A doll's house (1973)

It's Good To Be Home

 Traveling always makes me appreciate the little things  in life.  I love brewing a steaming pot of coffee each  morning in my French press.  It's the perfect compliment to watching the glorious sunrise from my large windows. 

Laying in the hot sauna at the cabin feels healing and luxurious.  Relaxing in a warm bath with lavender tea feeds my soul.  (Thank you, Anita, for the home grown dried lavender!)

Seeing Lula again always makes me feel whole.  She is the one being I miss when I am out of town.  Her sweet disposition and consistent affection make her the perfect roommate.

I also have been enjoying the homemade spinach salads I prepare this time of year.  Restaurant salads are never quite the same, although I devoured the homemade bread at the Italian place next door to Casablanca Hotel.  I rarely eat bread these days, but slathered with butter, theirs was divine! 

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow!  My favorite meal of the year...

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HOW DO RUSSIANS SURVIVE SIBERIAN WINTER

Back From New York!

 

                                                          Eileen Casey and I 

Last week I flew to New York for a get together with some dancers that I worked with in the First National Tour of the hit Broadway show, "My One and Only."  Tommy Tune and Lucie Arnaz were the stars.  Stephanie Zimbalist was our leading lady on the Second National Tour.  It was a last minute decision, and I quickly arranged care for Lula,  a flight to JFK, and a room at Casablanca Hotel, on West 47th Street in Manhattan.  

Everything came together, and I got a great deal on my flight through my travel agent, Deanna.  She works at Altour Travel in Santa Clarita.  She quickly found me an aisle seat on Delta.  I love that airline; they are my first choice. 

                            With old friends Colly Carver and Eileen Casey at Casablanca Hotel

I just had two carry on bags, so it was quick and easy to board.   Once we arrived, I didn't have to go downstairs to baggage claim.  There was a taxi cab station near the exit, and the attendant there showed me where to stand for the next available car.  They were all lined up in their yellow sedans, waiting.  

 LAX  had been mobbed!  I was shocked at how many people  were at the airport.  To eat at Barny's Beanerie there was a fifty minute wait.  I decided against it.  Even if you just wanted a coffee or bottle of water from Starbucks, the line snaked down the hall with at least  twenty people.  The travel industry looks to be back in full swing to me. 

It was an exciting trip, and I loved getting together with my old gypsy friends.  We sat by the fire and talked for hours.  The hotel allowed us to order food from the Italian restaurant next door, and we ate it in their private cafe, by the fire.  We were the only ones there, and it was very warm, relaxed and comfortable. My bedroom was clean, comfortable and quiet.  What a lovely trip.  Have you flown yet?

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All That Jazz | Bob Fosse (final scene)

Staying on the Ship When in Port

 

Normally when the cruise ship docks, I am eager to get off and explore the city.  On this last cruise, I did what my mom used to do on the last  port day in Mexico.  I stayed on the ship.  She loved how empty it was.  There is plenty of space in the restaurants, at the pool, etc.  You feel like you have the whole place to yourself. 

First, I climbed into the jacuzzi that was a deck above the pool.  The view and the sunshine were warm and welcoming.  Once my body had warmed up, I walked down the steps to the pool and swam  lap after lap.  I got into a hypnotic rhythm.  

The salt water pool on The Norwegian Bliss was amazing.  At first I assumed it was a regular chlorinated pool.  Once I slipped into the bright, blue, clean water,  and detected its buoyancy, I felt super excited. I realized that it was salt water.  For me there is  a healing difference from pure chlorine.  I was the only one in the  pool  at 9:00 a.m.  My own personal lifeguard magically appeared.  He was friendly and fit.  In the afternoons there were usually several people wading and cooling off in the pool.  I took advantage of having the space to swim laps.  It felt like the perfect workout and relaxation combination.

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I Felt Safer on the NCL's Ship as a Solo Senior Female Traveler

 

One thing I noticed right away was that I relaxed and felt secure.   At home, I carry so many items with my everywhere I go: a rod iron bar, pepper spray, and a portable alarm.  Once I had arrived in my room, I breathed a sigh of relief and let down my guard.

My balcony room had a double lock.  You can set an electric sign from inside that says "Do Not Disturb" or "Please Make Up Room".  I used  them both regularly.  Everyone on the ship seemed happy to be there.   Boundaries were respected, and  my neighbors were quiet and considerate.  It was easy to  sleep soundly and peacefully through the night.  The beds were incredibly comfortable;  the white sheets and towels felt crisp, clean and new.  

I thoroughly enjoyed the production of "Six," which was fabulous!  The choreography was efficient and clever, and the women were powerhouses of talent and strength.  Since the ship was sailing at half capacity, it was easy to have space between our seats.   I wore my mask.  They even have a cup holder in the arm rest for your drink, if you desire a sparkling glass of wine during the performance. 

I spent a lot of time watching the live bands on board, inside and outside, by the pool   Familiar Strangers was my favorite.  I sang backup to Aretha Franklin's "Respect" from my seat.  Their sets were thrilling.  The lead singer and drummer/singer both blew my mind!  The bands were all incredibly tight.  I loved the discipline of the musicians.  

The dapper man in the photo above  is Jack.  We are at my favorite waterfront Mexican restaurant onboard, Los Lobos.  He is the capable Theatrical Operations Manager on the Norwegian Bliss.  Isn't he handsome?

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Cruising on NCL During Retirement

 

Recently, NCL's gorgeous ship, the Bliss, has resumed sailing from Los Angeles to Mexico.  I was lucky enough to be a blogger on their first cruise since the pandemic.  It was an exciting and relaxing week.

NCL requires everyone to be fully vaccinated; there are no exceptions.  I also had my dog vaccinated before leaving.  Our local boarding facility informed us that one dog had died from a newly circulating  respiratory virus.  I wanted to make sure that Lula was protected.  There are two new vaccines available for them.  

I drove from my cottage to Long Beach.  Sunday is the ideal day for a departure, since the 405 freeway was nearly empty.  I zoomed down the freeway to the pier.  It only took an hour, which went by quickly.  Singing along with the radio, I happily anticipated a week of fun, no chores and warm sunshine.

Once I had parked at Berth 93, I was instructed to go to Berth 92 for a Covid test.  Everyone boarding the ship was required to test negative in order to be permitted on the cruise.  The procedure was very well organized and the lines moved quickly.  We were all very excited to be taking a trip after spending such a long time in lockdown.

My negative text results arrived by text  after about a twenty minute wait.  A small group of us got into the van that took us back to the loading dock.  We all wore our face coverings.  I had ordered several KN95 masks from Amazon in preparation for the journey.  

Since I just had carry on luggage, I was enjoying a delicious meal al freco from the Garden Cafe within minutes.  There was a hand washing station with hot water and soap at the entrance.  An attendant welcomed us and made sure that everyone took their turn.  The food was plentiful and delicious.  I had forgotten what a stunning ship The Bliss is.  She's so luxurious!

Thank you for your comments.  They add so much talent and energy to the blog.  Please comment in English.  I'm sorry, but comments with links will not be published.  If you enjoy the posts here, please share them.  Comments may take a few days to appear; they are moderated.