Our experience on Day 1 of our cruise on the Silver Whisper was greater than fine.  Possibly, this was the best beginning of a sea journey ever.  Before sharing why, a few news of the day items. The first story is also related to our cruise, because we are headed towards three hurricanes.  The first few hours were calm and safe.  As we entered the Pacific Ocean, we already were experiencing the effect of those storms, for through the night, I had difficulty walking from my bed to the bathroom and back. I yesterday provided details on those three hurricanes, About Karina . Attained hurricane strength on August 30. Got up to 145 MPH on August 31, but also weakened down to 125 MPH, Up to 140 MPH on September 1. Up to 145 MPH on September 2. Down to 105 MPH on September 3, yesterday, Now at 90 MPH. Will further weaken and become a tropical storm either tomorrow or the next, September 6, my birthday,  Good gift if so, The Silver Whisper will not get to the Big Island...

First, guns.  What is the matter with the USA?  The Texas massacre was only yet another for many more to come...unless the U.S. Congress acts. The New York Times  this morning chimed in: By now, the story of American gun violence is unsurprising. Mass shootings happen frequently. The list from just the past decade includes supermarkets in Buffalo and in Boulder, Colo.; a rail yard in San Jose, Calif.; a birthday party in Colorado Springs; a convenience store in Springfield, Mo.; a synagogue in Pittsburgh; churches in Sutherland Springs, Texas, and in Charleston, S.C.; a Walmart in El Paso; a FedEx warehouse in Indianapolis; a music festival in Las Vegas; massage parlors in the Atlanta area; a Waffle House in Nashville; a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla.; and a movie theater in Aurora, Colo.   Even school shootings happen often enough that we know some of the names: Sandy Hook Elementary School, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Oxford High School, Santa Fe Hig...