Say farewell to our be loved cat Ayoko/Carlos Pueblo

 Say farewell to our be loved cat Ayoko/Carlos Pueblo

Yesterday we sent our be loved cat Ayoko to his last journey. He will be missed. As I mentioned it to my neighbor Kathy, also pets owner, what the vet's words about amputating his right leg might keep him alive. She cried and said it's about the time. I know the hardship of the separation.

Ayoko stared at me for a while yesterday morning and went upstair to say goodbye to Arthur. I didn't feel well myself. I have been in diarrhea for more than a week. I couldn't sleep well at night.

Ayoko was rescued by Michelle more than 20 years ago. We thought that we provided him a shelter and a safe environment. I hope that he doesn't need to come back to this world.

送終／莊峻華

 送終／莊峻華

今日下午，準備送愛貓麥迪遜到獸醫診所安樂死，享年近21歲，它已經不食一週餘，無法擺脫右後小腿腫瘤，若非我們週五清晨需要遠行，愛美有把握多照顧一兩週，但也無需，麥迪遜是好貓，沒有疼痛哀號。

今晨他兩眼注視我，約是清楚大限已至，兩點不到上樓到元兒臥室道別，元兒是三點小夜班，這是永別，只有我是婦人之仁，我又能作甚麼？我能了卻病死？我也不能怪琳兒，將他帶來我們家，畢竟我們有20年美憶。

我心疼之尪腰子，就是我郎心如鐵，也有愛親別離之苦，我相信此生你已修得正果，是隻好貓，雖然飲食有些挑剔，但都是小事，今日離去後，必歸我西天極樂世界，不再輪迴。

Taiwan Relation Act 44 years anniversary/Carlos Pueblo

 Taiwan Relation Act 44 years anniversary/Carlos Pueblo

Taiwan Relation Act was signed by President Carter in 1979 as a basic law to deal with Taiwan at the time the United States set up the diplomatic relationship with the communist China, the Republic of China. Yesterday, I found an old photo in my garage in related to an activity which Amy and I participated in 1981 in Washington, D.C. A picture of a group of concerned Taiwanese to visit then Senator Kennedy to thank him and Representative Solarz of New York City for their effort to pass this law. I took the photo back to Amy's library along with another photo for us with the late Senator.

Our community association president sent me to represent the community to join the effort organized by the Formosan Association of Public Affairs. Almost 12 years ago, an editor of the Pacific Journal called me to verify this activity according to the photo which was presented to him by another participant, Rev. Hsu who was also a contributor of that publication. He was standing by the Senator on the background at the Senator's meeting room. I can still recognize the late Taiwan Provincial Assemblyman Kuo Yu-Hsing of I-Lan Taiwan. Another three distinguish Taiwanese community leaders were also there sitting in the front of our group, the late hotel tycoon Wang Kuei-Jung and the founder of the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of the North America; the late Professor Tsai Tung-Rong of New York City University also a distinguish Legislator in Taiwan and the founder of the Formosa Television; Chen Tung-San a distinguish geologist in U.S. and politician in Taiwan for years, Legislator, Tainan Prefecture Magistrate, National Foreign Minister, and the Chairman of the Taiwan National Security Council, etc.

Amy is very happy to see that she is the only female on the picture. She was only age 24 at the time to participate such historical activity. I was pretty young as well.

台灣關係法44年紀念／莊峻華

 台灣關係法44年紀念／莊峻華

1979年卡特總統在承認共產黨中國時，同時簽署台灣關係法，雖然與佔領台灣34年的國民黨中華民國斷絕邦交，但很微妙的維持與台灣保持關係，關係法之特點是美國可以提供出售武器，給台灣自衛，最近更是提昇到台灣有事，等於美國有事，日本也跟進，今晨我整理車庫，發現一張陳年微黃之團體照片，擦拭塵埃後，移至室內，和另張相片並列愛美圖書室。

這是當年，應該是1981年冬殘日，休市台灣同鄉會，著我前往華府參加感謝索拉茲眾議員和甘迺迪參議員兩位，在關係法立法過程中之努力，當時我乘機攜帶愛美同行，順便租車拜望其居波士頓之二姊，此行有幾張相片留念，就是同鄉們拜訪甘迺迪和索拉茲辦公室之合照，我現在仍舊找出與甘迺迪參議員之合照，一張是團體照，另一張是參議員和我們夫妻之合照，參議員已經過世， 行前一年，1980年同鄉會在休市海耶特大飯店募款，贊助甘迺迪挑戰卡特總統不果。

約是十餘年前，洛杉磯太平洋時報林文政兄來話，談起休市許雋夫牧師，出示此張合照，牧師當時站立在參議員旁，同時站立背後者，有宜蘭之郭雨新省議員，蔡同榮，陳唐山，和王貴榮等先進都前座，台灣新共和成立後，蔡與陳都回國貢獻，蔡與貴榮兄均已過世，蔡是台灣立法委員暨民視創辦人，陳是台南縣長，立法委員，外交部長，和國安會主席等職。

我恭喜愛美出席留照此一歷史盛會，我們都盛逢其會，台灣政治脫胎換骨，台灣關係法，天無絕人之路，台灣加油。

The sign of going homeless/Carlos Pueblo

 The sign of going homeless/Carlos Pueblo

The homeless is an issue of a nation even in such a rich country of U.S.A. We have a discussion with our daughter Michelle recently of such related issue. They are in an effort to rescue a relative who has no place to live and without their help this person of age 39 will be a homeless very soon. We kind of knowing why Michelle comes to us for advise which is not our business and she won't take our advise but has a listening. This sister-in-law is $14,000 in credit card debt and driving a vehicle with a $366 a month loan payment. It is very awkward and nowadays it costs at least $1,500 a one bed room apartment in Austin, Texas. She is looking for a job. An evolution theory by Thomas Huxley suddenly appears in my mind, a natural selection.

Amy is coordinating an effort to purchase an old Honda from her sister for $500 in order to help her to meet the need to work after she returns that new vehicle to her ex-husband. I also remind Michelle that this sister-in-law should pay attention to apply the Medicaid coverage before the end of her health coverage on April 15 this year. It is very essential to keep her current medicine for mental health or it will get worse. She should also apply for social welfare in order to subordinate her low income from now on. We're lucky to live in this great and considerate nation. I know that she is a conservative and the Republication who are against the progressive approach idea, yet it is no time to save face.

Since our formation of a new family, Amy and I have carefully made our plan to help our beloved children. We have taught our value from their early age. We have asked them to finish a college education and to work thereafter. Both of my children are doing better than me on their jobs and keeping on their jobs. They have also built their frugal habits and save money for their future needs.

Recently, I have taken city buses to reach airports to make my various trips. I have stayed overnight on airports all over the world to meet my flying schedules. I have run into many homeless people. It is too late for anybody to step in to help. I don't think the mighty U.S. or Texas government can solve such problem. We must prepare early.

無家可歸者前兆／莊峻華

 無家可歸者前兆／莊峻華

美國國家富有，但也有不計其數之無家可歸者，社會福利介入幫助，但仍舊是杯水車薪，我有很多感觸，無家可歸者是有前兆，能否預防？則是見人見智。最近，其實是正在進行中，琳兒有位姻親，年紀39，前來投奔，她說若不伸手援助，很可能就成無家可歸者，我們只能提供意見。

這位女親戚有大學學歷，但有精神病，需要服藥，只能照顧動物為生，這種職業甚難謀生，經常失業，但她也是有意見很固執，卻不擇善，儒家曰擇善固執，完全不是那回事，所以有問題，愛美觀心琳兒，研究這位親戚之臉書，知道她去年三月才訂婚，結婚後有一新車貸款，每月需交$360，而且她尚有$14，400信用卡債務，前夫有職業，學校教師和週末之國民兵。

離婚手續正在進行中，將在四月十五日生效，新車需要還給前夫，否則需要接下新車貸款，每月$360，還有昂貴之全保車險，愛美幫忙請其二姊安賣出20年本田舊車$500濟急，讓她有車上班，其母，就是琳兒婆家，出車款$500和首期責任車險，我們上週北上照顧9隻愛犬愛貓，這位親戚已經搬出，暫住客戶家照顧寵物，聽聞將來將會有室友。

我們都清楚，沒有工作收入，無法獨立生活，我提醒琳兒要注意四月十五日，申請貧民健保，貧民補助金，沒有健保，不繼續服藥，病況加劇，無法工作，貧民補助金可以幫助不足收入。

我在出外旅行中，因節省支出，都是搭公車上機場，經常目睹無家可歸者，警察也前來觀心，因為不雅觀瞻，無家可歸者甚多，我只能慶幸我有準備有打算，避免落此地步。

Replace my car battery/Carlos Pueblo

 Replace my car battery/Carlos Pueblo

Since my left knee injury, I quit tennis and drive little of my car. After my Austin trip, my car battery was dead which was five years old. There was no way that I could jump it up and drove to the Walmart to replace the battery. My neighbor Mike refreshed my know how knowledge to take down the dead battery and put it into Arthur's trunk. We are going out of town for three weeks and Arthur needs to have my car to back him up his 16 years old car in case of emergency. Amy's 2018 car is too new for him to drive to work at the supermarket.

There were rusty mold grown around battery connecting codes. Mike told me that I should clean them before I put a new battery on. The store clerk showed me selections of new battery on the shelf. I selected the cheapest one because that I didn't know how long my car would last. He also showed me a metal brush to clean codes and brush off mold. I was very please that I could replace my car battery and also clean the street full of new trash from the big Sweet Gum in the front.

I managed to get Amy to help me to open the hood in the front. It takes two person's coordination to get it open. I also managed to lift the battery to sit properly on the seat thereafter. As Mike reminded me to use a proper 3/8 inch ranch to tight them up. Amy saw me to brush off molds and brought me a bottle cleaner which she brought last time from our garage. I skipped such purchase due to the cheaper metal brush which the store clerk recommended. I got it done and moved the vehicle to clean the street surface. Every year I must help Amy to clean fallen leaves and pollens regularly. Our neighborhood is very neat with homeowners pride.

更換座車新電池／莊峻華

 更換座車新電池／莊峻華

前院香楓新葉苗，撒落滿地，我正一畚畚拾落垃圾桶，輪到座車位置，始發現無法發動座車，奧斯汀8日天冷，電池凍壞，元兒座車電池，也無能幫助，我仍試圖充電，鄰居麥克遛狗途經見我窘境，下手幫忙我卸下舊電池，都已經5年，我拿來工具箱，在旁觀看助理，我是有過換車電地經驗。

卸下老電池，放在元兒座車尾物箱，準備翌晨上大賣店買新電池，我不滿意拖車行價錢，況且我尚需要購買一些維護品，車電池沉重，我是有困難攜上放下，我選最便宜一具，再買一便宜鐵刷清除連接處電池銹，還有砂紙，回家後找愛美幫忙，打開座車前箱，然後我就慢慢的裝上新電池。

鄰居們散步，停留下來關心，多時不見，我到處旅行，打網球後又深居簡出，談到愛貓愛犬離去之苦，我們搬到此社區，已經滿10年，剛來時認識之愛犬，多半離去，我的座車也近25年，今年起就無需年度車檢，我也不甚開車，若此車拋錨，我也不需再有座車，這老車可當元兒工作車之替代。

The departure time/Carlos Pueblo

 The departure time/Carlos Pueblo

Our cat Madison is at the departure time, a time to say goodbye. He is 20 plus years old with a bleeding tumor on his right rear foot. He is not eating at all for several days. We decide to let him go this coming Wednesday. It is very sad to have this situation. We ask our son Arthur who is very kin to this cat if he would have another one to accompany him. He says no.

his cat was brought to our home in 2002 a week after Michelle brought her cat Stitch home. Stitch couldn't leave Michelle's roommate's old cat alone. Then, she found this abandon cat outside her door step outside. She was a junior at college; therefore, she couldn't take care of it. This cat was hidden in the corner of our formal dining room to avoid my notice. He was about a mouse's size according to Amy's observation. We thought that he was a female cat; therefore, I called it Ayoko in Taiwanese mean we would bring you up even though we didn't expect to have you. This was for a baby girl whom the family was expected to have a son in Taiwan at the old time. Later, the vet discovered that he was a male cat. Michelle named him Madison after the famous President of the U.S.

Madison grew up with Stitch whose individual character was more like our daughter and dominate in the household while Madison, I still call him Ayoko, is more like our son Arthur who is introversive. They have become very closed. He is not like most cats would allow me to hold him. Stitch passed away in 2018 at age 15 while Madison still doing very well until recently.

I firmly believe that the departure is a kind of suffer and a pain as the current Buddha has described especially for those who are very closed to you. All living creatures shall die eventually. Ayoko will die so will I. It is what I realize that a meaningful life is so important to me. Thanks Ayoko for bringing so much fond memory to our family and farewell.

愛親別離苦2023／莊峻華

 愛親別離苦2023／莊峻華

雖言長途旅行在即，我們的事尚未了，愛貓麥迪遜正待壽終正寢，我們準備在下週三，送他到獸醫診所安樂死，他享年超過20歲，那一年，約是2003年，琳兒愛貓一針，欺侮室友老貓，被驅逐回休士頓，一週後，琳兒又收留一棄貓，因學業忙碌，無法照顧，又帶回家，此貓甚弱小，約僅一老鼠大，常為一針欺侮，我們都要介入保護，起初琳兒誤為䧳性，所以我呼妄腰，後來獸醫體檢發現為雄貓，因此琳兒取名麥迪遜，我仍習慣稱之阿幽各，各者日語為子，女性也。

阿幽各性像元兒，內向認命，一針常欺侮他，但他也奮力抵抗，五年前，一針因胃癌去世，這時我在船上，一針和愛美較親近，所以我無甚愛親別離苦，阿幽各亦然，無一針之霸凌，他又多活五年，獸醫曰是無一針之競爭是也。

這次他的右後小腿長瘤，他癢舔吮傷口，血流不止，獸醫給止血藥粉，愛美悉心換洗傷口，敷上繃帶外加我洗淨舊內衣布條，我下船回家，每晚均需幫忙按貓穩定不動，讓愛美更換繃帶，如此止血，但是我們又被調到奧斯汀，照顧二犬七貓8日，行前有預感，阿幽各會出問題，元兒無法處理，就是我也不行，我們回家後發現地毯傷，血跡斑斑，樓上樓下，元兒到最後一日，始勉強敷上繃帶。

阿幽各已無食欲，十分消瘦，我們故知其大限，元兒哭泣，但也同意讓阿幽各離去，愛美安慰他，再領養一貓為伴，元兒不敢，這是佛陀所謂八苦，我要找機會開示元兒，愛親別離苦，其實也不知能否過此週末？人和動物生命者，都有生老病死。

Our visit to Japan in 2023/Carlos Pueblo

 Our visit to Japan in 2023/Carlos Pueblo

Next Friday, we're going to visit Japan for 3 weeks. It's one of my busiest activities this year. We're going to Tokyo first, then take the high speed rail Shinkansen to Osaka for a week stay. Then we shall move to Fukuoka on the northwest tip of the Kyushu Island for the second week. After that, we're going to Akita on the northwest of Honshu Island for the last week. On the last day, we're going to take the train again back to Narita Airport to catch our flight at 4:45 pm. It's amazing of the high speed rail.

It's the hanami time in Japan, the lovely cherry blossom. We're going to enjoy the season of the pink scenery all over Japan. There is a flower garden by the famous Osaka Castle with not only cherry blossom but also the red peach and the white plum blossom. We can also view the spring flowers along the farm field where the high speed trains passing by. Of course, we're going to have daily visits to Kyoto, the ancient capital, Himeji Castle, Hiroshima, and many other Kansai area cities.

Fukuoka is facing the Sea of Japan, the head quarter of the Japan Rail. Kokura and Shimonoseki are nearby and I like to see if I can make it this time to visit Izumo, the city that the famous battleship is named after.

I figure that the only way for me to visit the famous Go No Line is to stay at Akita on the northwest part of Honsiu Island. Go No Line means the costal rail line from Akita to Aomori on the northwest coast of Japan facing the Sea of Japan. There is a song called Go No Line first sing by Mitsumori Kori existed in my mind for more than 20 years. I previously made several wrong moves to reach Aomori to start the trip, actually the trains are taking off from Akita in the morning and coming back from Aomori in the afternoon and no wonder trains are all full to carry passengers who make round trip visits. Once trains arrive at Aomori, it is connected to the Tsugaru Straights, the narrow path to connect the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean. There is also another famous hit by Ishikawa Sayuri in the 70's called the winter scenery of the Tsugaru Straights or Tsugaru Kaikyo furuyushiki. I have many experience to take trains high speed rail included to pass the straight before. Recently, a Russian battleship challenged Japan Self Defense Force by passing this straight.

旅行日本2023／莊峻華

 旅行日本2023／莊峻華

再過幾天，我們即將出發旅行日本，這次我們將停留三週，分別在大阪，福岡，和秋田三市，各住一週，購買三週新幹線，幾乎又可以搭車環繞日本一週，因為年邁，不宜透支體力，就是每處停留，到附近逛逛，正值櫻花季節，可以遇到花見，而且我發現五能線之走法，這次應可成行，五能線就是秋田到青森這一段海岸線，幾次我都在青森撲空，因為小火車從秋田清晨出發，到青森回程已經是下午，因此都是客滿，來回旅客是也，水森香識唱五能線，我在仙台旅行，餐廳老闆娘極力推薦，不想十餘年過去矣，五能線沿日本海，在青森接津輕海峽，石川小百合成名曲，今年十月如我買到船票，我可以搭珠寶號，經阿拉斯加到涵館，搭火車南下青森，一日往返，再上船翌晨抵仙台，向餐廳老闆娘報告，可能是其公子，還有東北帝大，荒城之月之土井晚翠，再翌日就是終站東京外港。

我們選擇大阪的原因是，有一年我們住在郊外的海耶特大飯店，當然這是琳兒之招待，這頂級之海耶特，非常舒適，就像台北之君悅酒店，但較便宜，她的點數可以應付，我們可以參觀大阪和附近城市，京都，奈良，姬路，廣島和關西各地，新幹線扮演重要角色。

我對福岡印象深刻，這是日本鐵道之總部，面臨日本海，小倉下關等都在附近，這次我想再探索出雲市，著名之日艦出雲號，就在北邊，若從福岡南下到鹿兒島，熊本，新幹線均可一日來回，到處逛街，日本城鎮非常漂亮，國家真正富強，而且國民有自信，有禮貌，全球馳名。

我的日語，不甚靈光，但漢字甚強，必要時可以使用漢字幫忙，而且日本英語教育普遍，一般人均可英語溝通，這是我的經驗，我講日文你不懂，我就寫漢字，你就大蓋知道我要甚麼？不然我就慢慢講英文和西班牙語，我是很盡力，而且很誠懇矣，一般日本人都很感謝，如果不是美國之老人健保，我是可以搬到日本居住，聽聞日本鄉鎮空屋可以贈人居住，我的臉孔又像日本老人。

Spring visit to Austin 2023/Carlos Pueblo

 Spring visit to Austin 2023/Carlos Pueblo

It's the spring break and we needed to visit Austin again for the house sitting to take care of pets as well. I had been very busy since I completed a 34 days cruises and filed 2022 federal income tax. After this 8 days house sitting, we're going to Japan for 3 weeks and after that, I shall have a two weeks Alaska cruises that is the early summer of 2023.

Texas blue bonnets are on Interstate 10 outside of Houston near Katy, Texas. Once we turned into Highway 71 north, the field is blooming all over. It's the most most enjoyable scenery of Texas. This has brought me back my fond memory ever since I moved to Houston in 1977. I worked for an insurance company in the 80's which regional office was in Austin and at the beginning of this century, Michelle was studying at the University of Texas for 5 years and then decided to live in the city; therefore, I have been in and out of Austin all the time. The city is growing rapidly.

We laid down our luggage, change cloths and ice box of foods. Dogs were barking anxiously for our walks. There three more new cats from a refugee; therefore, cats numbers are 7. Amy was busy cleaning from the start. They left several hours before to Europe.

My routine is to walk two dogs twice a day. I cut our walk in half of the previous distance due to my hurt left knee. I quit tennis for this reason. If dogs pull me fast, I feel the pain and must put against their will. I don't have good feeling of my aging and I feel lucky to avoid the knee surgery. I can go to swim after April when the pool is open this year.

I managed to trade some shares of the stock. I went in several days early before the bank crush. I now exercises my experience to avoid watching the market fluctuation because they are pension funds which I can't take it out freely without income tax concerns.

Amy reports the pets conditions to Michelle in Europe every day. Three new cats have some health issues, luckily Amy is good at handling such issues. We have an old age cat at home with severe condition as well. Michelle is appreciated and waived our car insurance premium, also extend her Discover card use to our Japan trip which means we can buy some gifts from Japan. 

