Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out

By Evelyn David

 

Well Timothy Leary of LSD fame advised us to do all three, but hubby and I only managed the last – we totally dropped out of our fast-paced, over-packed, multi-scheduled lives for one week. We took a cruise.

A few days after Christmas, my better half and I started talking about needing to get away, to recharge our batteries which had been running on empty. It's been an incredibly busy time, both personally and professionally – but heck, when isn't it? Still, I was surprised when he suggested we go to a travel agent and see what our options were.

Now here's the rub. Hubby makes an albino look like an ad for Coppertone. Red-haired and fair, he is very susceptible to sun poisoning. Don't ask about our 25^th wedding anniversary trip – let's just say, fever and swollen legs the size of elephants put a damper on the celebrations – and yes, he was wearing sunscreen at the time!

So it seemed foolish to go to some island with the expectation that we would lie in the sun for a week.

"What about a cruise," father of my four children asked.

"Who is this guy," I answered. "A cruise? What would you do?"

"Sleep, eat, read," he assured me. "Wander around islands when we dock."

Now came the hard part. Nope, it wasn't choosing which cruise because his work schedule dictated the only week we could go and so the choice was made for us. No, the real issue was me getting on a plane in order to get to the ship. See, if you don't go out of Florida or Puerto Rico, you'll spend two days getting to warm weather. Leave from points South and you start off in shorts and sleeveless tops.

Those of you who know me understand that I loathe flying (notice that suggests that I don't like it, as opposed to being terrified the entire time and personally holding up the plane through my grip on the arm rests). But I looked at hubby, who really did look tired – and I acted as though me flying was no big deal (which neither he nor any of my kids believed – so much for my acting ability).

When did I know that this cruise idea was a winner? The moment my feet crossed the gangplank. There were a host of people offering me champagne, chocolate, and an unending buffet. Seriously, did they know I was coming or what? The stateroom with a small balcony was perfectly appointed with a queen-sized bed, large closet, a private bath the size of the one I have at home – and two stewards to clean and bring us fresh towels, room service, and chocolate on our pillows each night. And no, we didn't have the most expensive room on the ship – not by a longshot.

The food was delicious and way too plentiful. My husband quickly slipped into the "I paid for it, I'm eating it – and by the way, are you finishing yours, if not, I will" culture. If he went more than two hours without a snack, he claimed he was getting peckish. The ship had a two-story library – we each read three books over the 7-day cruise. There was a casino (I won $6.20 playing the penny slots). Husband won a bracelet by taking a free raffle ticket, stuck into his hand while on his way to yet another snack. He gave me the jewelry and headed off to the buffet. I passed on the opportunity to learn the steps to Gangnam Style, which I confess, I regret.

We wandered around the islands, saw a butterfly farm where I learned that Eric Carle has been lying to me all these years. Seems that the very hungry caterpillar did not build a cocoon, instead he built a chrysalis (moths, not butterflies, construct cocoons). But in my relaxed cruise state, I accepted that Eric Carle was exercising artistic license.

While I checked my email a couple of times a day, hubby turned off his phone when we walked up the gangplank – and didn't turn it back on for seven days. He was the most relaxed I've ever seen him and we've been married forever. Among his forays on the ship was to a presentation on future cruises.

But we're back now – amidst freezing temps and snowy days; no more stewards, waiters, or fruity cocktails with little paper umbrellas. But most of all, our batteries have been recharged. We don't want to drop out – except for maybe once a year.

Ship Ahoy!

Marian, the Northern half of Evelyn David   

 

 

A Reason to Give Thanks includes: Giving Thanks in Lottawatah, Bah, Humbug in Lottawatah, Moonlighting at the Mall, The Fortune Teller's Face, A Reason to Give Thanks, Sneak Peek – Murder Off the Books, Sneak Peek – I Try Not to Drive Past Cemeteries
A Reason to Give Thanks
Kindle
Nook
Smashwords

 

Sullivan Investigations Mystery
Murder Off the Books Kindle - Nook - Smashwords - Trade Paperback
Murder Takes the Cake Kindle - Nook - Smashwords - Trade Paperback 
Riley Come Home (short story)- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Moonlighting at the Mall (short story) - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords

 

 

Zoned for Murder
Kindle
Nook
Smashwords
Trade Paperback

Brianna Sullivan Mysteries - e-book series
I Try Not to Drive Past Cemeteries- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
The Dog Days of Summer in Lottawatah- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
The Holiday Spirit(s) of Lottawatah- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Undying Love in Lottawatah- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
A Haunting in Lottawatah - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Lottawatah Twister - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Missing in Lottawatah - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Good Grief in Lottawatah - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Summer Lightning in Lottawatah - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords

The Ghosts of Lottawatah - trade paperback collection of the Brianna e-books
Book 1 - I Try Not to Drive Past Cemeteries (includes the first four Brianna e-books)
Book 2 - A Haunting in Lottawatah (includes the 5th, 6th, and 7th Brianna e-books)

Romances
Love Lessons - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords