Big adventure aboard a really big ship

Leaving Cape Liberty aboard the Anthem of the Seas.

The Anthem of the Seas is big -- really big! That, in a nutshell, is both the good and bad news that Wendy and I experienced, up close and personal, on a recent cruise aboard this floating city.

The trip began in Cape Liberty, NJ, a port about 20 minutes east of Newark with an expansive and memorable view of the Statue of Liberty and skyline of lower Manhattan. The week-long cruise had us puttering about the Atlantic, first to Bermuda, then Boston before returning to Jersey.

The getting from here to there was half the fun -- okay, maybe most of the fun. I did mention that the ship was big, right? It's also bright and shiny and still has that new-boat smell -- its maiden voyage was in April of 2015.

Anthem of the Seas is 1,141-feet long with a gross tonnage of 168,666 -- by comparison, the Titanic had a gross tonnage of 46,328 and the aircraft carrier Enterprise 93,284. As I said: Big -- really big!

The ship can hold 4,905 passengers and has a crew of 1,500. There are 16 passenger-accessible decks, with a total of 2,090 cabins. Wendy and I shared one of the 1,570 staterooms with balconies that had a small sleeping and sitting area, two closets and a chest of drawers.

Anthem, docked in Bermuda, dwarfs sailboats in nearby marina.

The bathroom featured a Lilliputian-sized shower, sink and toilet, a smallish nook for toiletries and a half-dozen or so towels.

It's also worth noting, simply for the whiz-bang factor, that there are 373 inside staterooms featuring "Virtual Balconies" -- floor-to-ceiling 80-inch high-definition TV screens streaming live views from outside of the ship.

There's more. Lots more. Wendy and I stumbled across lots of gee-whiz stuff when we weren't sleeping or eating -- there are at least 20 or so restaurants, cafes and buffets on the ship -- including a high-tech bar serviced by two robotic bartenders, an expansive shopping mall featuring high-end retailers and a lounge, Two70°, that soars three decks high and offers up a 270-degree view on the world!

NorthStar offers great view for those who dare.

For the young and young at heart, way up on deck 15 and 16, there are wave and skydiving simulators, three rock-climbing walls and an observation pod, the NorthStar, that can hold up to 14 people as it rises several hundred feet up and out over the top deck of the ship. Oh, there's also an assortment of swimming pools, hot tubs and wading pools, lounges and chairs.

The cherry atop this cruising sundae, the SeaPlex, takes up a huge space neatly hidden away at the back of deck 15. The large indoor gym can be transformed easily into a wide-range of kid-friendly venues -- basketball court, roller-skating rink, a school for young trapeze wannabes and an arena for bumper cars!

Wendy and I were looking for something a little less strenuous and a bit more entertaining, in a song and dance sort of way. No problem.

The Music Hall, a 2-story lounge on decks 3 and 4, serves as a nightclub and intimate music performance venue; there's also a cozy piano bar and a number of smaller clubs and bars featuring a variety of performers.

But the most notable entertainment can be found at opposite ends of the ship in the innovative and picturesque lounge, Two70°, and the Royal Theater, a massive space on decks 4 and 5.

Bermuda filled with world-class beaches and memorable views.

Two70° is the home for Spectra's Cabaret, a splashy musical review that is both an edgy concert and light show, featuring a creative mashup of high-tech gadgetry, dancers, singers and aerialists! It matters little that the story anchoring the show is indecipherable.

At the other end of the ship, in The Royal Theater, there was an edgy and entertaining mix of shows, including a couple of comics and two full-blown musicals: The Gift and We Will Rock You.

The Gift, an original Royal Caribbean production, is a musical journey of fantasy and illusion that begins one stormy night with the arrival of a "Magical Gift". At least that's how the show is described on the cruise line's website. After watching the musical I had no idea what "The Gift" actually was, but enjoyed the theatrical sets, singing and dancing. The bottom line: The story was lame, but the telling was first rate!

Fun for the kids: Rock climbing wall and a giraffe!

We will Rock you is a musical based on the songs of the British rock band Queen. The show tells the story of a group of Bohemians who struggle to restore the free exchange of thought, fashion and live music in a distant future where everyone dresses, thinks and acts the same.

Wendy and I aren't exactly rockers or big fans of Queen, but the story, performers and music -- We are the Champions, We Will Rock You, Bohemian Rhapsody -- had us tapping our aging tootsies and rocking out in a geezer sort of way!

Although we had seen the musical on day four of the cruise, we popped into the theater on the last night to catch the final 20 minutes of the show. Good move!

The musical ends, the performers take a bow and the stage goes dark. As the audience begins shuffling out, a sign lights up with the questioning message: Do you want to hear Bohemian Rhapsody?

Well, of course we do!

The memorable tune had everyone up on their feet, swaying to the music and stomping their feet. It was a grand and energetic way to end the night and a good way to end the cruise. Up next? The Big Apple yet again! Stay tuned.

Remembering Ella Rufus ... and saying goodbye

Ella Rufus: A happy, yipping ball of fur.

Ella Rufus came bounding into my life when my daughter Lauren decided to give herself a belated graduation gift. For years Lauren had yearned for something sweet and cuddly to pamper and the tiny canine -- a Westie-Shih Tzu mix -- seemed to fit the bill.

Ella started off as a yipping ball of energy that pretty quickly morphed into a yipping ball of fur. She turned prematurely gray -- Ella, not Lauren. The look suited her well, a pleasant blend of salt-and-pepper shagginess with large eyes, a cute wet nose and a puppy's innocent attitude.

Ella was playful, a sweet and gentle pup. At least that's what she became after a somewhat rocky start. The problem is Ella didn't know what it meant to be a dog and we -- that would be her humans -- had no clue how to help her understand a doggie's role in the world.

Lauren and Ella cuddling

After a night or two of keeping her barricaded in the kitchen, a friend suggested we get a crate. We did. A big crate. A really big crate. Bad idea! I covered the bottom in newspaper. An hour later one corner was filled with pee and poop and the newspaper had been meticulously ripped to tiny shreds.

Another friend suggested we get a smaller crate, a much smaller crate. We did. And, at least for a week or so, we all settled into an easy peace. Lauren walked and fed, played and cuddled with Ella. At night we gently tucked her into her tiny home.

All seemed well with the world, until it didn't.

Ella decided unilaterally that she no longer wanted or needed the crate. What had become a nighttime ritual turned into a nightly war, Ella strategically placing her paws around the opening of the crate as Lauren, with a little assist from me, attempted to push and shove her into submission.

We might have won a battle or two during the crate incursion, but Ella, happily bedded down with Lauren, or Wendy and me, or in the den -- heck, pretty much wherever she wanted to settle for the night -- had plainly won the war.

Over the next dozen years or so, Ella gamely and loyally followed Lauren to several different apartments, back to our home and, eventually, joined Josh and his doggie duo -- Joey and Maggie Mae -- when Lauren and Josh got married.

Ella and I find a comfy spot for an afternoon nap.

Ella Rufus remained a happy ball of fur, feisty and playful, filled with a streak of independence. She played around with Joey and Maggie when she was feeling sociable and, a bit later, happily ignored the new kids on the block -- Bailey and Avi -- when they were in need of a little unconditional love from a little doggie with a big heart.

We all blinked and a year or so ago it became clear that Ella, now well into doggie dotage, had slipped into the autumn of her life. The twinkle in her eyes had dimmed in recent months and she moved about slowly in search of her happy spot: on her haunches, resting comfortably in the center of a sunbeam that streamed through a nearby window.

Today, sadly, Lauren let her go. Ella Rufus was sick and tired and needed to rest. She remained a bundle of furry love till the very end. I like to think that she's made it across the rainbow bridge and is once again ignoring Joey and Maggie in a playful sort of way. I'm also pretty certain that she's already searching out a new happy spot that will be keeping her warm and comfy forever.

Memphis holiday: Two kings and a wedding!

Hannah and David having a grand time at their wedding in Memphis.

Memphis was hot in every way possible. The food, music and weather were sizzling and the vibe was a pleasant mix of southern charm and yiddishkeit.

The lovely Miss Wendy and I were in the city for the wedding of Hannah and David -- he's the son of Candy, my cousin and Wendy's bff. The ceremony, all the parties and other such nuptial high jinks were held in the Peabody Hotel which -- gossip alert -- is owned by the bride's family.

The venue didn't disappoint. It was a ducky delight, a grand and polished inn ornately decorated in high style and featuring a raft of ducks floating about a fountain in the middle of the lobby.

Memphis was a bit grittier.

We were only in the city for a longish weekend and spent the little free time we had walking around Beale Street -- sort of a poor man's Bourbon Street -- and out to the Lorraine Motel, the site where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

Parading ducks one of the highlights of Peabody Hotel.

The area has been turned into a world-class civil rights museum, focusing on the country's fetid and shameful history of slavery; the emancipation of African-Americans, reconstruction, and the country's dismal embrace of racial politics during much of the last century; the rise of the Civil Rights movement and impact King had on the nation and the restoration of civil liberties before his murder in 1968.

It's all together an educational and inspirational way to spend a few hours when visiting the city.

Oh, there's another King inextricably linked to Memphis -- the King of Rock and Roll. His life and impact on the world are recalled and memorialized at his home, Graceland, that has been turned into a mecca for fans and tourists.

All gussied up and ready to celebrate.

We passed on the opportunity to check out the tchotchkes -- T-shirts, mugs, hoodies, tumblers, magnets and more -- and the chance to wander around the house and grounds where Elvis relaxed when he wasn't making albums or movies or taking care of business at concerts or performing in Vegas.

But I digress.

After a day or so of sightseeing, the main event -- the wedding -- took center stage. It was lovely, a pleasant blend of ancient traditions -- chuppah, prayers and a beautiful bride circling her handsome mate -- gently updated for a 21st century couple, their family and friends.

The rest of the evening is a blur. I did mention there was booze, right? There was also a wide assortment of hors d'oeuvres, followed by a seated dinner and, wait for it, more booze.

What lingers about most in my foggy memory today is a little surprise offered up by Hannah's parents during the reception. Her mom, Julie, said she was certain Hannah would always recall the day fondly, wishing to hold onto it for at least "One Day More!" See what she did there?

Happy couple still smiling after getting hitched.

On cue, members of Opera Memphis, hidden among the guests and wait staff, began belting out "One Day More" from "Les Miserables". The tune, one of Hannah's favorites, swirled and soared about the ballroom and had everyone -- the bride, the groom, family and friends -- wondering in delight where the next performer would appear to carry on the show.

The song, a choral piece featuring many solos showcasing vocal performances by all the main characters in Les Miz, ends Act One of the musical in rousing fashion, setting the tone for the rest of the show.

In a very real way, the flash mob performance at Hannah and David's wedding offered up a stirring high note at their reception and, just perhaps, has set the tone for the rest of their marriage. Here's hoping they find the same love and happiness -- minus all the operatic drama -- that Cosette and Marius capture by show's end.

Oh, and here's hoping that tomorrow they'll discover ...

What our God in Heaven has in Store!
One more dawn!
One more day!
One day more!

Discovering happiness in the moment

Bailey out and about and enjoying life at Chuck E. Cheese's.

Bailey was vegging out in her car seat, savoring the memory of the tasty milkshake she had just devoured. All was good until I told her we were headed back to her house and she made it screamingly clear that she had other plans.

We can stay out another 10 minutes, I told her. No, she bargained, three more minutes. Bailey, thankfully, has yet to master the ups and downs of time!

She had spent the morning with her Bubbe at synagogue, chatting and playing and sort of praying -- see what I did there?! After chowing down on a bagel and a handful of cookies at the Oneg, Wendy and Bailey drove to a nearby Lakeshore Learning Store where I met up with them for a little arts and crafts adventure.

We then stopped briefly at one of the ubiquitous fast food spots nesting in our little corner of the world and had a sugary snack: a vanilla milkshake for Bailey, while Wendy and I shared a root beer float. Yummy!

Avi, Pops and Bailey sharing a little Kodak moment.

A few moments later we were headed home when the screeching and bargaining began. Bailey and I eventually made it to a lake in her subdivision where, she said, she wanted us to stop and spend a little quality time sitting on a bench and watching the world go by.

And that's pretty much what we did. It was hot and humid, I was tired and more then ready for an afternoon nap, and Bailey was just a tad snappish, wallowing in her toddlerness and wanting what she wanted -- now!

A day later, not only had I forgotten the heat and humidity, my weariness and Bailey's momentary lapse into childhood churlishness, but I found myself happily thinking about our short adventure at the lake and wondering when we'd be getting together again.

The image playing out in my mind was bathed in a golden glow, a cool breeze whisking away the summer heat and mosquitoes. The real stuff -- Bailey pointing out a couple of turtles sunning themselves on a rock and a raft of ducklings enjoying an afternoon snack -- seemed both casual and intimate, a slice of life of a slice of life. Add a soundtrack filled with a gentle melody heavy with strings and I'm thinking we have the centerpiece for a coming-of-age blockbuster.

I mention all this simply to make the point that happiness sometimes is hidden away in the moment, but almost always surfaces in our memories.

And this is what I remember most.

As we sat quietly chatting about this and that, enjoying the day and the moment, I glanced down at Bailey and realized she had quietly reached over and was holding my hand. It was a sweet and innocent gesture of trust and unconditional love. And it's one of the best perks of being a Pops.

O Canada: Wobbly cruise filled with surprises

Enjoying a few hours in Bar Harbor before entering Canadian waters.

Wendy and I, another passenger and several crew members aboard the Veendam were in an elevator, the captive audience of a fellow traveler and would-be comic.

What do you call a cow with no legs? Ground beef! What do you call a cow missing two legs? Lean beef! What do you call a woman with one leg? Ilene!

Yes, the humor was lame and so was the humorist. His hands shook as he delivered his practiced one-liners and he had to maneuver his way about the ship with a walker. He wasn't alone.

There seemed to be an entire army of seniors using an assortment of devices -- motorized wheelchairs, walkers and canes -- to remain upright and moving forward. Welcome to Holland America!

For 10 days in late April and the first week of May we battled the elements and all the geriatrics as we made our way along the eastern seaboard of the U.S. The itinerary had us hopping aboard ship in Fort Lauderdale, leisurely cruising the Atlantic for two days before visiting Boston and Bar Harbor in the U.S., then Halifax and Sydney in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Montreal.

Somewhere in the Maritimes as we cruise toward Prince Edward Island.

All did not go according to plan.

A medical emergency on the first full day at sea forced the captain to make a hard left toward Charleston where he managed to rendezvous with a Coast Guard helicopter to off-load an injured passenger. The ailing woman, by the way, is reportedly well on the road to recovery. Unfortunately, the Veendam was woefully off course with little chance of making up lost time quickly.

We arrived in Boston 10 hours late, had no time to get off the ship and were once again cruising north after an additional 75 passengers boarded. The next day we were six or so hours late arriving in Bar Harbor, enough time to dash into the village, snap a few photos and buy a souvenir or two!

The good news, I guess, is that we arrived in Sydney right on schedule. Sadly, the weather had turned cool and misty and there was absolutely nothing -- zip, zero zilch -- to do in the city. Lowlights included circling a mammoth fiddle at the dock and a quick visit to a nearby Tim Hortons for a donut and cup of coffee.

One of the two highlights we discovered in Sydney.

Fortunately, there was plenty to keep us busy aboard the Veendam. Meals were tasty and plentiful -- breakfast, lunch and dinner, mid-morning snacks, afternoon tea and late-evening treats. We also stayed busy working out in the ship's gym most mornings and attending cooking classes taught by a chef from America's Test Kitchen.

There was also a cornucopia of entertainers -- singers and dancers, comics and musicians -- and a piano bar that captured our attention and had us tapping our tootsies most evenings.

Sir Stryker -- yep, that's what he called himself -- was the man behind the piano belting out pop and show tunes and offering up a bit of amusing shtick that was fizzy fun and a grand way to end each day!

Meanwhile, it was drizzling when we docked in Halifax. Once ashore, Mother Nature blasted up with a triple whammy: frigid temps, blustery winds and heavy rain!

Green Gables on Prince Edward Island.

We attempted to battle the elements and make it into the city, but quickly retreated to the safety and relative comfort of several warehouse malls catering to tourists around the port. If nothing else, I now have a cap from Nova Scotia.

I'm happy to report that the storm played out quickly and by the time we reached Prince Edward Island the next morning the weather was pleasant: clear skies and moderate temps in the low 50s. We spent the day mostly hoofing it around Charlottetown in search of tchotchkes, but also managed to make it out to the countryside to visit Green Gables.

The 19th century house, a picturesque cottage at the heart of a series of hugely popular books by Lucy Maud Montgomery, is hidden away in a stand of trees surrounded by vacation cottages and motels. After a pleasant enough drive from here to there and back, a quick visit to yet another Tim Hortons and a walk around the port, we returned to the Veendam.

The next morning we woke to a spray of water from a fireboat just outside the port of Quebec. Turns out we were the first tourists of the season and the city was offering a warm and watery bonjour!

Chateau Frontenac towers above the lower town of Quebec.

At first blush, Quebec is picture-postcard perfect. The old city is a cobblestone maze of colorful restaurants and shops, nestled comfortably below what appears to be a massive castle that, in fact, is a massive hotel: the towering Chateau Frontenac.

Wendy and I spent the day stumbling about on our own and, after a time, with a dozen or so other tourists on a mid-morning walking tour. We were rewarded with an up close and personal look at the city's colonial core, a jarring blend of stone buildings and narrow streets in the upper town. Eventually, we managed to stumble down to the shops and bistros of the lower town, the Petit Champlain, then finished up the day strolling along the northern bank of the St. Lawrence to our ship.

A day later we docked in Montreal, made it to the airport by mid-morning and were back home in time for dinner. Sir Stryker, unfortunately, wasn't around with his piano and patter to help ease our way back into the day-to-day world of dirty laundry, cable news and frozen dinners.

Welcome home ... welcome home, indeed!

Avi racing around the sun into a bright future

Avi came bounding into the room with his preschool teacher and classmates, a 30-pound bundle of energy in search of adventure. He spotted me, revved up his engine and headed my way in overdrive.

Avi, Bubbe and Bailey (in the background) having a giggling good time.

Unfortunately, his legs were a bit ahead of his balance and he tumbled the last few feet before coming to rest where I sat. I bent over and lifted him up into my lap and he thanked me with a broad smile before resting his head on my shoulder.

A moment later he wiggled his way to the floor, grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the gaggle of kids preparing for Shabbat morning sing. He changed course mid-step and headed off toward the entrance to the sanctuary, making a dash for the lobby and freedom!

Did I mention Avi is filled with energy? If he's not moving around then he's thinking about moving around. Today, I'm thinking, he might notice his mom and dad, big sister Bailey and school chums will be giving him plenty of time and room to do his thing with abandon. After all, it's his birthday!

Avi's managed to make it around the sun twice now -- a happy, curious, whirling dervish of a toddler.

His life is filled with a pleasant blend of play and schooling. It's also filled with two of his favorite pastimes: eating and sleeping. He's happy to grab hold of as much rack time and chow as possible, taking a quick nap in the early afternoon and going off to bed without a peep each evening.

Avi and a few furry friends during visit to the Atlanta Zoo.

When Avi's not sleeping, there's a good chance he's eating. His day is a running smorgasbord of treats and grub, a jarring cornucopia of yogurt and cereal; bagels, crackers, goldfish and cheese; pancakes and strawberries; applesauce, fish and chicken; cake, cookies and donuts.

It's reasonably easy to figure out his diet each day. It doesn't take a rocket scientist or chef to discover his culinary choices. Just follow the trail of crumbs scattered about the floor and his clothes, and the stains on his hands and face.

Avi's also got an odd fascination with water. He likes holding onto a plastic cup filled to the brim when running about and, whenever near a water fountain, enjoys holding his hands under the running water. Go figure!

Meanwhile, all this play and coming and going is a studied effort, I'm told, at figuring out the world. Avi, it appears, is doing a fine job at being a toddler.

He's happy and enjoying his young life; loves his mom, dad and big sister, and is excited about what's waiting for him just the other side of the horizon. Me, too!

Another trip north and another grand adventure!

View of lower Manhattan after hiking across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Feeling a bit restless and having a few hundred bucks in airline credit to burn, it only made sense for the lovely Miss Wendy and me to take yet another nibble out of the Big Apple earlier this year.

We had visited New York in December, but decided to embrace the ancient Talmudic belief that you can never be too thin, too rich or visit Manhattan too often!

Atlanta chums Margaret and Peter, also in need of a chilly getaway, joined us on the trip north the first week of February, adding a whole new level of fun and adventure.

We spent the first afternoon zig-zagging our way about Midtown, strolling by Central Park and the Plaza Hotel, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center, Times Square and the Broadway Theater District.

Yummy way to end the day when visiting NYC.

Another ten minutes and five blocks along Broadway and we found ourselves in front of Ben's Kosher Deli -- can you say righteous hot pastrami? Can you say yummy? We can and we did!

An hour or so later, after a deli-licious dinner of corned beef and hot pastrami, chopped liver, matzo ball soup and a choco-licious slice of warm babka, we managed to shuffle our way onto Broadway and back to the Theater District.

Margaret and Peter were off to see "Come From Away", the Tony Award-winning musical focusing on the residents of Gander, Newfoundland and the thousands of airline passengers stranded there following the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center.

Wendy and I had seen -- and enjoyed -- the musical on our last trip to New York, so we decided to spend the evening with Bernadette Peters, aka Dolly Levi, and say "Hello"! It was a splendid, toe-tapping choice and a grand way to end the day.

Up early the next morning, Peter greeted us with the news that New York's a wonderful town, explaining giddily that the Bronx is up and the Battery's down. Okay, I'm playing a little fast and loose with his words so I can get the lyrics of "New York, New York" into this post. But I'm not exaggerating the ebullient vibe that had us all psyched and ready to take on another day in the city.

Wendy and Peter crossing the Brooklyn Bridge.

After a little "ride in a hole in the ground" -- yes, that's another musical reference, this time to the city's world-class subway system -- Margaret and Peter headed over to Ellis Island in search of their ancestral roots, while Wendy and I strolled around the World Trade Center.

In recent years we've visited the "footprint" fountains on the site of the downed Twin Towers and the nearby museum raised in honor and memory of the nearly 3,000 victims of the 9/11 attacks. But we'd never actually been inside the new building.

The structure towers over lower Manhattan, 104 stories of glass and steel soaring a breathtaking -- and symbolic -- 1776 feet high. There are 54 high-speed passenger elevators, a special few that can zip you up to the One World Observatory on the 102nd floor in a stunning 47 seconds.

Both the ride -- the elevators are equipped with digital screens that offer a unique glimpse at the history and growth of the region -- and the observation deck are 21st century amazing!

Wendy and I enjoyed all the bells and whistles that greeted and welcomed us, took time to watch one last video that set the scene, then stood in amazement as the screen lifted revealing a jaw-dropping vista that stretched off to the distant horizon.

World Trade Center towers over lower Manhattan.

The observation deck -- actually two floors that include a snack bar, restaurant, meeting rooms and gift shop -- circles the tower, offering a 360 degree view that includes Manhattan, Queens, Harlem and Long Island to the north and east, the Hudson River and New Jersey to the west, and Staten Island, much of Brooklyn and the Jersey shore to the south.

If you're lucky -- and we were -- you can see forever. A gaggle of skyscrapers, roadways, bridges and green space dot the landscape. It all blends together like the phantasmagoric work of a master builder, a mighty ode to the greatness of America.

During a 30-minute stroll, high above it all, we managed to spot Central Park and Rockefeller Center; the United Nations, Chrysler and Empire State buildings; the Manhattan, Brooklyn and Verrazano-Narrows bridges; Times Square and the Statue of Liberty.

After making our way back down to earth and meeting up with Margaret and Peter, we wandered about Greenwich Village, visiting Chelsea Market, the nearby High Line, a 1.45-mile-long elevated linear park, greenway and rail trail, and Washington Square.

We then began a slow and chilly trek up Fifth Avenue. In fact, trekking pretty much filled the next day or so.

Margaret takes a little spin on a carousel in Brooklyn.

Before calling it quits and heading back to the land of cotton and warmer temps, we criss-crossed midtown yet again, traveled back to lower Manhattan and hiked across the Brooklyn Bridge into the Heights and the gentrified district of DUMBO.

We then stumbled about SOHO, NOHO and the East Village before making our way to Rafele -- can you say sangria? It's one of our favorite New York restaurants just the other side of Bleecker Street in the West Village and only a hop, skip and a cannoli away from Rocco's, a pasticceria worth visiting if you're in the neighborhood. We were and we did!

Weary, but happy, Wendy and I bid our traveling companions a fond farewell the next morning and returned home -- Margaret and Peter hung around Gotham another two days. To paraphrase Julius Caesar: We came, we saw, we ate, drank and conquered. And so it goes!