November 2, 2013

A good crowd for "King’s Wharf: The Gibraltar of the West" this morning. About 75 hearty folk were up early and in the "South Pacific Lounge." The talk went well, and there were a number of questions afterward.

Once again on this cruise there will be no Sunday morning worship led by yours truly. The Catholic chaplain onboard has the 8 a.m. slot, and by the time they asked me about the 7 a.m. time, which would have been fine, the Cruise Compass had gone to press and there was no way to announce the service. So next time.

I told you yesterday that we are once again at Table 206. It is a table for 10, and last night there were ^nd night. That would be tonight, and the first formal night of the cruise.

Yoland and Rainey with Head Waiter Diane

only Bonnie and I and two ladies from Memphis – Yolanda and Rainey (short for Lorraine). We laughed and talked like we had known each other for years instead of for only an hour. They will make for companionable suppers. Typically on the first night of a cruise, the second seating is sparsely attended. With the busy day and the pressures of getting onboard and settled, a lot of people eat in the Windjammer, and show up on the 2

One unpleasantness from supper last night. The ship’s company takes photographs in the dining room twice on the cruise, to induce you to buy memories of the occasion. As he photographed Yolanda and Rainey a drunk came over and asked to pose with them. They graciously allowed it and he performed a David Copperfield. Jerk! For the translation, ask Michael or Matthew to explain it.

Bonnie went to scrap booking class today while I read my newest Bill Bryson: America, Summer of 1927. Good book, featuring Charles Lindbergh, Babe Ruth, Calvin Coolidge and a cast of thousands. We took lunch in the Windjammer where I consumed a hamburger and washed it down with fruit punch. For dessert we went to the Solarium and the Park Café and I asked the server for "a bowl of peanut butter cookies" (I was being silly). He gave me a bowl of peanut butter cookies. When I protested, he said, "You are on vacation! It is okay!" At least they are sugar free cookies. Oh my goodness!

The seas are a little rough today, but Bonnie has on her seasick antidote patch and is doing fine. No problems at all. Actually, she is napping now, and I am writing the blog. It is not possible to nap when Bonnie is napping – unless you get to sleep first – because she SNORES! In fact, when she inhales the ship leans to starboard and when she exhales it leans to port. I repeat – oh my goodness!

We just came back from Movie Love Songs Trivia. It was the same tunes as last week, and we didn’t do any better than last week. We needed a children’s movie expert to help us with Lion King and Shrek .

More tomorrow.

TTFN