Down to Marley Creek

 

Marley Creek
Glen Burnie, MD
September 11, 2026

Patriot Day 2026

25 Years Later

We spent most of the yesterday with Beckett. That, of course, is a grandparents delight, having a day pretty much alone with a grandchild. 

Gramma with Beck
Glen Burnie, MD
September 10, 2026

He is a busy, inquisitive, and delightful boy. He is all boy. He bounces off floors and only fusses for a while. We were hard pressed to keep up with him, but used all of the spaces that are specially prepared for him in the home. He kept his new toy doll close for most of the day. We took a very enjoyable over a mile walk down to Marley Creek. Walking through the forested area to the banks of the creek is cathartic. The built up stresses of life just melted away among the sounds of the birds and cicadas. We heard an eagle screech, but only caught sight of a wing as if glided into its, presumably, nest high in a tree along the banks of the creek. 

We were quite busy all morning and, I have to admit, it was quite a relief when he went down for his nap--and so did we!

On Patriot Day 2026, as we pause to remember and reflect, we must rededicate ourselves to a vision of America where "We the People" wrest control of our country and the government from the criminals and oligarchs. As President Bush said on September 14, 2001, while standing on Ground Zero: "I can hear you! I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you! And the people -- and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!" Our voices will be heard strong and loud on election day!

-- Bob Doan, Glen Burnie, MD

It is Alive!

1st Gen Wayfarer Meta Glasses

 I have written before about my Meta Wayfarer glasses which failed and I subsequently obtained another pair at a reduced cost because Meta said the glasses were not repairable. The battery had failed. 

Well--the dead have been resurrected. 

Patrick, my son, ordered a replacement battery. Well, not exactly replacement because he ordered the next generation battery for the Meta glasses which has better reliability and other improvements. 

Meta Wayfarer Battery

Companies that make products with rechargeable batteries need to ensure there is an easy way to replace the battery. A failed rechargeable battery often becomes the reason that an item stops working and needs replacing. Frankly, it is almost criminal given the cost to replace the product versus replacing the battery.

In this instance I spent over $200 to purchase a new pair of glasses, Meta gave me a deal on 2nd Gen glasses because mine were out of warranty. With shipping, the next generation battery was $15 and took about 30 minutes to install, with some specialized tools. To replace the battery, one of the arms needs to be separated to access the battery compartment and then re-glued once the battery is installed. The procedure is not something most people can do without destroying the glasses, but it was successfully accomplished in this instance. 

My other experience with a not consumer replaceable battery was a Yeedi floor cleaner, similar to a Roomba. I was able to procure a replacement battery and replace it, but because I could not get the battery from the company, the connector was not a perfect match and I finally discarded the Yeedi. When I called the Yeedi company they informed me they did not sell new batteries and it was not a consumer replaceable item. They offered me a discount on a newer model--which I did not accept.

I am not sure what I am going to do with two pair of Meta glasses, but it is a good problem to have. 

-- Bob Doan, Glen Burnie, MD

Beck and the Cube

Beck in the Cube
Glen Burnie, MD
September 8, 2026

 Yesterday was a day with Beck. We were together most of the day until we departed during the afternoon to meet with friends. 

Beck is full of energy and a lot of fun to be around. 

Beck Escapes
Glen Burnie, MD
September 8, 2026

We played in the playroom and Beck showed his many skills with a variety of toys.

There was a situation with the cube, however, when Beck discovered that there were places that his head could go through but his body could not follow. There were a few moments of panic until he was rescued from the aggressive cube. 

After the panic subsided, he resumed playing and learning. 

It was amazing how tired we became from playing. I was ready for a nap when Beck went for his.

-- Bob Doan, Glen Burnie, MD

Holiday Travel and Family

 

Finn Relaxing with his Best Friend Kaya
Tequesta, FL
September 7, 2026

It is crazy to travel on the last day of a holiday weekend, right? Especially to drive the beltway around Washington, DC. But that is exactly what Chris and I did yesterday on Labor Day. We drove from Charlottesville, VA, to Glen Burnie, MD, to spend the holiday with family. We departed Charlottesville about 9 AM and enjoyed a very pleasant drive. Yes, really! We were shocked. There were no delays and no spots along the route where we slowed significantly. It was the best drive along that route we have ever made. 

The Labor Day Family
Glen Burnie, MD
September 7, 2026

The drive was so good that the Apple Maps projected arrival time at the beginning of the trip was our actual arrival time! That almost never happens.

Upon arriving at Patrick's house, we were greeted by Beck who continues to grow and has become the dynamo of the family. If only we could harness his energy and enthusiasm! 

Later, during the afternoon, the rest of the family arrived and we enjoyed chatting and being together until evening fell. Once the fire pit was lighted, the evening began to wind down. Beck was in bed and it was just the remaining adults. The fire kept us warm as the temperature fell into the 60s. That is the coldest temperature Chris and I have experienced is a few months. 

We received an image of Finn reclining back hone in Tequesta with his best friend. That made Chris very happy to know he was relaxing and being well taken care of by friends. 

-- Bob Doan, Glen Burnie, MD

Monday Musings - September 7, 2026

Happy Labor Day

1. The first Monday of September has arrived and along with it Labor Day and the unofficial end of Summer. Wow! And only 16 Mondays remain in the year. 

Sunset at Hark Vineyard
Earlysville, VA
September 6, 2026

2. Chris and I enjoyed a the wines of Keswick Vineyards yesterday. The visit brought back old memories of how we transitioned from simple enjoyment of wine to become interested in all aspects of wine making and enjoyment. This interest has led us to visit wineries and vineyards in the U.S. and other countries.

3. As yesterday ended, we were at the award winning Hark Vineyards enjoying a grand birthday party and a spectacular sunset over the mountains. The party and the wines were very special and made memories not to be forgotten. 

4. The Orioles and decided to end their post-season chances by going 0-6 so far in September. They entered the month with a chance to win a wild card post-season spot, and now six games into the month that have all but given that opportunity away. They were just embarrassingly  swept by the Red Sox in a four game series. They only scored six runs in the entire four game series and five of those were in the first game!

5. At 9:10 this morning [Sunday], after spending the entire weekend hiding inside his Bedminster golf club, avoiding the waiting press and their cameras, Donald Trump posted his first social media post of the day. By 10:35 this evening [Sunday], he had posted more than 60 times, with each share more concerning than the last. The posts became so disturbing at times that many began openly questioning if the president of the United States was having a mental health crisis, with some of his fellow MAGA Republicans even ridiculing him back. (Hope for America)

6. Today in History. On September 7, 1813, according to the most cited—and Congressionally approved—account, the United States gets its nickname, Uncle Sam. The name is linked to Samuel Wilson, a meat packer from Troy, New York, who supplied barrels of beef to the United States Army during the War of 1812. Wilson (1766-1854) stamped the barrels with “U.S.” for United States. But because Wilson was known locally as "Uncle Sam," soldiers began referring to the grub as “Uncle Sam’s.” The local newspaper, the Troy Post, picked up on the story and Uncle Sam eventually gained widespread acceptance as the nickname for—and personification of—the U.S. federal government.

Scholars have uncovered a handful of earlier references linking the U.S. to the nickname Uncle Sam, but the Troy Post origin story has stuck as the official one.

Far-right AfD courts conservative support after historic German state election win - Reuters

Iran to announce new restricted zone in the Gulf in the coming days - Reuters

Warning signs abound for Republicans as midterm campaign begins final sprint - Reuters

At least five killed in Amazon Prime Air cargo plane crash in Miami - Reuters

Horse smuggling exposes cracks in US defenses against screwworm - Reuters

Armed man arrested after pushing through crowd toward Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee - CNN

U.S. envoys Witkoff and Kushner arrive in Kyiv after talks with Putin in Moscow - MS Now

U.S. objects to new world map that corrects the size of Africa - MS Now

As War Grinds On, Trump Relishes Renovation Projects - The New York Times

-- Bob Doan, Charlottesville, VA

What a day it was

 

Empty Booth
Charlottesville Airport, VA
September 5, 2026

It was a generally good travel day yesterday, with two minor exceptions. 

First, for some unexplained reason TSA was checking IDs at the gate as we boarded our flight from the former Palm Beach International Airport to Atlanta. Chris and I had been in the gate area and did not hear the alleged announcement and so we ran amok of the agents who snipped: "We made an announcement." I generally respect the TSA personnel, but since the IDs of everyone in the gate area were checked passing through security, what was the purpose of this added exercise, other than pure harassment at 5:20 AM?

Polo Pony and Rider
King Family Vineyards, Crozet, VA
September 5, 2026

Second, I wrote of the problems we had with Hertz at the Rochester airport during late-May. Yesterday was not as bad, but when we got to the head of the too long line the agent informed me that they had our vehicle, but it was not in the right place and needed to be retrieved. He said wait about 10 minutes. Whereupon he closed the booth and departed, presumably to get my vehicle and one for another traveler to whom he had given a similar spiel. The booth was vacant for 30 minutes before he returned. At least he had my vehicle. As it was a one-way rental, a substitute would not suffice. It was almost like they did not actually expect us to arrive and want the vehicle.

After finally departing the airport and enjoying a nap at the hotel followed by lunch, we headed off to King Family Vineyards to enjoy and afternoon of wine tasting and relaxation. We had a great time and I believe have secured enough wine to suffice for the remainder of our trip. While at King Family, we enjoyed watching the polo ponies work out in a distant paddock. We also enjoyed watching many people other wine loving people who were enjoying a late-summer afternoon at a beautiful vineyard. 

-- Bob Doan, Charlottesville, VA

Fly Day Respite

Out the Cabin Window
Over Southern Georgia
September 5, 2026

Our journey to Charlottesville, VA, is about half complete. Chris and I are in Atlanta taking refuge in a Delta Sky Club until our next flight. It was a beautiful day for flying and we were treated to the sight of some unique storms are the sun was rising in the East--which, of course, is where it always rises.

The storm was impressive and we saw much lightening. Our flight was, however, smooth. We were up about 3:30 AM and off to the airport serving the Palm Beach area by 4 AM. Everything went smoothly and we were away from the gate early. 

View out the Sky Club Windows
Atlanta, GA
September 5, 2026

The flight was not without incident--one of Chris' fingernail polish bottles exploded in her purse. What a mess! But it has been mitigates. Chris stated that she will be buying a new purse today. Probably true.

The dawn arrival in Atlanta was spectacular! It was fun to watch the world waking from the air. 

The Sky Club in Concourse D is recently remodeled and upgraded. It boasts stunning views out both sides. And they are!

We are excited about arriving in Charlottesville because we have not visited there in a few years and there are so many wineries wit which to become reacquainted. Chris often laments that one of the things we miss about living in Florida is being able to head out onto a wine trail--and we will do that this afternoon.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Between the Storms

 

Looking West into the Afternoon Storm
Tequesta, FL
September 3, 2026

The weather pattern remains stormy. That tends to limit outdoors activity especially related to beach activity. 

I was able to get in my morning bike ride. I was lucky. It began raining, hard, about 30 minutes after I returned home. It was a nice ride and I felt good to be back out on the streets. The river was flat again and I took an image of the clouds and their reflection, but it was nearly identical to the one I posted on Monday.

Music at Tiki52
Tequesta, FL
September 3, 2026

Chris and I headed to Tiki52 for the evening. Although afternoon storms were brewing, the weather radar showed they would stay offshore—and they did! We experienced a brief rain shower, but no lightning or thunder, which often accompanies storms passing further inland. After dinner, we enjoyed some music from a unique duo called the Holidazed, featuring an instrumentalist who primarily played the saxophone.

Today we are making final preparations for our Labor Day Weekend trip! We fly out bright and early tomorrow--before dawn bright and early. Sometimes I wonder why I make reservations for so early in the morning, but getting out early usually avoids the schedule-changing afternoon storms. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

A Commentary on America's Leadership

USS Abraham Lincoln Arriving Thailand
September 2, 2026
CNN

 The USS Abraham Lincoln pulled into port for the first time in about 9 months yesterday. Observers were shocked at its appearance. The once sleek and beautiful multi-billion dollar aircraft carrier was covered in rust from its continuous use and exposure to the seas during combat operations. 

Rust is not a condition that we expect to see on our naval warships. Our ships are supposed to be rust free and ready to operate at a moments notice. 

The toll of the extended combat deployment is clearly visible on the ship and its crew. 

The discussion on X regarding the rust is interesting and somewhat educational. Most people were defending the rust and the condition, but I fear they were missing the point. 

The point is that war is costly and takes a toll of people and equipment. It is not pretty to look at and war is expensive. 

When write that I am appalled at the image of the USS Abraham Lincoln I am expressing my outrage at the war and its toll. Our leadership does not understand the cost on people or equipment. Our national treasure is being squandered and the return on investment so far has been only negative. 

I am proud of the accomplishments of the crew of not only the USS Abraham Lincoln, but of the USS Gerald Ford and all of the military personnel who are engaged in conducting the war. 

The condition of the USS Abraham Lincoln is, I believe, a metaphor for our leadership, civilian and military, which, similar to the ship, is rust covered, broken, and no longer effective.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tiki Tuesday Canceled

 

Despondent Dog back at Home
Tequesta, FL
September 1, 2026

We knew something was wrong when we pulled into the empty parking lot. It was Tiki Tuesday, when we often head to Tiki52 for adult beverages and food. We are used to the lot being nicely full of vehicles, but this definitely was not the case.

We were running a bit late and expected a few more vehicles than a normal Tuesday night. Finn was excited about getting out, he loves going to Tiki52 for dinner. He even has learned the word, Tiki, and gets very excited when we indicate we are headed there. Tiki52 is dog friendly!

I parked the car and went to the welcome station of the empty restaurant. I was greeted by the sign announcing the September closure on Mondays to Wednesdays. The restaurant is normally closed on Mondays, but the addition of two days is disconcerting. Yes, I know business has been really slow, but we enjoy our time on Tuesdays or Wednesdays and are regulars when we are in town. 

Finn was despondent. Chris and Finn never even got out of the car. We were undecided about dinner at that point and decided to order a pizza. I had a 50 percent off coupon and we enjoyed a pizza dinner for less than $10. So it worked out.

I subsequently learned that Tiki52 is upgrading the kitchen and being closed three days per week assists in the renovation. 

It is the slow season here. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL