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!

Getting to Amsterdam

Posted on 2023-03-22 by Holly

You would think it would be easy – two major cities, all inside the EU. Airport, check-in, security, gate, plane -> Amsterdam….. not exactly. With two bags (one full of stuff to leave in the Netherlands) I was not about … Continue reading →

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Day 12 – Valencia – Symphony of the Seas

Posted on 2023-03-20 by Holly

I didn’t get off. Because of the size of this behemoth ship, we docked at a major industrial; shipping port. No walking or hiking, but a mandatory shuttle to the gate. From there one can hike to the city or … Continue reading →

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Day 11 – Malaga – Symphony of the Seas

Posted on 2023-03-19 by Holly

We sailed into Malaga with the morning sunrise, calm seas, and barely a wind. The ship was cleared by 0730 and I really thought about watching the mad rush off ship. And didn’t bother. Instead I elected to go for … Continue reading →

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Day 10 – Straits of Gibraltar – Symphony of the Seas

Posted on 2023-03-18 by Holly

What would be a post without a Wiki Link? Go read about the Straits of Gibraltar – It is interesting, informative and explains sooo much as to why there is cultural connection between Spain & North Africa, a favorite place to … Continue reading →

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Day 9 – Symphony of the seas

Posted on 2023-03-17 by Holly

Diamond Lounge – excellent place for lattes in the morning…   at this point, the days are sort of blurring together for me, no surprise there. By the time I sit down to the keyboard, I have almost no recollection … Continue reading →

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Day 8 – Symphony of the Seas

Posted on 2023-03-16 by Holly

AKA – Dinner with the Hotel Director. Oh – I forgot to mention that yesterday was the formerly named “Meal with an Officer” which is one of those perks that Royal has offered to Loyalty members at ~340 points and … Continue reading →

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Day 7 – Symphony of the Seas

Posted on 2023-03-15 by Holly

I am at the point where the sea days are starting to blur together and keeping track of where and and when is almost more trouble than it is worth. Other than my last trans-Atlantic on the Star Legend, even … Continue reading →

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Day 6 – Symphony of the Seas

Posted on 2023-03-14 by Holly

Today was the third of six time zone changes. The interesting challenge for many is that the change is being done at noon, rather than in the middle of the night. The tough thing for the crew is having to … Continue reading →

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Day 5 – Symphony of the Sea

Posted on 2023-03-13 by Holly

The first bit of good news today: no time zone change. That more than happily worked for me. Mostly what I am trying to do is make sure that I know the “official time zone,” not as related to any … Continue reading →

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Day 4 – Symphony of the Seas

Posted on 2023-03-12 by Holly

And it is another time zone change day…. Ok – I can live with that. It is not like I have anywhere to go or anything particular to do. Other than stitching –  I really didn’t do a lot. I … Continue reading →

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Day 3 – Symphony of the Seas

Posted on 2023-03-11 by Holly

Let’s see – there is sunlight, there are way too many people out and about. The number of children is appalling. Apparently it is spring break – which makes absolutely no sense to me. But then. when I was growing … Continue reading →

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A lot of sea days

Posted on 2023-03-10 by Holly

This particular cruise has a lot of sea days. This is technically day #2 and the first sea day. Cabins: This is your classic balcony cabin on a bigger commercial ship. It is longer than it is wide. Looking from … Continue reading →

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Sailing from Miami – Symphony of the Seas

Posted on 2023-03-09 by Holly

After a relaxing morning, we tackled the traffic to Port of Miami. The most recent time I was here, it was on the Star Legend which is a small ship without a dedicated, fancy terminal. Today? Sailing out on Symphony … Continue reading →

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Sawgrass Mills

Posted on 2023-03-08 by Holly

I am not sure how many years ago it was that I had a back to back through Miami/Ft Lauderdale where the ship offered a trip out to Sawgrass Mills. In all honestly, it was to their benefit to get … Continue reading →

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Red Eyes

Posted on 2023-03-07 by Holly

The best thing about taking a red-eye is that it is always the low point of the day. It was a typical United Flight – boarding is by privilege. What I found interesting, unlike daytime business hour flights,  is that … Continue reading →

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Heading out

Posted on 2023-03-06 by Holly

I am not sure ever how to react to the day I head out on another trip. When my departure is morning to midday – all of my organizing needs to be done the day before. When it is an … Continue reading →

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Birthdays

Posted on 2023-03-05 by Holly

Today is Noah’s Birthday. Tomorrow is Miriam’s. They turn 32 and 30 respectively. Given everyone’s work schedule it seemed most sensible to revert to what we did when they were toddlers and combine the two events. When I look at … Continue reading →

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Starwoman

Posted on 2023-03-04 by Holly

Part 3 of the StarWoman SAL by Barbara Ana was released on 1 March. I finally had a few minutes this morning and continued to work on her. The frame and uniform/wingythings are from parts I & 2. The hair … Continue reading →

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Ignoring the morning

Posted on 2023-03-02 by Holly

Yes, please. I headed out early. Early enough that I was the first customer at my local Peet’s before braving the freeway, Bay Bridge and run to SFVA. It was one of those times where my inclination to adhere to … Continue reading →

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Borders

Posted on 2023-03-01 by Holly

There are times when time zones actually work in my favor. Mostly it involves Australia and release times for stitch-a-longs. Those 17 hours don’t mean that there is any possibility of completing a section of this SAL before the calendar … Continue reading →

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