I needed a family fix and dare I say it a break from the sun and heat ... Our granddaughter Chloe had just turned 6 on April 11 and my former choral group was putting on a performance of the Verdi Requiem on April 25 and 26. What more reason did I need to go? The Captain graciously granted me a shore leave and I booked my flights. It was a wonderful week. Spring was just beginning to arrive in upstate New York although the day I arrived it was snowing?!? While I was there I got to see the girls' school talent show, which was adorable, spend some time with my two older sisters, visit with my daughter and generally be Grandma for the week. It was grand and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I rented a car and traveled to CT to attend the concert on Sunday and spent Sunday night with one of my CCS friends. Thank you Nancy and Bob! The concert was fabulous and I was so excited and happy to be able to attend. I miss the singing and the group very much. I would have loved to have been able to sing this great work. The time flew and it was time to return to LR in a flash. I picked up a rental car in West Palm and met Scott at the condo. He had driven the Mazda up from Marathon with the plan that she would remain at the condo while we returned to the boat to get ready to head North. Scott was busy the week I was gone getting LR ready for the trip. Jack Lines have been installed, the kayak deflated and stowed, serviced the roller furling and filled up the jerry cans and fuel tanks. He drove up to Boynton a couple of days early to get India groomed, which she needed desperately, and take a bit of R&R for himself. Strange as it may seem I don't have too many pictures of while I was away. It's hard to get a good picture of a moving target and those girls seem to be moving all the time. The picture is of Chloe practicing some of her moves. Both girls are excellent with the hula hoop.