A busy morning of running, swimming, mulching, washing, raking, dusting, and blowing. We were also able to prepare a final resting ground for our two beloved pets, Tinker and Frankie. They’ve been in a box throughout our move from Portland to Florida, and although neither of them ever lived here, we wanted them to be close by, looking over the pond and shaded with two big palm trees. After all this busy work, I was finally able to sit down at the computer. 

We have visitors this Labor Day weekend – my wife’s niece and her boyfriend. I got them some Voodoo Ranger beer – their favorite. It’s their second stay at our new home, as they now make the frequent visitor’s list, although it’s only for one night. After they leave, we’ll repack some of the lanai items to secure the pool area for any potential hurricane activity while we’ve gone for four weeks. It’s now been a year-and-a-half since we moved in and storm damage has been limited to a ripped screen, Hopefully, we’ll continue to have a quiet storm season. 

Snowbird neighbors will begin to return this weekend and so will the traffic. We’re fourteen days from departure to Portland and 21-days from setting sail to Alaska. Another break from the routine is therefore just around the corner. We’ll soon be subject to the stress of travel deadlines but at least there won’t be the hassle of packing and unpacking. This is the nicest benefit of traveling by cruise ship – the same bed is waiting for us every night. In this case, twenty-four nights aboard ship on our route from Vancouver to Alaska to Hawaii. Flying through Portland on the way there will also give us the opportunity to reunite with friends and family. We’re getting ready!