Birds by the Water

Fish Crow
Tequesta, FL
February 17 ,2026

 The other evening, we enjoyed dinner and adult beverages at our favorite watering hole. The weather was perfect, OK, the breeze off the water was a a bit cool and strong at times. 

We enjoyed watching the birds. Mostly we were blessed with Fish Crows. Sadly, there were too few pelicans or other birds. But, the crows provided comic relief. 

Finnegan joined us for the evening and enjoyed trying to play with other dogs. There was a lot of activity at the restaurant due to the moderate temperatures and the prevalence of the Snow Birds, who have fully arrived for the season. It is a bit strange that "in-season" is February and March. We have some additional visitors due to the start of the MLB Spring Training games. The Marlins and Cardinals team logos are beginning to apperar everywhere. 

The traffic has become a problem at times. There are intersections that I avoid when I need to make a left turn. Instead, I drive around the block to get to a traffic light to ensure that I can safely make the turn. 

Well, it is Thursday or Friday Eve! I am looking forward to a summer-like boat day tomorrow, finally. February in South Florida can be fantastic.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

A Betrayal

 Steven Colbert's interview with James Talarico on Monday evening helped clarify an important aspect of what is happening right now in America. 

Yes, I watched the interview on YouTube! CBS, based upon a request from the FCC, did not want the interview aired and so Colbert put the interview on his YouTube channel. The decision by CBS was likely a mistake since the interview was seen by more people on YouTube than regular interviews on Colbert's show. Watching the interview was worth the effort. 

Talarico helped me understand the nature of Christian Nationalism. 

Talarico is a Texas state lawmaker studying to be a minister, who criticizes the Republican use of Christianity as a political weapon. Such politicization of Christianity both distorts politics and cheapens faith, he says. The true way to practice Christianity is simple but not easy, he says: it is to love your neighbor. Political positions should grow out of that to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, and heal the sick. “[T]here is nothing Christian about Christian nationalism,” he told Colbert. “It is the worship of power in the name of Christ, and it is a betrayal of Jesus of Nazareth.” (Letters from an American) (Highlighting added)

That pretty much says it all! Not that I had really wondered, but it was reassuring to hear someone else say it so clearly. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Settling into Tuesday

Florida Dawn
Tequesta, FL
February 17, 2026

 The week got off to a easy start with the President's Day holiday celebrated yesterday. President's Day marks the end of the holiday season that began with Labor Day, as there are no more Federal Holidays until Memorial Day. I remember how I used to look forward to three-day weekends!

Forecast
Tequesta, FL
February 17, 2026

This morning dawned clear and bright. I took the image through the screen on the veranda. It looks as if it is going to be a great week! We are expecting temperatures to return into the 80s and I am fortunate to have a boat reserved for Friday! On the downside, after the beautiful weather this week, next Monday starts cold and I have tickets to a Spring Training game.

I am excited that baseball is back! I am also happy that warmed weather has returned to South Florida. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - February 16, 2026

 1. February is half completed. Today is the thrid Monday of the month with only one more to enjoy. There are 45 Mondays remaining in 2026. 

2. Yesterday marked a Sunday without football or baseball. It may have been the only Sunday of the year where neither sport was being competed. But not to fear! Spring Training baseball games begin this week and so not another Sunday in 2026 will pass without either football or baseball!

ArtiGras
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
February 15, 2026

3. Chris and I attended ArtiGras yesterday. It is a large event dedicated to artisans selling their creations for premium prices. We saw many very nice creations, but could not determine when we might display them in our home had we decided to buy them. It is not inexpensive to attend the show as tickets were $15 each (plus service fees) and parking was another $15. Add in a little food and drink and just for the opportunity to view the wares of the artisans made it a $100 day just to walk around. We arrived shortly after the event opened for the day and were able to spend some time enjoying the show before the suffocating crowds arrived.

4. The Olympics continues. The U.S. team has won more medals this past week and moved into third place overall, but still seems to underperforming. I wonder if the apparent underperformance is due to lack of preparation or whether judges are being tougher on the U.S. team due to the developing geo-political situation? One case in point is the French judge in the couples ice skating. 

5. Today in History. On February 16, 1923, in Thebes, Egypt, English archaeologist Howard Carter enters the sealed burial chamber of the ancient Egyptian ruler King Tutankhamen.

Because the ancient Egyptians saw their pharaohs as gods, they carefully preserved their bodies after death, burying them in elaborate tombs containing rich treasures to accompany the rulers into the afterlife. In the 19th century, archeologists from all over the world flocked to Egypt, where they uncovered a number of these tombs. Many had long ago been broken into by robbers and stripped of their riches.

When Carter arrived in Egypt in 1891, he became convinced there was at least one undiscovered tomb–that of the little known Tutankhamen, or King Tut, who lived around 1400 B.C. and died when he was still a teenager. Backed by a rich Brit, Lord Carnarvon, Carter searched for five years without success. In early 1922, Lord Carnarvon wanted to call off the search, but Carter convinced him to hold on one more year.

Iran says potential energy, mining and aircraft deals on table in talks with US - Reuters

Europe aims to rely less on US defence after Trump's Greenland push - Reuters

Savannah Guthrie says 'do the right thing' in latest emotional plea - CNN

DOJ lists hundreds of prominent people named in Epstein files in letter to Congress - CNN

How polls show Republicans shifted away from caring so much about Jeffrey Epstein - CNN

Trump is trying to block a new border crossing. A billionaire donor may have something to do with it. - MS Now

With Latest Rollback, the U.S. Essentially Has No Clean-Car Rules - New York Times

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

It was a Dining Experience

View of the Table
Tequesta, FL
February 14, 2026

 How do I describe our Valentine's Day dinner? 

Fabulous! 

Better than any restaurant because the meal flowed smoothly and the evening was not punctuated by noise from other patrons. Sometimes it gets so loud in restaurants that it is hard to hear the conversation at our own table. 

Last evening was a perfect setting for our loving wives. 

Scallops in the Pan
Tequesta, FL
Valentines Day, February 14, 2026

The four course sea food meal consisted of beet salad, scallops on pasta, corvina entree, and cheese cake. The guys enjoyed oysters on the half-shell in addition.

It was a well orchestrated event with the timing of each course being superior. Each course was paired expertly with the perfect wine to highlight the light flavors of the food.

But more important than the food, hard as that is to imagine, were the friends with whom we shared the meal. We enjoyed varied conversation as the evening progressed. 

I wish that I had taken a few more images because the dishes were works of culinary art in and of themselves.

Thanks to Fran for creating the menu, shopping with me, and serving as the master chef for the evening. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Valentines Day 2026

 Happy Valentine's Day!

It is the day for lovers!

Valentine's Bouquet
Tequesta, FL
February 13, 2026

A friend and I are preparing a sumptuous dinner for our wives tonight. We shopped yesterday for the fixings and believe that, not counting the wine, we will spend about $110 on a special dinner for four people. We would expect to pay at least that per person for a Valentines Day dinner in a restaurant.

Dinner should be fantastic, of course, if it goes according to plan. 

Chris likes yellow roses, not the ubiquitous red ones, and I was able to secure a dozen of her favorites. She was happy that I remembered flowers and there may be a card for later today since the flowers are already on the table. 

Enjoy the day.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Beach Beckoned

Carlin Park Beach to Ourselves
Jupiter, FL
February 12, 2026

 We did it!

Yesterday afternoon, Chris and I made it to the beach for happy hour and dinner. We ordered subs and enjoyed a very nice late afternoon and early evening on the beach. 

Seagull in the Beach
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
February 12, 2026

Except for the birds, we had the beach to ourselves--and this is one of the main beaches in the Jupiter area. The surf was calm and the wind off the ocean, while cool was not uncomfortable. We dressed appropriately and were quite comfortable.

We enjoyed the birds who seemed very brave in approaching us for handouts. I went about knee deep into the 72 degree water--it was too cold to actually immerse myself into the ocean. It remember that as a boy growing up in Upstate NY, we believed that once the water hit about 70 degrees it was swimming time in the lakes. I'm not sure I'd enjoy that now and I also understand why the adults who accompanied me never got into the water. It is just too cold!

For our first foray to the beach for 2026, it was a great time. We stayed until just after sunset, leaving as the beach succumbing to the evening darkness.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Across Tequesta

 

My Orange Bike Helmet
Tequesta, FL
February 12, 2026

I managed to get out two days in a row on my bike. I rode 18 miles again yesterday around Tequesta. That has been a feat lately with the cold weather. But the weather is becoming very nice, except for this morning with the threat of showers--it is supposed to be the dry season.

My Ray-Ban Wayfarer Smart Glasses have stopped accepting a charge and so I no longer have the use of the "smart' functions. They are effectively just expensive sunglasses. I miss listening to music and the news during my ride. This is the second pair of Wayfarer glasses that have developed the "will not charge" issue, but now I am out of warranty. there do not seem to be a lot of options to fix a bad battery, I am still researching. 

On a good not, however, I asked for and received a "smart" biking helmet for Christmas. I finally set up the Bluetooth and was able to get all of my media desires during yesterday's ride. I like my new helmet as it is very orange and had lights to increase my visibility to vehicles with which I am sharing the road.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Happy Hump Day

 

View of the Marina
Tequesta, FL
February 10, 2026

We have again hit the hump of the week.

I continue to be amazed at how I wander my way through each week even though I do no longer have a job that requires my attendance. But, the day characterizations continue to help me stay cognizant of each day. 

Yesterday was a more normal South Florida day. The temperature reached a pleasant high of 77 degrees and the morning warmed into the 60s by about 9 AM, which allowed me to enjoy a very nice 18-mile bike ride. It was only my second ride of February, but it was definitely an enjoyable ride mostly because it was not cold. 

Chris and I also enjoyed our Tiki Tuesday last evening. The weather was almost perfect, it began with nice bright sun but it became a bit cool as the evening progressed. The marina was very quiet, probably due to the recent weather. 

Today is hump day! The week can only get better from here!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

A New Sports Season Dawns

 Now that football is over, baseball is ready to spring onto the scene. (Did you catch the double entendre there?)

Orioles pitchers and catchers report tomorrow to Sarasota. Those participating in the World Baseball Classic  (WBC) reported yesterday. Yay. There are more than a few Orioles playing in the WBC this year. Sadly, that usually does not bode well for their performance upon returning to the team. The WBC games and innings add-up when tacked on to a 162 game season.

According to the most current information I have, ten Orioles will be participating in the WBC:

• Henderson will play for Team USA, marking his WBC debut. 

• Kremer returns for Team Israel, his third appearance. 

• O'Neill joins Team Canada.

• Bradfield represents Team Panama. 

• Garcia, Espada, and Vázquez are on Team Puerto Rico, stepping in after key players were denied insurance. 

• Long pitches for Great Britain. 

• Ashman joins Team Canada.

• Cruz, a 26-year-old lefty, plays for Cuba. 

I am still committed to soccer (football in the rest of the world) with Arsenal actually not folding this year. So far! Go Gunners!

Turning to the Olympics--I wish they were a bit more exciting. As of this morning, the U.S. has but two medals--both gold. For such a promising team to get spanked the way they are is sad. It looks as if the team may get possibly earn two more medals today. 

Finally, in high school baseball, Jax is preparing for his senior year at Arundel High. He was rated with the second best curveball among high school seniors in Maryland. I am looking forward to seeing more than a few games. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL