicious coffee, and this lovely plant. Do you know what it is?  

If you look at the distance you can see the ship. 

 

The following two pictures are cousins of the lychee. Do you know? They are delicious. 

 

This might be obvious to most but you usually see it after it’s processed. 

Can you guess?

This one was hard for me to figure out, mainly because after they are dried they are a dark brown, can you?

 

I guessed this one right away because I love cooking and learning about cooking and etc. 

We tasted many other things, plants and fruit. For example, a leaf from a cinnamon tree. The stem tasted just like cinnamon. 

Kaimukanaka Falls:

Rainbow Falls. I learned that no rivers therefore waterfalls are owned but the farm was able to build a platform on their own land close by to get this unique and different view. 

However it was unnerving to see tourists who were crazy trying to get close. The first thing Craig said to me is “don’t look”. Our guide seemed undeterred but did say a lot of people fall. I don’t remember the statistics and don’t want to. 

We ended with a lovely spread of fruit and macadamia nuts. Have you ever had to shell one?  Wow, they were so fresh. 

 

Answers:

Vanilla 

Longan

Rambutan

Cacao

Clove

Outer shell — Mace

Inner nut — Nutmeg 

 

Our guide told us he has a cacao plant and harvested it and made chocolate. It’s quite the undertaking and took him over a year mostly because of the fermentation process. 
 

If you are ever in Hilo and need something new to do I highly recommend this tour. 

[puppycanducruise]

1 hour ago, Vict0riann said:

Carrot cake is out of the oven!  Just a small amount of thumb in it...  😉  Now I remember why it was so much easier just to buy it!

I have a "salad shooter",  one of those automatic graters.  I've had it for years and I use it mainly for shredding carrots for carrot cake.  It saves grating fingers with the carrots.

[StLouisCruisers]

Hi all, I've been working on my you-know-what project all day.  Wanted to report we got very little rain after the early morning shower.  Total since it began raining yesterday is 2.75 inches!  Enough!

 

I texted with my niece Lisa and she sent me some photos of her DGD Elliott Rose.  She is now exactly 17 months old and her Nonna says she's perfect.  Here's a new photo of her.

 

 

and another with her golden retriever bro Ernie.❤️

 

 

But the biggest news is now allowed to be revealed.  Elliott Rose will hopefully be a big sister in July.  Her parents are expecting another set of twins!  Prayers please that these twins decide to stay put until July and this lovely family doesn't have to suffer another loss like the first set of twins in June 2021.  🙏🙏

[Seasick Sailor]

Crummy day. After (Nephrology) bloodwork, we sat at urgent care. Sweet husband has a pinched nerve right at the base of his neck. Started yesterday when he woke up. Today is miserable for him. Doctor gave us prescriptions but knowing Allen he won't take the muscle relaxers. Going to our primary on Friday to follow up. Please think of him tonight. Xx

[Haljo1935]

2 hours ago, Sharon in AZ said:

We took an amazing excursion in Hilo just last month on February 10, 2024 while on the Koningsdam. It was labeled as “Tropical Farm Fruit and Waterfalls”, however it was much more. The farm is O.K. Farm named after the two men who own and started the farm...

 

I l❤️ve your post and think I would absolutely enjoy that tour. You did it on my birthday 🎂 🤪 

Here are the ones I saw at the Farmers Market in Hilo.

[StLouisCruisers]

Just finished all the posts since this morning.

 

I looked up my name and it means "defender of men".  I should have been a lawyer and I'd defend women, too!  Equal opportunity.

 

Jack @Heartgrove my best wishes for Sam and I hope he continues feeling like his old self for weeks and months to come.🤞

 

Debbie @dfish take care of that finger!  I hope it's better very soon.

 

Joy @Seasick Sailor I'm sorry to hear about Allen's pinched nerve in his neck.  I really hope he decides to take his meds to give him relief.  And bless you for watching his diet for him!

 

Annie @marshhawk how did the dermatologist visit go today?  Also, I hope Chuck is feeling okay and you both continue to sleep well.

 

Ann @Vict0riann and Melanie @puppycanducruise the carrot cake sounds delicious.  The only time I get a piece is on a cruise!

 

Thanks to everyone who posted the many photos today of Hilo.  Such a variety!  Have a good evening!

 

 

[Vict0riann]

Carrot cake is iced and cut into 24 pieces.  Two are plated and ready for supper, the rest are separated on a cookie sheet in the freezer for an hour.  When they are hard I’ll wrap them for storing in the freezer.  Should keep us going for a while.  I licked the beaters from the icing.  

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good afternoon.  Somehow, some of the things on the to-do list have been accomplished.  There's still a bit that needs to be done before we head back to Texas the first of April. 

 

One of things we'd been dreading turned out to be easier than expected.  We had to replace the driver's side mirror on the car.  It had been broken off by another car when we parked in San Diego for a cruise in 2022.  DH had first taped the mirror in place, then used cable ties and duct tape.  He even epoxied the mirror back in place, but that broke on our rough roads.  We'd waited until after our recent cruise in case the mirror got hit again.  We were surprised it didn't take as long as expected, and the new mirror is working well.

 

6 hours ago, JazzyV said:

Good morning. Thanks for the FR/Daily.

Remember the Alamo. Every day should be a day of memorial and respect for Veterans. My name is British and means butterfly. Interesting quote. I like the meal and drink. I have a hurricane glass from Pat O'Brien's in NOLA. Pass on the wine. I have been to Hilo. 3 important days in history.

 

It's been raining here since last evening, but still in the 50's. Sleep was only about 4 hours. I had some discomfort and leg tingling on awakening. I'd say it's about 75% better since the injections. I see the Neurosurgeon again in about 2 weeks. I'm doing more paper sorting (old medical records) this AM, and will have lots to shred soon. BFF is coming over later to help with some house stuff, and later we'll go to the airport to pick up our UK friends. I haven't heard from the contractor lately and am still holding off on moving stuff back into the rooms. Instead I'm organizing drawers in the furniture and built-ins. I have some stuffiness and drainage, probably allergies, but I'll do a test before meeting my friends.

 

@Nickelpenny Great rainbow shot. I was shaking my head at your missing the bugs.

@rafinmd Thanks for today's maps. 

@Heartgrove Good to hear that Sam has rallied, so you have more time with him. 

@dfish I hope the thumb feels better soon. Thanks for the recipes.

@ottahand7 I'm glad your arm is doing well.

@cat shepard I hope they can improve DSis's O2 and heart rhythm with meds. Hopefully she will continue to gain strength.

@marshhawk Good for you on getting more sleep. I hope Chuck is feeling ok today. Good luck with the dermatologist.

@smitty34877 Even with some medical background, it can be difficult to know if you've done the best things. Be gentle with yourself.

@Haljo1935 @GTVCRUISER Nice photos.

@Seasick Sailor Prayers that Allen's kidney issues improve or stabilize. 

@kazu I hope you can get some relief from your pain (and I agree about the x-ray tables, even though I have lots of padding!). Cute photos of Ivan. Ugh on your weather forecast.

@Quartzsite Cruiser Thanks for the lovely photos.

 

Prayers for the Care List and Cheers for those Celebrating.

 

A few pics from Hilo in 1992, converted from slides

Black Sand Beach

 

Kilauea Caldera

 

Sign marking lava flow

 

Rainbow Falls

 

 

Approaching Hilo 2012

 

Trees planted after 1946 Tsunami in Hilo

 

Statue of King Kamehameha

 

Entering Kileauea Volcano National Park

 

 

 

 

Vanessa, I'm glad you are having at least 75% less pain and numbness.  I hope the pain lessens even more.  

 

5 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Very interesting photos Lenda.

 

Thank you, Graham.

 

44 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Hi all, I've been working on my you-know-what project all day.  Wanted to report we got very little rain after the early morning shower.  Total since it began raining yesterday is 2.75 inches!  Enough!

 

I texted with my niece Lisa and she sent me some photos of her DGD Elliott Rose.  She is now exactly 17 months old and her Nonna says she's perfect.  Here's a new photo of her.

 

 

and another with her golden retriever bro Ernie.❤️

 

 

But the biggest news is now allowed to be revealed.  Elliott Rose will hopefully be a big sister in July.  Her parents are expecting another set of twins!  Prayers please that these twins decide to stay put until July and this lovely family doesn't have to suffer another loss like the first set of twins in June 2021.  🙏🙏

 

Elliott Rose is a real cutie.  Sending positive thoughts that the twins stay put until July.

 

43 minutes ago, Seasick Sailor said:

Crummy day. After (Nephrology) bloodwork, we sat at urgent care. Sweet husband has a pinched nerve right at the base of his neck. Started yesterday when he woke up. Today is miserable for him. Doctor gave us prescriptions but knowing Allen he won't take the muscle relaxers. Going to our primary on Friday to follow up. Please think of him tonight. Xx

 

Joy, I'm sorry Allen is dealing with a pinched nerve in his neck.  I hope he will take the prescription the doctor prescribe.  If not, you might try hiding it in a treat like you would for Oliver.  😁

 

10 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

Carrot cake is iced and cut into 24 pieces.  Two are plated and ready for supper, the rest are separated on a cookie sheet in the freezer for an hour.  When they are hard I’ll wrap them for storing in the freezer.  Should keep us going for a while.  I licked the beaters from the icing.  

 

Ann, licking the bowls and beaters is the best part of making a cake.  🤣

 

7 hours ago, marshhawk said:

I am now off to my dermatologist appointment that has been changed by both myself and the doc.  It's been at least since the first week of Covid I have seen a dermatologist.  I am curious about my right arm which has a rather scaly, hard and sometimes bleeds patch on my arm.  A place of a nervous scritching place when I was in boarding school years ago.

 

Annie, I hope the dermatologist appointment went well, and that he didn't find anything to worry about.

 

Lenda

[JazzyV]

@StLouisCruisers Sandi, I dug out the cross stitch project I started all those years ago. It's Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, which I've visited twice, and is a favorite of BFF.

First is the picture from the directions, then what I've done so far. There is a lot of outline work, which isn't my favorite thing.

 

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

7 minutes ago, JazzyV said:

@StLouisCruisers Sandi, I dug out the cross stitch project I started all those years ago. It's Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, which I've visited twice, and is a favorite of BFF.

First is the picture from the directions, then what I've done so far. There is a lot of outline work, which isn't my favorite thing.

 

 

 

Vanessa, that looks like a lot of work.  I don't think I'd have the patience to do that.

 

Lenda

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for the info.

[Haljo1935]

Finally looked up the meaning of my name, both my first name, which I don't use, and my middle name, which is what I use.

Both are Hebrew.

First name means "God is good."

Middle name means "God's promise " or "God is my oath."

I think we should all know what our names mean and how we came to have them. Now my "name knowledge" is complete 😉

[Haljo1935]

@JazzyV the German castle cross stitch looks incredibly difficult and would be gorgeous if you finished it.

[kazu]

A tad behind, I had the name tag factory up and running for my Volendam cruise next month.

 

I was too sore to do much else but I did take Ivan for an abbreviated walk as painful as it was.

 

 

 

8 hours ago, marshhawk said:

I am now off to my dermatologist appointment that has been changed by both myself and the doc.  It's been at least since the first week of Covid I have seen a dermatologist.  I am curious about my right arm which has a rather scaly, hard and sometimes bleeds patch on my arm.  A place of a nervous scritching place when I was in boarding school years ago.

 

Best wishes for your appointment, Annie.

 

 

 

6 hours ago, RMLincoln said:

 

My DSIL had a scan yesterday, another is scheduled for Friday, treatments should begin next week.

 

So hoping all goes well for your DSIL. My prayers continue for her 🙏 

 

 

 

5 hours ago, Sharon in AZ said:

Poor Blue is confused about getting to the backyard via the front door and always with an escort.

 

 

I completely understand that.  We went through the same thing when we replaced the siding and windows and then the retaining wall

 

 

5 hours ago, Sharon in AZ said:

 

Keeping him from peeing on the paper and ladders and equipment is quite a chore.

 

Pat yourself on the back - you are doing great 👍 

 

5 hours ago, Sharon in AZ said:

 

I love the new colors, the main color isn’t a big change, it’s a creamy beige versus the yellowish beige. But the trim is much different, it’s a dark grey blue and it’s turning out to be more blue than I expected which is good with me, I love blue, both the color and my dog. 

 

It sounds lovely.  I hope you will give us a pic when it is done

 

 

4 hours ago, Heartgrove said:

 

Jacqui, feel free to speak up! I know that a rally can be shortlived. At the end with Juno, she surprised us with a rally but two weeks later she needed to be putdown. Sam seems to be mending well, but he has taken to licking his one forepaw over the weekend. He has not stopped licking so I know that something is still not right. I monitor how he is in the evening into morning closely. If he comes and wakes us up in the morning to be fed, it is going to be a good day!

 

Aww - thanks so much, Jack.  I hope Sam is like Juno. 🙏 

 

It’s such a hard time when you go through this.  It’s all out of love and care for our fur babies (it doesn’t matter how big they are - they are all our responsibility).

