Alaska Cruise Begins!

Friday, July 17th, began the third part of our trip to Alaska and Victoria. The first part was spending five days with our dear friends in Juneau, Alaska. Part two was Sooke Island and Victoria for four days. Now comes the seven-days cruise with Holland America Lines.

Before we left Jackson for this long-awaited trip, I mentioned to Dianne, I don't know what may be more exciting, the Tracy Arm Fjord excursion outside of Juneau, whale watching in Juneau, the photographic excursion in Sitka or seeing our friends enjoying and absorbing the beauty of Alaska for their first time (this was our fourth cruise to Alaska). The answer really became all of the above.

The eight of us that had completed the three day visit of Sooke Island and Victoria finished our late morning breakfast, casually packed our bags and left the motel to arrive at our ship's location.

The remainder of this Friday was to orientate ourselves with the ship's different levels, where our room were located and visually find the main dining room and the cafe area.

Holland America Lines caters to an older group of guests. This isn't to say that only gray haired, wheel-chair bound guests were allowed. We saw several teens and children on the ship. Holland America Lines has been in business for over one hundred years. You better have your act together or you wouldn't last this long in this highly competitive cruise business!

Holland America Lines, or HAL, is noted for having mid-sized ships. This reduces the crew-to-passenger ratio, which translates into better and quicker service. Our particular ship's name was the ms Zaandam. Each of HAL's ships names end with "dam", due to their Dutch ownership. Yes, jokes abound about "those" ships.

Watching the ship leave port was something to witness. Not only do these large water-bound motels have engines at the rear, or aft, they have jets on the port (left side) and starboard (right side) of the ship. All of these engines were placed into motion to slowly maneuver us away from the dock area.

As we made our departure in a northwesterly direction, you realized downtown Seattle was behind you and Mt. Ranier off the port side of the ship. Great photo opportunities to begin our Alaskan cruise.

Since we had secured early dining on the ship, we began the food feast approximately five-thirty in the evening. The food options and service were tremendous. But, looking out the port windows in the formal dining area, fog was settling along the coast line area.

Following dinner, there was one show in the theatre for all guests. The four singers and dancers performed a show with a general theme. One female singer, from the UK, became obvious to all of us that she was the strongest singer of the group. One black female dancer was the strongest dancer of the group.

Following the show, it was time to finish up any unpacking duties in the room, relaxing in a chair on one of the outside decks, and finally calling it a night. Saturday, we all anticipated to be a day of becoming more familiar with locations on the ship, experiencing being at sea, more food choices, entertainment and our first opportunity to shop on board the ms Zaandam!

Forty Years and Counting!

I remember many years ago attending one of my mom's high school reunions at Northside High School in Ft. Worth, Texas. As a young teen, most of these people looked old! Or maybe it was ancient! Oh, no. I'm in that age bracket now.

Saturday night, August 22nd, the Class of 1969 at Castleberry High School in Ft. Worth, Texas, held our fortieth graduation reunion. Could it be that those years have passed entirely too fast.

During our school years there, we witnessed seeing President John F. Kennedy, his wife and the Governor of Texas thirty minutes before the assassination of our president. Our high school choir was in Los Angeles on our way to Hawaii for tour when Bobby Kennedy was assassinated. We watched intently on black and white televisions man landing and walking on the moon. These and other events were witnessed throughout the world.

Here is some background information about our high school. Castleberry High School is located in Ft. Worth, TX. C.H.S. is an independent school in the bedroom community of River Oaks, TX. During the years we attended that high school, it was known throughout the city, state, country and many places around the world for its high quality choir and band programs.

The band was the first Texas representatives to the Rose Bowl in 1965. The choir was the Texas representatives to the World's fair in Montreal. Choir tours included Hawaii, Mexico, Israel and Europe. Our senior year our choir had the privilege of meeting Maria Von Trapp, on whom the movie "The Sound of Music" was based. And the list goes on. You might say we were the toast of Ft. Worth, Texas and the United States!

Several of my class attended elementary school thru high school together. That is more difficult in today's world due to job relocation and job changes.

On this particular Saturday, our class, and a few others met at Angelo's BBQ north of downtown Ft. Worth. The food was great (what true Texan wouldn't like BBQ), visiting with some of our former teachers, and of course, visiting with our classmates.

Our class regrouped outside to take our historical 40th Reunion Picture.

While the hair may have turned gray, or left the building entirely, or we added some unwanted pounds in areas we wouldn't have chosen, or we may have slightly forgotten a name or two, or an event long, long ago, the time together was much too short for any of us gathered.

There is word going around that we might gather more often that every five years. I don't know if that is due to wanting to increase our visiting time, getting more of our class members to consider coming, or at our age, we'd better get together more often! Doesn't make me any difference what the reason is to get together as a group--I'll make the trip from Jackson, MS, to Ft. Worth, TX, to be a part of that happening!

Senior Saints Party, August 1, 2009

Our local congregation has a group called "Senior Saints". Any member fifty and older qualify. Several times during the year, John and Betty Proctor, coordinators, plan an activity for these people. One trip included traveling to the Petrified Forest in Flora, MS. Last night's activity was a meal, funny emails and, of course, board games.






As we entered the multi-purpose room a group was already playing Chinese Checkers. I can't remember how long it has been since I have been that close to people playing this game!



We sang a familiar children's song with appropriate words for senior saints--

Jesus Loves Me

Jesus loves me, this I know
Though my hair is white as snow.
Though my sight is growing dim
Still he bids me trust in Him.

Though my steps are oh so slow,
With my hand in His I'll go.
On through life, let come what may,
He'll be there to lead the way.

Though I am no longer young,
I have much which He's buegun.
Let me serve Christ with a smile,
Go with others the extra mile.

When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song.
Telling me in words os clear,
"Have no fear, for I am near."

When my work on earth is done,
And life's victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I'll understand his love.

I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say
That I love Him every day.

Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me
The Bible tells me so.


The tables were decorated with a "beach scene" complete with beach towels, flip-flops, beads, etc. Jimmy Buffett would have been proud of the arrangements!

John Proctor engaged the group in a game of Bible Trivia. While the group handled the questions well, there were a couple of times John Pigg and Danny Spain consulted with Danny's Bible application on his phone to verify the game's answer.




After dinner, the group broke into two smaller groups, one playing Balderdash and the other Apples to Apples. And the fun began. Laughter soon followed with the playing of the games. It could be that several people woke up Sunday morning with sore ribs from all of the laughing.

While the Ridgeland, MS, area received additional rainfall, thunder and lightning, every one of us focused on the group and great fellowship.

Thank you John and Betty for a wonderful Saturday night.

Emily's Graduation, July 31, 2009

Friday was a special day in the Palmer household! Emily now has completed all requirements and earned her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Development from Hinds Community College.



Dianne, Amy and I were part of the guests in attendance to witness and celebrate graduation ceremonies on the campus of Hinds CC.


Emily not only completed the degree requirements, but had a 3.6+ GPA which placed her in the category of Magna Cum Laude territory. Congratulations, Emily, we're proud and you and your accomplishments.

Now, she'll change her major to Elementary Education, take core classes at Hinds from Aug. 2009 thru May 2010. Then, transfer to Delta State University for two years to earn her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education.

Go Girl!!!!!!!!

Alaska Trip - July 8, 2009

Our Alaskan experience, our fourth trip to the great state in seventeen years, began early this morning with a 5:20am flight out of Jackson, MS, connecting thru Atlanta and Seattle to arrive in Juneau, Alaska at 2:10pm local time. Our friends who moved to Juneau following our summer of 2006 trip to Alaska was the reason to plan an additional five days in Juneau. Tom, Dianne and I made the typical first stop in Juneau--shopping for t-shirts from the local Harley-Davidson store! Once that task was completed, next priority--vanilla ice cream cone at McDonalds.

We then travel a few miles north of downtown Juneau and walked from the Visitor's Center to the waterfall at Mendenhall Glacier. The final leg of the hike was to walk on small rocks to the waterfall area. Dianne decided it was too dangerous for her, but I, instead, walked in the just-over-the-ankle water instead of the rock steps.

While I took digital images of the waterfall and Mendenhall Glacier from the sandbar area, I ventured into the cold water with tripod and camera equipment to get a closer more direct images of the waterfall. Mission accomplished.

Dianne and I both observed the receding of the glacier since our first trip to the area in 1993. (Oh, no, I can hear Al Gore in the background talking about Global Warming again.)

After taking images of the colorful variety of flowers, we called it a day, after almost twenty-three hours straight of travel and photographic opportunities.