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I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 52 years. I subscribe to Dr. PM Forni's concept of Civility. I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, and San Diego. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy, and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader and photographer.

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Thursday, October 7, 2010

Pulling A Few Punches and Some Photos

Today I resume my boxing lessons and am looking forward to throwing a few good punches.  Why I didn't do this while I was teaching, I'll never know.  How cathartic it would have been!

Rather than overwhelm all with pictures of our trip, I thought I'd post a few at a time.  Know that you were all there in my heart.

This one is scary and a sign of the times.  For the first time in any of our cruises, as we left the Port of Baltimore, we had an armed escort.  Anytime ANY vessel got close to us, the Coast Guard positioned itself between us.

 Doesn't look like we're going to make it under the Francis Scott Key Bridge, does it?


Deck 5 - the Promenade Deck where we walked on 'at sea' days after working out at the ship's gym.

 Our first view of  Portland, Maine.  Lots of islands and forts to maneuver -- pilot's 'take over' the ship for port entries and exits and boarding/disembarking at sea makes this one very dangerous job as they stand a great chance of being crushed between the two vessels.


                                     A fort and a lobster boat.

10 comments:

Linda Reeder said...

Boxing lesson????Wow. Maybe it's a good thing you didn't take this up when you were teaching. It might have been too tempting to box some ears on the job.
On our one big ship cruise we spent a lot of time on the promenade deck too, walking off all of the food we ate.

George said...

It's a sad commentary on the world when a cruise ship needs an armed escort. That's an interesting fort you pictured.
A teacher who boxes would probably have very few discipline problems.

Jules said...

Boxing???? I am so impressed. And LOVING THESE PICTURES!

It's been years and years since I've been on a cruise. I'd better add it to my bucket list.

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

Boxing! You go girl! I would love to try it, but there's no way I could do it with my deformed arthritic hands.

Love the fort.

Pearl said...

I took a couple boxing classes -- it was exhausting and totally worth the effort. Good for you!

Pearl

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Kathy, I love seeing your cruise photos... You are like me... I choose about 6 at a time... I struggle going to blogs where there are WAY too many pictures... I end up skimming through them...

Yours is perfect. I do think it's sad that cruise ships have to have an escort these days... Shows what kind of shape our world is in... What a shame.

Love that fort. What is that? George and I enjoy visiting forts.

Hugs,
Betsy

Purple Flowers said...

I sent you a comment. Did you receive it?

Gilly said...

Boxing!! I wouold never have thought it, but good for you!

And those cruise photos - love them. Your promenade deck was much nicer than ours - yours had seats!!

Though it was so rough, the deck was closed for much of the time :(

Unknown said...

It looks like you had an awesome trip, Kathy! Love the photos especially the lighthouse in fog!

How scary that you had to have an armed escort leaving the Port of Baltimore. But I'm very glad they are well aware of your safety & take precautions.

~ Amy

Lena said...

Armed escorts? Wow. Did that make you uncomfortable or comfortable because you knew you had protection? I have never been on a cruise, it looks lovely!