I love cruising and I especially like it when the seas get a little rough. It’s good for sleeping.
The waves don’t look so crazy from the 12th deck but on 7 you can see how large they are.
Walking is a little tough so I make sure I hold onto handrails when walking down stairs.
If you get at all seasick, a Transatlantic voyage may not be best for you. Especially in the North Atlantic. A few guests on board struggled with the rough seas.
But also the risk of falling is a problem as well.
If you are not sure about this, try a few Caribbean cruises first, maybe in hurricane season, and see how you do!
I enjoy blueberries filled with antioxidants for health but luscious to taste. They may help lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease, improve memory, aid in exercise recovery and seem to be overall a very healthy fruit. And if you are lucky to try Maine blueberries, which are smaller than a pea but snacks with flavor, they are heavenly.
I like blackberries. They used to grow on my property in South Carolina but they were a tad bitter. I used those to make jam which made for a perfect jam, not overly sweet. They are a good source for Vitamin C, K and manganese. They are also a good source of fiber.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. That old saying may not be true but apples are delicious. Especially my favorites Fiji, Macoun, and Honey Crisps.
Now my favorite fruit is the cherry. I love cherries and can’t wait until summer when they are in the grocery stores. Now for the benefits: Cherries are good for the heart, may lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and may help inflammatory conditions. They may also help with sleep. I eat them when I have a migraine. My favorites come from the state of Washington.
And I love all fruits that I don’t have to cut up. So I’m on a cruise a enjoying cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon.
Share a story about someone who had a positive impact on your life.
For many years I cringed at the thought of being like my mom. She was a very uncontrollable drunk. I was angry a lot at her. But under the surface, I knew she was better than that.
At the age of 69, she quit drinking and this amazing woman appeared. She was the kindest, most considerate person anyone could ever meet. She never had a bad word to say about anyone.
People loved her. Not that people didn’t love her when she was drinking but she became so much more. She was tolerant of other people and their beliefs.
Her influence has encouraged me to be a better person. A kinder person. Someone who enjoys diversity instead of shuns it.
Happy Heavenly Mother’s Day Mom! You were truly an inspiration.
I travel fairly extensively and to many what you would call third-world countries. I’ve seen oppression. I’ve seen where people have no voice. I see where people have no due process.
I am an American. Freedom is taken for granted.
But I have also seen some of my basic freedoms start to be challenged. For instance, the hate I saw from yesterdays writings on one party and one particular candidate for president, takes away peoples feeling of freedom of speech.
If I said I love Trump those who hate him so vehemently would be posting nasty comments or blocking me.
If I said I am really upset about Roe vs Wade being overturned, and a woman’s right to choose, I might get statements such as I’m a baby killer.
So our freedoms have been hurt by both sides. By the hate spewed from both sides of the court.
We have placed our own freedoms in jeopardy by not having tolerance for others beliefs.
If it continues, we will be just like some of those third-world countries without a voice unless it’s the one voice.
My answer to this is start having compassion. Start having understanding.
I know many people who are voting for Trump. They are intelligent, not fanatics and are critical thinkers. I know many who are voting for Biden. And they are the same. Smart. Thoughtful. Not fanatics.
Today, we finally hit land in the beautiful Azores. This island, although thousands of miles from the mainland, is part of Portugal. The shuttle from the ship left us in town by a little park near the Military Museum. This is our third or fourth visit to the Azores but our first just wandering around Ponta Delgado. It’s very photogenic.
And of course when we see a canon Bruce can’t resist to pose.
There are many churches in Ponta Delgado but the Church of Santo Cristo is the most famous. The Portuguese name is Santuário do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres. This was built in the 16th century with many renovations over the centuries. And free to visit. The outside I believe lights up after dark,
The inside was an ornate gold with many blue and white tiles which are very typical of Portugal.
Churches and bakeries are always on my list of places to visit. We couldn’t find a bakery but stopped in the HR Hotel and Bar where I had a cappuccino and a Portuguese egg tart.
There was a grouping of vivid blue buildings, Palácio da Conceição.
The streets are quaint with cobblestone and meandering alleyways.
The City Gates of The Main Square invited us to walk within and admire the architecture of the surrounding buildings.
The Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião or the main church in Ponta Delgado is another Catholic church located behind the city gates. It is typical 16th-century architecture and has a clock tower. Unfortunately, it was locked today.
Here are a few more photos from our meanderings.
We also went into a lovely colorful store which we thought was a candy store. See if you can guess what they were selling!
After our walk, we headed back to the ship.
We sat on our balcony and read during the late afternoon, then saw a sunset as we left the Azores.
When I think of public figures my mind goes right to politicians. So generally I think to get far in American politics at some level you have to be corruptible. Enough said on that.
Now I do have a beef with American sports. I think athletes are paid way too much money. When a football player makes more than a surgeon, there is something wrong with that. Enough said.
Entertainers who say they will move out of the country if this politician wins or that politician wins. My thoughts / just go. Stop whining.
And the worst offender of all is our media. Whichever side you are on politically it doesn’t matter. It’s all yellow journalism today. Such a shame.
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