春初北上奧斯汀2023／莊峻華

 春初北上奧斯汀2023／莊峻華

週前奉愛美令，北上奧斯汀幫琳兒看家照顧愛犬愛貓群，這是例行業務，我們極為喜愛兩位子女，一直不覺他們已經長大成人，隨時照顧，就像年輕時代，琳兒選擇居住州府奧斯汀，於是我們隨時北上，這次她們旅行歐洲八日，墨尼黑，布拉格，和維也納三城市。

我熟練的將車開上十號公路，開進凱蒂鎮，已經看到德州藍紫丁帽花，真正遍野是在71號公路，這是人生一大享受，近半世紀之賞花嗜好。我將車停在車道上，鄰居愛犬已來前院招呼，屋內兩愛犬已開始騷動吠叫，帶領散步者來也，路上愛美始知增加三隻貓，加上原來之兩犬四貓，屋就像一動物園，琳兒怕我們聞聲變掛，因此保密到最後一刻，就是我們已在途中始告知，此三貓係收留親戚所有，說來話長。

放下行李，愛美連忙打理食物午餐，我們是自行攜帶飲食，現在琳兒懂事，留下一張信用卡，我已累極，告訴愛犬散步需要待我午睡後，愛美年輕力壯，已經開始整理屋內秩序，我是老大不願意，但又不敢違背命令，再一週我們就要啟程日本三週，我剛從郵輪下船，報完聯邦所得稅，需要現金重返股市。

股市有異動，原來是一大銀行倒閉，風聲鶴唳，我早一倆日進場，字面上損失一些，但這筆錢大部分是退休金，聯邦也有股份，想來疼痛稍輕，這錢我也動不得，我可以領出別帳號來支出日常。

每日我的工作就是早晚攜愛犬散步兩次，遛狗拾狗糞，大宰相李斯無拾狗糞之苦，故不其樂也，兩愛犬與我相識多年，現在琳兒也開始抽空遛狗。新貓有狀況，經常嘔吐，愛美需要隨時清洗，加上真空除塵多次，於是感動琳兒，免去我們車險保費，再加上延長信用卡使用日期到日本，果然成熟甚多，注意到做人細節。

好不容易熬過八日，我們下午二時離開，她們午後七時著陸奧斯汀，寵物可以在室內五小時，一路上開始春雨，德州需要春雨，我的前後院喇叭花怒放，各種瓜果苗冒出，我需要前後院施肥矣。

Running into Fire & Ice Duo/Carlos Pueblo

 Running into Fire & Ice Duo/Carlos Pueblo

The Most happiest thing on this back to back cruises is running into the Fire & Ice Duo, Rosie Hunte & Mac Nurse Keyboard & Vocals. I have been following them ever since my first cruise on this route with Jewel in 2011. Then, the next three cruises with the same ship in Alaska, twice from New Orleans and Houston. The last time was on Jade across Atlantic Ocean from Houston in 2016. I was told they went to Australia and New Zealand afterward. I also heard that Rosie was sick one time. Amazingly, both of them do remember me as their loyal fan. That night, she sang Gladys Knight's hit, Midnight Train to Georgia on my request.

Midnight Train to Georgia is a Gladys' hit in the 70's introduced to me on that my first night on the cruise. Rosie sang it several times along with Tina Turner's hits songs and Michael Jackson's. She was very popular on that week. I did google the song after coming back home. I knew the words or the poem and understood the story. I repeated listening to that piece on the You Tube videos and paid attention to the news about the song. In 2016 while I was on a Transatlantic Cruise from Houston across the Atlantic on Jade, a performing pianist Smith answered my request to play this piece and he mentioned that was originally a midnight train to my hometown Houston instead of Georgia. I did learn that story. Later before 2016, President Obama invited Gladys to the White House for a musical performance and awarded her a medal of honor.

Mac was in a 24 hours restaurant for a buffalo wing snack and ran into us. He gave me their name card to keep that was 2016. I didn't run into them for the almost 25 times cruises with this firm. I knew that they were at New Zealand route for all those times.

At the beginning, I couldn't get their day off in order to make a reservation for a steak dinner. They are employees of the ship and I am aware of the chain of commend. I wrote a request for the approval of my invitat

ion like my previous experience to invite daughters to the dinner. I got the approval quickly and everything was set smoothly thereafter. Rosie is still very popular and attractive among passengers of all ages. Actually she is a very quiet girl and she says her strength is from the God.

巧遇火冰樂團／莊峻華

 巧遇火冰樂團／莊峻華

這次新英格蘭加拿大郵輪雙週行，巧遇巴貝多之火冰樂團，若西航特和馬克諾斯，自2011年首次郵輪旅行，也剛好是此航線，我就注意到此雙人樂團，若西，玫瑰花之暱稱主唱，馬克是伴奏，她仿逖娜特諾出名，但我亦看過她仿麥可傑克遜，舉船轟動，大廳萬人空巷，後來我一直追隨她倆在珠寶號到2016年，穿越大西洋，一夜我在歌廳發現她，點唱午夜至喬治亞列車，她迅速答應在間休後首唱，這次我提起這段，她尚有記憶，我仍保留當年馬克留下之名片，是她教我此首格萊德斯奈特成名曲，她能唱出其精髓，奈特六，七年前為歐巴瑪總統贈勳，並邀請到白宮演唱，若西答應每次為我演場，我邀請她倆兩次晚餐，就是運用我藍寶石級福利，到13層牛排餐廳用餐，總經理迅速批准，特派美麗秘書，送來批准書，這是我最得意之事。

她的拿手歌唱是模仿逖娜特諾，其實是底特律之摩燙，汽車城音樂，美國靈魂歌曲之延伸，靈魂曲從紐奧良來，到了底特律，許多菲裔美人歌手，發揚光大，麥可傑克遜一例，午夜至喬治亞列車，是指一位女孩哀怨其男友，無法在洛杉磯發展，準備搭夜車返鄉，作曲家原指故鄉是我們休士頓，最後改成喬治亞，約指亞特蘭大市，我在谷歌讀到此段，一位鋼琴家聞我點唱後，也提到此段，非常動人，我曾在部落格介紹此故事，這位鋼琴家名史密斯，在科羅拉多州雪地駐唱，後來不見於郵輪上。若西後來隨珠寶號遊澳洲紐西蘭多年，聞彼身體微恙，中斷演唱，直到最近。

有一年隨郵輪遊若西巴貝多故鄉，特別下船尋找她，街上遇見幾位耶和華見證會傳教士，提到這位歌手，也想找到舊日高校不果，一解多年懷念，如此經過12年。她的豐彩不變，只是歌聲略具沙啞，體力依然，蹦蹦跳跳，若是名曲徐徐然，必勾起幾對老年乘客起舞，輕快歌曲，則有一群年輕女孩，依節奏起跳，非常美觀，一夜我未逢其表演，其夥伴馬克描述，若西又勾起當年盛況，我說是2011年當夜，我想是的，乘客雖然老化，仍舊有年輕一代出現，我希望身體健康，能繼續郵輪旅行，能再巧遇兩位。

Back to New England & Canada cruises 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Back to New England & Canada cruises 2022/Carlos Pueblo

After my annual summer cruises to Alaska, I did make several cruises before the end of 2022 and the early months of 2023, i.e., back to New England & Canada cruises, the southern Caribbean Sea in December, 2022 and the Eastern Caribbean Sea & the Panama Canal round trips . I have been lazy and busy after coming home; therefore, I have been behind of my reports to all my readers and I am making it up.

It was the end of the season for the ship Breakaway route to the Northeast American coast in 2022. We embark at the Manhattan Pier in New York City. The huge ship was sailing out of the port on Hudson River south bound to pass the Staten Island. I was comfortably seated by the window at a restaurant after a hard day of transportation and waiting to get on board the ship. I was one of a few passengers to get an early dinner. It is a wonderful feeling to sit down and overlook through a window to pass a big city without any traffic concern. It was late in the afternoon and able to see the Statue of Liberty and waiting for the evening. I check the city map to follow the sailing route. The ship came down to the Staten Island and turned east following the narrow straight of the Manhattan and the Island where I have been familiarized with my previous staying at my host family when I visited NYC. We passed by the Statue and the sun wend down lighten up the city. Breakaway went through the East River north to enter the Atlantic Ocean at night. It is the first time of my many trips with the same itinerary yet with a lucky feeling from an old western movie on My name is nobody at the end of a Mississippi River cruise.

We're going to visit Newport, Rhode Island; Portland, Maine; Bar Harbor, Maine on the New England side while Halifax and St. John on the Canadian Provinces and repeated again in order to make sense for my long flight from Houston to New York City. I shall explain how I run into my old neighbor at my hometown in Taiwan as well as an encounter of the mighty Aircraft Carrier Gerald R Ford and her NATO Drills at the Halifax Bay.

2022年新英格蘭蘭加拿大行／莊峻華

 2022年新英格蘭蘭加拿大行／莊峻華

去年恢復郵輪旅行，先是自紐約曼哈頓港出發之東加勒比海行，隔一期又從曼哈頓搭同船赴羅馬，越過大西洋，夏初攜愛美同遊阿拉斯加來回兩次，都寫下回憶，現在遊記寫到秋殘日紐約港旅行新英格蘭和加拿大之旅，也是來回兩週，年底尚有一次佛州天頗市南加勒比海之旅，和2023年初重返曼哈頓之三趟東加勒比海暨巴拿馬運河來回行，馬上又有日本賞櫻花見行，春初阿拉斯加兩週行，我是生活在人間天堂中。

起跑號黃昏從曼哈頓港出發，碼頭在哈德遜河12大道，南下途經自由女神島，我搭乘此公司郵輪此港啟航多次，這次印象最為深刻，愛女帶位劃座偏窗，巨大郵輪徐徐行出港，剛好是餐廳晚餐開業，無甚餐客，經過一日紐約折騰，午睡方醒。紐約傍晚甚美，街燈夜色方上，不久綠色自由女神迄立，郵輪仍是徐徐行，讓我憶起一部無名小子西部片，老槍手退出江湖，搭乘密士西比河遊輪啟航之一幕，起跑號更是壯觀，已經有餐客驚呼，趨前拍攝留念，不久巨輪穿過著名之布魯克林大橋，紐約已是通火萬巷。

郵輪駛出紐約，進入大西洋，首站是羅德島之新港，新港是前貝爾參議員之故鄉，參議員對台灣有深情，我非常感激，也特別介紹給當地選民，他曾聽過被出賣台灣作者，喬治柯爾一節課，認識二二八慘案，隨後在參議院立法案，支持台灣，著名之台灣關係法，就是一例。

The regular house maintenance/Carlos Pueblo

 The regular house maintenance/Carlos Pueblo

After paying the annual federal income, I must face the regular house maintenance. It is why I like to stay on the cruise trip forever because that I can pretend that I don't have these requirements. There is a growing tumor on our 20 years old cat's rear right leg which we must urgently attend to it before we leave to Austin and Japan. Amy can hold the bleeding daily and I must face the winter damaged yards, front and back.

The yard man did give a quote for the annual dirt and mulch applying, $100 per a cubic yard and we need 6. He didn't give her how much for the re-built part of the lawn and I believe that he is lack of such workers additionally. I said that I would do it myself. I knew how to get the material, the dirt and the new grass sod, etc. The landscape supply will deliver them to my front street and I must get it done quickly before the mailman comes.

I am so released that Amy veto such idea because we can't stay long enough to water the new project. We can wait until this fall and that is what she says. I can go ahead to apply the annual fertilizer one of these day with the spring rain. She won't bother me for the time being.

Our painter did the exterior painting and repair last year. We couldn't do the interior due to the foundation crack, the soil movement or shift. Now, some of our doors can't be closed properly. This is very common in Houston area and is a big deal. It costs a chunk of money to repair it. I don't really need to worry bout it because of my age. Amy says that I am selfish and doesn't care about her and our son Arthur who will live her after me. I know that I must pay for it and perhaps that I may get away with it. I may just reshape the edges to fit the door box. 

維護住屋／莊峻華

 維護住屋／莊峻華

居屋需維護，而且是不斷之工作，從郵輪別墅回家，立即需面對維護住屋，這次是甚麼？前院有一大塊草皮，冬日乾枯，春初已顯出禿頂，園丁忙碌不理愛美請求估價，於是變成我的責任，11年前初搬此居，我還有氣力，於是我到六號公路旁，訂購砂土草皮，自己推車舖土舖草，忙了一陣，累壞老身，今年放棄自己工作，畢竟年歲日增，而且左膝蓋受傷，無法支撐重量，但找不到工人，住屋仍需維護，除此這外，還有地基損壞，地毯老舊，室內需油漆等等。

休市溫暖，夏天許多蝶蟲漫遊，產卵於草皮中，一塊塊草皮枯黃，雨量充沛，洗刷護操黏土，庭院有巨樹多株，樹根浮現表面，一切之一切，均不利水土保持，所以需要填土，幾年前我在後院，修補一塊禿頂草皮，完全免費成功，於是我想如法泡製，愛美百般奚落，但又不肯負下全責，於是我就詢問鄰居，肯定一下我的看法。

我是來日無多，而且已經找到郵輪別墅，真是無需花費精神和金錢，投資於維護住屋，我們鄰居重視居屋品質，住屋維護，庭院花園設計，均下大功夫，因此環境越來越高級，愛美重視維護住屋，也非無根據。