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

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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

Monday Musings - February 9, 2026

1. Happy second Monday of February. We should celebrate. There are 46 Mondays remaining in the year. 

Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III

2. The Super Bowl was quite an event last evening. It was a hard game to watch, being a defensive struggle for most of the affair. I was happy to see Seattle claim the crown as the Super Bowl Champion. I didn't do too bad with my prediction of the final score, although the game was not as close as I thought it might be. I predicted 24-21 Seattle and the final score was 29-13 Seattle.

3. I am hugely excited that temperatures here in South Florida are recovering after the freeze. Chris and I saw the remains of a lizard that didn't make it because of the cold yesterday. I believe there are going to be a lot less lizards around the yard for the remainder of the year. 

4. I did some research this morning to determine how the alternate Super Bowl Halftime Show did against the actual Super Bowl Halftime show. That performance [The alternate halftime show] attracted only an estimated 5 million viewers against Bad Bunny’s 135 million, which has otherwise served to mark the Latin musician’s performance as the most watched NFL halftime show in history. (Daily Beast) Seems as if the votes are in.

5. Oblivious to decency and the ability to recognize when there might a be a problem. the President called Olympian Hunter Hess, "a real loser." President Trump wrote this in response to a response Hess gave to a reporter. Hess said, in part, “There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of and think a lot of people aren’t,” Hess said. “If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it. But just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean that I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.” (NY Times) I wonder if the President's ears were burning? 

6. Note: I will no longer be quoting the Washington Post in my blog as a protest against the changes at the formerly venerable newspaper. I have also canceled my subscription. 

7. Today in History. On February 9, 1971, pitcher Leroy “Satchel” Paige becomes the first Negro League veteran to be nominated for the Baseball Hall of Fame. In August of that year, Paige, a pitching legend known for his fastball, showmanship and the longevity of his playing career, which spanned five decades, was inducted. Joe DiMaggio once called Paige “the best and fastest pitcher I’ve ever faced.”

Paige was born in Mobile, Alabama, most likely on July 7, 1906, although the exact date remains a mystery. He earned his nickname, Satchel, as a boy when he earned money carrying passengers’ bags at train stations. Baseball was segregated when Paige started playing baseball professionally in the 1920s, so he spent most of his career pitching for Negro League teams around the United States. During the winter season, he pitched for teams in the Caribbean and Central and South America. As a barnstorming player who traveled thousands of miles each season and played for whichever team met his asking price, he pitched an estimated 2,500 games, had 300 shut-outs and 55 no-hitters. In one month in 1935, he reportedly pitched 29 consecutive games.

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Trump repeatedly claims victory over high prices; the numbers don't back him up - Reuters

Russian drone attacks on Ukraine kill four, including mother and child - Reuters

Nancy Guthrie's children say her return is 'only way we will have peace'  - CNN

Trump calls Olympic skier ‘real loser’ after he expresses ‘mixed emotions’ representing the US  - CNN

Kid Rock’s ‘Halftime’ show is what happens when Christianity, celebrity and MAGA collide - MSNow

MAGA is screaming foul over Bad Bunny’s halftime show. Here’s why the NFL doesn’t seem to care. - MSNow

Trump Calls Olympian a ‘Real Loser’ Over Comments on Representing U.S. - New York Times

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Super Sunday 2026

 The NFL season ending big game extravaganza is being played this evening. Finally, the frustrating and less than satisfactory NFL season will come to a close. 

I am excited for the NFL season to be over so that baseball can move to center stage!

The game promises to be a tale of two coasts with the East coast represented by the "been to the Super Bowl too many times" Patriots from New England facing the "we don't get no respect" Seahawks representing Seattle and the West Coast. The Patriots are making their record 12th appearance in the game, while Seahawks are making their 4th. 

I am appalled at how divisive the game has become. While I have not been a huge fan of the halftime shows for the past few years, as they are directed at a generation of viewers other than the one of which I am a member, I never considered an alternate halftime show. But, given everything else happening in the country, this year we have the alternate Halftime Show brought to you compliments of the misguided MAGA/Turning Point movement. 

Well, it should be an interesting Super Sunday. 

I'm glad that I don't have to go to work tomorrow. I had a good friend who always took a day of leave the Monday after the Super Bowl. He was very wise. 

Wait, I didn't make my prediction. I'm terrible at sports predictions which is why I don't bet. Seahawks 24 - Patriots 21. I am actually hoping for an exciting game as my second favorite team is playing. Who is my second favorite team? Any team opposing the Patriots!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL