Inside the Mind of Isadora

Tag Archives: #photograpy


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Cafe Chat – Dinner on Board


Welcome … grab a cup of coffee, iced or hot tea and herbal tea. I’m having a cappuccino. The photo on the left shows one I enjoyed many times on board at Cafe Baci.

It’s been brutally hot this week in sunny Florida. The pool is the only way to cool down. Gardening will have to wait until the temps drop. The orchids are thrilled with the afternoon rain which brings on the humidity. For me, afternoon humidity means siesta time. 

In my last cafe chat, I wrote (read here) about being away from blogging on a pre-birthday cruise. We decided on a cruise now instead of July, my official birthday month, because of the heavy hurricane season predicted for this summer. COVID shut down the cruise industry causing great financial losses. Many cruise ships are departing with less than full passenger capacity, and with huge discounts. It felt safer than my previous cruises with fewer people. Besides the theater and the casino, masks are not required throughout the ship. The staff wore masks everywhere. Some regular activities were canceled, like dancing, karaoke, and bingo. I have to admit I always look forward to dancing. It was a disappointment. 

I think you might enjoy a special gesture I received from our assistant dinner hostess:

Celebrity Equinox

Pictured above is Sweet Jaqueline, assistant hostess on our cruise. She created an origami lotus flower for me. It was an unexpected gift from her heart ❤️ 

With all they do, the last thing she needed was a craft project. 

She was missing her mother who is watching her two toddlers. She has a boy and a girl. Yes, she showed me a pic. They are adorable. Four months away from them brought up emotional moments for her. I share the same birthday as her mother. My ❤️ heart sang with joy ❤️

Our first night at dinner Jacqueline introduced herself, I mentioned that I usually forget names. Her eyes twinkled above the mask as she pointed out that I could remember her name because of Jacqueline Kennedy. 

Then, she chuckled quickly saying, “But, I wear a uniform.”

Have a great week … Isadora 

Alen Charles – head host, Jaqueline – assistant hostess
Al – my husband


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Cafe Chat – A Quiet Respite


Welcome … grab a cup of coffee, hot chocolate or herb tea. No desserts today, it looks like I need to get my baking chefs hat on. Now, sit in a comfy chair and let’s chat.

I’ve been away from blogging for a while. It was time for me to take a brief quiet respite. I was out on the high seas gathering energy from the wind and salty air. I was listening to the music of the waves.

Perhaps, in a previous life, I may have been a sailor. I love being out on the ocean with nothing but the sea and the horizon in my view. 

I was born in July. Cancer is my astrology sign represented by the crab and water.

I’m renewed and receive enormous vitality from the energy produced by the waves. Breathing in the salty air is invigorating, and listening to the music of the waves is a peacefully soothing sound. Nature is at its perfect best.

Although I had signed up for Wi-Fi, I barely used it. I intended to read, write, and contemplate expanding my knowledge of how to be at peace with my life’s journey.

Undoubtedly, I’ve missed many of your magnificent postings in my absence. Your posts always brighten my day. I look forward to them. Your amazing bodies of work were a significant loss while I was away. I will delight in seeing and reading them as I begin to navigate through the blogs I follow again. 

Time permitting, I will add some photographs and highlights of my vacation soon.

I hope you’re all well and living your best lives.

Namaste,

Isadora 


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Cafe Chat – Chivalry Lost

Welcome … grab a cup of coffee, hot chocolate or herb tea. 
Now, sit in a comfy chair and let’s chat.

What is chivalry?

Answer: it’s the combination of qualities expected of an ideal knight, especially courage, honor, courtesy, justice, and a readiness to help the weak.©dictionary

Readiness to help the weak is no more. Let me unveil the tale.

Several weeks ago, while waiting for a table on the patio of one of my favorite Italian restaurants, hubby and I sat chatting and feeling free that the mask mandates were lifting. It was a pleasant evening to be outdoors. You can order drinks, but there is no outdoor service. Mama’s is a popular restaurant with delicious food. There’s a crowd. Everyone is chatting, laughing, and enjoying the wonderful feeling of being able to be out and about. 

The wait is short, our names are called, and off we go to meet the hostess. 

 Due to my compromised immune system, I wasn’t confident to go mask-less. So, I put my mask on as I approached the young lady at the entrance. When I got to the doorway, my toe from my sneaker caught the edge of their entrance doormat. 

Down … Down … Down … I went. I was flat on my side with an outstretched arm, bent leg, and my head right on the indoor mat. 

Plop … Plop … Plop 

I lay there on the ground for what seemed like a month, but it was only a few seconds. Hubby grabbed my arm to help me up, but I was like jello. My body wouldn’t respond to what I wanted it to do. 

 Eventually, I begin to focus and grasp that I’ve fallen when a man with a pizza box in hand steps over me on his way out of the restaurant. 

The man did not bother to ask if he could help, nor did the other patrons out on the patio. Actually, he said, “Welcome!” as he continued on his way.

WHAT???

Hubby picked me up, and we walked to our table. The owners of the restaurant came over to ask if I was okay. I felt shaky and embarrassed. I was mad at myself for putting the mask on while walking. I think it impeded my visual concept of space. I haven’t worn a mask since. I much prefer COVID to a fall. 

Now, let’s not get angry about my mask rebellion. I’ve been wearing a mask from the very beginning of the pandemic. I continue to support wearing maks. I’ve had COVID twice. I know it’s no walk in the park. It’s a horrific illness, and I am not ready for a third Covid event. 

But, falling at my age is a big problem. I have osteoporosis which means my bones are thin, thin, thin. I have bad knees too. I did fall on the side of my body. My injuries are bruising, some headaches, swelling, and overall body aches. 

Despite these symptoms, the most painful thing is knowing that we are no longer willing to help someone who can’t help themselves. 

There’s no ‘Readiness to help the Weak’…

2022©Isadora De La Vega

*****the photograph above is of my daughter. She works in Hospice care. This is what they wear in their office. The mask they wear with patients involves a lot more covering.