November and December turned out to be interesting months. We hosted 18 for Thanksgiving, which turned into a super spreader event, with 5 of us contracting Covid but not testing positive until the following week. Thanksgiving weekend Steve threw me a 65th birthday celebration, complete with taco truck. I made the margaritas and several people had a bad Sunday. I’ve been told next time there need to be warning labels. And while both of those events were wonderful the following week was, well… not so much. We were supposed to leave December 4th for Paris, but Steve’s retina detached on November 30th which prohibited him from flying for at least 2 weeks. He is fine, healing well and although there are changes to his vision in that eye that won’t be totally known for a few months he can see. But we had to cancel Paris and I won’t be giving Viking Cruises and more of my money. Ever. But we still had a trip planned for Jamaica for Christmas, and I held my breath until the day before we left and the doctor told Steve he was good to go!

I’d stayed at the Jewel Paradise Cove resort previously, and while their infrastructure could use some rehab the place is clean, the beach is beautiful, the food is good, the rum punch is cold and the staff is friendly and great fun. And this time there were a great many vacationing Jamaicans, there for the holidays. In talking to them I found out that the north coast is like their Cape Cod!  We snorkeled and swam, enjoyed great entertainment and I got involved with every audience participation opportunity possible. Santa arrived by boat and we had our picture taken with him. He gave out Absolut nips. My kind of Santa.

At the end of the stay a lovely British woman staying at the resort saw us in the lobby with our luggage and asked if we were leaving. When I affirmed it she said, “You will be missed! We had so much fun watching you!” Uh oh. Steve claims I didn’t embarrass him so I guess it’s all okay…

We headed home on our 21st anniversary. Happy New Year to all!

Enjoy the show. And put the sound up!

Deborah