Manatees, Everywhere Manatees

Statue of Manatees
Manatee Lagoon, Rivera Beach, FL
February 2, 2026

 Yesterday was another cold day in South Florida. 

That meant that it was a perfect day for a trip to Manatee Lagoon in Rivera Beach to view the manatees, because they know how to keep warm when it is cold. 

Manatees
Manatee Lagoon, Rivera Beach, FL
February 2, 2026

Chris and I had visited the Lagoon on one other occasion a couple years ago, but it was the wrong time of year and there were no manatees. Yesterday, however, we were rewarded by viewing almost 200 manatees hanging out in the warm Florida Power and Light (FPL) electric generating plant's discharge lagoon.

It was a clear and cold day. We waited until the afternoon when the temperature crawled into the 50s to visit. It was a good choice. Even though it was cold, throngs of people were in attendance to view and enjoy the manatees in the lagoon and surrounding area. 

Manatees in the Lagoon
Manatee Lagoon, Rivera Beach, FL
February 2, 2026

I had an issue trying to get a good image given the lighting situation. The sunlight was reflecting off the ripples on the water and made getting a good image really tough--even with post processing. Despite that, we enjoyed watching the manatees along with some fish, including a nurse shark, lounging in the warm waters of the lagoon. 

It was encouraging to see the numbers of people who came out to view the manatees. Raising awareness helps to protect them. There were more than a few manatees in the lagoon who displayed evidence of their unfortunate encounters with boats. The scars are deep. One of the reasons that I try to stand when piloting the boats I am captaining is to look for manatees and debris. We have been lucky to see manatees on multiple occasions. 

I highly recommend a visit to Manatee Lagoon during the cold months. It is both fun and educational. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - February 2, 2026

 

Happy Groundhog Day!

1. Welcome to February! Today is the first of four February Mondays. There are 47 Mondays remaining in the year. 

Phil Predicts Six More Weeks of Winter
Gobblers Knob, PA
February 2, 2026

2. The prediction is in from Punxsutawney, PA. Phil predicts six more weeks of Winter! Ugh. 

3. Is America under siege from an internal force? Has ICE/CBP gone too far in assaulting Americans? Has the president lost sight of the fundamental principles that made America great? Is the president abusing his position to get richer at the expense of "We the People?"

4. Next week--the Super Bowl. I am ready for football to be over and baseball to get underway. I wonder how many people will be watching the Olympics and skip the Super Bowl? I believe the Monday after the Super Bowl should be a national holiday. Not a lot of work gets done anyway. 

5. It is cold! Yesterday, I had to switch the HVAC from cool to heat for the first time in three years. The temperature in the house got down to 69 degrees. Just a bit cold. Fortunately, the heat came on and we are enjoying a cool, but comfortable 71 degrees. 

6. Today in History. On February 2, 1887, Groundhog Day, featuring a rodent meteorologist, is celebrated for the first time at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. According to tradition, if a groundhog comes out of its hole on this day and sees its shadow, it gets scared and runs back into its burrow, predicting six more weeks of winter weather; no shadow means an early spring.

Groundhog Day has its roots in the ancient Christian tradition of Candlemas, when clergy would bless and distribute candles needed for winter. The candles represented how long and cold the winter would be. Germans expanded on this concept by selecting an animal—the hedgehog—as a means of predicting weather. Once they came to America, German settlers in Pennsylvania continued the tradition, although they switched from hedgehogs to groundhogs, which were plentiful in the Keystone State.

Groundhogs, also called woodchucks and whose scientific name is Marmota monax, typically weigh 12 to 15 pounds and live six to eight years. They eat vegetables and fruits, whistle when they’re frightened or looking for a mate (they’re sometimes called whistle pigs) and can climb trees and swim.

Slump in commodities rattles global markets - Reuters
Israel reopens Gaza's Rafah border crossing to Egypt, with tight limits - Reuters
Russia does not want a global conflict, Medvedev says - Reuters
Five-year-old boy detained by ICE has returned to Minnesota, lawmaker says - Reuters
Trump says Kennedy Center will close in July for 2-year renovation - CNN
Johnson must sell conservatives on funding deal Democrats pushed for, or risk shutdown - CNN
Where things stand with the government shutdown, and how soon it could end - FoxNews
Kenyan job seekers were lured to Russia, then sent to die in Ukraine - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Below Freezing

Happy February!

It happened over night. The temperature fell below freezing here in Tequesta. 

February 1, 2026

The last time it was this cold, or colder, in Tequesta was December 29, 1894. Yup I wrote that correctly. There was a 32 degree temperature recorded in 

The weather services are saying that it hasn't been this cold in 16 years, but I think we beat that record last night. I used Chat GPT to see when we beat last night's cold. But, I was cautioned that specific data for Tequesta is not fully available. 

It is too cold for here! I wonder how many plants and animals will succumb to the cold. 

So hey, all my friends and family, Take the weather back!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Lost GFI

Not an Actual Image of the Situation

 It was an adventure and a sleuthing exercise worthy of Sherlock Holmes.

I went over to help a friend determine why one of the electrical outlets in his master bath suddenly had no power. OK, it was because a hair blower/dryer and a portable heater had been activated simultaneously on the same outlet. Poof!

Simple, right? Find the circuit breaker and reset it! 

Not so fast, grasshopper!

He had already checked all of the circuits in his panel and none were tripped. He looked for all of the GFIs in the house, none were tripped. 

Yet, this stubborn outlet refused to come to life. 

So he asked me to come help troubleshoot. He had bought a really cool circuit testing tool to assist in the effort. And we began. 

We started working through the electrical panel and outlets looking for a breaker that had no power. I suspected it was a bad breaker. 

But then, after about an hour, I noticed a breaker labeled Pool Box. Really? Could it be? I asked him about it and he said there was an outdoor box with breakers in it for the pool pump and equipment. I got thinking . . . 

The powerless outlet was on an exterior wall near the pool AND we could not find any other outlet or switch on the same circuit. 

So I suggested, "can we call an audible here and take a look at the electrical panel servicing the pool equipment?" At this point, even though he knew this was definitely a shot in the dark, but had nothing to lose and everything to gain, he said yes. And so we went out to the panel. 

He opened it and I immediately noticed that of the three breakers in the panel that the single 15 amp, GFI circuit was tripped. 

Upon resetting the breaker, the outlet in the master bathroom came to life!

Problem solved and mission accomplished. 

Very weird, but still, it happens. I learned the GFIs can be in strange places from my condo here in Florida. I have an outlet on the veranda which is supported by a GFI in the garage on the other side of the building. Took me days and phoning a friend to solve that one. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Preparing for a Freeze

Sunday Morning Cold Forecast

 Turns out even South Florida is not going to be exempt from the coming arctic blast. We are preparing for extreme cold--temperatures below freezing

Ugh!

According to some news outlets, this level of cold has not graced South Florida in 16 years!

Temperatures are expected to fall to about 30 degrees with windchills in the teens or lower. Inland, where there is no protection from the ocean it will be colder. 

Chris and I are plotting to protect some of our sensitive plants.

I included a map projecting potential snowfall from Tampa to Orlando. The forecasted snow is confined to western Florida. Floridians are not well prepared for the temperatures expected early Sunday morning. I have had to swap my usual short sleeve shirt and shorts with sandals for warmer attire. I realized that I don't enjoy wearing jeans and long sleeved shirts anymore.

I hope the northerners visiting South Florida and expecting sunny warm beach days are not too disturbed. It is still a lot warmer here than in the more northern areas. But still, definitely not good beach or boating weather. 

brrr!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Idaho? Yesterday?

Image of the S22i Screen was I started my ride
Tequesta, FL
January 28, 2026

 It was too cold to ride yesterday, but I needed to get on my bike for a workout. I am lucky because I have my trusty NordicTrak S22i studio bike trainer in my garage. I do not use the trainer as often as I probably should, but given the expected unseasonably cold weather expected for about the next two weeks I think it is going to be getting some regular activity. 

Yesterday's ride was through Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho! That is the really great thing about the S22i, I can take rides through many different places accompanied by a tour guide/trainer. I took an image of the S22i screen just as I began my ride. 

The tour through Craters of the Moon was enlightening. The scenery is very stark. I enjoyed the ride and it made me want to go to Idaho, during better weather, and actually make the ride. The only problem is that Idaho is a long way to drag my bike. But, it would be a fun road trip!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Work at Home Companion

Rex Working at Home
Glen Burnie, MD
January 27, 2026

Photo by Patrick Doan

 Working from home is a great benefit and one not to be abused. Some professions are more able to work from home than others, but even so, there is something called accountability. 

Dogs are often our closest allies in the home setting. Wouldn't it be fantastic to train our dogs to help with the working from home duties so that we might attend to other items, like dripping faucets? And wouldn't it be even better if they would actually do work rather than just keep the keyboard active, as some validation programs check for?

Enter Rex--the perfect Work at Home Companion! Apparently, Rex had evolved into to more than just a play and walking partner. He, apparently, has become part of the active work at home system. Hopefully, his at home working requirements do not interfere with those of his owner or they might need a create a separate home office!

It is a great pic of Rex. He is truly a great dog and Chris and I look forward to seeing him when we visit. I'm sure he is be up to the work at home task!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

It was How Warm?

Weather Forecast
January 27, 2026

 I apologize to the those residing in eastern half of the U.S. for living in South Florida. 

The temperature in Tequesta hit 88 degrees yesterday. Officially, the temperature was 90 degrees in West Palm Beach! It was mostly rainy and overcast--but pleasantly warm. 

Watching Football @ Tiki52
Tequesta, FL
January 25, 2026

We are trending down and, although I cannot believe it, I even see a low in the 20s Sunday morning! I dearly hope it changes.

These temperatures are a long way from our most recent Sunday when Chris and I headed off to Tiki52 and enjoyed watching the Broncos-Patriots game under the open air Tiki. 

There were a lot of people gathered; the mood was festive and we all enjoyed watching the game. There was a good mix support for both teams, although I detected a few more Patriots fans than those of us cheering for Denver. It had been some time since Chris and I watched football with a group of our new best friends at a bar! It was fun, even though the Broncos lost. 

Looking at the weather forecast, it may be a while before we return to Tiki52 to enjoy adult beverages and food. Tuesday is usually dinner at Tiki night, but it looks a bit cold for tonight's visit and we will likely heat to somewhere enclosed and warmer. 

I also will not be riding my bike, unless I head out during the afternoon. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - January 26, 2026

 

1. The final Monday of January 2026 has arrived. It is almost hard to believe that we are cruising through the year and January is nearly complete. Forty-eight Mondays remain in the year. 

2. The Super Bowl teams are set for the 60th of these annual events in two short weeks. The Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots will square off for bragging rights in the NFL on Sunday, February 8th, in Santa Clara, California. 

3. I tried reading a FoxNews item about the tragic Saturday shooting in Minneapolis and was mystified that the writers needed to refer to far left radicals and try, along with a very misguided Vice President, to blame everyone except the shooters for what happened. Seems to me that freedom of speech and freedom to assemble, as well as Second and Fourth Amendment freedoms only apply to those with whom the writers agree rather than all people equally. I have referenced the item in my News section below. 

4. Watching the incredibly large and powerful storm develop across the country during the past week and weekend was amazing. I was very happy to be out of the area and not have to deal with the cold, snow, sleet, and ice. My prayers are with all those who are dealing with the storm's aftermath. 

5. Today in History. On January 26, 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip guides a fleet of 11 British ships carrying convicts to the colony of New South Wales, effectively founding Australia. After overcoming a period of hardship, the fledgling colony began to celebrate the anniversary of this date with great fanfare and it eventually became commemorated as Australia Day. In recent times, Australia Day has become increasingly controversial as it marks the start of when the continent's Indigenous people were gradually dispossessed of their land as white colonization spread across the continent.

Australia, once known as New South Wales, was originally planned as a penal colony. In October 1786, the British government appointed Arthur Phillip captain of the HMS Sirius, and commissioned him to establish an agricultural work camp there for British convicts. With little idea of what he could expect from the mysterious and distant land, Phillip had great difficulty assembling the fleet that was to make the journey. His requests for more experienced farmers to assist the penal colony were repeatedly denied, and he was both poorly funded and outfitted. Nonetheless, accompanied by a small contingent of Marines and other officers, Phillip led his 1,000-strong party, of whom more than 700 were convicts, around Africa to the eastern side of Australia. In all, the voyage lasted eight months, claiming the deaths of some 30 men.

Minneapolis shootings put Trump’s immigration surge at center of election-year fight - Reuters

Russian strike on Ukraine's Kyiv leaves 1,330 buildings still without heat - Reuters

Israel to reopen Gaza's Rafah crossing after search for last hostage body ends - Reuters

Exclusive: India to slash tariffs on cars to 40% in trade deal with EU - Reuters

The far-left network that helped put Alex Pretti in harm's way, then made him a martyr - FoxNews

The real reason Trump and MAGA are so quick to blame Minneapolis shooting victims - MS Now

Trump’s stock market: Worst first year of a term since George W. Bush  - CNN

Venezuela’s acting president says she has had ‘enough’ of US orders - CNN

Trump’s sudden retreat on Greenland shows that limits still exist - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

De-ICE America

Alex Pretti was clearly visible holding
 a phone when agents first
 approached him, before pulling
 him to the ground and
 shooting him.Credit...dangjessie, via Instagram
via NYTimes

Yesterday in Minneapolis, Alex Pretti, a civilian, was killed by ICE/CBP agents while he was legally recording the activities of federal agents. He is the second civilian killed during the ICE/CBP occupation of Minneapolis/St Paul. He was unarmed and subdued on the ground at the time 10 shots were fired into his body during a period of 5 seconds. (NYTimes)

What quickly became apparent, again, was that DHS and ICE leadership do not have a grasp on truth and fact. Their first narratives after the horrific incident bear little resemblance to the facts. Thankfully, multiple citizens recorded what happened so that we can see truth. And who is FBI not conducting an investigation as required when a civilian is murdered by federal agents?

I, sadly, have lost faith in the Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General, DHS, FBI, CBP, and ICE to discharge their responsibilities to the American people in a faithful and unbiased manner. They have forgotten that they work for "We the People."

Let me be clear, I am not against immigration enforcement. 

Immigration enforcement, however, must be done properly, respectfully, and in a manner consistent with our laws the Constitution--all of it. I am tired of hearing the tired narrative about the numbers of immigrants that Biden allowed into the country as if it matters, because it is immaterial; everyone who is here now has legal and Constitutional protections. I am against what appears more and more like a secret police force designed to terrorize people and communities--that is not the job of properly trained and deployed law enforcement. ICE/CPB continue to be seen trampling the rights of citizens. What happened to "Protect and Serve?"

I actually have an idea. 

De-fund ICE and distribute their bloated funding to local and state police authorities. Create an organization under DHS, maybe under CBP, which identifies the egregious immigration criminals, as was promised by the President when he said "worst of the worst", and pass that verified information to the "locals" to execute warrants and arrests. That the locals would execute legal warrants for felonious crimes should appease concerns expressed by sanctuary cities and states. 

Effectively repairing the damage that has been done to the Country requires replacing the heads of DOJ, DHS, ICE, CBP, FBI, and Defense. Replacing them can be easy or hard--they resign (easy) or are impeached (hard). Their leadership is not compatible with the bedrock principles of America as expressed in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and applicable US Titles and laws.

Restore the land of the free and home of the brave--for all people!

De-ICE America!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL