Sunday, March 6, 2022

Tortoise


 

I was treated to a bike ride in a new area yesterday. A friend and I went north of Hobe Sound and rode into Port Salerno. Part of the ride included the Seabranch Preserve State Park which has a very nice riding trail through the Florida scrub. We enjoyed a very pleasurable 12-plus mile ride. 
Tortoise Eating
Seabranch Preserve State Park, FL
March 5, 2022

I never actually took an image of the scrubland or the trail, but I was able to record a tortoise eating along the trail--which is essentially a wide sidewalk. 

The tortoise I imaged was not the only one seen during the ride. One the way back through the park to where the vehicle was parked two more tortoises were found. It was unclear whether one was the same one I imaged or not. One of the two tortoises demonstrated that these are not slow moving creatures. The tortoise did not like being watched and made a speedy, for a tortoise, escape into the brush. I was actually impressed with its speed. 

The ride yesterday was an out and back with some exploration of Port Salerno along the waterfront. The ride is mostly flat. While the wind was strong, it only affected the ride on the way back, of course, since the winds were from the southeast. The trees did a good job of keeping the wind from becoming too much of a nuisance. Riding directly into a strong wind is not a lot of fun. 

The total time of the ride was just over one-hour. A pleasant pace and an enjoyable ride.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL


Saturday, March 5, 2022

Trucks 'N Tunes - March

 

Trucks 'N Tunes
Tequesta, FL
March 4, 2022

It was the first Friday of the month which means Trucks 'N Tunes in Tequesta. 

Imagine this--an outdoors activity scheduled for March. Of course I first wrote of it during February. 

It was a delightful fun evening of listening to live music and enjoying some of the local food truck cuisine. I went with friends and we sat at the same table from where first enjoyed this activity last month.

The weather was awesome. Beginning in the high 70s as the event began at sunset the temperatures dropped enough that I was happy to have brought my hoodie along for added warmth. Did I mention, no rain and nearly clear skies?

The music was especially good last evening and I enjoyed watching the children using the basketball courts and play areas. It was good to get out and enjoy a fun evening doing something different.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Friday, March 4, 2022

Standing on the Shore

Finnegan Ready for Our Beach Walk
Jupiter Island, Florida
March 4, 2022

 I enjoy walking beside the ocean on a beautiful sunny and warm day. There is something calming about the waves hitting the beach and reconnecting with and being reminded of the raw power of nature is exhilarating. 

I have not actually done the morning dog walk on the beach in over two weeks. I can make a lot of excuses and prepare many seemingly impressive reasons, but it mostly revolves around the extra effort to get to the beach--that being hop in the car and drive for less than 5 minutes. It was a bit longer today because I got stopped by the drawbridge.

Today, I decided that we would head to the beach for our morning walk. I use the walk as a warm-up for my daily bike ride. Chris is in Maryland, freezing, and so it was just Finnegan and me. I can tell the seasons are changing. Portuguese man o' wars are washing-up on the beach. Small ones. They are out there and they find their way to the Atlantic beaches at this time of year. There were also, sadly, two dead birds. I did not get close enough to identify them, but I always wonder what could have taken down these fairly large sized  birds?

The walk was a slog today as the tide was in and the sand was soft. We only did a mile--but it was a hard mile. The ocean breeze was light and surprisingly warm. I had expected it to be cooler, but the sun more than compensated for any coolness in the breeze. 

I need to stay connected to the beach and the ocean, after all, that is why I am living here. But, I have been busy with paperwork on my computer: taxes, insurance, registering vehicles, and the like. Hopefully most of this is in the past and I can begin to enjoy more Springtime afternoons on the beach. Spring begins in just 16 short days! Just saying.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, Florida

Thursday, March 3, 2022

Sun Kissed Clouds

Silver-lined Clouds and Palm
Tequesta, FL
March 2, 2022

 Morning and evening clouds often reveal their silver lining when the sun hits them just right. 

That was the case yesterday morning looking out towards the east. I saw the silver lining of the clouds illuminated before my eyes. And of course, there was a palm tree perfectly positioned. 

It was a beautiful scene to start the day. And funny, not too much later the clouds took over and we even got some rain. 

I was glad that I had picked yesterday to have my bike serviced since I could not ride due to the wind and weather.

But the clouds in the morning against there bright sky were a great way to start the day.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

There are Still Heroes

 

Most all Americans have been watching carefully the unwarranted Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

I found this quote in the Atlantic Daily email:

Meanwhile, Ukrainians on the ground, including President Volodymyr Zelensky and the everyday citizens taking up arms against the Russian military, have reminded the world what heroism looks like.

Heroism--the world needs heroes right now and we have found them in the Ukrainian people. 

The brave Ukrainians are doing what I imagine many Americans would do if out country were invaded. They are standing in the front lines with the weapons they have. I saw a news report and there was a Ukrainian standing on guard with his double barrel shotgun!

This morning, CNN reported this by the youngest member of the Ukrainian Parliament:

Ukraine's youngest MP: 'If we can survive Stalin, we can survive Putin'

I understand the difficult situation that the United States is in by not wanting to escalate the conflict outside of the borders of Ukraine, but I can only imagine what a few A-10 Warthogs could do to the 40 mile long Russian convoy headed towards Kyiv.

Perhaps Russia should be removed from the UN Security Council. I don't even know if that is possible. 

I can only hope that the mostly-unified world sanctions against Putin have a measurable impact soon. I believe using all of the instruments of national power (DIME) against Russia will work--but, will it be too late to save the brave heroes of Ukraine?



-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL


Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Losing Skills


Happy March 1st! I remember an old adage for March: "In like a lion and out like a lamb." 

With the arrival of March, I have been retired for two months and I have to admit that it seems longer with everything happening around the world. 

My handwriting has never been good. In fact, years ago I gave up writing cursive and turned to block printing. Yesterday, I actually needed to write some information down on paper and it became an interesting event. 

First, my pen would not write. I have used a fountain pen for many years because I like the density of the ink on the paper and because I believe they are more ecologically sound than throw-away pens. Apparently the ink dried in the nib, due to lack of use, and I had to clean everything out to get the pen functioning. This likely happened because I have not written anything in almost two months. 

Next, my hand did not seem to be able to write the letters and numbers smoothly and easily. Have I lost the skill of writing? Most likely yes. I could read what I wrote but it seemed like a chore rather than something that I used to enjoy doing. I guess I have been writing too much on my laptop and not enough on paper. 

I do not think that I will often exercise my writing skills, or lack thereof, in the near future, but I need to take better care of my writing instrument so that it is prepared for infrequent use. I have placed my pen in a container with the nib up so that the ink drains out rather than drying and gumming it up. Time will tell if this is a good solution.

And that is how the first day of the third month of both the year and my retirement begins.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

 

Monday, February 28, 2022

Monday Musings - February 28, 2022

 


1. The last Monday of February has arrived. There are 43 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. We live in scary times. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is bringing up a lot of old Cold War fears, especially Russia's nuclear forces alert decision. From the looks of the current situation, Putin did not expect the Ukrainian people to so stoutly defend their homeland. Apparently he thought it would be more like the Syrian operation where the general populace just flees and it is a military force on military force operation. 

3. As a tag along, the news reported that North Korea fired another missile the other morning. 

4. Apparently greed has destroyed the start of the MLB season. Well, the two sides have until today's end to come to an agreement--but it is not looking good for baseball to begin on time. I found it interesting that the article referenced below is from Jupiter, Florida, but the image attached to it is of Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida, where the Baltimore Orioles conduct Spring Training games. Go O's--well, maybe.

The Mess Hanging a TV
Tequesta, FL
February 27, 2022
5. I am working to hang a television on a wall in one of the bedrooms. What a catastrophe. The condo has metal studs which means that just screwing a lag bolt into the the wall is not enough. Ask me, I tried and the TV, which is a heavier 2007 model started pulling the bolt out of the wall and nearly fell. I then did some research and learned about elephant anchors. They work really well. It only took three trips to Ace Hardware and Home Depot to secure everything that I need. Now I am trying to run cable and get the thing working. I did confirm the TV works, but I need to call the cable provider to get the box activated. I think we may just going to hook up a Roku and call it a day. Notice, I put a towel on the bed to protect the comforter! My next task? Taxes!

6. I had the opportunity to drive across Florida from the East to the West Coast for the annual Spring Training golf and baseball trip. Well, as we know, there was no baseball. I was amazed at Florida's flatness and diversity. It has a real beauty. The only problem is that the road I drove for most of the three-and-a-half hour trip is a two lane highway and slow vehicles become effective blockers.

7. I have owned my bicycle for exactly a month tomorrow. Amazingly as I tallied up the miles I discovered that I have ridden 142.3 miles and with today's planned at least 8 mile excursion I will log 150 miles in one month. Wow! During that time I have experienced two flat tires and only one near death experience which left a bald spot on my tire from maximum braking. I have also had not-so-pleasant exchanges with three people: two pedestrians and one driver. I have also crossed one drawbridge, both ways. Not bad for the first month. 

8. Today in History. On February 28, 1953, Cambridge University scientists James D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick announce that they have determined the double-helix structure of DNA, the molecule containing human genes. The molecular biologists were aided significantly by the work of another DNA researcher, Rosalind Franklin, although she is not included in the announcement, nor did she share the subsequent Nobel Prize award for it.

Though DNA—short for deoxyribonucleic acid—was discovered in 1869, its crucial role in determining genetic inheritance wasn’t demonstrated until 1943. In the early 1950s, Watson and Crick were only two of many scientists working on figuring out the structure of DNA. California chemist Linus Pauling suggested an incorrect model at the beginning of 1953, prompting Watson and Crick to try and beat Pauling at his own game.  




North Korea fires 'possible ballistic missile,' Japan says - CNN

AP NewsMLB: It's deadline day to save opening day, 162-game season - AP News

Russian forces facing fierce resistance; talks begin on Belarus border - The Washington Post

Putin puts nuclear forces on alert as Ukrainian civilian deaths mount - The Washington Post

Humanity has a ‘rapidly closing window’ to avoid a deadly future, U.N. climate report says - The Washington Post

Wall Street set to slide as Russia sanctions hit world markets - Reuters

N.Korea says it conducted test for developing reconnaissance satellite, article with video - Reuters

U.S. Shale Producers Sing the Same Tune 3 min read - The Wall Street Journal


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Sunday, February 27, 2022

Course Birds

Sandhill Crane
Bent Tree Golf Course, Sarasota, FL
February 25, 2022
Florida's golf course fauna is significantly different from the northeast. In addition to the occasional alligator lurking in the water hazards or crossing the fairway, there are birds. In the northeast the largest birds that must be contended with are usually Canadian Geese. Anyone who has had the opportunity to interact with a Canadian Goose knows that they can be very aggressive--sometimes it is best to let them just have the golf ball. In Florida, we often see Sandhill Cranes which are both larger and louder, but more sedate.

Sandhill Cranes
Rosedale Golf & Country Club
Bradenton, FL
February 24, 2022

Sandhill Cranes are large birds that are definitely not afraid of golfers and they are considered a threatened species by the State of Florida. They sometimes block shots and often get between the golfer and the ball. I have not noticed them to be as aggressive as geese, but they are big enough to definitely defend themselves. 

Sandhill Cranes are loud. They do not honk like geese, but that make a sound that reminds me of what a pterodactyl might sound like had I been around during the Jurassic Period to hear them. Fortunately, I was not as I am sure that I would have quickly become a morsel for either a pterodactyl or dinosaur. 

And all of this from a golf course? Who says golf is not an imaginative game. I have linked 21st Century golf to the Jurassic period in just a few paragraphs.  


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL


Saturday, February 26, 2022

Spring Training Trip

Looking Down at the 16th Green
Bent Tree Country Club, Sarasota, FL
February 25, 2022
 As most know, nearly every year for at least the past ten years I have made a trip to Sarasota, Florida, home of the Baltimore Orioles Spring Training, to play golf, watch baseball and enjoy some evening activities. This year, obviously, due to greed, the Spring Training Baseball part of the trip did not happen--but the golf and evening activities did. 

I drove across Florida to Sarasota on Thursday morning to play golf and have some fun with some refugees from Maryland. Funny, it took me longer to drive across Florida form Jupiter to Sarasota than it did for them to fly from Baltimore to Sarasota. 

I was able to play two rounds of awful golf--but I loved it. I had forgotten how tough the second day in a row playing 18 holes on a long course can be. But, I had fun!! And I had even more fun because I was playing with Jeremy both days. 

It was sad that there was no baseball to watch, but playing golf still makes the trip worthwhile. I did not stay for the entire four days due to requirements back in Tequesta--but I enjoyed my two days and one night.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL


Thursday, February 24, 2022

Got them Both

The ending to my bike ride yesterday pointed out how different riding in Florida can be from riding in the North.

It was a great ride with Chris. We talked much of the way and enjoyed being out in the mid-morning sunshine and breezes. It was the end of the ride, however, which taught me a valuable lesson. 

As we ended the ride at our condo entrance, workers were trimming the palms. I did not think much of it and rode my bike through a small collection of debris. A terrible mistake. It turns out that the small thorns on some of the palms can penetrate bike tires.

Both my front and back tire were flattened, although only the front was obvious when I went out to buy tubes.

I bought two tubes, just in case and when I returned home the back tire was flat. 

I managed to get them both.

Two for two!


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

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