Monday Musings - June 8, 2026

 

1. Happy Monday. It is the second Monday of June. Summer begins in 13 days! There are 29 Mondays remaining in the year. 

InstaCrate
Tequesta, FL
June 7, 2026

2. It is good to be home. Chris and I took yesterday and just got back into the house. That included doing laundry and making a trek to Costco for supplies. Patrick introduced me to some really nice collapsable crates that make unloading items from a Costco run much easier.

3. Was anyone else embarrassed by our Secretary of Defense at the June 6 remembrance in France? One writer summed it up as follows: 

On the 82nd anniversary of D-Day, Pete Hegseth stood on a bluff above Omaha Beach, among the graves of thousands of Americans who never came home, and turned a solemn remembrance into a political rally. He took the vocabulary of June 6, 1944, and turned it into a far-right anti-immigrant speech. He placed migrants in the rhetorical role the Nazis occupied in actual history. And he did it as a guest in France, standing in a cemetery that exists because France chose to preserve the memory of American sacrifice. (Heather Delaney Reese)

4. The Orioles let one get away yesterday and fell to 4th in the division, 8 games out of first. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games, but for the most part are playing better. I am encouraged. They seem competitive for a Wild Card port in the post-season. 

5. While shopping at Costco yesterday, I made a concerning observation. I noted that in the produce cooler, the normally with packed shelves and stacks of crates in the middle of the cooler were nearly empty. Selections were less than normal. Are supply chain problems beginning to affect produce items? 

6. Next Sunday, which is Flag Day, an abomination will occur at the White House. That the President is hosting an UFC event on the White House lawn for his birthday is nothing other that unbelievable. It continues to clearly demonstrate his contempt for our country and our traditions. I believe he sees our country as nothing more than his personal piggy bank.

7. Today in History. June 8, 1968. James Earl Ray, an escaped American convict, is arrested in London, England, and charged with the assassination of African American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

On April 4, 1968, in Memphis, King was fatally wounded by a sniper’s bullet while standing on the balcony outside his second-story room at the Motel Lorraine. That evening, a Remington .30-06 hunting rifle was found on the sidewalk beside a rooming house one block from the Lorraine Motel. During the next several weeks, the rifle, eyewitness reports, and fingerprints on the weapon all implicated a single suspect: escaped convict James Earl Ray. A two-bit criminal, Ray escaped a Missouri prison in April 1967 while serving a sentence for a holdup. In May 1968, a massive manhunt for Ray began. The FBI eventually determined that he had obtained a Canadian passport under a false identity, which at the time was relatively easy.

On June 8, Scotland Yard investigators arrested Ray at a London airport. Ray was trying to fly to Belgium, with the eventual goal, he later admitted, of reaching Rhodesia. Rhodesia (now called Zimbabwe) was at the time ruled by an oppressive and internationally condemned white minority government. Extradited to the United States, Ray stood before a Memphis judge in March 1969 and pleaded guilty to King’s murder in order to avoid the electric chair. He was sentenced to 99 years in prison.

Epstein abused them. The Justice Department exposed them. Now they’re under attack by haters - Reuters

Israel and Iran attack each other for first time since ceasefire - Reuters

Earthquake of magnitude 7.8 strikes off southern Philippines, 32 feared dead - Reuters

Tumbling tech puts brakes on AI rally, Middle East escalation lifts oil - Reuters

European leaders ready to support ceasefire talks between Ukraine, Russia - Reuters

Search for suspects enters third day after 12 people shot near a festival in Toledo, Ohio - CNN

Knicks fans know they’re seeing something special. They’re flying from around the world to NYC to be a part of it - CNN

How the Drive to Find a Conspiracy Against Trump Rocked the Justice Dept. - The New York Times

Why Trump’s pitiful new health care ‘plan’ is even worse than it appears - MS Now

European troops arrive in Greenland as Trump targets allies with new tariff threats - MS Now

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

And we are Home!

Beck
Glen Burnie, MD
June 6, 2026

 It was a different travel day. We were on a Saturday mid-afternoon flight. The Southwest flight from Baltimore to West Palm Beach was not full and the flight attendant came buy and asked the third person in our row if he wanted to move to a row with only one person in it so we all could have a more comfortable flight. 

That was unexpected. 

To make the flight even better, Chris and I decided to have a glass of wine. Surprise, I had upgraded to the more legroom seats and we were told that drinks, even alcohol, were included. Yay!

That made the flight one of the best we have experienced lately. We were in boarding group 2, but there was only one A-list and two Group 1's. That was also weird. 

Although it is good to be home, we will miss our family in Maryland. We had a great visit and spent time with all of them. We especially enjoyed our time with Beck. We went to Costco with him yesterday and I had forgotten how interesting it could be to shop with someone who wants to be a part of everything happening around them. We had fun and he was in a great mood. 

We will see him soon, I hope.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Travel Day Returning to Home

View from the Dock
Rams Head Dockside, Glen Burnie, MD
June 5, 2026

 D-Day Remembrance

Today is our travel day returning home to South Florida. 

We have had a busy and enjoyable visit north. 

Last evening we headed to Rams Head Dockside to enjoy dinner with Jeremy and Julie. Rams Head is less than a mile away from where we are staying, but because of Marley Creek we had to drive about 3 miles to get there. If only we had a boat!  Hmmmmm.

We enjoyed Happy Hour and munchies with Jeremy and Julie. It was a warm evening but pleasant evening. Actually, the high temperature in Glen Burnie was 90 degrees and that was 4 degrees higher than the high in Tequesta! See, it's hotter in Maryland than Florida!

Jupiter and Venus
Glen Burnie, MD
June 5, 2026

After a great evening at Rams Head Dockside, we retired back to Patrick and Jen's arriving just in time to put Beck to bed. Following bedtime we headed outside to enjoy the evening sky and some adult beverages. 

Jupiter and Venus were the stars of the evening show in the heavens. They were bright as they sank lower in the western sky. I started thinking; the light I was seeing reflected from Jupiter began its journey from the Sun somewhere between 78 and 95 minutes ago, depending on where Jupiter is relative to Earth. While the light from Venus takes on average only 9 to 10 minutes (although it can vary between 8 to 20 minutes) to be observed on Earth after leaving the Sun. Yet, I am seeing them both in the night sky at the same time! (Based on analysis by Chat GPT)

OK, that was too deep a thought for today. 

I stayed outside after everyone else retired looking for passing satellites and just enjoying the night sky. Hopefully, tonight we will be back at home in Florida on our veranda enjoying our version of the night sky. 

And for a final thought, take a moment to remember the sacrifice made by heroic service members on this day 82 years ago. The world owes all of the allied service members a debt of thanks than can only be repaid if we hold sacred the ideals for which they fought, and where many died, on the beaches of Normandy. 

-- Bob Doan, Glen Burnie, MD

Something tells me it's all happening

 

Linh Mai
National Zoo, D.C
June 4, 2026

At the zoo!

During February, the National Zoo welcomed a newborn Asian Elephant. Chris loves elephants and we heard about the birth of Linh Mai when the zoo announced that she was ready to receive visitors during April. Well, being in the D.C. area, we had to go to the zoo to meet the young pachyderm. 

Yesterday was zoo day.

Panda
National Zoo, D.C.
June 4, 2026

I was fortunate enough to obtain parking and entrance passes in advance, so I saved $10 off the parking cost and admission was free, but entrance passes were required. The actual process of parking was smooth and easy. We parked very close to one entrance to the zoo.

Getting to the zoo is, however, a process. Driving across the D.C. metro area is a scary slog. Using the Metro would solve the driving issue, but the closest station is a long walk from the zoo entrance. Once at the zoo there is a lot of walking to access the enclosures and exhibits and it is up and down hills. Wear appropriate shoes/sneakers. We walked about 2.67 miles while we were in the zoo. Yes, I turned my tracker on.

Baltimore Oriole
National Zoo, D.C.
June 4, 2026

The Zoo is great! We had a fantastic time and were able to see Linh Mai as well as both pandas, which are of course the marquee attractions. There is a lot of construction at the zoo as many enclosures are being upgraded and that is good, but it did limit some of the viewing. I thought the aviaries and bird displays were spectacular. We got up close to some birds and even those in outdoors enclosures were close enough to be enjoyed. I spent a lot of time getting an image of the Baltimore Oriole, the bird was very busy flying around the aviary.

The zoo offers an overwhelming array of attractions that are simply too many to experience in a single day. Despite spending three and a half hours there, we barely managed to scratch the surface of what the zoo has to offer. Exhausted and eager to avoid the traffic congestion in D.C., we decided to leave.

I highly recommend a day at the zoo!

-- Bob Doan, Glen Burnie, MD

Graduation Day

Jax with Me, Chris, Nicole, and Mike
Odenton, MD
June 3, 2026

Yesterday was graduation day for Jax as he said good-bye to Arundel High School and public education. It has been a great senior year and Chris and I have been thrilled to be part of his life even though we live in Florida.

After the summer he is headed to the University of South Florida in Tampa in their Engineering Program. 

Jax
Odenton, MD
June 3, 2026

We enjoyed the ceremony which convened at Maryland Live. I was amazed at the size of the room in which the graduation was held, it is cavernous and yet was nearly filled to capacity. After the ceremony, which began promptly at 9 AM, we gathered for a celebratory luncheon at The Point in Arnold, MD. It was a beautiful day along the banks of the Magothy River.

It has been a long 13 years of public school education, but now he is on his way to even greater things.

Congrats, Jax!

-- Bob Doan, Glen Burnie, MD

Flowering Takeover

 

Clematis
Glen Burnie, MD
May 31, 2026

Upon arriving in Glen Burnie to enjoy a week with our youngest grandson and his family, Chris and I were greeted by the most spectacular clematis display. I remembered earlier in the year, before the plants started growing and it was still too cold to think clearly outside, we had been introduced to the newly acquired and installed trellis. 

None of us expected the explosion of flowers!

The trellis stands right beside the front door and is impossible to miss upon arriving at the house. Stunning is one word I used to describe the sea of flowers. 

A Busy Boy
Glen Burnie, MD
May 31, 2026

In other activities, we have been enjoying the antics of Beck our youngest, at 16 months old, grandson. He is a joyful bundle of energy.

Whether in the yard, on a walk, or cruising around the house he is busy learning, thinking, and problem solving. Sometimes we need to intervene on his problem solving as he is ofter trying to reach something which might possess an inherent danger. He handles the redirection very well, almost as if he knows that he shouldn't be trying to get the item, but needed to test the resolve of the adults in the room. We are having a great time, even more because it is gray and rainy in Florida, we are happy to be in the bright sunshine and warm temperatures of Maryland.

-- Bob Doan, Glen Burnie, MD

Monday Musings - June 1, 2026

Southwest 4029 at the Gate
Rochester, NY
May 31, 2026

 1. The month changed over while we were asleep last night. Welcome to June! It is the first Monday of the five during the month, but only 30 Mondays remain in the year!

2. Yesterday was another travel day as we flew from Rochester, NY, to Baltimore, MD. I have to admit, I cannot recall flying to Baltimore from the North and I was excited to see different sights along the flight route. I was especially awed by seeing Three-mile Island nuclear power plant just south of the Harrisburg airport. Sitting, as I was, in a middle seat I was not able to capture an image of the plant. It was a short flight, about 45 minutes. I laughed when the crew advised passengers that it was not a "sip and savor" flight. We needed to finish our beverages expeditiously. 

3. The Orioles are playing much better of late. They are 7-3 for their past 10 games! They are winning series and actually swept the division leading Rays. Maybe they are finally coming together.

4. Cognitive dissonance. If Iran is truly as defeated as the administration says, why can't it deliver terms to Iran and have them accept them? It is clear that the actual situation is being obfuscated when the President writes something like as follows: 

“Iran really wants to make a deal, and it will be a good one for the U.S.A. and those that are with us,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

“The Dumocrats, and various seemingly unpatriotic Republicans, understand that it is MUCH tougher for me to properly do my job and negotiate, when political hacks keep negatively ‘chirping,’ at levels never seen before, over and over again, that I should move faster, or move slower, or go to war, or not go to war, or whatever.” (Raw Story)

Beck in the Wading Pool
Glen Burnie, MD
May 31, 2026

5. We arrived in Glen Burnie yesterday and enjoyed a fantastic afternoon and evening with our youngest grandson and his family. He is a ball of creative energy. I enjoyed helping him down a slide and into the wading pool. It was nice to be out of the cold New York weather and someplace warmer, although we did very much enjoy sitting around the fire pit last evening. 

6. Today in History. On June 1, 1980, CNN (Cable News Network), the world’s first 24-hour television news network, makes its debut. The network signed on from its headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, with a lead story about the attempted assassination of civil rights leader Vernon Jordan.

CNN went on to change the notion that news could only be reported at fixed times throughout the day. At the time of CNN’s launch, TV news was dominated by three major networks—ABC, CBS and NBC—and their nightly 30-minute broadcasts.

CNN was the brainchild of Robert “Ted” Turner, a colorful, outspoken businessman dubbed the “Mouth of the South.” Turner was born on November 19, 1938, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and as a child moved with his family to Georgia, where his father ran a successful billboard advertising company. After his father died by suicide in 1963, Turner took over the business and expanded it. In 1970, he bought a failing Atlanta TV station that broadcast old movies and network reruns and within a few years Turner had transformed it into a “superstation,” a concept he pioneered, in which the station was beamed by satellite into homes across the country. Turner later bought the Atlanta Braves baseball team and the Atlanta Hawks basketball team and aired their games on his network, TBS (Turner Broadcasting System). In 1977, Turner gained international fame when he sailed his yacht to victory in the prestigious America’s Cup race.

Iran and US trade strikes, Kuwait comes under fire as diplomacy drags on - Reuters

US takes step to halt Nvidia AI chip shipments to Chinese firms outside China - Reuters

Indo-Pacific nations race to arm themselves - and each other - Reuters

How Trump’s Ukraine aid cuts undermine justice for Russian war crimes - Reuters

3 climbers who fell near treacherous pass on Alaska’s Mount McKinley are dead, 1 rescued - CNN

United flight diverted to Wisconsin after passenger’s ‘multiple attempts’ to breach cockpit, crew member says - CNN

Democrats plan to force GOP lawmakers to answer for Trump’s $1.8 billion fund - MS Now

Law enforcement clashed with agitators breaking curfew outside NJ ICE facility - FoxNews

The MorningDeath from AboveWe look at U.S. boat strikes in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. - The New York Times

-- Bob Doan, Glen Burnie, MD

A Final Salute

With the sound of the bugle playing Taps and a salute from the honor guard, my Dad's cremains were finally laid to rest yesterday next to my Mom in the Fairbanks family section of a cemetery in Homer, NY. It had been a journey from his October passing until yesterday. The family had decided to wait until warmer weather coupled with the cemetery not being open for new burials until mid-April. Welcome to Upstate NY, so much for warmer weather because it was a cool 60 degrees yesterday.

Military Honor Guard
Homer, NY
May 30, 2026

I had the honor of accepting the flag for the family. Which was a very nice surprise. Earlier, I had been given a folder with his records of military service which I found fascinating to read through. I think I am going to put the flag in a case and store some of his service connected document in the case along with the flag to document his service to our great nation.

Following the graveside gathering, we headed back to my sister's, house south of Rochester, for an afternoon celebration and a bit of a family reunion. Yes, for those looking at a map of Western and Upstate NY, we drove about 6 hours yesterday between the different locations. 

And with a final salute, another veteran was laid to rest. He answered our nation's call, twice! 

-- Bob Doan, Henrietta, NY

Welcome to Rural Western NY

 

Delta MD-80 Landing at Atlanta
Atlanta, GA
May 29, 2026

Travel yesterday went mostly smoothly. The flights were on time and very nice. Chris and I enjoyed an airline other than Southwest where the boarding in not chaotic and it seemed that we were actually appreciated as passengers and not self-loading cargo. 

We landed in a driving rainstorm at Atlanta, where we had to change planes to continue onto Rochester, NY. I watched a jet land on a parallel runway. I had forgotten how huge is Atlanta Hartsfield, we taxied for what seemed like 20 minutes after landing to get to the gate. 

Out the Hotel Window
Henrietta, NY
May 30, 2026

The concourse at Atlanta was, as usual, a nightmare. People everywhere. The mix was humorous. People from the north were wearing coats and those of is from the south were in shorts. Fortunately, I brought a coat.

We had just enough time to traverse the concourse as we arrived at one end and were departing from the other. We did not need to hurry, but we also did not have time to explore. 

Arriving in Rochester, we had a terrible tome at the Hertz rental counter. I'm a gold member and for some reason they did not have my reservation tagged properly. But, it seems that I was not the only person with issues. Long after all of the other auto rental desks were empty, there was an hour long line at Hertz with two harried employees trying to process people! Ugh.

But, we finally secured a vehicle and joined up with family for the afternoon and then back to our lodging for the night. 

Today, we go to the cemetery for Dad's inurnment and then back to my sister's for afternoon festivities. We had waited for the inurnment, hoping for warm weather. Well, we see how that worked out. The high today is forecast to be all of 60 degrees in this region! So much for shorts and sandals.

-- Bob Doan, Henrietta, NY

Travel to Upstate NY

 

The seatback
PBI
May 29, 2026

Today is a travel day.  Chris and I are aboard our trusty Delta flight to Rochester, NY.  Hoping for a smooth travel day and good weather.  It is really humid in the Palm Beaches. I can’t even get a picture outside due to the condensation on the windows. 

First stop is Atlanta which is always a mess. From there onto Rochester.  Finn is enjoying a holiday with his second family.  

They are closing the doors and we are ready to fly.

— Bob Doan, Palm Beach International