Saturday, December 31, 2022

New Year's Eve 2022

 

Me, Lucas, Chris, Jeremy
Carlin Park Beach, Jupiter, FL
December 29, 2022

So here is a conundrum--is it New Year's Eve 2022 or 2023? 

Tomorrow is 2023, but we have not celebrated New Year's Eve 2022. It is New Year's Eve FOR 2023, but being that the day remains 2022, I'm guessing that it is New Year's Eve 2022 and at midnight when the year fades into history, so will New Year's Eve. 

I suppose it really doesn't matter--it is New Year's Eve and tomorrow is 2023. 

Lucas on a Boogie Board
Carlin Park Beach, Jupiter, FL
December 30, 2022
In more important issues. What do you get when you mix a relatively calm ocean, one boy, and a boogie board?

Answer: FUN!

It was a beautiful afternoon yesterday, and despite the water being a bit too cool for me to venture in beyond my ankles, Luke had fun with an old boogie board that we have. 

And so it was a great day. The weather was perfect and I made a trip to Port Everglades to drop Jeremy and Julie off for their cruise. Chris and I get some alone time with our youngest grandson! Yay!

Tonight, we will ring in the New Year together!


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Friday, December 30, 2022

December at the Beach

Blowing Rocks
Jupiter Island, FL
December 29, 2022

 Yesterday I made two visits to the beach. It was a beautiful day and so, why not?

We went for a morning walk on Jupiter Island and an afternoon visit to Carlin Park where I actually got into the ocean! The water temperature was listed as 78 degrees, a mite cool for my liking, but bearable. I enjoyed being in the water with my grandson, Lucas.  

Osprey on the Hunt
Jupiter Island, FL
December 29, 2022

Yesterday was the first time that I had been advised to get out of the water due to sharks being sighted in the area. It was really cool, but, sadly, I did not see any sharks. They were likely Bull Sharks, which tend to be in the area this time of year and which should be avoided. A short while later we were allowed back into the water.

I was amazed at the number of people on the beach yesterday, but then it was a beautiful sunny day with temperatures approaching 80 degrees and kids are off from school. The snowbirds are also arriving and I have noticed a definite increase in traffic as compared with two weeks ago. 

Today is my one year anniversary of being retired. The last day that I went into work was December 30, 2021, and later that same day Chris and I flew to Florida to begin our lives here. I still remember driving out of the parking lots and realizing that I might never return to the place where I had worked for over 25 years. Wow! What a year it has been. 


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Traffic and Holiday Palms

Traffic Jam
Stafford, VA
December 27, 2022

I am happy that my travel day is over. I was reflecting upon the trip and found a picture of the traffic jam in Stafford, Virginia, that I had Chris snap. The back-up stretched for miles. 

Jeremy, Julie, and Lucas arrived yesterday. Their driving experience was better, as they departed ay 4 AM and missed the mess in Virginia, but they experienced the same slowdowns in South Carolina that we did just a day earlier. I don't know what the problem is in South Carolina, but perhaps they should focus more on the roads and less on overturning the 2020 election. 

Holiday Palm Trees
Tequesta, FL
December 28, 2022
As a counterpoint, last evening Chris and I were out walking and found a display of Christmas-light wrapped palm trees. It was a parking lot, but the decorations were festive. 

We enjoyed the sight for a few minutes and I snapped this image. It is very good to be back in the land of palm trees and warmth. Although it was cool, in the low 70s, I was in shorts and a short-sleeved shirt wearing my sandals. A significant change from wearing layers of long-sleeved shirts and coats to stay warm that I experienced just a couple days ago. 

Today I am thinking on a beach walk. Just saying.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

The Trip

Drive Weather App for December 28, 2022
Odenton to Tequesta

 

It was a trip to remember, or rather to forget. 

The trek from Maryland back to Tequesta happened yesterday and into the wee hours of this morning. 

We got a late start and ran into horrific post-holiday traffic throughout the day. In total, we lost about three hours. Our planned 15 hour trip turned into 18 hours and our arrival time moved from just before midnight to just before 3 AM. Ugh!

