Monday Musings - July 31, 2023

 

1. The last day of the hottest month in the history of the planet has arrived. It is the 5th Monday of July. There are just 21 Mondays left to enjoy 2023!

Atlantic Ocean Evening
Jupiter Island, FL
July 25, 2023

2. Image of the Week. The Atlantic was calm and inviting one evening last week as Chris and I went for a walk. The long shadows of the sun are already covering most of the beach all the way to water's edge. The day had been unbearably hot, but the evening on the ocean's shore was enjoyable and almost refreshing even with the thermometer reading more than 90 degrees.  The only problem was Finnegan. He was not excited about walking the beach and that meant we were only able to enjoy the beauty of the evening for a short time. 

Cranes
Jupiter, FL
July 26, 2023

3. There was a funny reference made to the construction occurring tin South Florida on a local station the other morning. They were showing the outdoors conditions on a live weather camera and made reference to the Florida State Bird: the crane! They showed an image of the cranes deployed around the US-1 bridge construction in Jupiter. Very similar to the one Chris took from the deck of our boat last week.

4. Don't forget to sing a fond goodbye to July this afternoon at Happy Hour. 

5. Today in History. On the morning of July 31, 1975, James Riddle Hoffa, one of the most influential American labor leaders of the 20th century, is officially reported missing after he failed to return home the previous night. Though he is popularly believed to have been the victim of a Mafia hit, conclusive evidence was never found and Hoffa’s fate remains a mystery.

Born in 1913 to a poor coal miner in Brazil, Indiana, Jimmy Hoffa proved a natural leader in his youth. At the age of 20, he helped organize a labor strike in Detroit, and remained an advocate for downtrodden workers for the rest of his life. Hoffa’s charisma and talents as a local organizer quickly got him noticed by the Teamsters and carried him upward through its ranks. Then a small but rapidly growing union, the Teamsters organized truckers across the country, and through the use of strikes, boycotts and some more powerful though less legal methods of protest, won contract demands on behalf of workers.

Russian missiles hit central Ukrainian city, Kyiv says - CNN

A massive $1.05 billion Mega Millions jackpot is up for grabs - CNN

Clock on the Fed's 'soft landing' may already be ticking - Reuters

July set to be world's hottest month on record - Reuters

Morning Bid: Wall St shines, China misses again - Reuters

While Everyone Else Fights Inflation, China's Deflation Fears Deepen - The Wall Street Journal

Local Malls, Stuck in ‘Death Spiral,’ Plunge in Value - The Wall Street Journal

DeSantis’s campaign faces troubling signs in his home state as Trump dominates - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Back on the Streets

 After a couple days of false starts, Chris and I managed a 15.5 mile ride yesterday. We had headed out on our bikes on both Thursday and Friday only to have our rides shortened by passing rainstorms--on both days! It actually rained on us yesterday as well, but we pressed on sensing that it was only a light passing shower. That the road did not get wet, with the raindrops evaporating almost as soon as they landed, helped us to make the decision to press ahead. 

It was a good ride. We noticed that, in places, the rain had fallen rather hard with the road being wet. We took a comfortable pace and enjoying the ride and finally getting back out onto the streets. 

It is hard to ride when the heat stress index is touching on 100 degrees, which it has been doing by about 10 AM most days. Fortunately the winds changed from the West to the East and we are having more normal Florida summertime weather. That written, it also appears that there may be a potential hurricane lurking out. in the Atlantic--it may form in the next 7 or so days. Time will tell. 

I really don't need a hurricane.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Torture Chamber Arrived

Oxygen/Atomization Enclosure

 OK, so it really isn't a torture chamber, it is an oxygen/atomization enclosure. It is supposed to allow me to deliver asthma medicine to Riordin.

He thinks it is a torture chamber.

The problem is that it arrived without instructions. After a lot of trial and error and with the help of an image that Chris found on-line, I was able to get everything functioning and Riordin received his first treatment. I'm not sure it did anything other that antagonize him. Being in the box for 20 minutes was a bit more than he could tolerate.

I will give him a second albuterol treatment today and I hope it will go a bit better. The enclosure is large enough for him to be comfortable and move around. 

Cat asthma is tough. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tab A into Slot B

Looking from Dining Room to Patio
Tequesta, FL
July 28, 2023

 Assembly projects. 

They can be daunting. Some companies are masters of selling items with "some assembly required," like Ikea and Wayfair. 

Yesterday Chris and I assembled the patio furniture that we ordered from Wayfair. 

Riordin on the Sofa
Tequesta, FL
July 27, 2023

Yes, we finally decided to upgrade the patio and make it into that outdoor living space that we have been missing since we left Maryland. We did not bring our outdoor furniture with us because it was too large for the tiny patio that we have now. And so, we have been waiting to find a properly scaled set to help us enjoy our screened paradise.

Riordin quickly decided that he liked the sofa. He napped on it for most of the afternoon. His asthma seemed better in the warm, humid afternoon atmosphere.

Assembly projects remind me that I still need to be able to use skills I learned in kindergarten: Insert Tab A into Slot B! The assembly project went well, except for the obligatory problem. Every assembly project has at least one problem and this one was an improperly drilled screw hole. I was able to overcome the problem by finding a larger bolt. There is always something, but I have to admit, the instructions were generally good, if not humorous in the way they were written. The translation from the original language into English left something to be desired. I don't understand why companies can take a moment to hire native language speakers to ensure that the written language can be comprehended. For instance:

"Locate each Left arm (A) and Right arm (B) to the Chair backrest (C) by the pre-drilled threads."

Huh? Seriously, and I retained the original capitalization of the instruction. 

Ah, the joys of assembly projects.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Day on the Water

 

US-1 Bridge Construction
Jupiter, FL
July 26, 2023

It was Wednesday and that meant it was our boating day aboard our trusty boat, Sea Bean. Sea Bean is a dual console 2023 Cobia 220 with a single 200 hp Yamaha outboard and electronic throttle. Sea Bean is not mine actually, but is my favorite boat to reserve from the club in which I am a member.

Yesterday was a day Chris and I decided to sojourn down to Jupiter, which is close to where we live. Even though I am newly authorized to head out into the wild Atlantic, the ocean seemed a bit rough when I was checking the weather. We decided we wanted to enjoy the ride to Jupiter and to see, from the water, the US-1 bridge construction. The bridge and roadway are gone and we are having to detour when driving around the area. The view from the water is impressive. The area looks like a crane convention. We counted 7 cranes, I don't think we could get them all in the picture. But we motored right through the middle of the construction. The smell of fresh concrete was strong.

Alternate A1A Bridge and Railroad Drawbridge
Jupiter, FL
July 26, 2023

Another goal for the day was to motor under the Alternate A1A bridge and adjacent railroad drawbridge into the Loxahatchee.

Chris and I successfully navigated the bridges and started up the Loxahatchee, but we became a bit concerned about the dark clouds forming over the ocean and decided to begin the hour-and-a-half journey back to the marina which is in Port Salerno. 

I forgot to mention, we enjoyed lunch on the Intracoastal Waterway anchored to a sandbar near Tequesta. We see boats anchored at the sandbar at low tide and we wanted to check out the sandbar for ourselves. It was a much needed stop along the way and out trusty boat has two anchors which allowed it to be secured so it would not drift onto the sandbar. 

The trip back to the marina was uneventful, but enjoyable. Along the way, during the day, we spied a green turtle and a few dolphins along with a multitude of pelicans and ospreys. 

It was our longest outing since becoming "boat" people and by taking up most of the day, we were provided with a necessary diversion from the stuff with which we have been dealing.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Advanced Boating

Green Turtle in the Ocean
Off St Lucie Inlet, FL
July 25, 2023

 I completed my off-shore boating certification yesterday and am officially dangerous!

I am certified to take a small boat out into the mighty Atlantic Ocean. The club that I am in limits me to no further than 10 miles offshore, but considering at 10 miles land is mostly out of sight, except for tall buildings, and the water may be over 1000 feet deep, I'm not sure why I would be out quite that far anyway. 

It was a short, but fun day on the ocean learning what I needed to get certified. 

Atlantic Ocean from Jupiter Island Beach
Jupiter Island, FL
July 25, 2023

I also had fun watching dolphins and one green turtle that actually swam around the boat twice while we were at idle working through our man overboard procedures and covering some radio call situations.

After I piloted the boat back into the marina, we finished the paperwork and I was certified. 

But, that was not the end of my day on and in the ocean. Chris and I headed out to the beach after the heat of the day passed. The ocean was nearly flat as sunset was preparing to occur. The breeze off the water seemed cool, yet the temperature was still in the upper 80s. 

It was our first evening beach walk in quite a while. Finnegan tagged along, but was not as excited about walking the beach as either Chris or I.

Maybe the oppressive heat is beginning to dissipate. I can only hope.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Saga of the Cat

Riordin on the Laptop
Elkridge, MD
January 5, 2012

 Yesterday wound-up being devoted to our recently diagnosed asthmatic cat, Riordin. 

Riordin had a scheduled appointment with the vet. We made it to the appointment without incident and by indecent I mean that Riordin did not puke. We are now at exactly 50 percent, 2 of 4, for trips to the vet with puke. And the appointment went well. He received another steroid and B12 shot for his asthma and we discussed nebulizer treatments. 

We were finished with the appointment and after leaving less than $200 with the vet, we headed home with Riordin looking good and seemingly feeling good.

Not so fast!

About halfway home, Riordin began panting and breathing rapidly. He was in respiratory distress. My initial thought was let's get him home and quiet and do a breathing treatment. As we grew closer to Tequesta, the vet is a 35 minute ride away, Riordin's distress became more severe. Chris called the vet and instructed us to return, which we did. Unfortunately it took almost 20 minutes to get back. 

When we made it back to the vet, they put him immediately into an oxygen tent and told us to come back in 2-2.5 hours. So, Chris and I headed off to lunch, got some gas at Costco, and did some shopping at Home Depot instead of driving all the way back to Tequesta only to turn around and drone back to the Vets office in West Palm Beach.

Evening Thunderstorm in Tequesta
July 24, 2023

I asked the vet about the incident and he told me that asthmatic cats have breathing episodes. The only thing to do is take them to a vet for oxygen treatments. We are going to be providing regular breathing treatments and have purchased a small enclosure designed for oxygen and breathing treatments. It is amazing what can be found on Amazon!

We did make it successfully home after the second vet visit of the day. We were concerned that Riordin was in the beginning stages of another incident, but he made it home and is doing fine. He is eating and drinking and being his old general nuisance--which is why I love him.

By the time we were settled at home it was Happy Hour and time for the evening thunderstorms.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - July 24, 2023

 

1. Welcome to the 4th Monday of July. It is fairly hot and steamy everywhere. There are 22 Mondays remaining in the year. 

AL East Standings
July 23, 2023

2. The Orioles continue to amaze and win tough games. They are alone atop the American League East Division with a two game lead over the previously seemingly invincible Tampa Bay Rays after taking 3 of 4 games in Tampa, where Orioles dreams used to go and die. There are 63 games remaining in the regular season. Let's hope the O's continue to win their share and can get into the post season. They have not been in the playoffs since 2016 and have not won the division since 2014.

3. Air travel in America needs a major overhaul. Passengers need to be considered as more than self-loading cargo when airlines make decisions that keep passengers strapped into their seats for multiple hours on the ground. My most recent air experience found me strapped into my seat sitting on an active taxiway for more than two hours when both ends of the trip are totaled. 

4. How are you coping with the heat? I still venture outdoors for short walks. I actually completed a 17 mile bike ride yesterday morning. I had to get back into the saddle. We need to get used to the fact that we are going to be hot.

5. Today in History. On July 24, 1911, American archeologist Hiram Bingham gets his first look at the ruins of Machu Picchu, an ancient Inca settlement in Peru that is now one of the world’s top tourist destinations.

Tucked away in the rocky countryside northwest of Cuzco, Machu Picchu is believed to have been a summer retreat for Inca leaders, whose civilization was virtually wiped out by Spanish invaders in the 16th century. For hundreds of years afterwards, its existence was a secret known only to the peasants living in the region. That all changed in the summer of 1911, when Bingham arrived with a small team of explorers to search for the famous “lost” cities of the Incas.

Ukraine claims responsibility for strikes in Moscow and Crimea - CNN

‘Barbie’ breaks records while crushing right-wing outrage - CNN

There is a ‘gravity hole’ in the Indian Ocean, and scientists now think they know why - CNN

Second US submarine arrives in South Korea amid North Korea tensions - Reuters

'Oppenheimer' sparks online outrage in India due to Hindu scripture scene - Reuters

China to step up policy adjustments amid tortuous recovery - Reuters

Why the Fed Isn’t Ready to Declare Victory on Inflation - The Wall Street Journal

U.S. and North Korea Start Talking About U.S. Soldier Who Crossed the Border - The Wall Street Journal

Drone strikes skyscraper in Moscow, Russia says; another night of attacks in Odessa - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Walking in a Quiet Place

Old Strawberry Lake Way
Odenton, MD
July 20, 2023

 Yesterday was a travel day. Chris and I returned home, ending another adventure. It really was not a vacation, as we both had multiple doctor's appointments, but we enjoyed valuable time with the family.

One of the things that Chris and I manage to do while we are there is to walk the dogs. Not only Finnegan, but Lily and Arthur as well. There is a great section of abandoned road which is covered with a canopy of trees that I especially enjoy walking. I love the way the sunlight comes through the green branches. 

The other thing that I enjoy about walking in Odenton is the quiet. Traffic is relatively light on the road next to the forested area and so we can hear the birds sing and the squirrels scurry. We can think and also talk in low tones trying not to disturb the quiet of the moment. 

It is a walking environment that we do not experience here in Florida. I love the palms, but it is hard to have a palm tree canopy. There are hardwood stands around, but not near where we walk Finnegan. The other problem is the traffic. We live between two major roadways and so there is always traffic, both vehicular and train, noise to content with. 

I was reminded of a Robert Frost poem, The Road Not Taken.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Return to the Chesapeake

Most of the Family
Chesapeake Bay, MD
July 20. 2023

(Image from Popcorn 3, by Patrick)

 Returning to the Chesapeake yesterday in a boat, we enjoyed a family outing. We began the journey at a marina on the South River and motored down the river and into the Chesapeake. Our trusty Sea Ray boat handled the load with ease. It was rated for 12 people or 3300 pounds. We had 7 people aboard and we no where near the maximum load. 

Part of the load included Popcorn 3, Patrick's small drone. We had decided that if the weather was cooperative and the spirit moved us, we would try to fly the drone form the boat. It was risky, because the boat was drifting in the current and had there been a problem, the drone would have landed at the spot from which it went airborne and of course due to the drift the boat would no longer have been at that location. We decided on a spot along the Northside of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge out of the shipping channel, which was fairly busy with barge traffic. 

We had toured Annapolis before heading north to the Bay Bridge. The day was warm and overcast, but the bay was relatively calm with a light chop that became more noticeable north of the bridge. We had music to enjoy over the drone of the engine. 

It was a great afternoon and great fun. After boating we retired to Lures, a local restaurant, for Happy hour and dinner. 

I enjoyed being out on the water in the Chesapeake and on the South River again.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

From the end of the Dock

Bay Nettle Jellyfish at Ram's Head Dockside
Glen Burnie, MD
July 19, 2023

 Last evening, Chris and I joined Patrick and Jen at a local tavern on Marley Creek for happy hour. We arrived a bit late and were only able to enjoy the last half-hour of happy hour, but we more than made up for it by getting our food and drink orders in quickly.

The tavern is on the creek and has a dock for boaters to motor-up and tie-up. Being a Wednesday, it was not very crowded, which was good. Patrick and I walked out onto the dock and were looking into the water marveling at the bounty of fish which were present. And then, off the end of the dock, I spied one of the most interesting jellyfish that I have seen. Its tentacles were very long and it was leisurely making its way through the water. 

It was a warm, but not excessively humid evening and it was enjoyable, just watching the jellyfish swim in the sill waters of the creek. I was very happy that I have never run into a jellyfish with tentacles a long when snorkeling or swimming. 

Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Is there a Plan?

 

Following the news can be both humorous and frustrating.

As I watch one of the two major political parties in our country implode, it has become clear that democracy is on the line.

The allegations that the Department of Justice and law enforcement have become weaponized are the first step in destroying the rule of law in our country. And that the Speaker of the House immediately jumped on the bandwagon to condemn the "target" letter that was issued without reviewing the allegations and evidence show just how low the party of Lincoln is willing to stoop.

I find some of the statements coming out of members of the party humorous, such as the statement (in yellow below) by Marjorie Taylor Green:

“I approve this message.”

Joe Biden’s Twitter account put that line over an ad using the words of Georgia Republican representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Turning Points Action Conference speech from last weekend, in which she set out to tear down the president’s policies but ended up making him sound terrific. 

The description she intended to be derogatory—that Biden “had the largest public investment in social infrastructure and environmental programs that is actually finishing what FDR started, that LBJ expanded on”—was such an argument in Biden’s favor that the Biden-Harris campaign used it to advertise what the Democratic administration stands for: “[p]rograms to address education, medical care, urban problems, rural poverty, transportation, Medicare, Medicaid, labor unions.” (Letters from an American)

Apparently, except for chaos and deception, there is no plan. The attacks on Women's Rights, the LGBTQ+ community, voting rights, and military readiness continue unabated by the party's members and apparently are condoned by leadership.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Smoke Fills the Air

Clear Gray Sky
Waugh Chapel, MD
July 17, 2023

 Canadian wildfire smoke is again filling the skies in Maryland. 

The days are hazy with a hint of smoke on the nose. The clear sky is not blue, but gray. It is not pretty to look at and there is a fuzzy band around the sun.

The smoke really puts a damper on an otherwise bright and sunny day. It would be overcast--except not the sky is clear of clouds.

Yesterday was a hot day. Humid. And filled with smoke.

The sky was just eerie in its grayness.I longed for blue and imagined how the sky used to be.

We seem to be confronted with airborne problems whether it is the Canadian wildfire smoke or in Florida the Saharan dust.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday Musings - July 17, 2023

 

1. And it is here. The third Monday of July is upon us whether we are ready for it or not. There are 23 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. The Orioles continue to roll! Remember the commanding lead in the Divvies that the Tampa Rays had? Well, it is down to one game! Go O's. They have two series sweeps in their last two series following a split with the Yankees. 

3. Air travel in America has become a game of chance. The weather coupled with airline mismanagement seem to be the primary problems. Yesterday, our flight from West Palm Beach to Baltimore was late getting away from the gate because people cannot seem to understand how to get onboard an aircraft. Despite that, we arrived in Baltimore 10 minutes early only to wait almost 40 minutes for a gate so we could deplane. We have friends who were trying to fly from New Haven to West Palm Beach yesterday. Their flight was canceled and apparently they cannot be rescheduled until Friday. What gives?

4. Anyone else notice hot hot it is? Are we enjoying the Dog Days of Summer?

5. Today in History. Disneyland, Walt Disney’s metropolis of nostalgia, fantasy and futurism, opens on July 17, 1955. The $17 million theme park was built on 160 acres of former orange groves in Anaheim, California, and soon brought in staggering profits. Today, Disneyland hosts more than 18 million visitors a year, who spend close to $3 billion.

Walt Disney, born in Chicago in 1901, worked as a commercial artist before setting up a small studio in Los Angeles to produce animated cartoons. In 1928, his short film Steamboat Willy, starring the character “Mickey Mouse,” was a national sensation. It was the first animated film to use sound, and Disney provided the voice for Mickey. From there on, Disney cartoons were in heavy demand, but the company struggled financially because of Disney’s insistence on ever-improving artistic and technical quality. His first feature-length cartoon, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1938), took three years to complete and was a great commercial success.

A family was driving to a Pennsylvania barbecue when they got stuck in flash flooding. The mother has been found dead, and 2 of the children vanished - CNN

Moscow halts grain deal after bridge to Crimea struck - Reuters

Global temperatures near record highs as US, China meet on climate - Reuters

Berlin aims to have "best equipped" NATO army division in Europe in 2025 - Reuters

China’s Fading Recovery Tests Its Policy Playbook - The Wall Street Journal

Europeans Are Becoming Poorer. ‘Yes, We’re All Worse Off.’ - The Wall Street Journal

The U.S.-Made Missile System Defending Ukraine’s Skies - The Wall Street Journal

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Travel Day

 If it is Sunday, I must be on the road. Well, or in the air as the case may be. 

We are winging our way north today. We have little expectation of escaping the oppressive heat, however the mornings could be a bit more enjoyable based upon the forecast. 

It is going to be hot everywhere. The temperatures are very close. However, by next week it appears a cooling trend will begin in Maryland that will not be replicated in Florida. 

We all just need to learn how to live in a hot climate, apparently. 

As for a travel day, well with rain on both ends of the trip expected, we are likely going to get wet and have a bumpy ride. 

And that seems to be the best that we can hope for. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Thunderstorm Watching

Chris and Finn on the Porch
Tequesta, FL
July 15, 2023

 I hope everyone celebrated wildly for Bastille Day last evening. 

We really didn't do much--the mood just wasn't there to go out and blow things up to celebrate on of the most famous jailbreaks in the history of the world. 

So we didn't.

Today we are watching the thunderstorms roll through in advance of flying to Maryland tomorrow. Chris and Finnegan enjoyed time in the highest and humidity on the porch. But, they made a nice pose. 

And the thunder rolls--to quote a song.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Stupid Driver Nearly Killed me!

Chairs on the Beach
Manatee Pocket, Port Salerno, FL
July 12, 2023

 I was nearing there end of a 17-mile bike ride yesterday and preparing to turn onto my street when a white van aggressively pulled into the crosswalk forcing me to lay my bike down to avoid being stuck.

It really sucks when that happens.

I have scrapes on my knee and arm, but no other damage. 

The chain fell off the sprockets and cassette of my bike, but I was able to get it put back in place to continue riding the short 2-tenths of a mile home. 

I was legally in a crosswalk, yes bikers can use the crosswalks in Florida and abide by pedestrian rules, when the van just pulled up to the intersection. It really sucked. I have clip-in biking shoes and while I always take may left foot out when stopping is imminent, I needed my right foot and I forgot to twist to release the snaps when trying to balance the bike. 

Down I went.

I guess I need to spend more time in my beach chair and less time trying to stay in good physical condition.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Finding Calm Amid the Upheaval of Life

North Jupiter Island Beach, FL
July 12, 2023

 It is amazing how many things have to be done when someone dies--especially unexpectedly. 

Chris and I appreciate all the outpouring of concern, support, and prayers. She was very close to her sister and they had made many plans for the future, once Jodie retired. 

We went to a happy place yesterday to escape, for a few hours, the weight of everything. There is something cathartic about sitting on a deserted beach listening to the sound of the waves washing up onto the sand. Chris actually found a few moments of peace as fixed our gaze looking off into the distance where the ocean and the sky meet. We were the only ones on the beach for the majority of the time we spent there, just sitting under an umbrella in our beach chairs. I told Chris to put her phone away, as I had done, to find a few moments of peace and to attempt to right the world which had gone askew. 

And the waves continued to gently wash up onto the beach. 

We started to depart more than once before we actually packed up our gear and headed off the beach walking down the trail that transported us back to the real world. But we were thankful for the respite.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Shock and Grief

Jodie Meyers

 It is with overwhelming sadness that I report the passing of Chris's sister, Jodie, on Monday. Her passing was sudden and unexpected.

I am writing this because many of our friends my not have yet heard of her passing. 

Chris and Jodie were very close. We had visited with Jodie most recently during our visit to Maryland during early June. Chris last spoke with her the day before she passed. 

Our hearts are broken and we are filled with grief and disbelief. 

Memorial service plans are incomplete, but will likely occur during mid-August in conjunction with the annual golf tournament established in memory her son Troy who passed during 2014 from complications associated with cancer treatment. Jodie resided in Ithaca, NY, with her husband Matt, and son Trevar. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tuesday Tattles

 

Well, the All Star Break is underway in MLB. Last evening's Home run Derby saw an Orioles participant, Adley Rutschman, who did a great job. I think he might have done better had both he and his Dad, who was pitching, not watched the blasts off the bat and were able together a few more balls into play.

B-1, B-2, B-52

A note on the Marine Corps today:

For the first time since 1859, the Marine Corps does not have a confirmed commandant. For five months, Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has held up the confirmation of about 250 Pentagon officers in protest of the Defense Department’s policy of enabling military personnel to travel to obtain abortion care. So when Commandant General David Berger retired today, there was no confirmed commandant to replace him. Assistant Commandant General Eric Smith will serve as the acting commandant until the Senate once again takes up military confirmations. 

That a Republican is undermining the military belies the party’s traditional claim to be stronger on military issues than the Democrats. So does the attack of House Republicans on our nation’s key law enforcement entities—the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation—after traditionally insisting their party works to defend “law and order.”  (Letters form an American)

And I thought Republicans supported the military?

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - July 10, 2023

 

1. Welcome to another version of Monday Musings. It is the second Monday of July and there are 24 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. The heat is oppressive across much of the country. It is limiting outdoors activity. 

Palms Against the Storm
Tequesta, FL
July 8, 2023

3. I managed a 17-mile bike ride yesterday, but I actually was planning on 23 but shortened it about 4 miles due to the heat which became very concerning. I really felt the heat exhaustion setting in about 1030 and decided to truncate the trek. Fortunately I was riding a loop and was able to take out a 3 mile section of my ride. Wow, it was hot. 

4. Palms against the storm. Evening thunderstorms continue across South Florida. The other evening as the storms approached, Chris and I went outside and the palms across from us were beautiful against the storm darkened sky. So, I took an image. 

5. How about those Orioles? As we are at the All Star break, the Orioles have the third best record in all of baseball.  They have been playing solid and exciting baseball. Let's hope the second half of the season is a much fun as the first half! Just as an aside, the Orioles have won two more games during the 2023 campaign than they did during the entire 2021 season!

6. Today in History. July 10, 1925: In Dayton, Tennessee, the so-called Scopes Monkey Trialbegins with John Thomas Scopes, a young high school science teacher, accused of teaching evolution in violation of a Tennessee state law.

The law, which had been passed in March, made it a misdemeanor punishable by fine to “teach any theory that denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible, and to teach instead that man has descended from a lower order of animals.” With local businessman George Rappleyea, Scopes had conspired to get charged with this violation, and after his arrest the pair enlisted the aid of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to organize a defense. Hearing of this coordinated attack on Christian fundamentalism, William Jennings Bryan, the three-time Democratic presidential candidate and a fundamentalist hero, volunteered to assist the prosecution. Soon after, the great attorney Clarence Darrow agreed to join the ACLU in the defense, and the stage was set for one of the most famous trials in U.S. history.

Kremlin says Wagner chief met with Putin after attempted rebellion - CNN

‘Not what it was’: House Freedom Caucus wrestles with its future amid split over tactics and Trump - CNN

China’s factory gate prices fall at fastest pace in 7 years - CNN

America Is Wrapped in Miles of Toxic Lead Cables - The Wall Street Journal

Disney World Hasn’t Felt This Empty in Years - The Wall Street Journal

Europe faces long wait for weight-loss drugs as governments eye costs - Reuters

North Korea warns it may shoot down US spy planes violating its airspace - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Cat Saga

Riordin Sleeping
Tequesta, FL
March 9, 2023

 Riordin, our tabby cat, is beginning to show his geriatric side. 

Apparently, after yesterday's $300 visit to the vet he is being diagnosed with asthma. At least that is one possible explanation for his coughing fits. Although, the vet did put him on antibiotics for some unspecified reason. 

The Gang of Three
Finn, Makayla, and Riordin
Tequesta, FL
February 11, 2022

Riordin is one of the two surviving members of the gang of three, Makayla, Riordin, and Finnegan, with Finnegan being the youngest. Makayla passed during October, an event which traumatized me. I may have PTSD from it.

We will see where it goes, but geriatric cats generally do not get better although we can support him and hopefully keep him from getting worse. I was encouraged when the vet weighed him and he had not lost anymore weight. 

It seems there is always something happening.

We will have to see where this goes.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Blocking the Way

 

Sand Hill Cranes
Tequesta, FL
July 6, 2023
Photo by Chris

Blockers!

That is what they sometimes become.

Sand Hill Cranes are big birds standing about 3 to 4 feet tall. They make a very disturbing sound, like what I imagine a pterodactyl would make. Fortunately, they are generally sedate birds, except when guarding a golf ball on a course. 

Chris and I came across two of the birds during our bike ride on Thursday. They meandered across the road and were effective blockers. 

I actually enjoy looking at the birds due to their size. I would never eat to disturb them as they seem more than capably of defending themselves and inflicting damage upon anyone who would attack them. 

It was fin to get excited about wildlife other than the tortoises, rabbits, and squirrels that we typically see during our rides. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Watching the Neighbor's Cat

Tigger and Chris
Tequesta, FL
July 4, 2023

 It is more than fair. 

We need people to watch Riordin when we travel and we can help our neighbors by watching their cat when they travel!

The cat, Tigger! He is a beautiful animal and I enjoy going over to feed and play with him twice per day. I am not as enthused about changing his litter box, but that is a necessity. 

Tigger loves to play. He also has a great purr motor and turns it on when he is held. I know that as the time goes on he is going to become more lonely and we will need to spend additional time with him. Fortunately, he is a short walk away. 

More fun to come, I am sure.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Beating the Heat

Bridge Road Drawbridge
Hobe Sound, FL
July 5, 2023

 Chris and I have discovered one almost sure-fire way to beat the oppressive heat which has been holding South Florida hostage for the past few weeks: boating!

The stress index has been running 105-112 degrees for the past few days. 

Yesterday, Finnegan has a grooming appointment and Chris and I decided that since we were going to be in the area anyway that we would check out a boat and spend time on the water. The day was perfect for boating with just a light breeze and nearly glassy smooth water. We enjoyed the intracoastal waterway (ICW) and stopped by our favorite beach for a few minutes. I noted that boating on weekdays is much preferable to weekends given that very often we are the only boat on the ICW. 

We have our favorite boat now, Sea Bean, which is a Cobia 220 dual console. Sea Bean is new. It only had 15 hours on the engine when we departed the Marina yesterday and we put about 3 of those hours on it last week. 

When the groomer called that Finnegan was complete, we were about an hour away from the marina. They agreed to kennel Finn for a couple hours and we were able to spend some time on a northern Jupiter Island Atlantic Ocean beach which is part of the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Preserve. 

I was a bit sad when we arrived back at the marina earlier than planned, but we had an enjoyable 3 hours escaping the heat of the day while enjoying the water.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL