LifePundit

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If You Want to Feel Young and Slim, Go on a Cruise

The large ship you see in the background is the Norwegian Majesty. The large people you see in the foreground are some of the other passengers. If you want to feel young and slim, go on a cruise.

Oh my goodness. Lots of us did not need to be on a ship where food was good and free and available 24/7. But I must say that Paul's and my romantic getaway the first week of this month was fabulous.

This photo was taken on the only good beach day we had, which was at our stop on Great Stirrup Cay (or was it Grand Stirrup Cay), Norwegian's "private island." I noticed another cruise ship off in the distance ferrying people to another part of the island, which I assume was that cruise line's "private island." If two cruise lines own parts of the same island, does that still make it a private island? Not that it wasn't a great stop with a nice beach, good snorkeling and even a fun four-mile hiking path (shown here) to an abandoned lighthouse.

Speaking of the food, I was a little disappointed. They advertised that we would be having barbecue on the island. Since I'm from the South, I was thinking pulled pork or chicken barbecue with cole slaw, rice and hash (you don't want to know what's in barbecue hash -- it's the parts you can't identify) and maybe some banana pudding. They meant hot dogs and hamburgers. I always get tricked by the "barbecue" word used by non-Southerners. Still, none of us had great need for real barbecue.

These people are the ones taking the four-mile hike. Imagine what the sedentary ones looked like.

Yes, I'm definitely feeling young and slender. It was worth every penny.

Oh!And I found out that if I walked three miles briskly every day (there's a great track on deck seven -- goes all the way around the ship, four laps is a mile) I could break even when I had dessert at lunch and dinner. We did a lot of cruise math, Paul and I. If I walked only one mile, could I have one dessert? What if I walked two miles and had no desserts? Don't know about that last one because it never happened. I also forced myself to take the stairs. Never once took the elevator.

I loved watching the other passengers. There were several elderly couples where one of them was in a wheelchair. One couple in particular was very sweet to observe. She was in a wheelchair and sat indoors holding hands with her husband, looking at the sea. They didn't talk. They were just together, looking at the ocean that went on forever in every direction.

If it were a movie, it would have been some image of how their love went on forever. They'd probably just had a fight and she was holding his hand so he wouldn't get away. Just kidding. I think it's a special thing when you can sit in silence and just be present. I wanted to ask them their story, but there was no polite way in.

More later, when I figure out where PhotoShop hid my other pictures.

Southern Groceries

When I lived in Philadelphia I got homesick for Southern food. Fortunately, I lived in a black neighborhood where I could actually buy grits, collards and other necessities at the nearest Acme Market. (I could also get pig's feet but have never had a need for those.) But what I would have given for Mama's cooking.

One of my dear friends has solved this problem for Southerners living out of the South and hankering for the taste of home. Her family has opened an Internet grocery store, Southern Groceries, that specializes in the food you need but likely can't get if you're living in "foreign parts."

Want to get a taste of the real thing? Try their Dixie Condiment basket, which contains Braswell's Red Pepper Jelly from Statesboro, GA.; Mrs. Campbell's Chow Chow from Winston-Salem, NC.; Crystal Hot Sauce from Metairie, LA.; Bama Mayonnaise from Richmond, VA.; Wickles Pickles from Dadeville, AL.; Johnny Harris Barbecue Sauce from Savannah, GA.; Dale's Steak Seasoning from Birmingham, AL.; Zatarain's Creole Mustard from New Orleans, LA. They also sell single items and many gift baskets.

Yum. This is one of my best friends and I promise her family will treat you right!

I'm Back and It's Too Pretty to Blog

I meant to write some posts to roll out while we were gone on our cruise last week, but Paul got sick (they thought he might have had salmonella but most likely it was diverticulitis) the week before and we weren't sure we were going. I can't say I did anything productive -- just ran around in circles and wondered if we were going or not, wondered if he was going to ever get better, etc. Somehow the uncertainty of our trip meant I didn't write anything that week or for the one we were gone. I think I mostly went to Wal-Mart and bought cat and dog food, usually two trips a day. Also bonine and other stuff you need for a trip. Then I'd come home and take suitcases out and put them back.

The doctor cleared Paul to go at the last minute, I packed everything I owned and he packed nothing, and Lily stayed with Saintly Brother and sister-in-law part of the time and a friend from school part of the time. When we picked her up yesterday she said, "I had fun but I'm so glad I get to go home where I don't have to be polite all the time." She also hated a week of drinking city water -- she loves our well water.

I'll write more about our trip and post some photos later. But right now, it's 76 degrees and sunny. I'm going outside to ride Lucy, my horse. Next time you hear from me, I'll be all loaded up with Vitamin D.

It was good to be gone. It is good to be back.