Riding after the Rains

 

Flooded Street on my Ride
Tequesta, FL
November 5, 2026

The rains have finally cleared and I decided that I could get out for a ride to assess the damage and the overall situation. 

Things were not too bad. Even with the gale-force winds that we received, waiting a day before riding allowed the debris to get cleared. The flood waters, however, were another issue. 

One of the streets that I ride remained underwater. I was surprised. I knew it routinely flooded there, but given a day or so it usually cleared. Not so yesterday. Fortunately, it was only a couple of inches and I could see the double yellow line which was at the peak of the crown. The water never got to the level of my pedals when they are at their lowest. 

It was a beautiful day for riding, aside from the standing water in places. I kept it easy and only did 14 miles, wanting to get back to the house since I headed out later than usual and Finnegan was at the groomer needing a ride home at some point. 

I will bike a different route today to avoid the flooded street. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Finally Complete Project

 

Glass Removed from Upper Window
Tequesta, FL
November 4, 2026

It took nine months! The same amount of time as having a baby, but this was just a window installation job. 

We met with the Armorvue (a/k/a Window Nation) rep and signed a contract to install impact windows in our condo on February 7, 2026. The project was finally completed on November 4, 2026. Ugh! Most of the windows were installed during June right at the beginning of hurricane season. But one window was delivered without the colonial grids, which are required by our HOA and for which we paid extra.

Completed Windows
Tequesta, FL
November 4, 2026

During October the window glass was supposed to be replaced. And half of the job was completed. Then the rains began. The replacement was suspended because the rain interferes with the adhesive used to secure the glass unit to the window frame. The glass for the upper was stored on our veranda until yesterday when the job was finally completed. 

It took nine months and numerous phone calls to finally get everything completed. Ugh!

I had been smart enough to not pay the final more than half of the contract until the job was completed to my satisfaction. I settled yesterday when the window was finally replaced. 

Well, it is finally complete. I am working on a more formal review.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

We the People Speak

 

I am reassured this morning. The American people have spoken, not just with words but with the most important thing of all in our republic, with their vote. 

I am not going to delve into the obscenities and travesties of the Trump era that have brought us to this pivotal point in history, they are numerous. But, I am hopeful that the ship called America is being righted and will speed ahead back on course as a shining beacon for the world. 

I am tired of a president, supported by his political party, who does not respect decency choosing denigration and cruelness at nearly every decision point. 

It is time to look to the future and stop the retribution campaign that is crippling the Department of Justice and clogging the courts of America. 

I am encouraged by the motto that I have been hearing from the newly elected, they want to be about, Getting Things Done!

Let's roll!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Season of the Turkey

Election Day 2026 - VOTE!

Turkey Display
Tequesta, FL
November 2, 2026

Chris and I were walking into a store yesterday and a man suggested to me that we were going to need to build an ark because of all the rain. I responded that we needed to find some gopher wood. We both laughed and went on our way, but the weather has really been that bad. I saw the sun briefly through a cloud yesterday, but other than that it has been raining. We are lucky as we apparently have good drainage in our area, but we are not driving around much right now until the waters recede.

Arguably, my favorite season of the year has arrived. It is the Season of the Turkey. Unofficially, it runs from November 1st until Thanksgiving. 

I love turkeys and the lead-up to Thanksgiving. Turkey's are so uniquely American and Thanksgiving is based upon another uniquely American event. 

The season is also a time to reflect and give thanks for the blessings of another year. Some years the negatives may seem to outnumber the blessings, but the blessings are always more important. 

This year, Chris and I decided to display some of our  turkeys in the display case. It worked out pretty well and gives us a change from the other items in the display. After Thanksgiving, the display case will be devoted to Snow Village. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - November 2, 2026

 

Storm Clouds over Tequesta
Tequesta, FL
November 1, 2026

1. It was a dark and stormy day. All day! The sun never made an appearance through the clouds. It was depressing. That was yesterday and today, which has begun with multiple cracks of thunder and torrential rain, is not expected to be better.

2. Welcome to November. This is the first Monday of the penultimate month of the year. There are just 8 far too busy Mondays remaining is 2026. 

3. Election Day is tomorrow. Hopefully the ads will end and the ensuing court cases will be few. 

4. Family NFL Results. It was a disastrous week for the family teams. The teams went 2-4 for the weekend. The teams now post a 21-23-1 record for the season. 

Ravens (4-4) stampeded by Bills (6-1), 10-36

Steelers (6-2) pounded the Browns  (5-3), 27-6

Commanders (2-4-1) grounded Eagles (2-6), 27-10

Cowboys (3-5) shocked by Cardinals (3-5), 30-33

Dolphins (1-6) drowned by Patriots (5-3), 19-24 

Chiefs (5-2) trampled by Broncos (6-2), 24-28

5. Arsenal won a close match yesterday and sits alone atop the Premier League Table. 

6. The unrest across Europe is mostly related to cost of living issues caused by the Iran war! Why is no one pinning the rose on the culprit? Trump?

7.  Recent thoughts from our president during speech in Dubuque, Iowa, November 1, 2026: “Little things, I have a lot of flagpoles, all over my place in Los Angeles, including by the ocean, in a magnificent place. I have a guy, though. It’s life. I call him Flagpole Jim. His whole life, that’s all he does. Believe me, when you order a flagpole, there are good ones and bad ones, and some are ugly. Have you ever seen the ones that go up dead straight and are flat on top? That’s called a piece of steel, not a flagpole. These are beautiful, with a beautiful bronze top on them. The wires and cords are inside, so it doesn’t look bad and doesn’t make noise. Flagpole Jim is the best. If you ask him to cross the street, please, he couldn’t do that, but for flagpoles, he’s great, the best in the world.” (Hope for America)

8. Today in History. On November 2, 1947, the Hughes Flying Boat—at one time the largest aircraft ever built—is piloted by designer Howard Hughes on its first and only flight. Built with laminated birch and spruce, the massive wooden aircraft known as the Spruce Goose had a wingspan longer than a football field and was designed to carry more than 700 men to battle.

Hughes was a successful Hollywood movie producer when he founded the Hughes Aircraft Company in 1932. He personally tested cutting-edge aircraft of his own design and, in 1937, broke the transcontinental flight-time record. In 1938, he flew around the world in a record three days, 19 hours, and 14 minutes.

Following the U.S. entrance into World War II in 1941, the U.S. government commissioned the Hughes Aircraft Company to build a large flying boat capable of carrying men and materials over long distances. The concept for what would become the “Spruce Goose” was originally conceived by the industrialist Henry Kaiser, but Kaiser dropped out of the project early, leaving Hughes and his small team to make the H-4 a reality.

Trump Justice Dept breaks with tradition to intervene in midterms - Reuters

How Russia is seizing resorts along the Sea of Azov in occupied Ukraine - Reuters

Trump's Iran threat renews Gulf fears of a war it didn't choose - Reuters

Iranians have left Doha talks, draft proposal for US deal being circulated - Reuters

Learjet crashes and erupts into flames in Florida, killing all 9 on board - CNN

Republicans are campaigning on Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill.’ Here’s the damage it has done - CNN

Democrats demand answers on Navy’s evacuation of military families from Bahrain - MS Now

Michelle GoldbergRepublicans Tried to Turn the Cheesecake Factory Against Democrats. It Flopped. - The New York Times

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

November Arrives

 Back to Standard Time

Standard Time is back in town. Changing the clocks is a chore. I don't appreciate the chore since the Congress has had bills to approve adopting permanent Daylight Saving Time--but they can't seem to get the job done and save the semiannual clock change and associated disruption of sleep habits. 

I managed to sleep in until after 7 AM, although the bedside clock read 8 AM. That was a small blessing.

Ready for Halloween
Tequesta, FL
October 31, 2026

Halloween was a success. Well, partly. We survived, but, as in years past, we were not blessed with any Trick or Treaters. I have a $10 bag of candy to do something with--other than eat. I wonder if I can freeze for next year? Although, the Snickers morsels are calling to me. I am going to have to hide them.

In really weird news, this morning I was advised by a neighbor that a coyote apparently has taken up residence in the area and we need to be very careful with Finnegan. 

Finally, do not forget that today is a holiday! It is All Saints Day in some religions and also celebrated as Day of the Dead in Mexico. 

Here is Tequesta, we are expecting severe thunderstorms all day with possibly over 2 inches of rain anticipated. Ugh!

 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Halloween 2026

 Happy Halloween!

Finn the Pirate, Yarr!
Tequesta, FL
October 30, 2026

The night of witches, ghouls, and goblins is upon us!

Halloween has arrived and, sadly, the forecast here is calling for rain. Trick or Treaters are being advised to carry their umbrellas for the evening festivities.

Finnegan is ready! He donned his costume, borrowed form friends, to check for size. He was not happy about the process, but he accepted the indignity with his usual grace and indifference.

Finn will me meeting his fans at two establishments this evening, weather permitting. He will be at Locals our newest watering hole first and then over to Tiki52 for the adult Halloween Party. It promises to be a fun and busy evening. 

Be careful out there!

Although we so not usually get any Trick or Treaters, we bought one bag of candy--just in case. We have a few more children in the community this year. And maybe, just maybe a few will grace our doorway. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Final Weekend

 

Finn Sporting an "I Voted Sticker"
Tequesta, FL
October 21, 2026

It is the final weekend before the mid-term election day!

Yay!

Election season seems to be dragging on too long.

I have memorized some of the political commercials. Most of them sound the same. And I have to laugh when a Republican ad accuses a another candidate of making money in the stock market or in a job before they became a candidate. Really? I am not sure how they could be so blind to the corruption at the top?

Well, Finn is committed to getting out the vote which is why he is wearing Chris' "I Voted" sticker.  

To everyone who has voted--congratulations! 

And for those who have not yet voted--VOTE! We the People need to be heard.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Riding into Halloween

 

Moon over the Houses
Tequesta, FL
October 28, 2026

Halloween is almost here. The full moon is waning and it was making its way down the western sky yesterday as I was preparing to head out on a ride. The moon sat there in the sky, almost laughing at me. 

The forecasters got the weather wrong for yesterday, thankfully. There were predictions of intermittent rain all day, but that did not materialize and I was able to get a 17-mile ride accomplished. I am still developing a new base ride with the closure of one of the bridges that I normally traverse. 

Ghouls in Tequesta
Tequesta, FL
October 28, 2026

The halloween decorations abound and I snapped an image of some interesting decorations as I zoomed past on my bike. People are so very creative.

There was some standing water in places that I had to traverse, but the rains definitely had stopped and the land was beginning to dry. 

I am looking forward to the upcoming transition from Halloween to Thanksgiving and then Christmas. Lawn decorations express the seasons in so many different ways and they make my rides more interesting.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Guarding Dinner

Finnegan and the Grill
Tequesta, FL
October 19, 2026

 Finnegan is not so much a guard dog as he is a watch dog. The is no reason to be afraid of his bite, but his bark can break eardrums. 

He has taken up a new hobby, watching dinner. The other evening as I was grilling, he climbed up onto the table I use for preparation and protected dinner from unknown threats. 

It is a bit weird. 

Instead of reclining on a chair or sofa, he is more often finding comfort on tables. I'm not really sure what that is all about. He still rests in the dog beds we have around the house, but he can also be found on the coffee table or and end table. 

About my grill. We are not allowed gas grills in our condo. The Weber electric grill is incredibly versatile and I enjoy cooking on it. It is easy to clean and i have started lining the bottom with aluminum foil to collect the drippings.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL