Author Archives: Holly

About Holly

fiber person - knitter, spinner, weaver who spent 33 years being a military officer to fund the above. And home. And family. Sewing and quilting projects are also in the stash. After living again in Heidelberg after retiring (finally) from the U.S. Army May 2011, we moved to the US ~ Dec 2015. Something about being over 65 and access to health care. It also might have had to do with finding a buyer for our house. Allegedly this will provide me a home base in the same country as our four adult children, all of whom I adore, so that I can drive them totally insane. Considerations of time to knit down the stash…(right, and if you believe that…) and spin and .... There is now actually enough time to do a bit of consulting, editing. Even more amazing - we have only one household again. As long as everyone understands that I still, 40 years into our marriage, don't do kitchens or bathrooms. For that matter, not being a golden retriever, I don't do slippers or newspapers either. I don’t miss either the military or full-time clinical practice. Limiting my public health/travel med/consulting and lecturing to “when I feel like it” has let me happily spend my pension cruising, stash enhancing (oops), arguing with the DH about where we are going to travel next and book buying. Life is good!

Bird Cage?

The Frame for the new LolaCrow SAL is looking more and more like a bird cage. Similar to the three previous SALs of hers that I have stitched, the frame has a lot of black and has about 6k worth … Continue reading

Posted in Cross-Stitch | Leave a comment

Ooops

There I was, happily stitching along for the second day on the May mini-village. The first tree was done, the first house and almost done with the second. Then I took a close look at the roof of the first … Continue reading

Posted in Cross-Stitch | Leave a comment

all that is needed

is to finish the rest of this section (Secret Grove SAL) and that bar of chocolate. The first went fine, the second, I am sad to report, was pretty dry and crumbly. I think it need to be used for … Continue reading

Posted in Cross-Stitch, Home | Leave a comment

Voyaging

Found the 935, finished #2 on the travel series. went to bed early. Just happy to be home..

Posted in Cross-Stitch, Home | Leave a comment

Home

Did I leave the house today? Hummm Actually, yes, I walked out, down the stairs, around the back to Noah’s place and picked up an Amazon package before returning to my den. Obviously, I am not going and doing much … Continue reading

Posted in Home | Leave a comment

Leaving in San Francisco

  Having made the decision that it would be much more sensible to get off the ship today rather than return later today after doing all the document signing at home, sailing up to Seattle (two sea days missed) and … Continue reading

Posted in Home | Leave a comment

Last sea day this trip

As it turns out, making the decision to get off in San Francisco rather than continue on to Seattle was incredibly easy. Walked down to Guest Services and informed them that I would be departing the ship. Why? Family matters. … Continue reading

Posted in Cross-Stitch, Travel | Leave a comment

San Pedro

The official documents call it Los Angeles or the Port of Los Angeles. But it is really San Pedro. At one point it was a separate city, but like most areas in the LA Basin, it was swallowed up years … Continue reading

Posted in Travel | Leave a comment

the group grows smaller

13 April 2025 – drawing down Today will mark the last day for several of those in the fiber get together group. Tomorrow will be Los Angeles. From what we have been informed, it will be the usual first entry … Continue reading

Posted in Cruising, Travel | Leave a comment

DIY Seder

Today could also be labeled at Cabo St Luca. It is a tender port. I was trying to think if I had ever been on a ship that docked here but I don’t think so. I looked back then pulled … Continue reading

Posted in Jewish Life, Travel | Leave a comment

Puerto Vallarta

We sailed in early with a 0700 gangway time. I can understand this from a ship planning point of view. And perhaps for the convince of several of the more distant tours. But otherwise? Seriously? Nothing is open at 0700 … Continue reading

Posted in Cruising, Travel | Leave a comment

Second/two sea days

  10 April 2025 – The Second Sea Day between Guatemala and Mexico It was the usual suspects early morning in the Lounge. There is a certain number of people who seem to be early birds. One or two are … Continue reading

Posted in Cruising | Leave a comment

one of two

sea days that is We had storms leaving Guatemala yesterday. The bad weather, complete with fog down to the ocean level, rain, thunder, lightning, and the start of rough seas. I had looked out, couldn’t see anything, even the edge … Continue reading

Posted in Fiber, Travel | Leave a comment

the fiber group

Did I mention before that there is a version the “Knit, Needle, & Hook” that meets in the Observation lounge on sea days from 1000-1200? Anyway, I moved to the meeting area a bit early from my usual hang out … Continue reading

Posted in Fiber | Leave a comment

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Ok, first off – we docked in Puerto Caldera at what appears to be the major industrial port for the area. Unless my memory is completely full of holes – always a possibility – this isn’t the same place where … Continue reading

Posted in Cruising | Leave a comment

A large circle

Sea day. Quiet day. I discovered the group of stitchers & knitters meeting @ 1000 in the observation lounge on sea days. There is a large circular setup of couches part way into the observation lounge. With a bit of … Continue reading

Posted in Cruising, Travel | Leave a comment

Panama City

Panama, not Florida in case anyone is getting confused. We docked sometime in the middle of the night; I didn’t stay up for sail in. When I awoke this morning, we were docked along side the main pier with Coral … Continue reading

Posted in Cruising, Travel | 1 Comment

Passage thru the New Canal

i.e. the new locks in the Panama Canal. The old term used to be “Panamax” for the maximum size of ship that could transit the locks. Now there is Neo-Panamax for those that can manage the new locks.  This will … Continue reading

Posted in Cruising, Travel | 2 Comments

Birds of bright feathers

I am not going to bother you with a lot about today. We stopped in Cartagena. Carnival Spirit docked On the other side of our pier which meant buses, people and mobility assistive devices all over the place. I disembarked, … Continue reading

Posted in Cruising, Travel | 2 Comments

Starting the April cruise

As you might have noticed, this is yet another sea day. Add in that it is April Fools Day. Before I forget, a couple of comments on the Port of Miami. The last few times I have been here I … Continue reading

Posted in Travel | Leave a comment