We picked up an additional passenger/driver. Our friend Fran whose Southwest flight fell victim to the cancellation disaster. Although his flight was scheduled for today, he discovered it was canceled and contacted us just before we departed from the doctor's office to begin the journey. 

The weather was perfect! I use an app called Drive Weather to help pick the best window for driving. I did not take an image of yesterday's forecast, but today's weather is nearly identical. It shows that the planned nearly 15 hour drive will be blessed with clear weather. That is critical because Jeremy, Julie, and Luke are following this very route today, well they did not start in Odenton. 

I was amazed at how traffic would just stop yesterday for no apparent reason. And there were far too many accidents and people traveling, in my estimation, over 100 mph. 

But, we arrived without incident. Well, there was no parking in the our community, something that I will need to address. 


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

 

It is Tuesday, the day after the day after Christmas.

It is a travel day and I always wake early on travel days, sadly. 

I guess the thrill of the road (or flying) just calls to me. Actually, my head gets filled with tons of things that I have to do and remember. Today is no different. We are leaving later than our usual 3 AM roll-out because Chris has a quick doctor appointment and then it is onto the open road and post-Christmas and Snowbird traffic. We are not Snowbirds! Just saying.

The route is pretty easy. 

Get on I-95 and drive until almost home. We take a couple bypasses--like DC and Jacksonville, sometimes Richmond depending upon the time of day. Traffic always is bad between DC and Richmond unless we roll out at 3 or 4 AM.

It was funny that in Maryland we lived between I-95 and US-1 with our most traveled road being US-1. It is the same in Florida--except that I-95 is a couple miles further west than US-1, unlike it was in our part of Maryland.

Here is to another day on the road! Thank goodness for Audible and Sirius XM.


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday, December 26, 2022

Monday Musings - December 26, 2022

 


1. It is the last Monday of December and also the last Monday of 2022. Next Monday will be the first Monday of 2023. I hope you had a great Christmas.

2. Family NFL Report. It was a good week for the family teams which went 3-1 in their games. Two teams, Ravens and Cowboys, have secured playoff spots and both of the other teams are remain in playoff contention. 

   Ravens (10-5) defeat Falcons (5-10), 17-9

   Steelers (7-8) defeat Raiders (6-9), 13-10

   Cowboys (11-4) defeat Eagles (13-2), 40-34

   Commanders (7-7-1) lose to 49ers (11-4), 20-37

Christmas Morning Breakfast
Odenton, MD
December 25, 2022


3. What is better than a Christmas morning waffle breakfast before opening presents? Almost nothing. Thanks to Mike and Nicole for a fantastic breakfast and morning. And then thanks to Patrick and Jen for a fabulous Christmas Day and feast.

4. Today is a holiday--to celebrate Christmas! Do not expect mail delivery. Nothing will be arriving except late Christmas gifts sent by express mail.

5. The cold weather has reminded me that I can survive in the north, but I do not desire to do so. I am looking forward to warmer temperatures and bike riding. Yes, it was cold in South Florida this week, but 80 degree temperatures return starting on Saturday.

6. The blog may be late tomorrow as we are hitting the open for Florida, depending upon the weather, of course. The current forecast calls for clear skies all the way. Not even the usual afternoon rain in South Florida. 

7. Today in History. Mobster Bugsy Siegel opens the glitzy Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 26, 1946. Well-known singer and comedian Jimmy Durante headlined the night's entertainment, with music by Cuban band leader Xavier Cugat. Some of infamous gangster Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel’s Hollywood friends, including actors George Raft, George Sanders, Sonny Tufts and George Jessel were in attendance.

The grand opening of the Flamingo Hotel, however, was a flop. Bad weather kept many other Hollywood guests from arriving. And because gamblers had no rooms at the hotel, they took their winnings and gambled elsewhere. The casino lost $300,000 in the first week of operation.



Storm Leaves at Least 12 Dead in Buffalo, N.Y., Area - The Wall Street Journal

Housing Slump Set to Give Fed an Inflation-Fighting Assist - The Wall Street Journal

Florida Restarts Push to Feed Manatees - The Wall Street Journal

Transgender or devoutly Christian? An Iowa teen refuses to choose. - The Washington Post

Migrants bused from Texas arrive at VP’s house in D.C. on frigid Christmas Eve - The Washington Post

Vandals destroy 22,000-year-old sacred cave art in Australia - CNN

Three Russian servicemen killed after drone shot down at air base inside Russia - CNN

China's COVID cases overwhelm hosptials - Reuters

Taiwan reports China's largest incursion yet to air defence zone - Reuters

South Korea scrambles jets as North Korea sends drones over border - Reuters


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Sunday, December 25, 2022

Christmas 2022

Sunrise
Elkridge, MD
December 25, 2022

 Merry Christmas! 

I was out early to take care of Jeremy's dogs and witnessed a beautiful Christmas morning sunrise. The day is full of promise and excitement. The roads were empty. 

The weeks of preparation are over and the big event has arrived. 

May the joy of the season fill your heart and give you hope for the entire year ahead. 

Pause for a moment amidst your celebration to remember the servicemen and women stationed far away from their homes as well as the first responders and medical personnel who are all on duty for us. 

God bless you, everyone!


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Saturday, December 24, 2022

Christmas Eve 2022

Icicles on my Truck
December 23, 2022
Odenton, MD

The cold developed everywhere yesterday. The temperature dropped from 43 degrees in the morning to single digits when I went to bed. This morning the reported temperature is 6 degrees!

I took a picture of icicles hanging off my truck yesterday. I had to drive to an appointment during the morning and I experienced a sleet storm and a hail storm along the way. 

Snow Falling in Odenton
Odenton, MD
December 23, 2022

Later during the day it snowed. 

There was thankfully no accumulation, however I did get in my snow-fix for the season. 

I believe the weather for today is supposed to be clear and cold. We are beginning the day with brunch and probably watch some NFL football. The high today is expected to reach 20 degrees. Yay! It is cold in Florida as well. At home, in Tequesta, it is 41 degrees with an expected high of 58 degrees.

And so this is Christmas Eve! I hope that you are where you wanted to be for this holiday season. 

Enjoy the day and Merry Christmas.


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Friday, December 23, 2022

First Full Day of Winter

The View Outside
Odenton, MD
December 22, 2022

The first full day of Winter was, fittingly, a bleak and dreary day

It rained almost all of the day. Which was much better than other parts of the country where snow and blizzard-like conditions were the recipe for the day.

We were expecting the temperature to drop overnight, but apparently it did not and things are not too bad here on the southern part of the storm. The temperature is supposed to fall during the day bottoming out at about 9 degrees overnight. Ugh! Hopefully the roads will dry before the freeze arrives. 

We will see what the day brings.

Happy Christmas Eve Eve! That used to be a thing when I was a kid. 


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Winter Arrived

Tropic of Capricorn Through Australia
Autumn passed not so quietly into Winter yesterday with the big storm working its way across the nation.

The Sun is dancing along the Tropic of Capricorn providing the southern latitudes with their longest days of sunshine while we in the north work to overcome the darkest days of the year.

Here in Odenton, MD, we are experiencing about 9 hours and 28 minutes between sunrise and sunset. Short time. In Tequesta, FL, the daylight is about an hour longer coming in at 10 hours and 29 minutes. It is amazing what difference a a few hundred miles in latitude can make when considering the length of day. Important note, on the Summer Solstice the length of daylight is longer in Odenton (14h35m) versus Tequesta (13h53m). 

At least, the daylight will start to increase from this point on, although only a few seconds per day for a few days. 

And now, for the massive winter storm!


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Dancing Tuba-playing Santa

 

Tuba-playing Dancing Santa
Tequesta, FL
December 20, 2022

When I retired last year, I disposed of most of my collection of toys, many of them were of the singing and dancing variety. I had collected a lot of toys over the years and they adorned my office at work. 

The toys included singing chickens and turkeys and a set composed of a dancing Santa and reindeer. They all made me smile, although I am sure that important guests visiting my office wondered if I had somehow gone off the rails. But, I almost always had fun at work and never thought what I was doing as a job in the negative sense. It was a vocation and an important undertaking. 

Very few of my toys survived my transition to retirement. None were actually tossed into the trash as most were gifted to coworkers, friends, and the children in the neighborhood. 

Chris surprised me yesterday with a new animated toy. Truly a surprise because we had not brought any with us to Florida. It made me smile. 



Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Travel day - Again


 With the monster storm headed through the country, I am glad that Chris and I decided to travel early in the week. The end of the week could be a washout. Although, I believe there is the possibility for the ever dreamed of and seldom seen white Christmas in the Baltimore area. Personally I really don't need snow, ever!

Another relatively smart thing that we did was to travel in the middle of the day rather than one of the "OMG it is so early nothing is open at the airport" flights. The trip from Baltimore to West Palm two weeks ago was actually pleasant and I am hoping the return flight is likewise enjoyable. We are looking forward to celebrating the holiday with family and friends.

It will be a short visit as I am planning to drive back to South Florida early next week. Of course all driving plans are weather dependent and the nice thing about being retired is that I do not have to get back to go to work!

Merry Christmas to all the other travelers and to those who host us travelers.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday, December 19, 2022

Monday Musings - December 19, 2022

 


1. The third Monday of December has arrived. There is only one Monday remaining in the year! Christmas is less than one week away!

2. Family NFL Report. It was a rough weekend for the family teams. Collectively they went 1-3, ugh, with the 3 likely playoff bound teams all losing! It was a good week to be a 5-8 team.

  Ravens (9-5) lose a yawner to Browns (6-8), 3-13

  Cowboys (10-4) lose to Jaguars (6-8), 34-40

  Steelers (6-8) defeat Panthers (5-9), 24-16

  Commanders (7-6-1) lose to Giants (8-5-1), 12 - 20

3. I am really upset at the NFL. I was prepared to watch the Ravens game on Saturday only to find that I had to buy a subscription to NFLHD. I am beginning to believe that Congress needs to treat the NFL as a monopoly. I dod not, thankfully, watch the game. It is likely that my TV would not have survived.

Finn, Makayla, Riordin
Tequesta, FL
February 11, 2022
Finn and Riordin
Tequesta, FL
December 17, 2022

4. I had a moment Saturday night when Chris and I were sitting on the patio enjoying adult beverages and conversation. Finn and Riordin came to the door reminding me of a scene from earlier in the year except that Makayla had been part of the pack on that occasion. I still miss my best dog.

5. Travel week is upon us. We will be heading off to the frozen northlands to celebrate Christmas. It will be good to see family and friends to celebrate the holiday. 

6. Congratulations to Argentina for winning the World Cup. It was a fantastic game and although I was cheering for the French team to repeat, I am not unhappy with the results. Unlike so many other championship games the two stars, Messi and Mbappe, one from each team, showed up and gave a championship worthy performance scoring 5 of the 6 goals recorded in the game. 

7. Today in History. December 19, 1998. After nearly 14 hours of debate, the House of Representatives approves two articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton, charging him with lying under oath to a federal grand jury and obstructing justice. Clinton, the second president in American history to be impeached, vowed to finish his term.

In November 1995, Clinton began an affair with Monica Lewinsky, a 21-year-old unpaid intern. Over the course of a year and a half, the president and Lewinsky had nearly a dozen sexual encounters in the White House. In April 1996, Lewinsky was transferred to the Pentagon. That summer, she first confided in Pentagon co-worker Linda Tripp about her sexual relationship with the president. In 1997, with the relationship over, Tripp began secretly to record conversations with Lewinsky, in which Lewinsky gave Tripp details about the affair.



U.K. Companies Tested by Fallout From Ukraine War - The Wall Street Journal

Hawaiian Airlines Passengers and Crew Injured During Severe Turbulence - The Wall Street Journal

How Trump jettisoned restraints at Mar-a-Lago and prompted legal peril - The Washington Post

An immortal World Cup final rewards Argentina’s Lionel Messi at last - The Washington Post

What to watch for during the January 6 committee's final session - CNN

Freed Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout visits occupied Ukraine - CNN

5 people killed in a 'horrendous' condo shooting in Canada, police say - CNN

Russian 'kamikaze' drones hit Kyiv as Putin heads for Belarus - Reuters

Vatican dismisses Trump-supporting, anti-abortion leader from priesthood - Reuters


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Sunday, December 18, 2022

Lizards Amongst Us

 

Northern Curly Tailed Lizard
Tequesta, FL
December 16, 2022

One thing that has taken some time to get used to are the lizards which are everywhere. They range from very small to sizable; however, we do not have any (many) of the large iguanas in our area. With cold weather in the 30s expected next week there will be falling lizard warnings issued. When a large iguana gets cold and falls form a tree it is dangerous to those below.

Small lizards routinely dart across the sidewalks and street in front of me as I bike. I have decided that I will let Darwin determine their fate under my wheels. That are just too many to try and avoid.

Most of the lizards are the common curly-tailed lizards. On occasion I do see one with a brightly colored head scurry in front of me, but they are gone from view in the flash of an eye. 

As the weather has turned cooler the lizards are looking for warm places to reside. One enterprising lizard is making its home in the cover for the smoker. The lizard can be quite startling, as when it actually jumped onto my leg on its way to open land just off the porch. I have to admit, it was the first time a lizard had actually jumped onto me in an effort to escape. Later in the day it was back in the folds of the cover where it seems to be taking refuge from the cold. 

I remember when I first started coming to South Florida a couple decades ago that the lizards were quite an attraction. Now they have become part of the environment and we hardly notice them. Riordin does a good job keeping them out of the garage. I think he believes that he is the great lizard hunter! It gives him something to do. What else is there for an indoors cat to fill its time?


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Saturday, December 17, 2022

Too Weird to be True--But They Are!

 


What a strange couple weeks it has been in the world of what's true but not believable.

Who knew that a former President, one of the richest men in the world, would decide to issue digital "baseball" cards for a fee; the proceeds of which goes directly into his pocket? So, let me get this straight--this rich guy is asking less wealthy people to directly help make him richer and in return they get a digital card which has no worth? Talk about a scam!

Read about it here.

Next up, the Republicans in the House of Representatives are trying to figure out how to install one of their members who has ZERO integrity as Speaker of the House. It is not like Kevin McCarthy has a long history of supporting the great ideals of the United States, like the Constitution. In fact, he still maintains that the 2020 election was stolen from the former President AND despite actually being threatened by the insurrection on January 6, 2021, he does not support the January 6 Commission and will disband it immediately upon becoming Speaker of the House. He also supports what I call "retribution legislation" against Democrats and Republicans who voted to impeach the former President. Can't we do better?

House GOP Investigations Are Just Another Part of Kevin McCarthy’s “Counterproductive and Vindictive Agenda.

And writing about "can't we do better"--how is it possible that a former President who was sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution would suggest suspending parts of it for his own personal good? That sounds like something a third world dictator would do. 

Trump calls for the termination of the Constitution


We have got to do better if, as a nation, we want to endure. There are too many threats across the world that want to destroy us and we are only speeding our demise by continuing to allow ourselves to be led by short-sighted and vindictive persons who seek only to profit from their service.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Friday, December 16, 2022

Escaping the Heat

Chris on the 9th Tee
Jupiter dunes, Jupiter, FL
December 15, 2022

 According to the weather almanac, the high only managed to reach 80 degrees yesterday. That significantly helped in keeping our house, which still has no A/C or heat, from turning into a baker's oven. I am concerned about next week as there is the threat of potential lows in the 30's.

We were promised that the new system will be delivered between 9-10 AM this morning. We are hopeful that it will actually arrive and provide relief not so much from the heat, which is not too bad, but the humidity. And of course, allow us to silence the outdoors noises of life by closing the windows which will make sleeping far easier. I am amazed how much happens during the dead of night and before 6 AM in the morning around here. I wish we had quiet hours to enforce.

In an effort to beat the heat, we went golfing yesterday. It was great to be outside on the course smacking the little ball around on a beautiful mid-December day in South Florida. Chris had a great round; me, not so much. I did finally figure out how to hit the greens near the end of the round and finished exactly with the score I should have as a bogey golfer. I definitely need to play more so that I don't have to relearn my swing with every outing. 

Here's hoping that the promises of a repaired system ring true today.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Thursday, December 15, 2022

Day 4 - No A/C

 

The lack of air conditioning in our Florida home has now stretched into day 4. It took until Day 2 (Tuesday) to realize that the system was not functioning which added a day to the entire problem. The weather has been cooperating and it remains comfortable inside. The indoors temperature climbed to 77 degrees yesterday and with the ceiling fans it was not uncomfortable. 

Thankfully, we have ceiling fans in every room except the kitchen. 

I called the HVAC service company twice yesterday. I was advised that they had put out an emergency order for a replacement. Later I was told to expect the new unit on Friday because a the replacement was being shipped from Lennox because they did not have a system compatible with mine in stock. If that is the definition of an emergency, I am sure the patient would have died! When I put the system 2 years ago in and purchased the additional service plan I was promised not to be without air for more than 24 hours! So much for promises.

We will see how today goes. The outdoors temperature is expected to rise to 83 degrees by 3 PM. We are cooling the house with the morning outdoors 70 degree air in preparation for the hot afternoon. Fortunately, we have friends who have offered us a place to stay if the house becomes too uncomfortable. 

Sadly, we have been through this before. Funny, in over 21 years in Maryland we were never without heat or A/C for more than 24 hours. 


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Broken HVAC

The Offending HVAC
Tequesta, FL
December 14, 2022

 I cannot escape broken HVAC systems, it seems. The system cooling (and very occasionally heating) our Florida home developed a leak in the coils. Turns out it is not a simple fix where it can just be welded. No. The entire coil needs to be replaced!

This is not the first HVAC system I have dealt with this year. Before we sold the house in Maryland we replaced one of the HVAC systems. So it seems that 2022 is the year of the HVAC system.

Turning to my Florida situation, the real rub is that I replaced the entire system during September 2020! Yup, you got that right.  Brand, spanking new inside and outside system and now it has a major freon leak in the coil! Wow! Great construction Lennox!

The good news is that the system is still under warranty and I also have a service plan. That means, hopefully, my out of pocket cost will be $0. The downside is that we do not currently have A/C in the house. For the first night since we have owned the place we slept with the windows open. The temperature went down to 69 degrees and so we are getting by without A/C--as long as it remains cool. Ceiling fans are saving the entire situation.

Hopefully, it will be repaired today!


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Monday Along the River

Jupiter Lighthouse
Jupiter, FL
December 12, 2022

 Chris and I enjoyed a mid-December Monday in South Florida. The temperature never rose above the mid-70's and it was in the mid-60s when Chris and I started our morning bike ride. We rode a pleasant 15.47 miles and enjoyed the start to the day. 

As the day progressed and we finished addressing Christmas cards, we decided that rather than go to the beach for Happy Hour, where we knew the wind would be cold, we would head off to one of our favorite watering holes, The Square Grouper. And it was a good decision. 

The evening was very pleasant, even a bit cool, but sitting along the bank of the Loxahatchee River with the scene filled by the Jupiter Lighthouse was a perfect ending to the day. It was perfect because as we rode our bikes we crossed the Loxahatchee River or one of its branches multiple times and here we were relaxing along the banks of the river not far from where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean. I could see the rough ocean waves at the mouth of the inlet from where I was sitting. 

With the Winter Solstice just over a week away, on December 21st, the sun set shortly after we arrived at the Square Grouper. I watched the reflection of the lighthouse change as the sun sank lower to the horizon. It made for an early evening as the temperature also cooled with the sunset.

Chris and I were going to play golf this morning, but I woke to a malfunctioning air conditioning system! Ugh. I replaced it two years ago. Fortunately, it is fully covered and should be returned to full operating function later today. 

Always something. 


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday, December 12, 2022

A Year has Passed - Remembering Mom

 

Mom

It is hard to believe, but a year has passed since Mom moved-on to her new and permanent address in heaven. 

She may be separated from us, but she is certainly not forgotten. 

My Mom was a wonderfully witty, smart, inquisitive person who pushed me and my siblings to achieve our goals and find happiness. She brought love to our family every day. 

I am comforted by knowing that she is free from the cruel disease that robbed her of her life, her relationships, and her independence. 

Chris and I miss her every day and give thanks for the the woman of faith that gave so much to so many. Our entire family misses her and she is never far from our minds and memories.  


Mom and Me

We love you Mom.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - December 12, 2022

 


1. It is Monday again. It is their second Monday of December and there are two Mondays remaining in the year. Important safety tip: There are 13 days until Christmas!

2. Family NFL Report. It was a mixed week for the family teams which went 2-1, with one team on a bye.

   Ravens (9-4) edge Steelers (5-8), 16-14

   Cowboys (10-3) squeak past Texans (1-11-1), 27-23

   Commanders on BYE

3. I set a personal distance record yesterday riding my bike. I managed 24.32 miles in 1h 53m 11s. I have logged over 80 miles for the month on just five rides. 

Sailboats Pass on the Horizon
Jupiter Island, FL
December 11, 2022
4. Not having any interest playing in the 4 PM NFL games yesterday, Chris and I escaped to the beach to enjoy the sunset. I have to admit, it was very cool. Almost cold at 76 degrees. The wind off the ocean was cool. We watched to sailboats pass each other on the horizon until the sunset. 

5. Chris and I took a drive last evening to look at Christmas decorations. Some people really do the lights up in an over-the-top manner. But, I was a bit surprised that there are fewer Christmas decorations that there were Halloween decorations.

6. Another week in the sun and warmth of South Florida and then it is back to the north to enjoy the warmth of family and Christmas!

7. Today in HistoryOn December 12, 1980, American oil tycoon Armand Hammer pays $5,126,000 at auction for a notebook containing writings by the legendary artist Leonardo da Vinci.

The manuscript, written around 1508, was one of some 30 similar books da Vinci produced during his lifetime on a variety of subjects. It contained 72 loose pages featuring some 300 notes and detailed drawings, all relating to the common theme of water and how it moved. Experts have said that da Vinci drew on it to paint the background of his masterwork, the Mona Lisa. The text, written in brown ink and chalk, read from right to left, an example of da Vinci’s favored mirror-writing technique. The painter Giuseppi Ghezzi discovered the notebook in 1690 in a chest of papers belonging to Guglielmo della Porto, a 16th-century Milanese sculptor who had studied Leonardo’s work. In 1717, Thomas Coke, the first earl of Leicester, bought the manuscript and installed it among his impressive collection of art at his family estate in England.



Slowing Growth Edges Out Inflation as Top Concern - The Wall Street Journal

Utility Bills Rise as Americans Pay Off Storm-Recovery Costs - The Wall Street Journal

Ukraine launches missile attack on Russian-occupied Melitopol, explosions reported in Donetsk and Crimea - CNN

China scraps virus tracking app as country braces for Covid impact - CNN

The Fed will raise rates again. But it's playing with fire - CNN

Nigerian Army massacred children in war against Islamist insurgents, witnesses say - Reuters

U.S. opioid crackdown hampers some patients' access to psychiatric drugs - Reuters

Queues form at fever clinics as China wrestles with COVID surge - Reuters

South Korea urges China to support dialogue with North Korea - S.Korea ministry - Reuters


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Sunday, December 11, 2022

Back on the Streets

 

Looking North from the Loxahatchee River Bridge
Tequesta, FL
December 10, 2022

One good thing about being back in Florida is that I am again out on the streets on my bike. I have ridden the past four days and logged over 55 miles. Yesterday was a light day in that I only rode just over 12 miles. But, it was still a great ride and the weather was perfect. 

Friday's Ride
Tequesta, FL
December 9, 2022


I miss my truck, though. We left it in Maryland when we flew back to Florida for a couple weeks. We will fly back to Maryland for Christmas. The plan is to drive back to Florida after Christmas. The flying saved over 30 hours of driving! Not having the truck, however,  limits my biking to the local area and Chris and I cannot load up and head off to other places for biking. I have a number of routes and variations that I can ride starting from my house, but with the weather so nice heading off to some distant places is fun as well. 

Chris has become very good on her bike and rides with me almost every day. We are routinely riding 14-16 miles, with the obvious exception of yesterday. 

There are many more miles ahead of me and I am hoping to do a longer overnight ride this summer in Maryland.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Saturday, December 10, 2022

Decorating for Christmas in South Florida

 

Poinsettias in the Garden
Tequesta, FL
December 9, 2022

It has been since I went to college at the University of Miami during the mid-1970s that I have lived in South Florida during the Christmas season. 

I have always enjoyed the Christmas light-wrapped palm trees, but this year I have noticed a different outdoor decorating aspect: poinsettias!

The poinsettias are everywhere in gardens. They are primarily used as border color, like impatiens and pansies are used during other seasons. They are stunning because of the bright red color.

And because I grew up in the north I always thought poinsettias were strictly indoors plants--of course I did; freezing temperatures kill them.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL


Friday, December 9, 2022

Friends

Finnegan and Riordin Together
Tequesta, FL
December 6, 2022

 

I love the line from Ghostbusters where the end of time is being described and the character played by Bill Murray says: "Dogs and cats living together."

Actually, dogs and cats can live together and even thrive and like each other. 

Case in point, shortly after our new sofa arrived Finnegan and Riordin napped together. They were trying out the new sofa for sleep-ability. It passed the test. 

Finnegan has been growing into his new role as the primary dog in the house. With Makayla's passing he went from auxiliary dog to primary dog and I have noticed that is behavior has changed. He is more affectionate towards me. 

I can't believe that it is Friday again already. Christmas is creeping up on us.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Thursday, December 8, 2022

New Furniture - Unveiled

The New Living Room
Tequesta, FL
December 8, 2022

It arrived the other day--our new furniture.

The gray sectional sofa that I dubbed the Great Wall of China is gone! When fully together, the three pieces were exactly 10 feet long! I sold it in one day on Facebook Marketplace. I was happy to see it go to a nice young couple because it was in very good condition and only lightly used.

Accent Chair
Tequesta, FL
December 8, 2022


The new furniture opens the room, displaces the former darkness, and the sofa is a reclining sofa that took over two months to receive. We also bought a new carpet and an accent chair. 

I believe that we are finally achieving the Coastal look that we desire for the house. 

It guess the delivery was an early Christmas gift. It was the reason we returned from Baltimore after Thanksgiving. And it was worth it. We get a chance to get the arrangement just right.

I wonder what we will do today?


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Back to the Beach

Arriving on Jupiter Island Beach
Jupiter Island, FL
December 6, 2022


 We felt we just had to go to the beach last evening to enjoy Happy Hour. And we were not disappointed. 

It was a beautiful evening with the sun setting and the moon rising over the ocean amidst the reverse sunset. 

Moon over the Atlantic
Jupiter Island, FL
December 6, 2022
The temperature was a moderate 79 degrees and the winds were light. There were a couple drones flying over the beach, reminding me that I have not flown Radio Flyer in a few months. I guess I will have to charge the batteries and get it out for a flight.

The moonrise was beautiful to watch as it cleared the clouds and the colors of the reverse sunset deepened. 

Chris and I along with a friend enjoyed talking, watching the osprey, and listening to the crashing of the waves on the beach. It is, after all, why we moved to Florida. 

The sunsets here are beginning before 5:30 PM and continue for about 30 minutes. In some respects the reverse sunset is almost as fun to enjoy as looking west into the setting sun. The color palette is more subdued.

Here's hoping for another great sunset tonight!


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

My Zimbio
Top Stories