 

My heart is with you both ♥️ 

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, StLouisCruisers said:

I texted with my niece Lisa and she sent me some photos of her DGD Elliott Rose.  She is now exactly 17 months old and her Nonna says she's perfect.

 

She’s a sweetie. I think Nonna  is right 😉 

 

 

1 hour ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Elliott Rose will hopefully be a big sister in July.  Her parents are expecting another set of twins!  Prayers please that these twins decide to stay put until July and this lovely family doesn't have to suffer another loss like the first set of twins in June 2021.  🙏🙏

How exciting!  My prayers that the twins do stay put and their mother can have an easy as pregnancy as possible. 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Seasick Sailor said:

Crummy day. After (Nephrology) bloodwork, we sat at urgent care. Sweet husband has a pinched nerve right at the base of his neck. Started yesterday when he woke up. Today is miserable for him. Doctor gave us prescriptions but knowing Allen he won't take the muscle relaxers. Going to our primary on Friday to follow up. Please think of him tonight. Xx

 

I am so sorry to hear this, Joy.  I pray that Allen will follow the doctor’s orders (or yours)   He and you are in my prayers 🙏 

[StLouisCruisers]

1 hour ago, JazzyV said:

@StLouisCruisers Sandi, I dug out the cross stitch project I started all those years ago. It's Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, which I've visited twice, and is a favorite of BFF.

First is the picture from the directions, then what I've done so far. There is a lot of outline work, which isn't my favorite thing.

 

 

 

Oh, Vanessa, that's a great project!  You've done quite a bit already.  I bet with a little time you could finish it for BFF.  The outline work is a pain sometimes but it makes such a huge difference in the project.  I'm rooting for you!

 

 

3 minutes ago, kazu said:

She’s a sweetie. I think Nonna  is right 😉  

How exciting!  My prayers that the twins do stay put and their mother can have an easy as pregnancy as possible. 

 

Thank you Jacqui.  I hope all goes easily this time, too.  They really are fabulous parents.

[dfish]

1 hour ago, Vict0riann said:

  I licked the beaters from the icing.  

 

Good for you! 

 

1 hour ago, StLouisCruisers said:

 

Debbie @dfish take care of that finger!  I hope it's better very soon.

 

The thumb is doing ok.  The whole hand got twisted and is bruised and a bit sore at times.  But, as we said before, as long as I can pick up my coffee mug and wine glass, I'm good to go. I have been icing it, but that only works for a while.  Thanks for the picture of Elliot Rose and I will keep the twins in my thoughts for a safe delivery.

 

@Seasick Sailor Joy, I hope Allen's pinched nerve resolves quickly.  

@JazzyV Your cross stitch project is beautiful.  Do, continue to work on it.

@marshhawk Hoping all went well with the dermatologist.

@Sharon in AZ I bet the house is going to look amazing!   We are still so thrilled with our paint job. 

@Quartzsite Cruiser Lenda, the story about the mirror reminds me of my dad.  He had so many parts of his car attached with duct tape it was unreal.  One of the mirrors, a fender, a light, etc.

 

My name is Hebrew and means Bee.  Of course I am deathly afraid of them.  Not allergic, just afraid.  

[aliaschief]

Just found out that my post earlier today did not post. We will be arriving in Caines, Australia this afternoon and we will overnight here and sail tomorrow for New Guinea.

Today we found out our fate regarding Red Sea passage. We have some options. End cruise in Dubai with compensation. Stay onboard and reposition via Africa which we will have  34 sea days with five stops along the way. Where we would pick up on our regular schedule in Venice.

Headed to a meeting to hear more. Decisions?

Bruce

 

 

 

[rafinmd]

10 minutes ago, aliaschief said:

Just found out that my post earlier today did not post. We will be arriving in Caines, Australia this afternoon and we will overnight here and sail tomorrow for New Guinea.

Today we found out our fate regarding Red Sea passage. We have some options. End cruise in Dubai with compensation. Stay onboard and reposition via Africa which we will have  34 sea days with five stops along the way. Where we would pick up on our regular schedule in Venice.

Headed to a meeting to hear more. Decisions?

Bruce

 

 

 

34 sea days sounds wonderful to me.

 

Roy

[1ANGELCAT]

Good rainy evening. I hope everyone had a good day.

Blessings and prayers to all on our journey.

[rafinmd]

Mine has 2 meanings, Red or King.  I prefer King.

 

Elliott Rose is a beauty now.

 

Roy