October 11, 2017
This was the 2nd formal night of the cruise, with one more to go. One of the things I like about Holland America Line is many, many people dress up. On other ships, it seems as those who even wear a sport coat and tie are becoming fewer in number. I bought my tuxedo 27 years ago and it still fits, and I like to wear it. Each evening when I put it on, I look into the mirror and do my best Sean Connery: Bond. James Bond.
Formal night gets a different menu and tonight I chose filet mignon. Excellent. And for dessert Grand Marnier Soufflet. Also very good.
On the World Stage tonight was the musical artistry of Kenny Martyn, with clarinet tribute to Benny Goodman. An excellent musician. He did things with a clarinet I didn’t know an artist could do. And the ship’s backup orchestra is fantastic. They get the guest performer’s music about a day early and are ready to go on stage as thought they’ve had it for months. We really have had outstanding entertainment on our cruise.
Carson, the cruise director, promised line dancing during the crossing, and Mom has been reading the daily program with the proverbial fine toothed comb, and so far, no “Stupid Shuffle” or other pieces. She is most displeased. And that doesn’t even take into account that there has not been a single announcement about Zumba. What’s a girl to do? She walks.
There was a message on our phone this afternoon from Blair, the Entertainment Director, changing one of my talks from 3 p.m. to 10 a.m. That means breakfast in the room courtesy of room service. It is the day of one of my new talks, so I’ll be putting extra time on it in the days before. Speaking of rehearsal, tomorrow is “The Barbary Pirates,” and I’m going to re-read the script while Bonnie blogs
TTFN
Well, the clock goes backwards again tonight so we will probably be in bed by 8:30. We are really the night owls! Well, no sleeping pills last night and I slept to 5 (the ship was slightly rocking last night, good sleeping moves), woke and then went back to sleep till 8. We got up, he showered, and dressed. I put on my walking outfit, got my kindle and headphones and we headed to breakfast. I had fruit, egg and a sticky bun. Very good. I have been having cantaloupe for breakfast and it has been very sweet and good. After breakfast I head to deck 3 (walking down 6 flights of stairs) and begin my walk as I listen to my book. Three times around deck 3 is a mile. After walking it is back to the room for a shower, as I am very sweaty, and dress for the day. I trade my kindle for my crocheting bag and head to deck 9 to find a comfy spot to watch people and crochet. I take my water bottle with me and try to drink a large bottle of water while I sit. Today was the sale on the Lido deck of their left overs from other cruises. I waited till most of the crowd had gone and then went to peruse the goodies. I found some greatly reduced presents for the grand kids.
About 12:30 your Dad arrived for lunch. He had stir fry but I couldn’t decide what I wanted so I just had a hamburger. After lunch he heads to the room to get ready for his talk at 3. I headed to the theater to find a seat and set up the camera so I can tape his talk (again walking down this time 7 flights of stairs and then up 1 to avoid the casino). This will be my third attempt at taping. Still looking for the best spot to get a good picture. My attempt today was the best yet. Still could be better. The speaker before him is the college professor from Georgetown. Today his talk was on the 3 A’s of modern surgery and their development. Deep stuff. But a lot of people seem to like it. Though half the words and stuff they probably don’t understand. Some of his slides were better today but still way to much stuff.
Dad had almost a full house. They turned the sound of his talk off and so the first sound track he had didn’t play. He had to ask them to turn it on and turn it up the other two places where he had sound. Don’t know why they kept turning it off.
After the talk back to the room to dress. Took a few minutes to rest and then have to dress for formal night. I hope people don’t notice but I am wearing the same outfit all 3 formal nights. Had a table with one couple we have sat with before, very nice, and another older couple who were just okay.
Show was great. The guy could really play the clarinet. He played basically big band music, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and the like. Very talented. Really enjoyed the show. And tonight we actually got through supper in time to make the first show. WooHoo.
We came back to the cabin and were dressed for bed when there came a knock at the door. Quick grab the robe out of the closet, David, and cover up with a blanket, me. It was our clean laundry from today. Wow that was fast. Good thing, I only brought 5 outfits for daily wear. I actually didn’t have any black socks to wear tonight and had to wear gray. Oh well, I am sure nobody noticed.
Well, I will be crocheting again tomorrow. There really isn’t any activities that interest me but I enjoy sitting on deck and watching people. There is always something to see. Some things you don’t want to see. I meet a nice young man, Charton, no L, who was cleaning tables, picking up dirty dishes and offering to get drinks or anything you wanted. We chatted a couple of times. A very nice young man. I thought about Rachel Bryn because he had a retainer on his upper teeth.
By the way it was 2.5 miles walking today!
Love you all.
Mom, Granny and Bonnie
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