Nature Friday - Wild Weather

 It was the first Friday we were home. It was lunch and Lady and Man, who were sick, were in the sitting area between our kitchen and dining room, doing lunch things. It had be a relatively sunny day. 

Out of nowhere, it got dark and windy.

As Man was saying "wow, it is windy, trees are going to fall" Lady, who was facing the window, saw these trees fall.

Less than 5 minutes later, it was sunny again. One of Callie's trees, right beside our driveway also fell on the road, and Hydro moved it to our driveway and Callie's Man had to cut it up so we could get out. 

Apparently, although Lady has never been able to confirm this, it was a small tornado that had come through our yard. 

Fortunately we were without power for only 5.5 hours. Not bad for a tornado. 

Thanks to Rosy and Sunny for hosting this event. 

Nursing

As we have mentioned, the people came back from their trip sick. They were lucky on the trip to not be too sick, more like a cold. Lady says maybe they drank a little less and went to bed a little earlier, nothing that really impacted there adventures. For Man, he started to get really sick on the last day of the trip, for Lady it was the first night home.

Man had a terrible cough and a sinus infection and was very exhausted. 5 weeks later, he is mostly better. He had to take an extra week off for being sick. Almost 3 weeks after getting sick, he had to go to the doctor for a steroid inhaler and a different nasal spray. The doctor said it was not Covid, but just some respiratory virus he caught in Europe. 

Lady worked from home a day she should have gone in. She had to end work a bit early 2 days because she was too tired. She had the cough, a little fever and her throat was so swollen she couldn't eat solid food for a week. She has never had that before.  However, after a 11 nights on a cruise ship, perhaps not eating much was a good choice. 

Not to worry, we were good caregivers while our people recovered.

The Man slept in the guest room so his coughing wouldn't keep Lady awake (she stayed with us in our bedroom)

Wordless Wednesday - Listen Up

 

Travel Tuesday - Man's 50th Birthday - Day 2 - More Barcelona

The second day of the trip was also in Barcelona. As we didn't have to get onto the ship until about 3 pm, we did tour to 2 specific sites.

Our first stop was to Park Guell. This was originally planned to be a private park where some of Barcelona's elite were to live. The public parts of the park were designed by Gaudi, an architect and designer, who was greatly inspired by nature and religion. In the end only 2 houses were built in the park (neither designed by Gaudi, however he moved into one of them). The rich just didn't want to move so far from downtown Barcelona in the early 1900s. 

It is currently a municipal garden and UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Locals can enjoy the park for free and tourists pay to enjoy the space (which helps pay for the upkeep). It was interesting and is well worth the visit. Here are some random pictures from our tour of it.

The second stop on our tour (after some time to grab lunch in a cafe), and reason for taking this tour was a visit to Sagrada Familia (we couldn't get a ticket in another way). The Basilica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia, is a church that is under construction in Barcelona. It was also designed by Gaudi and is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Construction began in 1882. It was only a quarter finished when Gaudi died in 1926. It was consecrated in 2010 and construction is expected to be done in 2026, with the details finishing in 2034. The church has never received public or church money, it has relied on ticket sales and private donations to cover the costs. It is is being built at an estimated cost of 25 million euros per year at this time, and no one can estimate how much it has cost. 

The completed exterior of the church is stunning and has amazing details.

This is in contrast to the interior, where the details are simple and the stained glass is stunning. 

The light from the stained glass making the floor glow 

We took the elevator to the top of the Passion Tower and walked down. 

I enjoyed the exterior of this building and loved the light on the inside. However, I will admit, it was not my favourite churches, as I personally prefer the tombs and art I have seen in other Catholic churches. I am really glad to have had the opportunity to explore the church. 

After our climb down the tower, it was time to head to our ship and start the next part of our adventure. Come back next week where we enter Morocco and our first visit to Africa. 

Mischief Monday - Patiently Waiting - by Phod

 Dear pals,

Last week we talked a lot about the conditions at the pet sitter's and how hard that was. Maybe it was an ok place to be, but it was definitely not home. And I will give our sitter credit, she did not make the most horrible things happen, like going to the vet. We were hardly home when our people loaded us into the car and took us for our Librela shots.  Apparently we were a week late. 

Because we both have to go, Lady has been making us evening appointments so we can all go, as she says 1:1 is easier.

The night we were there was busy and we had to sit in different spots. 

This gave me the opportunity to explore some, while I waited and waited and waited for my turn.

I have never sat over here before:

What do you mean I can't hide in the bathroom, while I wait?

I may have opened the door

Why are Man and Lee way, way, way over there?

Finally, we are all sitting together.

Hmmm, I sure smells good over here. 

After waiting 87 million hours (probably 20 minutes), it was our turn. There was a bit of a mix up because they hadn't book Lee in for her shot, but they were happy to give it to her. They warmed it up for her and she seemed happier with it.

While the process of this is sucky, and we don't like going, Lady reminds us we are the lucky ones who have really good outcomes on it. It is helping us live the best golden years possible. 

Apparently, we are due again this week (the time has gone by so fast). I hope it isn't too snowy.

Your pal, Phod who isn't in much pain 

FFF Nature Friday - Autumn

It is an exciting day, it is Aunty-Yam's FFF and Rosy and Sunny's Nature Friday.

We will start with some nature. While the leaves are long gone, you may have noticed Lady posted a lot fewer this year. She didn't think it was as pretty as some years. The colours were more brown. Someone told her it was because we had too much rain. 

Now our FFF - from an autumn morning

The sky glows in pink

The cool air smells of decay

The days are too short

 

Thankful Thursday - Happy Thanksgiving American Friends

 Today we send a happy Thanksgiving to all our American pals.

Recently, what we were most thankful for, was the return of our people. We were so excited.

We hope all our pals find things to be grateful for today. We are grateful for all of you!