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

Three Bridges and a Bike

View of US-1 Bridge from A1A Bridge
Jupiter, FL
February 27, 2026

Getting back out on my bike is almost a definite when the weather gets nice. And the weather was great yesterday.

I decided to try a different route and didn't really think about it in advance, but the route crosses three large bridges--two of them being drawbridges.

Older drawbridges, like the Donald Ross Drawbridge, can be problematic. Usually they have steel grates across the channel and road or racer bike tires sometimes slip. Fortunately, I have equipped my bike with all terrain tires which are a wider and do not tend to slip on the grates.  

I had ridden along the ocean to the southern point of my trek before. The new part was at the left turn onto Donald Ross. It was here the traffic got a bit tight as I was in the left turning lane to make the turn. I was very aware of the cars and went very wide to they could turn onto the roadway. I had never ridden the Donald Ross Bridge before and it has a pleasantly wide approach! The bridge has the aforementioned steel grates, but I handled them without issue. 

I wasn't actually sure of the distance I would ride, but I enjoyed the different scenery. The sidewalks along Donald Ross and A1A are very nice and kept me away from the traffic. Some drivers are not aware of the 3 foot rule and I really hate it when I think a bumper is going to brush my leg. 

The ride turned out to be a quarter-mile shorter than my usual almost 18-mile ride, but the elevation changes associated with the bridges made it a bit tougher than usual. I liked the ride and will keep it for the basis of another change-up ride in the future. 

-- Bob doan, Tequesta, FL

Great Morning Ride

Loxahatchee North Fork Bridge
Tequesta, FL
February 26, 2026

 Happy Friday! TGIF

The cold snap has passed and yesterday I was able to return to the street for a ride. It felt good to be back out there, even though I had multiple layers of clothing to retain my body heat.

Nicole, Chris, and Finn
Manatee Pocket, FL
February 20, 2026

The light clouds allowed the sun to keep me warm whilst riding. I was out early enough that I was surprised by the amount of traffic. I guess 30 minutes really does make a difference. I stopped for a moment on the bridge over the North Fork of the Loxahatchee River in Tequesta to document the day. The light ripples on the river made the reflection of the clouds seem like an impressionist painting.

It was a great morning for a ride. 

I was remembering last Friday as we set out on a boat from Manatee Pocket for an adventure on the water. We had a lot of fun with Nicole. I can't believe it had been already a week since we were on the water. Yes, Finn is in the image. Look under Chris' arm sitting next to her. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Reflections on the SOTU

State of the Union 2026

 It has been a very wild week in terms of news.

I took yesterday to reflect on the State of the Union Address. It is hard with a speech that long to really grasp the salient points. I also got caught up a bit in the theatrics of the event and needed time to cool-off from the inaccuracies which were presented. 

I found a good source to Fact Check the statements of the speech. It is FactCheck.Org and Trump's 2026 State of the Union address has a lot of incorrect facts. 

I watched competing news channels yesterday to get a sense of the Right vs Left view of the speech. What i discovered was especially disturbing. 

While the Left-leaning networks were discussing the facts and the policy initiatives, the Right-leaning ignored the inaccuracies and the bad facts to focus on the Democrats and their responses to the speech. Neither side hailed the speech as a positive roadmap for the future of America and there was general disagreement with the actual State of the Union!

A lot of discussion on both sides was about the incendiary statement made by Trump:

The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens (Trump SOTU, February 24, 2026)

Wow, this statement has been so misquoted that I was glad to have seen and heard personally. 

Trump called on those who believed this statement to be true to stand. All the republicans stood, none of the democrats stood. The statement was a calculated set-up because it is not true! All those who stood are ignorant of the Constitution.

What is the duty of the American government? It is clearly defined in the Preamble of the Constitution:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. (The Constitution)

So what is the State of the Union? 

Divided. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Turtle Fest 2026

Green Turtle
Loggerhead Marinelife Center
Juno Beach, FL
February 22, 2026

 Sunday Chris, Nicole and I attended Turtle Fest at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center. 

This fest was much larger than the seafood festival we attended on Saturday AND it was FREE! Yes, we enjoyed the fest and learned about the turtles for free. No admission charge and no parking fee. In addition, they provided parking at a local business and bussed us to the Turtle Center for, yup you guessed it--FREE!

Chris and Me
Loggerhead Marinelife Center
Juno Beach, FL
February 22, 2026

We had a great time wandering through the exhibits and chatting with the artisans. The location right next to the ocean, along Ocean Drive was perfect. The band provided entertaining music and the atmosphere was very festive.

We spent some time learning about rescued Kemp's Ridley sea turtles which had been brought to the center for recovery. These turtles are recovering and will be released near Cape Canaveral when healthy. That is their normal wintering waters. The story goes that the juvenile Kemp's Ridley sea turtles often overstay their summer areas off Cape Cod and become cold stunned. This year with the excessively cold weather it happened to more than could be accommodated in the region and many were transported to the Loggerhead Marine Life Center for recovery. 

I highly recommend the Turtle Fest next year, but a visit to the Marinelife Center is a must whenever visiting the area. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Out to the Ball Game

Nicole and me at the Stadium
Jupiter, FL
February 23, 2026

 It was a cool, clear day; perfect for baseball. Chris, Nicole, and I headed to Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium to watch a thrilling, but slow moving game between the Marlins and the Cardinals. Both teams host their home Spring Training games at the stadium. When they play each other, they switch off being the home team. Yesterday, the Cardinals were the home team. That is important later.  

The Pitch
Jupiter, FL
February 23, 2026

We arrived at the park early enough to enjoy stopping at a bar for a pre-game drink and snack in downtown Abacoa. Abacoa is a community in Jupiter, FL, that has charm and should not be missed. Arriving at the park early also meant we secured some free parking!

Sitting in the sun we were hot, even though the temperature only briefly reached 60 degrees. When the shade overtook our seats, we got cold! It was one of those days! But the game was at least interesting, especially the bottom of the 9th inning when the Marlins blew a 4-2 lead and the game ended on a run-scoring wild-pitch for a Cardinals victory. It is good to be the home team.

I felt a bit guilty being able to attend a baseball game while the Northeast is digging out from a blizzard. But then reminded myself that is why I retired to Florida. We still experience cold, for instance this morning the temperature is 42 degrees. The good news is that the return of 70s and 80s is only two days away. 

I love singing Take Me Out to the Ball Game during the seventh inning stretch. 

The Orioles come to Jupiter in two weeks! I'll be there and I will be wearing baseball attire.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL