Transition to Christmas

 

Despite it being mid-November and definitely the turkey season, the transition to Christmas is already underway. 

Holiday Preparations
Tequesta, FL
November 3, 2026

I am noticing the transition as I bike and even right across the way at the shopping center. When we last ventured to Tiki52, I noticed that the palm trees had been wrapped in festive lights!

I enjoy seeing the palms don their holiday lights. Since transitioning to standard time from daylight saving time, the lights help stave off the darkness which is falling earlier. We are luckier here in South Florida because our daylight is 43 minutes longer than latitudes similar to Baltimore right now.

I have evidence that the Christmas season is arriving too early. Chris purchased a Santa for the house yesterday. And she has already acquired new small Christmas tree decorations which are sharing the stand under the TV with Thanksgiving decorations.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL  

Monday Musings - November 9, 2026

 1. The second Monday of November has arrived. There are less than three weeks until Thanksgiving. There are only seven Mondays remaining in 2026. 

Fixing a Flat
Tequesta, FL
November 7, 2026

2. I had a rough start to Saturday morning. I went for a bike ride, but to my dismay, the rear tire was flat! Nothing can ruin a bike ride faster than a flat tire. I pumped air into it, and it seemed to hold, so I decided to take a short ride around the block to see if it would last. Unfortunately, I ended up walking the last mile of the 2.3-mile ride. After removing the inner tube and identifying the leak, I discovered a thorn embedded in the tire itself. I then headed to the bike store to purchase a new tire. I decided the tire was worn out because the small thorn had punctured the middle of it. 

3. Family NFL Results. It was another ugly week for the family teams. The teams went 2-3 for the weekend. The teams now post a 23-26-1 record for the season. 

Ravens (4-5) found dead along roadside by Jaguars (6-2), 10-33

Steelers (6-2) BYE

Commanders (2-5-1) overcome by Rams (5-4), 13-20

Cowboys (4-5) snatched victory from the jaws of defeat beating Colts (2-7), 27-23

Dolphins (1-7) devoured by Lions (6-2), 9-19 

Chiefs (6-2) shot down Jets (2-7), 35-12

4. Other sports results: Congratulations go out to the Georgia Bulldogs for winning and reclaiming the number 1 spot in the AP Top 25 Poll. Also to Arsenal for winning and who are now 6 points clear in the Premier League! 

5. For decades, planes dropped billions of factory-bred sterile flies to keep the flesh-eating New World screwworm out of North America’s cattle. That controls the pest because sterile males mate with wild females – whose eggs then fail to hatch. But the strategy works only if the supply of flies never runs short. (Reuters)

6. Today in History. On November 9, 1938, in an event that would foreshadow the Holocaust, German Nazis launch a campaign of terror against Jewish people and their homes and businesses in Germany and Austria. The violence, which continued through November 10 and was later dubbed “Kristallnacht,” or “Night of Broken Glass,” after the countless smashed windows of Jewish-owned establishments, left approximately 100 Jews dead, 7,500 Jewish businesses damaged and hundreds of synagogues, homes, schools and graveyards vandalized. An estimated 30,000 Jewish men were arrested, many of whom were then sent to concentration camps for several months; they were released when they promised to leave Germany. Kristallnacht represented a dramatic escalation of the campaign started by Adolf Hitler in 1933 when he became chancellor to purge Germany of its Jewish population.

The Nazis used the murder of a low-level German diplomat in Paris by a 17-year-old Polish Jew as an excuse to carry out the Kristallnacht attacks. On November 7, 1938, Ernst vom Rath was shot outside the German embassy by Herschel Grynszpan, who wanted revenge for his parents’ sudden deportation from Germany to Poland, along with tens of thousands of other Polish Jews. Following vom Rath’s death, Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels ordered German storm troopers to carry out violent riots disguised as “spontaneous demonstrations” against Jewish citizens. Local police and fire departments were told not to interfere. In the face of all the devastation, some Jews, including entire families, died by suicide.

Nvidia's shares slide as chip giant probes CEO over spy claims - Reuters

‘Trump has cost us’: After midterm losses, MAGA asks if it’s over - Reuters

Trump to meet Iran war mediator Qatar, no imminent deal seen to end the war - Reuters

Fuel shortages return to Russian regions after Ukrainian refinery attacks - Reuters

Krakow mass shooter dies as political dispute over motives builds - Reuters

Hegseth impeachment drama is first test of Trump’s eroded post-midterms power - CNN

Joe Biden says cancer will limit him from promoting his upcoming memoir - CNN

Stephen Miller’s Role as White House Chief of Staff Begins Today - The New York Times

Congress Returns to a Reordered Washington With a Hazy Agenda - The New York Times

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Sunday is NFL Day

 

I am relaxed about the outcome of today's NFL contests. 

Why? 

The Ravens have already lost this week. They played Thursday night and it is likely they will win only 2 of their remaining 8 games to finish 6-11 for the season. They have set low standards failed to meet them. I could complain that the former league MVP (twice) quarterback has not played a complete season in years and is again out for the season--but it would do no good. Or that they have perhaps the the best running back in the NFL, but the offensive coordinator can't figure out how to get him out of the backfield. The entire offense seems inept. So I'm not worrying about them for the rest of the season.

Into the Abyss

And then there are the inept Cowboys (3-5) and worse Dolphins (1-6)! Any expectation of winning is futile.

I am at the point where I can watch NFL games with no expectation of excellence. 

The ineptitude is entertaining.

I confess, I had more fun watching Georgia destroy Ole Miss, 42-7, last night.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Rain in the Distance

Rain from the Tequesta Bridge
Tequesta, FL
November 6, 2026

 I headed out for a morning ride yesterday believing that there was no rain in the forecast. 

Wrong!

As I crossed the Tequesta Bridge, I saw the gray clouds moving in to make my ride very wet! It was never a driving rain, but it was a rain that kept me wet for almost my entire ride. I didn't turn back because I was already wet and I could see that it was a light rain. I believed that it would pass almost any minute. 

Palms at Dusk
Tequesta, FL
November 6, 2026

It didn't.

I was drenched, but there was no standing water, so I deemed my ride safe. I reduced my distance to just over 13 miles from my original plan of 18 miles, but aside from that, the rain didn’t present any additional challenges. 

I was rewarded for my efforts at dusk when I went outside and the clear sky had a sunset orange glow reflecting off the buildings and silhouetting the palm trees. 

I may live in a condo community, but I still enjoy the the palm trees as they change with the weather and sunlight.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

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