As the Season Turns

 

Autumn Colors
Elkridge, MD
November 13, 2021

Autumn Begins

The big news is that Summer ends and Autumn begins at 8:04 PM EDT tonight. Queue the colored leaves and cooler/colder temperatures. 

The image is from the last Autumn we spent in our house in Elkridge as the colors reached peak--or maybe a bit past.

I appreciated the colorful leaves, but they were so transitory compared to the springtime flowers. And they made a mess in the yard! I could feel the colder Autumn nights beginning to arrive as we sat around the fire pit. 

In South Florida, Autumn is more subdued. The temperatures are cooling--we are enjoying lows in the mid-70s and highs in the 80s. Storms have been a daily experience, but the forecast is showing clearing for the weekend. That is good since we board a cruise ship on Sunday for a weeklong escape. We should begin packing soon. As it is a Caribbean cruise, I am not expecting to see any autumn colors in the palm trees.

Maybe I will try to balance an egg at 8:04 PM.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - September 21, 2026

 

At the Car Wash
Tequesta, FL
September 20, 2026

1. Autumn arrives tomorrow at 8:04 PM EDT! Summer will have run its course. Today is the third Monday of September and only 14 Mondays remain in the year.

2. Yesterday morning was a beautiful day for a car wash. We had not needed to have the car washed due to the massive amounts of rain we have been receiving, but having the interior vacuumed and the windows washed are added benefits. There were a lot of dog nose imprints on the windows. The car wash was running at about half staff and they were not being overworked. Most other car owners probably felt that the forecast rain would negate any benefit from going to the car wash. As we are member of the club, we needed to get some benefit from our monthly fee. The car looked great, right up until it rained. 

3. The NFL was most frustrating yesterday. I watched two games and could not believe the terrible game changing calls made by the officiating teams even with the assistance of video review. The family teams had another rough day going 2-4. For the season they are now 5-7.

Ravens (1-1) gave the game to the Saints (1-1), 17-24

Steelers (1-1) got executed by Patriots (1-1), 3-20

TFKATR* (0-2) lost to Cowboys (1-1), 20-37

*TFKATR - Team Formerly Known As The Redskins  

Dolphins (0-2) were caged by 49ers (2-0), 13-35

Chiefs (2-0) defeated Colts (0-2) 33-30

4. And the Orioles effectively ended their season. With six games remaining the Orioles are 5 games out of the Wild Card and logged their 81st loss yesterday. That is significant because unless they win their remaining 6 games they will finish below .500 for the season, again!

5. Assault on the Constitution. We all know what happened over the weekend, the President who is sworn to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution blatantly ignored Amendment 1 by barring news media from the White house Press Corps. Is it a coincidence that these things happen over weekends? It was clearly another action designed to take the spotlight off the failing Iran War--which has widened, the Epstein Files, the failing economy, rising inflation, and the general ineptitude of the Executive Branch. Normally, I would be screaming that he needs to be impeached, but the successor is likely even worse. 

6. Today in History. On September 21, 1780, during the American Revolution, American General Benedict Arnold meets with British Major John Andre to discuss handing over West Point to the British, in return for the promise of a large sum of money and a high position in the British army. The plot was foiled and Arnold, a former American hero, became synonymous with the word “traitor.”

Arnold was born into a well-respected family in Norwich, Connecticut, on January 14, 1741. He apprenticed with an apothecary and was a member of the militia during the French and Indian War (1754-1763). He later became a successful trader and joined the Continental Army when the Revolutionary Warbroke out between Great Britain and its 13 American colonies in 1775. When the war ended in 1783, the colonies had won their independence from Britain and formed a new nation, the United States.

Merz clings on after German election 'disaster' - Reuters

Iran and US trade threats after Houthi attacks escalate regional conflict - Reuters

World leaders return to UN as it struggles to remain relevant - Reuters

Two dead in Moscow region, drones hit oil refinery - Reuters

CNN, MS NOW and Politico to sue Trump admin over White House access - CNN

New laws trigger a fresh legal fight over Nazi-looted art in Los Angeles and Auschwitz museums - CNN

Tensions escalate in Minnesota after Wednesday shooting involving federal agent - MS Now

Members go around Speaker Johnson again, advance Epstein Files Transparency Act sequel - MS Now

Trump Gets Caught in a Dilemma Over a Saudi Plea for Military Help - The New York Times

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Looking Ahead to Rain

 

Morning Storm Situation
Tequesta, FL
September 20, 2026

We are preparing for another day of rain, the threat of rain, and thunderstorms. Ugh. We are facing a forecast 90 percent chance of afternoon thunderstorms!

The weekend has been a slog--although even with the rain threats yesterday, aside from a brief shower it was dry. This morning, however, as the earth dried, the strong petrichor lingered in the air, a testament to the overnight rain. 

We managed a Costco run in the morning. I saw the weirdest thing at Costco. I should have taken an image of it, but got distracted. The Halloween aisle is next to the Christmas aisle. There is a huge partial skeleton looking down on Christmas. I'm not sure what the juxtaposition means, but it was very disconcerting.  

Regarding yesterday's sports contests, I was pleased with the outcomes of the two college football teams I am following: Georgia Bulldogs and South Florida Bulls. Both won to remain undefeated. I was not so happy with the Orioles' loss which effectively removes all hope of a post-season and Arsenal's loss which was, frankly, embarrassing. 

Today is a day devoted mostly to the NFL, but I will watch, or check-in on the Orioles as they attempt to avoid being swept by the league leading Brewers. 

I have not been able to ride my bike due to the rain and some back pain I have been experiencing. I need to be more careful when slinging heavy suitcases around. I am headed for my lowest monthly distance since I began seriously riding. It has been a tough year on my bike. I am way below my 150 mile monthly goal for 7 of this year's months thus far. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

More Lies and Deception

 After helping our dog, Finn, survive the thunderstorm that settled atop our home during the middle of the night, I read a New York Times article that tightened my jaw. The article was about how our Secretary of Health, Robert Kennedy Jr., continues to ignore science while at the same time trying to promote Make America Healthy Again. Much of the article was about his presentation at the Children's Health Convention.

I was appalled to read in the article, titled, Kennedy Assures Vaccine Skeptics That They Have a ‘Friend at the White House’, that regarding the four measles deaths in Pennsylvania that, Mr. Kennedy publicly questioned whether measles played a role and suggested the deaths may have been “fabricated.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which he oversees, has refused to acknowledge them and is currently reporting no measles deaths for 2026.

Playing like an ostrich won’t alter the facts. I was reminded of a perplexing scenario: if someone has a severe heart condition, COPD, and is shot dead, what is the cause of death? Is it a heart attack, COPD, or lead poisoning?

I was also further distressed to read that at the conference. The speaker before Mr. Kennedy was Mark Gorton, the president of the MAHA Institute, who called the success of the polio vaccine a “fraud,"

The current administration had managed to destroy confidence in nearly every aspect of health management. The very governmental enters whose reasoned scientifically-based opinions were considered the "Gold-standard" around the world have been reduced to purveyors of repudiated theories and misinformation.

Lies and deception. I only hope we can put the genie back into the bottle.

Even more concerning, how many more children and adults will die because of the misguided acceptance of discredited and scientifically disproven theories? 

Sadly, the health related lies and deception continues a trend from Trump's first administration where estimates climb up to about 400,000 needless American deaths from COVID-19 due to the initial denial of its existence and then a slow response.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Lies, Lies and More Lies

Destroyed E-3A Sentry
Prince Sultan Air Force Base in Saudi Arabia
Undated by CBS News

 I hope trustworthy leadership will soon be restored. 

As the truth comes out, we discover that deception and deflection is the norm for the Executive Branch. Personal attacks on reported and dissenters is one clear war to discern that the truth is being hidden. 

Truth is slowly being reported. Iranian attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East have taken a toll on almost irreplaceable assets while injuring many of our military personnel. 

The Defense Department's inspector general this week released a fresh report on the war in Iran that revealed "equipment losses" worth up to $3.7 billion — including nearly 60 aircraft. In a first-of-its-kind mandatory report to Congress, the inspector general added that U.S. Central Command reported Iranian strikes at U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan. (CBS News)

It is sad when every word uttered by the President or the Secretary of Defense must be fact checked for truthfulness only to find that the overwhelming majority is, in their words, fake news, bold lies, and deception.

And then there is the Congress which continues to sit on its hands while the Executive Branch spends unappropriated monies, How this is happening demonstrates the fatal flaw in our system--it was built on trust and not designed to reign in an intentionally deceitful, criminally-convicted senior executive. 

The sad truth is that now we must adapt to a more oppressive system of government that ensure proper oversight and controls on the President and cabinet officials. But that system, which already exists in concept, relies on a fully functional Congress and Supreme Court. 

The truth is out there!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Purse Shopping

Clouds in the Afternoon
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
September 15, 2026

 The clouds have been fascinating to watch of late with the storms racing through our area. Yesterday, as we were leaving the Gardens Mall, after an unsuccessful purse shopping trip, the clouds were stunning.

The shopping trip was eye opening for me. I do not routinely shop for purses because Chris has an extensive stable, but one of her daily use purses appears to be coming to end of life. Well, I understood that prices for some name brands were in the $400 and above region, but I looked at a fairly simple purse in one store and was shocked when the ticketed price was $3800! I mean, it's just a bag! Chris and I tried not to be too obvious as we exited the establishment. 

We decided that purse shopping at the mall was probably not going to be where Chris' new purse would be found. We enjoyed lunch at Cooper's Hawk and used our birthday credits, which helped the frustration to pass. 

Later during the afternoon, we went to Marshall's to continue the purse shopping expedition. And believe it or not Chris found a purse. She decided on a brand name purse for 25 percent of what we saw in the mall. She is now the proud owner of a new purse with a brand! Ugh, it's just a bag! I think we had actually had our hands on a similar purse with the same brand while at the mall. 

Just another great South Florida day!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta

And it is Tuesday Again

10-day Weather Forecast 
Tequesta, FL
9/15-9/24 2026

 It is hard to believe, but today is the mid-point of September. It seems like just yesterday it was August! I only wish the temperatures had cooled like the being in the month of September suggests. Autumn is waiting off-stage for its arrival in just one week and it still feels like mid-summer. The feels like temperature in Tequesta yesterday afternoon was 107 degrees. Ugh!

I looked at the ten day forecast! It is almost identical to August. The good news is that the Feels Like temperatures will be only, yea I wrote "only", in the high 90s. The daily actual temperatures are forecast to be 86-87 degrees. That actually is about 6 degrees cooler than August--why does it still seem so hot? And rain? Nearly every day!

Welcome to South Florida!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - September 14, 2026

 

Out the Hotel Window
Charlottesville, VA
September 7, 2026

1. September is half over and guess what is lurking for arrival next week? Yup, Autumn. Today is the second Monday of September and there are only 15 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. Well, there is but one game remaining in the NFL kick-off. It has been six days of football between the NFL and college. The football orgy began last Wednesday and finally concludes tonight. 

3. The Family Football Tracker returns and the season is not off to a good start. The teams went 2-3 with one game remaining for opening weekend.

Ravens (1-0) defeated Colts (0-1), 41-23

Steelers (1-0) got past Falcons (0-1), 20-13

TFKATR* (0-1) narrowly lost to Eagles (1-0), 22-24

*TFKATR - Team Formerly Known As The Redskins  

Cowboys (0-1) stomped by Giants (1-0), 20-28

Dolphins (0-1) drowned by Raiders (1-0), 13-27

Chiefs (0-0) face Broncos (0-0) tonight!

4. The Orioles have effectively removed themselves from post-season contention by losing the series to Toronto. They are 4 games out of the wild card with only 12 games remaining. They also are likely going to post another losing season unless they can win 9 of their remaining 12 games.

5. The Bankruptcy Game. Is Trump playing the game with America? Do we really believe that there will be a $5K payout is the Republicans win the election? And for that matter, what is the definition of winning? Check this out: The Board Trump installed to run the Kennedy Center is warning it could close as early as this week. According to The Washington Post, Trump’s officials said the center is facing “certain financial collapse” within weeks. They also “insist” that adding President Donald Trump’s name may be the only way to avoid bankruptcy. The bankruptcy game is something the president is familiar with. He has bankrupted the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, casinos, the Plaza Hotel, and some resorts. (Civil Discourse)

6. The image I took looking out the window of our hotel in Charlottesville, VA, clearly shows the beginning colors of Autumn. The leaves are yellow on the bushes outside of our first floor room. The view is not that great, of the parking lot. But it was a nice room and we had an enjoyable stay. 

7. Today in History. U.S. President William McKinley dies on September 14, 1901, eight days after being shot by a deranged anarchist during the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York.

McKinley won his first Congressional seat at the age of 34 and spent 14 years in the House, becoming known as the leading Republican expert on tariffs. After losing his seat in 1890, McKinley served two terms as governor of Ohio. By 1896, he had emerged as the leading Republican candidate for president, aided by the support of the wealthy Ohio industrialist Mark Hanna. That fall, McKinley defeated his Democratic rival, William Jennings Bryan, by the largest popular margin since the Civil War.

Hormuz talks postponed and oil prices jump - Reuters

Global AI stocks fall as industry chiefs call for slowing development - Reuters

Carney, locked in US trade war, pitches Canada to global investment titans - Reuters

Trump calls $5,000 payouts 'easy' to fit into federal budget - Reuters

Fed rate hike on Wednesday now likely, say economists, and at least one more to follow - Reuters

Adult woman dies of measles complications in growing Pennsylvania outbreak - CNN

Ukraine is fighting Russia anywhere it can – even in the deserts of Africa - CNN

Trump blames Ukraine for America’s record-high diesel prices - MS Now

E.P.A. Is Expected to Erase Limits on Climate Pollution From Power Plants - The New York Times

Saudi Arabia Faces ‘Worst-Case Scenario’ After Being Rebuffed by Trump - The New York Times

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

By the Water

 

Boat on the Loxahatchee
Tequesta, FL
September 13, 2026

The weather was fantastic this morning. I was greeted by blue clear skies and temperatures in the upper 70s as I began my bike ride. 

It felt good to be out on the streets again. 

Gopher Tortoise
Tequesta, FL
September 13, 2026

I realized this morning, as I began listening to  Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 4, that my rides are defined by rivers and water features. I ride along the river and often the ICW or the Atlantic Ocean. I enjoy the changing scenery of the water, be it boats or shoreline features. I especially love looking at the water when it is flat, as it was this morning. The single boat heading under the bridge this morning caught my attention and made me wish to be out on the water on so perfect a day.

I was heartened to see two tortoises this morning in their usual places. I have not seen them in well over a month and thought perhaps they had moved on to other areas or been killed. The one in the image even posed for me by keeping his head out of his shell. 

It was a good ride and I could tell it had been almost two weeks since my last ride. I was six minutes slower than usual. 

Hopefully, the weather is moderating and I will get back into biking shape. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Patriot Day Travel

Patriot Day Flag
Baltimore Washington International Airport, MD
September 11, 2026

 Thinking about Patriot Day, while watching hours of remembrance ceremonies yesterday, I still find it hard to believe that 25 years have passed. I have a very different memory from most Americans as I was not in the country at the time and did not directly feel the terror and confusion. I watched the events unfold in TV. It was a difficult time as I was stranded half a world away from my family for an additional week until the airlines resumed service. 

Chris and I flew home to Tequesta yesterday. I used to avoid flying on September 11th. There was extra and obvious police presence in and around BWI airport as we prepared for departure, but we were not delayed by the increased security.  

Our flight to the airport that serves Palm Beach County and the surrounding area was thankfully uneventful. Chris and I were amazed upon arrival at how deserted the airport seemed to be. There were no seething crowds in the terminal nor lines of vehicles jockeying for position outside the baggage terminal. Even the normal Friday rush-hour traffic seemed subdued during our drive from the airport to our home. 

It was a somber day of remembrance. As it should be. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL