Friends on the Beach

Six Friends on the Beach
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
March 9, 2026

 Celebrating the end of a beautiful day and the sad close to a vacation for two friends, we met on the beach last evening for Happy Hour and dinner. I decided to take an image of the six friends on the beach, but it was a bit different from most. As we sat there, I saw our shadows on the beach in front of the ocean. I decided that would be our good-bye portrait. It is kinda obvious which shadow is me, lol.

Heston Kjerstad
Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, FL
March 9, 2026

We have thoroughly enjoyed our time with Sue and George and it sadly is coming to an end as they fly north today. But, we will be heading North ourselves in a few weeks for Easter.

We also attended a Spring Training Game between the hometown Cardinals and the Orioles yesterday. It was a solid game for about 5 innings until the Orioles gave up 5 runs in the 6th and 7th innings to lose 7-2. But we had fun seeing the Orioles for what I believe was their first trip to Jupiter since moving to Sarasota from Ft Lauderdale during 2010.

It has been a fun and busy week. We will miss Sue and George. Here's hoping for smooth TSA processing at PBI and a refreshingly boring flight.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - March 9, 2026

 1. The second Monday of March is upon us. We have survived the Daylight Saving Time transition and are moving deeper into the month. There are 42 Mondays remaining in the year. 

Minerva in Her Study
Rembrandt
Norton Museum of Art
West Palm Beach, FL
March 8, 2026

2. We are at war, declared or not. Out tax dollars are being consumed to the tune of about $1B per day to pursue a war that the American people do not want. Nothing good is happening and perhaps the greatest travesty of the war likely committed by American forces is being covered-up by the administration. American military personnel are dying for a cause that has yet to been defined. My thoughts and prayers are with our service men and women and their families for protection.

3. We visited the traveling art exhibit Art and Life in Rembrandt's Time at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach yesterday. The exhibit was well planned and seeing the paintings in real life was an experience. I spent some extra time considering the painting of Minerva in Her Study given that she is the Goddess of War, among other titles. 

4. Was anyone else appalled at our president's lack of respect for our fallen military members when he attended the Dignified Transfer wearing a campaign ballcap. “Trump just wore a campaign hat to a dignified transfer for fallen U.S. soldiers that were killed during his Iranian blunder,’ Chris D. Jackson wrote on X. “These are the same people who spent week attacking Biden for briefly glancing at his watch. The hypocrisy is absolute. There is no bottom for these people.” (Penn Live Patriot News)

5. We have been enjoying a great time with friends. When we get together, it is like no time has passed at all. It also gives us an excuse to do experience new activities or to revisit places that we have not visited in a while. Heading off to the Norton Museum of Art yesterday is one such example. Today we are planning on seeing the Orioles Spring Training Game against the Cardinals. 

6. Riddle me this. How is it we have enough money to wage a war most Americans do not want, but not enough to provide sufficient medical care and subsistence that most Americans want?

7. Today in History On March 9, 1959, the first Barbie doll goes on display at the American Toy Fair in New York City.

Eleven inches tall, with a waterfall of blond hair, Barbie was the first mass-produced toy doll in the United States with adult features. The woman behind Barbie was Ruth Handler, who co-founded Mattel, Inc. with her husband in 1945. After seeing her young daughter ignore her baby dolls to play make-believe with paper dolls of adult women, Handler realized there was an important niche in the market for a toy that allowed little girls to imagine the future.

Iran defies Trump by choosing hardline leader, oil prices soar - ReutersOne vote to lose: Life inside a chaotic House GOP majority - CNN
‘A very dangerous person’: alarm as Pete Hegseth revels in carnage of Iran war - The Guardian
‘Putin smiled’: Ukraine hurries to adapt as US focus moves to Iran - The Guardian

Airports see hours long delays due to TSA shortages as Homeland Security shutdown shows no sign of ending - CNN

‘Dark, like our future’: Iranians describe scenes of catastrophe after Tehran’s oil depots bombed - The Guardian

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

ArtFest by the Sea 2026

 Welcome to Daylight Saving Time 2026

It is that time of year when we cast off the dark season and begin to enjoy the light. I have been wanting to sleep in later and this morning I did not wake until after 7:30--which is a big event for me even though aided by losing an hour during the night. 

ArtFest by the Sea 2026
Juno Beach, FL
March 7, 2026

Yesterday, we wandered off to the 2026 version of the ArtFest by the Sea. It was a more typical Florida Day with high humidity and bright sun and 80 degree temperatures. The show takes place on Ocean Blvd in Juno Beach, Florida. While there is normally a nice ocean breeze, the bushes along the road blocked the breeze and it was really hot where the artisans were set.

Flower Stems
Tequesta, FL
March 8, 2026

The show is impressive in its size. It is about a mile long with booths lining both sides. The variety of artisans is impressive as are the prices. I often see works that I would love to own, but I either don't have a wall big enough for them or my wallet is too small to care for them. We did, however, find a glass artisan from whom we purchased a couple Chihuly-esque flower stems.

I talked to the artist, Christopher Belleau of Providence, Rhode Island, about the Chihuly influence I thought I detected and he was adamant that he was making glass flowers before he even knew of Chihuly. I believe him. His flowers are realistic whereas Chihuly's seem more fanciful. Regardless, I don't have to water these flowers. We will likely be adding to our collection in the neat future. 

It was a busy and fun day which we ended with a sumptuous dinner hosted by Fran and Mary. Today a trip to the Norton Art Gallery in West Palm Beach to view Art and Life in Rembrandt's Time.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Friday on the Water

Cato's Bridge from the ICW
Tequesta, FL
March 6, 2026

 We enjoyed another Friday on the water boating the ICW. I had reserved a boat out of Jupiter North, which is really close to the house. I had been expecting about 6 people on our cruise and had reserved a pontoon boat because they are really comfortable. Even though only four of us were able to make the trip, we still had a very enjoyable time on the extremely comfortable boat. 

Our Boat for the Day
Jupiter, FL
March 6, 2026

We boarded our trusty vessel, named very aptly Let it Slide, about 9:45 with a day of touring the ICW towards West Palm Beach with a lunch stop at Season's 52 before returning to the marina planned. We managed some beach time as well. Yes, our boat for the day had a water slide--too bad there were no kids along to enjoy it. During our time on the water we passed a number of other pontoon boats, but we were the only ones with a waterslide.

Jupiter Lighthouse
Tequesta, FL
March 6, 2026

I had considered spending time on a local sandbar, but as fate would have it, the tides were wrong. We were boating around high tide for the day.

Of course, I had to take my obligatory image of the Jupiter Lighthouse from the water. It was a beautiful morning and the colors were beautiful. 

We had hoped to see some manatees or other marine life along our journey. Aside from fish jumping periodically and a few seabirds, we did not see other marine life. But, even so, it was a great day on the water. 

Note: ICW is Intracoastal Waterway

Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Angry Ocean Beach Day

George, Sue, Chris
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
March 5, 2026

What could be better than experiencing the full power of the Atlantic on a beautiful beach day? 

Probably nothing. 

Portuguese Man o' War
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
March 5, 2026

With the temperature approaching 80 degrees on a partly cloudy and very windy day, we headed off to the beach to chill and enjoy the day. On arrival, we were greeted by two warning flags: Dangerous Rip Currents and Dangerous Marine Life. OK, so the ocean was rough and only 73 degrees; we were not likely to venture into the surf.

The dangerous marine life were Portuguese Man o' Wars which we saw on the beach. They were not particularly dense, but we did stop walking along the waterline when we began to encounter more than a few of them.

It was too windy to put up our umbrellas. I actually did put them up only to have the wind take one airborne--including the anchor I placed into the sand to hold it down. Fortunately, the clouds kept us from being in direct sun too often and we were slathered with copious quantities of sunscreen so that fear of sunburn was remote and we did not feel as if we were baking.

We ended the day at our favorite watering hole, Tiki-52, with other friends joining us for the evening. We endured a brief rain shower while there, we were at an outside table under an umbrella when the shower began. We sought refuge in the covered stage area; returning to our table after the shower passed. 

It was a great Thursday, or Friday eve, and we are expecting an enjoyable boat and sandbar adventure today. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Cooper's Hawk - Palm Beach Gardens

 Wine tasting is an activity that Chris and I enjoy. It is difficult to enjoy wine tasting in South Florida due to the lack of wineries that produce grape-based wines. There are plenty of places that produce fruit-based wines for which we have not developed a taste. 

One place where we enjoy tasting is Cooper's Hawk--a national wine producer and retailer as well as restaurant. It would be easy to write that perhaps they try to do too much, in terms of wine varieties. But there are definitely gems in the tasting. We also enjoy the restaurant because they serve creative meals and the menu changes frequently. 

Chris and I are members of the wine club through which we receive three bottles per month that we get to select. We also receive two free tastings per month which can be exchanged for a glass of wine if we choose not to enjoy a tasting. 

We sullied up to the tasting bar on Tuesday to sample some of the current offerings. I have included the tasting sheet that Cooper's Hawk provides to guide the activity. We enjoy our tastings because the wait staff are usually a lot of fun and make the event enjoyable. Plan at least an hour to enjoy the offerings. On this particular day, we tasted seven wines. The sparkling wine, Blanc de Blanc, was very nice with light fruit and solid minerality. In my mind beginning a wine tasting with a crisp clean sparkling is the best because it purges the mouth and prepares me for the selections to come.

With the exception of the Lux Cabernet Sauvignon, the other wines we tasted were not in our wine wheel-house. My favorite wines at Cooper's Hawk include Super Tuscan, Pinot Gris, Barbera, and the Lux Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Cooper's Hawk is an experience and given the huge variety of wine they offer, there is sure to be more than one that makes the palate tingle. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Rough Night with the Dog

Finn Finally Calm at 5:08 AM
Tequesta, FL
March 4, 2026

 Finnegan had a rough night. 

I was reminded of rough nights decades ago when our children were young and had bad dreams or were sick. 

Finn apparently had either a bad dream or heard a loud noise that neither Chris nor I remember. Finn gets freaked-out by loud noises like thunder or firecrackers. He woke us during the 4AM hour bouncing around on the bed trying to hide. I took him outside, thinking he had a gastronomic issue--but he didn't. 

I tried to go back to bed, but he still wouldn't settle. He wanted to be under my feet or in my lap. So, we went downstairs and he sat with me for a while before finally heading to his nearby bed and relaxing a bit. Even so, he really didn't sleep, but kept a watchful on me for quite a while. When he finally went to sleep during the 5 AM hour, I moved to the sofa and went back to sleep myself in the 5 AM hour. Chris says she checked on me after Finn came back to bed and saw me sleeping. I woke on my own about 6 AM and went to bed until 7:30 AM.

He seems better this morning, but still a bit out-of-sorts.

It was a long night. I'm feeling a like a nap will be needed later. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Chasing the Moon

 

Stock Photo from Internet

It was supposed to be an event of stellar proportions. The Total Lunar Eclipse was supposed to display a blood-red or copper-colored moon. 

I saw clouds! 

I went out into the late-dawn, pre-sunrise morning to see the eclipse during totality. When I went out, the moon was already below the buildings across the drive from me and so I hopped into the car to see if I could find a clear horizon. I could not--there were clouds everywhere. 

I drove across the A1A bridge, which rises about 30 or so feet, to see the horizon to the ground and hopefully catch a glimpse of the moon. 

I saw rainstorms in the distance and the horizon was fully cloud covered. I have an app on my phone which told me where the moon should be found. 

Finding the eclipse was a bust, but at least I tried. I truly wanted to be dazzled again. 

I remember the first time I experienced a lunar eclipse. My Dad and I watched the eclipse from the lawn next to our house. The eclipse was high in the sky, which it needed to be because our our house was surrounded by hills. I was surprised at how long the eclipse lasted. But it was a memorable experience. Of course in those days, the 1960s, we did not own a camera capable of recording the event. 

The next total Lunar Eclipse is not until 2029. Ugh!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - March 2, 2026

 1. March has arrived. By this time next week we will have returned to Daylight Saving Time and be on our way headed to summer! It is the first Monday of March and there are 43 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. Tariffs! I cannot believe the number of companies applying for tariff refunds. They don't deserve them, we the consumers should be given the refunds. How do I apply? 

3. Well it is Monday. The price of gas is going to spike and who knows what other prices are going to spike due to the unauthorized and ill-advised combat operations in Iran. Wait, it is not limited combat operations, it is a war. Some administration officials are saying it could go on for weeks! No matter what you call it, it is war! Did Congress authorize a war? I think not.

4. We are being led by a a deceitful megalomaniac. He just started a war to deflect attention away from the Epstein Files, the rotten economy, and ICE/CBP illegal activity. Who is paying the price? Our brave service men and women AND their families! Pray for them and our country during this time of tumult.

5. Today in History. On March 1, 1932, in a crime that captured the attention of the entire nation, Charles Lindbergh Jr., the 20-month-old son of aviation hero Charles Lindbergh and  Anne Morrow Lindbergh, is kidnapped from the family’s new mansion in Hopewell, New Jersey. Lindbergh, who became an international celebrity when he flew the first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927, and his wife Anne discovered a ransom note demanding $50,000 in their son’s empty room. The kidnapper used a ladder to climb up to the open second-floor window and left muddy footprints in the room.

The Lindberghs were inundated by offers of assistance and false clues. Even Al Capone offered his help from prison. For three days, investigators found nothing and there was no further word from the kidnappers. Then, a new letter showed up, this time demanding $70,000.

6. I wish I could report that Chris and I did something exciting this weekend, but aside from waiting at the hospital yesterday for almost two hours after a scheduled appointment time, we have just been doing small jobs around the house.

US jets downed by friendly fire, crew are safe, says military - In Focus

Iran conflict widens to Lebanon; Kuwait mistakenly shoots down US jets - ReutersOil jumps, stocks skid, dollar rallies as conflict grips Middle East - Reuters Trump’s new Iran attack opens up big global risks - Reuters

One month into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, three questions hang over the investigation - CNN

Trump’s next move in Iran is unclear. But Congress’ is obvious. - MS Now

Republicans Cite Iran Attacks to Pressure Democrats on Shutdown - The New York Times

Trump’s new tariffs rely on an untested section of a 1974 law that may be illegal. It might not matter - CNN

 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

War and Again

 I was stunned when I woke yesterday and discovered that the U.S. and Israel had attacked Iran. 

I'm sure there are a lot of Americans who, like me, believe that attacking Iran is not warranted. Attacking Iran is also ill-advised for a number a couple of reasons:

First, according to Article 1 of the Constitution only the Congress can declare war. Try as they might to define it otherwise, attacking another nation and decapitating them is an act of war.

Second, The UN Charter prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state in Article 2(4), which reads, “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.” Launching attacks, like the U.S. strike on Iran, is generally illegal. There are exceptions for self-defense against an armed attack (Article 51) or an attack authorized by the Security Council, but neither of those is in play here. (Civil Discourse)

Third, the killing of Iran's leadership is illegal. Decapitating a country's leadership—meaning the targeted killing or removal of a foreign leader—is generally considered illegal under international law, especially when conducted outside of armed conflict. 

 Such actions typically violate principles of sovereignty and the prohibition on the use of force enshrined in the UN Charter. (Chat GPT) [Note: since Congress has not declared a war, this action was outside an armed conflict]

And so, I wonder why our President is determined to place the U.S. in the same category as Russia under Putin by launching an unprovoked attack on a sovereign nation in violation of U.S. law and the U.N. Charter? And even more so, while negotiations were underway.

And I was reminded of Steven Miller's 2024 campaign statement. Certainly, times have changed. 

So much for the Peacemaker! Trump may want to be remembered as a great liberator, but he is more likely to be remembered as a despot wannabe.

My final thought, Why are we not supporting Ukraine rather than starting another conflict?

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL