THE BARBARY PIRATES

October 12, 2017

The title of tonight’s blog was the title of my talk today.  The subtitle is America’s first war with terrorism.  I talk about the Islamic terrorists – because that’s what the Barbary pirates were very matter of factly, and have a couple of light moments, too.  One is “The Sack of Baltimore.”  This Baltimore is a small town on the coast of County Cork, Ireland.  I start the story by showing a picture of Troy Polamolu (speeling?) sacking Joe Flaco.  I apologize and then show a picture of Flaco sacked by “Deebo” Harrison.  Always gets a laugh.  Today it got applause.           

The next to the last part of the talk features the Marine Hymn and a clip from “The Sands of Iwo Jima.”  I always ask the audience to give a salute to the men and women who have served.  And I play a piece that Francis Scott Key wrote about the Barbary War.  It is set to the tune of the “Star Spangled Banner.”  I always tell the audience the song is not what you think it is, please don’t stand up.  Then I said FSK wrote another song and it is set to the same tune, and I think all Americans should stand up when that song is played.  That comment got a warm round of applause.  That is my political commentary for this cruise.

I talked to the technical director today after my talk, and he told me that they will be building a set for tomorrow night’s entertainment, and when they record my talk (and they record all of them and put them on ship’s tv) they will only be able to record my voice and the PowerPoint.  I will not be seen.  He said, “Since they won’t see you on tv, tomorrow is ugly shirt day.”

In last night’s game of Rummy, I had a commanding lead, had Bonnie in the hole, and then I started scoring 5 points a hand, 25 points a hand, while she came storming back and beat me.  The score is 1-5.  I am being stomped.  It is sad and depressing.  But there are 5 more nights, and with clever, careful play, the cruise can end up 6-5.  I’ll let you know.

Well, that’s my part.  Hereeeee’s Bonnie!

TTFN

Well, only 2.3 miles today. It was a little rocky today walking, people running(when they are not supposed to do so), pushing by me at narrow places on the walking way and other sundry things. But I enjoy the fresh air and the walk. After breakfast, (and we actually got a table in the window today!), walking and showering it was off to deck 9 to sit and watch people and crochet. I am making good progress on my second project that I bought with me. I will probably go back to my first project after tomorrow because it is a scarf and hat for colder weather, perchance we get some this year in GA.

David joined me for lunch, where I up dumped my drink all over the place. I cleaned up my mess and continued with my lunch. Then, I went to the theater and waited for the 2 o’clock show to start. I set my camera up for the first talk so I could get it set for your Dad’s at 3. I did a better job of taping today.  Probably with the stage building tomorrow I will have a tough time doing it. Will see.  After his talk I was really tired, so I we went back to the cabin and I took a short nap before dressing and going to supper. We sat at a table with a lady we had sat with before. Very nice person to talk to. The other 3 people at the table were a family of three from Canada, the wife was originally from England. A very old couple, in their 80's I would guess and their daughter who had downs syndrome. The girl could have been their granddaughter, I am not sure. Nice couple. Father didn’t say hardly 2 words during supper but the wife talked to me frequently. It was difficult to talk across the table. It is often very loud in the dining room. I had an English supper, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, which is a large puffy roll. Dessert was ice cream. I did have an appetizer of tomato and zucchini soup. Your Dad had snails!, again.

The show was a magician/comedienne. He did about 5 tricks and was okay. Not as annoying as come magicians are. We were both tired so we headed back to the room. It was only 8:12 and the guys hadn’t made up the room yet, so we told them not to bother there wasn’t any thing that needed done. We got a copy of the “when& where” for tomorrow and a bucket of ice and we were good.  So now we have finished our blog and will be to bed shortly.

Love to all,
Mom, Granny and Bonnie