Wednesday means Houston

Out the Cabin Window
Take-off Ft Lauderdale, FL
September 19, 2023

 And we arrived last evening after waiting out a thunderstorm in Ft Lauderdale. 

Flying out at night into the lightning filled sky was fabulous. It made for. some great entertainment. 

I tried to get an image of the clouds illuminated by the lightning, but all I got was the engine. My camera just did not want to focus on the action. Ugh. It was great.

But, we arrived safely in Houston, after about a 30 minute storm delay, about the same time as the Orioles were defeating the Astros. 

We are here for a few days and then back to Florida. It is hotter here than home!

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

Dog Tired

Dog Tired
Tequesta, FL
September 18, 2023

 At the end of a full day, it is good to be dog tired. 

Finnegan helped me to understand the meaning of dog tired yesterday. He had a full day in cladding a 1.5 mile walk and then walking back to the assisted living center forepart of the afternoon to spend time with the residents. When he got home, he collapsed on the stair leading to the bed. He was too tired to even finish climbing the stairs and curling up on a pillow, as he normally does. 

Stormy Evening Sky
Tequesta, FL
September 18, 2023

It was a good Monday for sports. The Steelers won their game and the Orioles managed to scrape out another victory after blowing the game in Houston. The final inning heroics are becoming the hallmark of the team. It took three runs in the top of the 9th inning to secure the win after leading 3-1 in the 4th inning. The Orioles increased their division leading lead to 2.5 games, because Tampa was idle. The Orioles have played one less game than Tampa and so hopefully the additional game, like last night, will also be a win. 

Well, I was so dog tired that I did not see the end of either game. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - September 18, 2023

 

1. It is the third of four Mondays in September. There are 14 Mondays remaining in the year. This is the last Monday of Summer.

2. Autumn begins on Saturday at 6:50 AM EDT. 

3. How about the Orioles? Down to the last strike of the potential final out of the game in the bottom of the 9th--Orioles magic struck sending the game into extra innings where the team finally prevailed in the 11th inning over the Tampa Rays. The Os take a two game division lead into their final 13 games of the regular season. They have already secured a playoff spot, along with the Rays, but the division crown and a first round playoff bye is firmly in their sights. 

Setting Moon
Tequesta, FL
September 17, 2023

4. The evening sky was busy last evening with the moon and the remnants of a sunset. The sliver of moon setting in the west was visible just above the palms in the cloud-filled sky. 

5. Family NFL Report. It was a busy weekend in the NFL and the family teams did relatively well for the second week in a row, with all of the team that won last week going to 2-0 this week. One team still needs to play its game.

     Ravens (2-0) overcome Bengals (0-2), 27-24

    Commanders (2-0) slip past Broncos (0-2), 35-33

    Cowboys (2-0) rocket past Jets (1-1), 30-10

    Steelers (0-1) host Browns (1-0) tonight

    Dolphins (2-0) drown Patriots (0-2), 24-17

6. Today in History. On September 18, 1793, George Washington lays the cornerstone to the United States Capitol building, the home of the legislative branch of American government. The building would take nearly a century to complete, as architects came and went, the British set fire to it and it was called into use during the Civil War. Today, the Capitol building, with its famous cast-iron dome and important collection of American art, is part of the Capitol Complex, which includes six Congressional office buildings and three Library of Congress buildings, all developed in the 19th and 20th centuries.

As a young nation, the United States had no permanent capital, and Congress met in eight different cities, including Baltimore, New York and Philadelphia, before 1791. In 1790, Congress passed the Residence Act, which gave President Washington the power to select a permanent home for the federal government. The following year, he chose what would become the District of Columbia from land provided by Maryland and Virginia. Washington picked three commissioners to oversee the capital city’s development and they in turn chose French engineer Pierre Charles L’Enfant to come up with the design. However, L’Enfant clashed with the commissioners and was fired in 1792. A design competition was then held, with a Scotsman named William Thornton submitting the winning entry for the Capitol building. In September 1793, Washington laid the Capitol’s cornerstone and the lengthy construction process, which would involve a line of project managers and architects, got under way.

Trump falsely blamed Pelosi for Jan. 6 on 'Meet the Press' Show - CNN

Is one of Russia’s oldest allies slipping from the Kremlin’s orbit? - CNN

Ukraine Faces Race for Gains Before Weather Turns - The Wall Street Journal

Exclusive: EU may become as hooked on China batteries as it was on Russian energy - Reuters

Ukraine drones strike Crimea, Moscow, oil depot, Russia says - Reuters

US shutdown looms: Top House Republican Kevin McCarthy faces crucial test - Reuters

Five Americans detained in Iran expected to be freed today, Iranian foreign ministry says - CNN

In Wagner’s largest African outpost, Russia looks to tighten its grip - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Angry Ocean Biking

 

Angry Ocean
Hobe Sound Beach Park, FL
September 16, 2023

Chris and I biked South Beach Road yesterday. It was a nice 15.5 mile ride past some of the most expensive homes in America. Officially, I read that Jupiter Island has the second highest per capita income of any inhabited place in America. 

We really enjoy the ride and by parking at the Coral Cove Park, we can avoid having to ride our bikes over the drawbridge. 

Looking Down the Path
Hobe Sound Beach Park, FL
September 16, 2023

It was a beautiful morning to be riding along the road passing mansions listed for sale in the $30-50 million range. One in particular that I like is listed for $49.5 million.  The road is fairly quiet, very little vehicular traffic, but on Saturday and Sunday mornings there is a large amount of bike traffic. The ride is mostly straight and flat running about 11 miles from one end to the other. We chose to ride from Coral Cove Park to Hobe Sound Beach Park and return, which is right at about 7.5 miles each way making a nice 15 or so mile ride. 

With the angry ocean sporting waves running in the 6-7 foot range, we thought we might return to the beach later during the day to watch the surfers, but alas, driving rainstorms turned the relatively bright day into an afternoon washout. Nonetheless, riding along South Beach Road provides continuous opportunities to enjoy the scenery as well as to marvel at the mansions. 

I am happy that the oppressive humidity abated and that it is fun to be outside again! 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

When the Big Waves Arrive

Surfers at the Park
Carlin Park Beach, Jupiter, FL
September 15, 2023

 Celebrating Friday and the start of the weekend has been something that I love to do. Usually I do it with a Happy Hour. Since retiring, I have lost that overpowering need to be somewhere at the end of the workweek with friends celebrating the beginning of the weekend. I guess because everyday is a weekend now. 

Surfer at the End of the Rainbow
Carlin Park Beach, Jupiter, FL
September 15, 2023

Last evening Chris and I went to Carlin Park Beach to celebrate happy hour. It was a great choice because the passing hurricane in the Atlantic had kicked up some big waves, in excess of 6 feet. And that means surfers!

There were so many surfers that they almost looked like the fish I took pictures of in the waves a few days ago. And they were fin to watch. We arrived on the beach about 4:30 PM, but stayed until almost 7 PM and we had non-stop entertainment. At one point there were in excess of 26 surfers ranging in age from and estimated 12 yo to 58 yo. I know the oldest was 58 because we chatted with him. And as for the youngest, I was talking to his Dad. 

The afternoon Florida storms kicked up, but remained south of us. That meant the sky to the south was very dark, but to the east and north, the skies were of broken clouds. The rain to the south caused a rainbow, actually there was a double rainbow, but the second one was very weak. As the sun sank lower in the sky, it illuminated the front of the waves and created a very beautiful scene of which I was able to capture one decent image. 

It was a fantastic Happy Hour!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

A Frightening Revelation

 

I read a frightening revelation this morning. It is a quote from Mitt Romney and it is scary in that it identifies, in my mind, why the Republican Party seems to have "gone off the rails."

The Atlantic published an excerpt from a forthcoming biography of Romney by McKay Coppins in which Romney expressed disgust with his Republican colleagues for feeding Trump’s lies to their voters in exchange for power and acknowledged that “[a] very large portion of my party really doesn’t believe in the Constitution.”  (Letters to an American)

That is frightening, but not wholly unexpected. Here are two real examples of Republicans not upholding their oaths to support and defend the Constitution:

"Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., declared Monday that states "should consider" seceding from the United States . . . " Fox News

"Former President Donald Trump faced rebuke Sunday from officials in both parties after calling for the “termination” of parts of the Constitution . . . " - AP

Before taking office, the President and members of Congress, and almost all other government officials take an oath of office. In that oath they promise to "support and defend the Constitution". In the case of the President, the oath specifies that they will "preserve, protect, and defend" the Constitution. (Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government)

Both of these instances are clearly represent situations where the individuals involved are violating their Oaths of Office. Yet, there are no consequences. It is the same as the representatives and senators who supported the January 6 insurrection and who should not be allowed to hold public office since they had sworn and oath to uphold the constitution. No accountability and no consequences. 

While some citizens are being held accountable for their actions on January 6, apparently congress is above the law. Representatives have been censured for speaking the truth, but none are being censured for breaking their oath of office. 

Be afraid, be very afraid. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Racing the Tide

Chris at the Helm of Sea Bean
ICW off Jupiter Island
September 13, 2023

Boating upon the open water, that was the calling yesterday. The ocean was too rough, but the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) was fabulous. Although our club has a new location very close to the house, I have not been able to get a boat out of there yet, and so we continue to use our Port Salerno location, which has my favorite vessel, Sea Bean, a 22 foot Cobia dual console. 

Fish in the Waves
Jupiter Island, FL
September 13, 2023

We were able to accomplish multiple things in the same out and back trip. Finnegan had a grooming appointment in Hobe Sound, which is on the way to the marina in Port Salerno. We dropped Finn off and continued to the marina to board Sea Bean and then spent a few hours on the water and at a great beach until we were called that he was ready. I kept us within about 30 minutes of the marina so that we could retrieve Finn within the groomers allowed time slot.

Fish in the Waves 2
Jupiter Island, FL
September 13, 2023

We headed for one of my favorite accessible by boat beaches to enjoy some morning sun. I would also have enjoyed one of the local sand bars, but with the fairly recent high tide, they were mostly submerged. It was a great day for watching the waves because the tide was high, but going out, and there were schools of fish visible in the waves. I spent some time trying to capture the scene and got a few usable, but not great, images. We were told, by the one other person we met on the beach, that a large, probable shark, had been seen in the surf, but we did not see it, sadly. I have seen sharks off this beach before.  

It was a great day on the water and the beach. I am believing that because the ocean was so rough, most of the fishing boast did not head out. And because school is back in session, the ICW was also nearly devoid of boating traffic. We had the water and the beach pretty much to ourselves. 

All too soon we received the call from the groomer to retrieve Finnegan. I was just about to propose motoring up to Stuart for lunch, but alas, that was not to be. We will save that for our next boating adventure. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Day of the Tortoise

Gopher Tortoise
Along A1A, Port Salerno, FL
September 12, 2023

 Following on to our beach day, Chris and I decided to head out on a bike ride through a local State Park that we have not visited in quite a while yesterday. 

It is a park that hosts a lot of wildlife and especially gopher tortoises. 

12 Mile Ride
Hobe Sound-Port Salerno, FL
September 12, 2023

We were not disappointed. 

I have been easing back into biking, since it has been almost a month since I have been seriously ridden due to the travel we have been doing. I feared that I had lost some of my endurance and stamina. I rode on Monday, alone, but kept it to about 12 miles and an hour. That was the plan for Chris and I--10-12 miles of about an hour. And that is what we did. 

We had an enjoyable ride spying a number of tortoises and a few snakes along with birds. 

It was an out and back ride. We rode to a point and then turned around to retrace out path. There were a few other bikers out riding on the beautiful September morning and the weather was perfect. I enjoyed the scene and of course riding with Chris. We did not quite make it to Cove Road Park, but I did not want to push Chris too hard. 

Amazingly, when it was complete, I had ridden exactly the same distance, to the hundredth of a mile, as the previous day. That almost never happens even when I ride the same route. 

Today is a boat day. The ocean is supposed to have waves of 4-6 feet, and so we will be staying in the intracoastal. 

September through November as some of the best months in South Florida. The ocean is still summertime warm and the temperatures begin to moderate. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Water and Sun

Jupiter Island Beach
Tequesta, FL
September 11, 2023

 The stars aligned yesterday afternoon and Chris and I headed off to the beach. 

I realized that it had been over a month since the last time that I was on a warm, ocean beach. The Alaskan adventure surely did not provide the opportunity to enjoy beach time and the only view I had of the Pacific Ocean was cold, gray, and angry.  

With the humidity moderating and the temperatures remaining in the high 80s, it was a perfect beach afternoon. The water was warm--it must have been at least 86 degrees. 

The beach break provided a much needed respite from all that we have been facing the past two months.

We are heading out on another adventure next week--to Houston, and so yesterday was just a "melt all the troubles away" sojourn to the beach. 

I definitely needed the time in the sand of the warm Atlantic. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - September 11, 2023

 

1. Welcome to the second Monday of September. Monday Musings returns today after a two week hiatus. There are just 2 Mondays remaining in September and 15 remaining in 2023. Get busy! The holiday season is upon us!

2. The NFL season has returned and it is with great pleasure that I revive the Family NFL Monday Morning Report. What a wild day it was in the NFL with most of the family favorites winning. 

    Ravens (1-0) crush Texans (0-1), 25-9

    Commanders (1-0) defeat Cardinals (0-1), 20-16

    Cowboys (1-0) body-slam Giants (0-1), 40-0

    Steelers (0-1) pummeled by 49ers (1-0), 7-30

    Dolphins (1-0) swim past Chargers (0-1), 36-34

AL East Standings after games go September 10, 2023
From MLB.com

3. And do not forget baseball. The Orioles remain 3 games up in the AL East. They are in a fight for the division with the season rapidly drawing to a close. There are 20 games remaining in the regular season for the Orioles. 

4. The South Florida weather has been almost idyllic since our return from the cruise. We have had a few local rain showers, but I have been relishing in the crystal blue skies after a week of gray overcast. 

5. It is the anniversary of 9/11. Take a moment to reflect on this country and the struggles to defeat terrorism during these past 22 years. Also, consider the options being presented in the candidates for president and ensure that we do not sell out democracy for autocratic options with hollow promises.

6. Today in History. September 11, 2001. At 8:45 a.m. on a clear Tuesday morning, an American Airlines Boeing 767 loaded with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashes into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. The impact left a gaping, burning hole near the 80th floor of the 110-story skyscraper, instantly killing hundreds of people and trapping hundreds more in higher floors. As the evacuation of the tower and its twin got underway, television cameras broadcasted live images of what initially appeared to be a freak accident. Then, 18 minutes after the first plane hit, a second Boeing 767–United Airlines Flight 175–appeared out of the sky, turned sharply toward the World Trade Center, and sliced into the south tower at about the 60th floor. The collision caused a massive explosion that showered burning debris over surrounding buildings and the streets below. America was under attack.

The attackers were Islamic terrorists from Saudi Arabia and several other Arab nations. Reportedly financed by Saudi fugitive Osama bin Laden’s al Qaeda terrorist organization, they were allegedly acting in retaliation for America’s support of Israel, its involvement in the Persian Gulf War, and its continued military presence in the Middle East. Some of the terrorists had lived in the United States for more than a year and had taken flying lessons at American commercial flight schools. Others had slipped into the U.S. in the months before September 11 and acted as the “muscle” in the operation. The 19 terrorists easily smuggled box-cutters and knives through security at three East Coast airports and boarded four flights bound for California, chosen because the planes were loaded with fuel for the long transcontinental journey. Soon after takeoff, the terrorists commandeered the four planes and took the controls, transforming the ordinary commuter jets into guided missiles.

U.S. Military Exercises in Russia’s Backyard Cause Alarm at the Kremlin - The Wall Street Journal

Kim Jong Un reportedly en route to Russia as Vladimir Putin arrives in Vladivostok for potential meeting - CNN

The former president’s tendencies towards authoritarianism could make the 2024 election a profound choice - CNN

A long-awaited sample from a near-Earth asteroid is about to land in the US - CNN

Rescuers race to find survivors over 48 hours after Morocco quake - Reuters

Iran, US on verge of prisoner swap under Qatar-mediated deal - Reuters

Ukraine collects Russian bodies on 'road of death' in retaken southeast - Reuters

Trump hearings expected in at least Florida and Georgia this week - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL