Monday - Homeward bound

Breakfast was quick and easy. It is such an feeling of indulgence not to have to make anything, just ask and it appears !

This morning I became a fan of Dr. Kate Schroder, a surgeon turned forensic archeologist. She is a combination of Temperance Brennan and Angela Montenegro. Her initial slides showed how she took the skull of Homo Erectus and step by step reclaimed his face, proving he was not a Neanderthal but a human being who walked this planet more than a million year ago. I learned the zygomatic arch is the muscle string connecting the cheek to the cranium and is what allows facial expressions. She showed how life experiences (physical activity, injuries, obesity, disease, etc) are all written in your bones.She spoke of how Richard III’s facial reconstruction was controversial because the reconstruction was “too close to the image portrayed in paintings of him. How absurd! Of course, it would be life the art, if it was done correctly! No one has a naturally perfectly symmetrical face or body, we each have a dominant side. Most humans have 3-5% Neanderthal genes..this is one way all those now current DNA histories can be calculated. She is currently doing the facial reconstruction of Robert the Bruce’s skull. I was most fascinated on her work with living patients. Scanners were used to map the facial structure of man who’d been in a motorcycle accident and broken 194 of the 206 bones in his body. from the scanned results, the software deduced the missing and shattered bones, 3D prints were made and attached to his remaining bone and for the first time in three years, his children recognized him!

No nearly as fascinating was the talk on the aftermath of the Titanic sinking. I anticipated it being about improved communications, better radar and ship design. Alas, no, Christopher Ward detailed the search for and burial of the bodies given up by the sea. I’ve been to the g

Titanic graveyard in Halifax, Nova Scotia and heard much of his lecture on that tour. 

while waiting for knitting to begin, I met and chatted with John and Mary from Devon who’ve been breeding Basset hounds for years. Their three favorites include Winston, Chamberlin and George. When Mary remarked they were wondering what to name their newest arrival, I suggested Disraeli or Wellington. They both laughed and said they were partial to Nelson. John was amazed I knew as much about British history and geography as I do. His amazement tempered a bit when I noted I’d  attended Kings in London for a term and taken students on tour to the UK and Western Europe fro m,ore than a decade. I hope I see them again on this crossing.

At knitting, I gave Karen her floss and change. Met Peggy from Ortega in Jax. During knitting Captain Hashmi announced that all passengers and staff were to remain clear of open decks and off their balconies for the next 30-40 minutes. A passenger was so ill a medical helicopter from Ireland would be arriving soon and the light fog at twilight was going to make the landing tricky. Also the ship would be turning around to back track so the helicopter would be within its safety range. Staff took up posts at all entries to the walking deck and the entire ship vibrate with the whomp, whomp of the helo’s rotor. No one I know got a really good look at it. Also, rumor was rampant for a bit as to the nature of of the illness. Hey, it’s another day at sea.

I met Karen to watch the movie Book Club which was okay but nothing really stellar. Considering the incredible cast, I expected much better. We met her husband Richard for a late dinner. he wanted to see my pictures and hear about my excursion to Solent Sky. They had gone on the Windsor Castle tour. He noted he now had a future excursion in mind. 

After which I went to Jazz Club and listened with joy before heading to bed.

I did see Timothy, a waiter, again and asked how his wife was doing. at our earlier meting a couple of days ago, I ;earned his father-in-law’s cancer had returned with a vengeance and his wife was left alone until her brothers arrived. Timothy was touched I remembered. It’s kind of sad that no one talks with the people who’re waiting on them.