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!

and Tuesday rolls around again

Posted on 2026-05-05 by Holly

I am getting back into the normal routine of life here. Being gone for a few weeks always seems to stand everything on its head and leaves me a bit disoriented. I am definitely going to claim that – and … Continue reading →

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Just a small amount of stitching

Posted on 2026-05-02 by Holly

a bit more unpacking. Not any reasonable amount of clean up and a couple of errands run. I am going to count it as a good day… Oh yes, cat still attached…

Posted in Home, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

and all the sleep

Posted on 2026-05-01 by Holly

pretty much explains what this Friday was about. Yes, it is the first of May. But I don’t believe that “what ever you do on the first of the month carries through to the rest of it….” So I napped, … Continue reading →

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This journey’s end

Posted on 2026-04-30 by Holly

Since I had packed last night and put my suitcase out for the crew to haul into the terminal on arrival , I had little to do this morning other than get dressed, find coffee, and wajt for transportation. Unlike … Continue reading →

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The last day

Posted on 2026-04-29 by Holly

And this is my final evening on the Celebrity Summit. I’ve packed and my carry-on is outside my cabin door. I have my clothes for tomorrow and everything in my backpack except for this laptop and my phone.  I have … Continue reading →

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Really ugly art

Posted on 2026-04-28 by Holly

I was going to label this post “Bad Art” but then thought better of it. The crafted pieces are incredibly detailed, superbly constructed,  But, hello? Whomever chose them as art on a ship either works for Park West (the scamming … Continue reading →

Posted in Cruising, Travel | Leave a comment

Fishing 4 Condiments

Posted on 2026-04-27 by Holly

  What I should be doing is telling you about Mazatlan today. About the ship sailing into harbor this morning. About docking in a commercial port. About all the cars, buses, and trucks staged & the huge Solar Hybrid transport. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cross-Stitch, Cruising, Travel | 1 Comment

Puerto Vallarta

Posted on 2026-04-26 by Holly

Mexico, in case it wasn’t obvious. The ship docked about 0700 with clearance shortly there after. The usual early birds streamed down the gangway. I heard grumbling from more than a few later that nothing was open. Hello? Mexico? Sunday … Continue reading →

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Anzac Day 2026

Posted on 2026-04-25 by Holly

For all of you who aren’t familiar with the history of WWI, much less the contributions of people from Australia and New Zealand to the British Empire – you can take a quick look here which will give you a bit … Continue reading →

Posted in Cross-Stitch, Military | 1 Comment

Cruising in the Rain

Posted on 2026-04-24 by Holly

This is a sea day. I am planning on spending the majority of my day sitting in the Sky Lounge relaxing & stitching. Then about  0830 we started sailing thru massive downpours.  The lounge has been filling up steadily. It … Continue reading →

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Touching the Pacific

Posted on 2026-04-23 by Holly

As we head north along the coast, the density of marine traffic continues, at least of commercial vessels. There are a few people who also arrive early in the Sky Lounge, but the numbers seem to be significantly lower than … Continue reading →

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Communications options

Posted on 2026-04-22 by Holly

A long time ago on a ship far away, when you sailed off, you were gone. It certainly was so for my relatives leaving the non-safety of the Pale and making the journey to a new and different world. Maybe … Continue reading →

Posted in Prose | 1 Comment

Costa Rica

Posted on 2026-04-21 by Holly

We sailed into Puntarenas before 0630 this morning. The sun was already up. The random clouds in the sky didn’t look or feel like rain. I waited till after lunch time to wander out and along the water front. There … Continue reading →

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Backstage tours

Posted on 2026-04-20 by Holly

Like many ships & cruise lines, a certain amount of behind the scenes glimpses are offered. Sometimes these are free, sometimes available for a fee. Those that are free (at least on the larger ships) are normally associated with various loyalty … Continue reading →

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through the Panama Canal (again)

Posted on 2026-04-19 by Holly

  There is an order and rhythm to passing through locks. But first – for the history of the original locks – please see your favorite reference or a quick but thorough overview courtesy of Wikipedia which covers both the … Continue reading →

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too many trivias

Posted on 2026-04-18 by Holly

The amount of “entertainment” provided on a cruise varies widely across the cruise lines. Also, what is offered as entertainment also varies. I am not talking about access to the fitness center or the sales pitches thinly disguised by merchants … Continue reading →

Posted in Cruising | 1 Comment

Cartegena, Columbia

Posted on 2026-04-17 by Holly

As you might suppose, I have been to this port city more than a couple of times. I won’t say that I really know it – I don’t think that is possible for a tourist in port for a few … Continue reading →

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and another Sea Day

Posted on 2026-04-16 by Holly

Looking around the ship today, there seems to be an inordinate number of people just laying around in the sun, For hours on end.  I wish I could believe that they are all using sunblock.. Me? I just rove the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cross-Stitch, Cruising | 1 Comment

George Town, Grand Cayman

Posted on 2026-04-15 by Holly

Ok, now that I have told you where we were anchored today, anyone who knows me well can guess how I spent my day. Besides our ship, there was also the Celebrity Silhouette & a Virgin Lines ship at anchor. … Continue reading →

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Skipping the formal stuff

Posted on 2026-04-14 by Holly

One thing that happens if a person has taken more than a few cruises is that you start to know what to expect out of the various loyalty club activities.  My perspective is probably not similar to many people’s. For … Continue reading →

Posted in Cross-Stitch, Cruising, Travel | Leave a comment