I Forgot--and I got Stressed

Baltimore Looks Serene
Baltimore, MD
December 3, 2024

 I drove across Baltimore yesterday for an appointment. When I checked my mapping app, the drive was 42 minutes, BUT because of trouble on the beltway inner loop I was being routed through Baltimore City. 

I never like going through Baltimore City. The streets are a mess and the traffic is unpredictable. I padded my travel time because I have been through this before. 

Well, yesterday my travel time suddenly gained an extra 10 minutes due to an accident and a school program involving 10 buses. Ugh! It was then I remembered an earlier vow to never drive through Baltimore City to access I-83 and avoid beltway traffic. 

My stress level went up as at each turn it seemed I was confronted with a new unplanned traffic disaster.

I made it to my appointment later than the suggested arrival time, but still earlier than the actual appointment time.

Note to self: Driving through Baltimore is never an option.

As I was leaving my appointment about 2 PM, my mapping app again suggested driving through the middle of Baltimore. I decided instead to use the beltway and drive the long way around using the east side because thew west side was still bound up. I was much happier with this decision. The app said it was a. 2 minute longer route--but I am sure I would have lost a lot more than 2 minutes driving through the middle of Baltimore!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

It Even Looks Cold

It Looks Cold
Odenton, MD
December 2, 2024

 Chris and I walked Finnegan yesterday. We try to walk him every day to get the wiggles out and encourage him to take care of his personal business. 

It was cold. The temperature was hovering around 38 degrees. This morning it was 28 degrees. As we walked, I noted the scene looked every bit as cold as it was. 

Fortunately, we were bundled up appropriately and although we could feel the cold, we were comfortable. I checked the forecast and am looking forward to the high 70s and low 80s waiting for us upon our return home to South Florida next week. We will warm up there for two weeks before returning to the frozen north. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday Musings - December 2, 2024

 

1. We made it to December. This is the first Monday of the last month of 2024. There are only four Mondays remaining in the year. Three weeks from today is Christmas Eve Eve!

Finn Under the Tree
Elkridge, MD
December 1, 2024

2. We enjoyed an afternoon at Jeremy's house yesterday. It was football Sunday and Finn found a great place to get away from Jeremy's bigger dogs. He looked like a present under the tree because he was wearing his snowman sweater. He would periodically head there to get out of the way. When we took him home we discovered that he smelled like the scent added to the tree to make it smell like a real tree. His reward for being so cute under the tree was a bath!

3. Family NFL Report. Family teams went 4-2 in the multi-day game holiday game format. The Steelers won the highest scoring game of the season with 82 points posted between the two teams. The Ravens suddenly have a field-goal kicker problem. The historically most accurate kicker in the NFL left 7 points on the field which resulted in a gut wrenching loss to the Eagles.

Cowboys (5-7) made it past Giants (2-10), 27-20  

Commanders, (8-5) thumped the Titans (3-9), 42-19

Steelers (9-3) slipped by Bengals (4-8), 44-38 

Ravens (8-5) lost to Eagles (10-2), 19-24

Dolphins (5-7) were drowned by Packers (9-3), 17-30

Chiefs (11-1) made it past Raiders (2-10), 19-17

4. I am becoming cold-soaked with the Maryland daily high temperatures in the 40s. I looked at the long-range forecast for Tequesta and noted that temperatures when we return next Monday will be in the 80s. Looking forward to reviving my fading tan!

5. Programming note: I will no longer be referencing Wall Street Journal headlines in the Monday Musings News section, as I have terminated my subscription. I continue my subscriptions to The NY Times and The Washington Post.

6. Today in History. On a day like today, Albert Einstein's Theory of General Relativity was published, after the German physicist shook the foundations of Physics with his presentation to the Prussian Academy of Sciences in Berlin.

On December 2, 1915, after it was officially presented on November 25, Einstein's theory of gravitation was published in the minutes of the Prussian Academy of Sciences, in a four-page article entitled The equations of the gravitational field.

The Theory of General Relativity, reformulated the concept of Newtonian gravity and gave way to a deep development of cosmology, a branch of physics that studies the origin and evolution of the universe.

Biden’s pardon of his son gives Trump an opening - CNN

Syrian and Russian jets step up strikes on rebels after opposition seizes much of Aleppo - CNN

Putin approves record defense spending – a third of Russia’s budget - CNN

Exclusive: Latest US strike on China's chips hits semiconductor toolmakers - Reuters

Guinea stadium crush kills 56 people after disputed refereeing decision - Reuters

Philippines' Marcos says presence of Russian submarine 'very worrisome' - Reuters

Threatened by climate change, Panama Canal has big plans - Reuters

Potential conflicts of interest may haunt Dr. Oz’s confirmation to run Medicare, Medicaid - The Washington Post

Snow continues to bury Northeast, with more expected through Monday - The Washington Post

U.S. Dual Citizen Thought to Be Alive in Gaza Died on Oct. 7,  - The New York Times

-- Bob Doan, Odenton,MD

Snow Village 2024

 

Julienne and Chris Looking at the Snow Village Staging Area
Glen Burnie, MD
November 30, 2024

Welcome to December, the final month of a turbulent 2024.

Yesterday was Snow Village day. 

We were invited over to Patrick and Jen's to assist with the annual Snow Village set up. Sadly, Chris and I decided not to set-up our Snow Village this year because of our travel schedule and so we were excited to assist in this annual event. 

Snopw Village 2024
Glen Burnie, MD
November 30, 2024

When we arrived all of the pieces were unboxed and placed on a table as Patrick was preparing the display stand. I assisted with the final touches and then it was onto planning the village.

Planning the village is multistep process assisted by some technology. All of the buildings were placed and their relative final positions determined and then a video of them was taken as they were all removed back to the staging area while the snow blanket was added and height was also included to give the village a more realistic view. Once the contouring was finished it was time to reset the buildings and proceed to lighting. The video was used, frame by frame, to remind us of the building locations. Patrick displayed the video frames on the adjoining big screen. Following lighting it was onto the trees and accessories which bring the village from a ghost town to a thriving community. 

It was great fun to participate this year. I especially like the way the lighthouse seems to project an angel on the wall.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD 

The Annual Axis & Allies Event

Axis & Allies Europe Board at the Game Start
Odenton, MD
November 29, 2024

 Black Friday is the day the guys gather to play Axis & Allies. This year we chose to play the Axis & Allies Europe version to fill the day. This version is suited to lower number of players and it provides a satisfying 3 vs 1 format with players playing USA, UK, and Soviet Union on the Allies side and one player playing the Axis. 

I wound up defending Moscow as the Soviet Union player. I was teamed with two grandsons who played USA and UK against their Dad, the Axis player. 

The game proceeded fairly close to history with Germany laying siege to Leningrad and Stalingrad and making it to the outskirts of Moscow before the UK and USA could amass enough forces to thankfully require a major German armored army to move out of Eastern Poland and head back to liberate Berlin. I write thankfully, because the Soviet armies were exhausted and out of reserves. 

And so with a nod to history, the Allies won the game. Winning this game required one of the four capitals to be captured and held for a complete round. Berlin was captured, but before it could be held an entire round it was liberated by the aforementioned German armored army. Subsequently, with successive assaults by the UK and then USA forces, Berlin fell and the game was ended because Germany had insufficient forces remaining to mount another capital liberating counterattack.

This year, I was on the winning side.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Black Friday Antics

Merlin and Percy
Odenton, MD
November 28, 2024

 Black Friday has arrived and the annual Axis and Allies game will likely begin in an hour or so. Thanksgiving was great. The family gathered together and spent a great day together talking and enjoying each other. The NFL games became secondary events. 

I will note that two family teams played and went 1-1. The Cowboys won and the Dolphins lost. 

Part of the fun I am having revolves around two small bundles of fur and claws--Merlin and Percy. They are kittens, brothers, who can be wild and are very inquisitive. Merlin is a bit smaller but more adventurous. Percy is the classic scaredy-cat. 

They are providing lots of entertainment. 

No, I do not want or need a pair of my own!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Thanksgiving 2024

 Happy Thanksgiving!

Well it arrived all on its own. The latest date the holiday can be, but it is finally here and with it cold, wet weather; food; and football.

How could we possibly have waited for so long?

December begins on Sunday!

Until then we will have a steady diet of sports and leftovers.

Remember as you give thanks for the blessings in your life to give thanks for the first responders, military men and women and DoD civilians, and those who serve on the frontlines in our hospitals and care centers who are on duty today and every day. There are many people who do not get the day off, but who are out there making sure the rest of us are safe and can enjoy the blessings of liberty.

It has pleased Almighty God to prolong our national life another year, defending us with His guardian care against unfriendly designs from abroad and vouchsafing to us in His mercy many and signal victories over the enemy, who is of our own household. It has also pleased our Heavenly Father to favor as well our citizens in their homes as our soldiers in their camps and our sailors on the rivers and seas with unusual health. He has largely augmented our free population by emancipation and by immigration, while He has opened to us new sources of wealth and has crowned the labor of our workingmen in every department of industry with abundant rewards. Moreover, He has been pleased to animate and inspire our minds and hearts with fortitude, courage, and resolution sufficient for the great trial of civil war into which we have been brought by our adherence as a nation to the cause of freedom and humanity, and to afford to us reasonable hopes of an ultimate and happy deliverance from all our dangers and afflictions: 

-- Opening Paragraph Proclamation 118, Abraham Lincoln, October 20, 1864

America is a Nation of promise and possibilities — and that is because, every day, ordinary Americans are doing extraordinary things.  Our service members and veterans have given all, risked all, and dared all to keep our Nation free.  Our first responders, firefighters, and police officers risk their lives every day to keep the rest of us safe.  I can see the best of America in them and in our workers and union leaders, public servants and teachers, doctors and scientists, and all who give their heart and soul to ensuring people are treated with dignity and respect.  And I find hope in our Nation’s families, who sacrifice so much to achieve the American Dream and build a future worthy of our highest aspirations.
     This Thanksgiving — the last one I will declare as President — I express my gratitude to the American people.  Serving as President has been the honor of a lifetime.  America is the greatest country on Earth, and there is so much to be grateful for.  May we celebrate all that unites us — because there is nothing beyond our capacity if we do it together.

-- Excerpt from A Proclamation on Thanksgiving Day 2024, Joseph R. Biden Jr, November 27, 2024

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Even the Trees Look Cold

Looking at a Late-Autumn Morning
Odenton, MD
November 26, 2024

 The body shock of going from 70 degree days to 36 degree mornings is tough. I can only barely remember opening the door to head outside and being met by a rush of frigid air. I am more used to being slammed by a hot, moist wave and then toasted under the burning sun. 

I prefer the heat. 

Even the Trees Look Cold
Odenton, MD
November 26, 2024

It was cold yesterday, in the 40s, and even colder to start today with 36 (OMG, it's cold) degrees. While the scene is pretty, the reality is not so inviting. Even the trees look cold! I keep forgetting to put shoes on when I go outside for short activities like bringing in groceries or taking out recycling or trash.

I just need to get used to it because this is where I'm going to be for the next roughly two weeks. 

I have been enjoying the live entertainment that my daughter is providing in the form of two eight-week old kittens. They are bundles of energy. Just a moment ago they made me laugh, as during their play, they crashed into something which fell and they scurried for cover. They are cute and at this point very enjoyable. Their names are Merlin and Percy and they are brothers so they have been playing together since shortly after birth. 

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I hope everyone is already where they want to be for the holiday. Thankfully, Chris and I are in place for the festivities.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

At the Road's End

Looking Out the Windshield
North Carolina on I-95
November 25, 2024

 Chris and I arrived in Odenton yesterday afternoon about 2 PM. It was a nice short day of driving. The weather was perfect with bright sin and a blue sky highlighting the late-autumn colors. We marveled at the colors of the trees all day, of course they were bit brighter in North Carolina and southern Virginia, but we could see the colors in the trees even until our destination. 

Oak Tree
Dortches, North Carolina Rest Stop
November 25, 2024

The trip was easy, except for the last couple hours when we experienced the travel time warp where our arrival time suddenly becomes 40 minutes later due to building traffic. That of course happened in Northern Virginia within about 70 miles of our destination. We made a few comfort stops along the way. The one where I imaged the oak tree in Dorches, NC, about an hour after we started out for the day, was a stop for Finnegan which was successful. 

We are happy to be in place for the Thanksgiving holiday. 

And the Ravens rewarded our travels with a win!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday Musings - November 25, 2024 Travel Edition

 

Out the Hotel Window
Dunn, NC
November 25, 2024

1. Welcome to the last Monday of November. The Holiday Season begins officially on Thursday with Thanksgiving and there are only 5 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. I am writing from a hotel in Dunn, NC. We were on the road for just over 10 hours yesterday, but it was a beautiful driving day. 

3. Out the Hotel Window this morning is a bright sunrise and a parking lot. The blue sky is grand with the sun.

4. Family NFL Report. Family teams went 3-2 with the Ravens playing tonight. The Steelers lost a very snowy game on Thursday and the Cowboys escape the Commanders in what was probably the most exciting 4th quarter of football in a long while

Cowboys (4-7) overcame Commanders, (7-5) 34-26

Steelers (8-3) lost to Browns (3-8), 19-24 on Thursday in the Snow Bowl

Ravens (7-4) face Chargers (7-4) tonight

Dolphins (5-6) drowned Patriots (3-9), 34-15

Chiefs (10-1) held off Panthers (3-8), 30-27

5. We hope to be in Odenton, MD by about 1:30 this afternoon.

And this is the travel version of the Monday Musings!

-- Bob Doan, Dunn, NC

Holiday Travel

I

And we are on the road again.  We are two hours into a two-day trip to in Maryland. Chris and I marveled at the starlit sky as we headed out just before 6AM. It was clear, cold, and filled with stars and at least three planets. 

It is hard to write on a phone in a moving car.  But, so far the day is great and traffic light as the Thanksgiving week travel begins in earnest.  We are looking forward to seeing and celebrating with family and friends. 

We still have a couple more hours in Florida and are headed to North Carolina for the night. We prefer longer first days and shorter second days of the trip. 

Finn has settled in and is sleeping in his bed. He was very happy not to be left behind. 

Here’s hoping the weather stays good. 

— Bob Doan, I-95 near New Smyrna Beach, FL

Uninvited Guests

Momentary King of the Pole
Port Salerno, FL
November 22, 2024

 I went to lunch with a friend yesterday. It was a beautiful South Florida day with a crystal blue sky, bright warm sun, and a light breeze. We dined at an outside table on the water so that we could enjoy the day. 

All too often here in Florida it is too hot to sit outside at a table and eat. But not so yesterday. It was a bit cool as the temperature was struggling to reach 70 degrees. 

Little Blue Heron Moving out the Seagulls
Port Salerno, FL
November 22, 2024

Lunch was very good as the service and the food were excellent. We, however, were hounded by some uninvited guests. The seagulls tended to gather and squawk at irritating moments. There seemed to be a game of "King of the Pole" being played by some of them.

The seagulls continued squawking and playing their games until the much larger little blue heron arrived and made it clear who was the real king of the restaurant patio. It became much quieter and the egret patrolled the area keeping the noisy seagulls away. 

I have to admit, despite their noise the seagulls were fun to watch. I guess even uninvited guests can have some entertainment value.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

It was a Short Trip

Heading out into Manatee Pocket
Port Salerno, FL
November 21, 2024

 Yesterday was intended as a boat day. Finnegan had a grooming appointment near where we reserve our trusty motored-watercraft and so we decided to check out a boat and head to Stuart for lunch while Finnegan was in the shop, so to speak. 

It was a great plan--but it turned out there were some problems. 

The day was bright and, although one of the coldest mornings of the season, the temperature quickly warmed into the mid-70s by 11:00AM when we arrived to head out onto the water. We planned properly and dressed for the cool breeze--Chris was wearing two layers and brought a coat along. I had a pullover. 

The wind was strong stronger on the water and the waters surrounding the marina, which is on Manatee Pocket, had a nice chop. Chris was not amused and I promised her that if it was too rough on the more open waters of the St Lucie River that we would head in rather than continue on to Stuart. 

We were motoring north toward Stuart into a cold north wind. OK, I know the wind was not as cold as what we saw driving snow on last night's NFL game in Cleveland, but we have thin Florida blood. That was the first problem. 

The second problem was that the chop of Manatee Pocket became 2-foot waves out on the river which occasionally, because of the direction of the channel, broke over the boat and got us both wet. And then there were the occasional 3 foot waves. Chris is a flat water boater and I knew I was pushing it with the 2 foot waves, but the bigger ones coupled with the fact that we were not even into the more wide open areas of the river where the wind could really kick up the waves meant this trip was likely going to be short. 

The third problem was that Chris was cold and she hates getting wet--especially on a cold day. We made it about halfway to Stuart, which is roughly the highway bridge which connects Sewell's Point to the mainland. When I reduced speed to go under the bridge, we made the decision to return to the marina rather than press on. Chris donned her coat to get warmer and we reversed course.

In all, we were on the water about 45 minutes. I got my boating fix in for the month and we decided to lunch in the Port Salerno area rather than driving to Stuart.

I am not sure how, exactly, we are going to survive the upcoming holiday trips north into the cold. It should be an experience. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

As the Season Arrives

 

2024 Christmas Tree
Tequesta, FL
November 20, 2024

It pained me to do the deed. And the deed was removing the turkeys and our Thanksgiving decorations before the actual holiday. 

But, Thanksgiving is late this year and we are going to be away for two weeks; returning in the middle of the Christmas season and wanted the house decorated. Yesterday because decoration day. We have not completed everything and some decorations will not be unboxed this year--but we are beginning to display the festive mood the holiday season brings. 

Tomorrow is actually the earliest date upon which Thanksgiving can fall and this year the 28th, which is Thanksgiving, is the latest and so I rationalized that we are not really jumping the season and my turkeys had a good run--but it was time.

Happy Thanks-istmas!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Bob the Dog Walker

 I discovered, while Chris was away, that I was unable to both walk Finn and get a meaningful bike ride accomplished. 

Finn walks for about a mile-and-a-half. When he and I walk we do it in just under 30 minutes--and that includes numerous stops for his personal business. 

He enjoys his walk and is a a trooper. One would think that a dog of his size would not enjoy such a long walk at a brisk pace, but he definitely does. And it is good exercise for both of us. But by the time we finished Finn's walk, it was getting too late to get my usual 17 mile bike ride in before noon. 

Chris is back now and I was able to get my ride completed this morning while she walked Finn!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Christmas is Closing in

Poinsettia Plantings
Tequesta, FL
November 18, 2024

 I was able to get bike yesterday, even though the wind was strong and in places made me wonder why I decided to head out. I walked Finnegan a mile-and-a-half before the ride and I had failed to eat breakfast. Don't know how that happened. Well, about 10 miles into my ride I realized that I was low on energy and, as it was about 11:30 AM, I shortened my ride and headed home to get some lunch. Coffee is just not good for powering a body into the middle portion of the day. 

Along the way I did see more poinsettia plantings to bring a splash of color to the upcoming holiday season. Most of the usual flower plantings are past their prime and the poinsettias provide as needed kick-start to the gardens. 

Chris and I are about to start our holiday season travel gymnastics. She returns today from the baby shower trip and we leave Sunday to head back for Thanksgiving. We will be there two weeks and then return to Florida for about two weeks before heading back for Christmas and an undefined stay in Maryland while waiting for the arrival of our fourth grandchild, who is also our fourth grandson. Gonna be a wild ride. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - November 18, 2024

 

1. Well, it has arrived. The last Monday before the beginning of the holiday travel season. There are just six Mondays remaining in the year and starting next week the rocket sled ride towards the new year gets into high gear. 

2. Thanksgiving is as late as possible this year. That means---a short Christmas season and more stress. 

3. Family NFL Report. Family teams went 2-3 with the Cowboys playing tonight. The Ravens lost a nail biter to the Steelers, again!.

Cowboys (3-6) tackle Texans (6-4),tonight

Steelers (8-2) survived Ravens (7-4), 18-16

Commanders (7-4) got whipped by Eagles (8-2) 18-26 on Thursday 

Dolphins (4-6) swam past Raiders (4-4), 34-19

Chiefs (9-1) stampeded by Bills (9-2), 21-30

4. For those of you who maintained that Project 2025 was not Trump's plan, see the article in the Washington Post, linked below, about the FCC pick. Project 2025 envisions sweeping changes to economic and social policies and the federal government and its agencies. The plan proposes taking partisan control of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Commerce (DOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Federal Trade Commission (FTC), dismantling the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and abolishing the Department of Education (ED), whose programs would be transferred or terminated.^[26][27]  (Wikipedia) I recommend getting familiar with Project 2025 because it seems to be the basis for what is coming to America.

5. Today in History. On a day like today, the first case of a person infected with Covid-19 was confirmed in the Chinese province of Hubei.

On November 17, 2019, the first case of a person infected with Covid-19 was confirmed: a 55-year-old adult from the city of Hubei, China, although at that time the authorities refused to confirm that it was patient zero.

China was able to reach the first known case of Covid-19 in the world, after an in-depth investigation that finally managed to track the patient and map the early contagion pattern, two months before the local outbreak turned into a pandemic.

On December 27 of that year, the doctor of the Provincial Hospital of Chinese and Western Integrated Medicine, Zhang Jixián, had reported to the authorities about new infectious conditions caused by a new type of coronavirus.

Ukraine's allies in disarray as Trump presidency draws near Show all - CNN

Analysis Trump doubles down on controversial Cabinet picks - CNN

India’s successful test of hypersonic missile puts it among elite group - CNN

Long-range strikes against Russia: too late to save Ukraine? - Reuters

US no-frills pioneer Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy protection - Reuters

Oil prices tick higher as Russia-Ukraine tensions escalate - Reuters

Trump picks Brendan Carr, who laid out agenda in Project 2025, as FCC chairman - The Washington Post

As it enters polar night, this Alaska town won’t see sunrise for 64 days - The Washington Post

No, Trump Cannot Run for Re-election Again in 2028 - The New York Times

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Worrisome Choices

 One of the biggest concerns that I had about the president-elect was who would he surround himself with as advisors and cabinet leaders. 

I think the answer is coming in fairly clearly: patsies. 

He is not willing to find experts or even people with experience to run important departments such as defense, justice, and the interior. He is selecting, in at least two cases, people with no experience but who will do his bidding. 

Is anyone else concerned about this? 

On top of unqualified appointees, Trump may be planning to subvert the advice and consent of the Senate by trying for recess appointments--there is something just wrong about that, and also skipping security vetting from the FBI. 

About the announcement for DNI, Director of National Intelligence:

As former Illinois representative Joe Walsh wrote: “Donald Trump just picked someone to oversee our intelligence who, herself, couldn’t pass a security clearance check. She couldn’t get security clearance. She couldn’t get a job in our intelligence community. Because she’s too compromised by Russia. Yet Trump picked her to run the whole thing.” (Letters from an American)

What is happening? Trump seems to be knee-capping Defense, Justice, and the Intelligence Community. 

I saw this coming.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Along the River

Over the Loxahatchee
Tequesta, FL
November 15, 2024

 I realized that my bike ride is generally defined by some body of water. It might be the ICW, or the Loxahatchee River, or even the ocean; but I am never far from water. 

I enjoy riding over the bridges and looking for the tidal level and the wildlife. Even along the ICW and the ocean there is always activity. 

Yesterday's ride was an interesting one. As can be seen in the image, the sky was partly overcast, but there were blue patches. This was just about 2 miles into my almost 18 mile ride. Within the next few miles, the sky becomes completely overcast and at times I wondered if I might get rained on. Fortunately, there was no rain, just an ever strengthening wind that was very cool and at times made the ride difficult. 

But in reality, it was just another great day in Florida. Chris is in Maryland today and she reported the morning temperature in the 40s. It was cool here too, the morning temperature was 67. Too cool to go to the beach, but it will warm to almost 80 later. 

What a difference a thousand miles makes. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

More Festive Decorations

Poinsettias at Publix
Tequesta, FL
November 10, 2024

 I know I wrote about this last year, but using poinsettias for outdoor Christmas plantings is a thing here where we do not get frost. 

The poinsettias are out everywhere brightening up the season with their red festive bracts. 

The splash of poinsettia red makes even the most unassuming garden announce that Christmas is coming!

I enjoy watching the transformation of the gardens for the holiday season and seeing the use of a typically indoors only plant (up north) in outdoors garden plantings. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Festivities Begin

 

Tiki52 Decorations
Tequesta, FL
November 12, 2024

We went back to our favorite Tuesday evening restaurant which is collocated with a marina. The holiday season's decorations were already illuminated brightening up the uncovered seating area. They added a festive mood to the area. We sat under the Tiki Roof to shield ourselves from the wind, which was not as bad as the previous week, for an enjoyable outing. 

Wall Under Repair
Tiki52
November 12, 2024

I appreciate the Christmas light wrapped palm trees. It is quite a production to wrap a palm tree--sometime they use a bucket lift to also wrap the fronds. 

This was the same restaurant where I pointed out the vandalization last week. Well, I can report that the holes are being fixed, but sadly even the new plaster has been vandalized. I just do not understand the immaturity of some people. 

This is why we cannot have nice things!

Newly Vandalized Wall
Tiki52
November 12, 2024

I worry that as the rails come off our society that there will be more of this needless vandalization. I remember when I visited Moscow during August 1992 that the vandalization was so prevalent that car owners took their windshield wipers off unless it was raining and every gas tank had a lock.

It should be noted that I retouched the image to remove two offensive words which were not consistent with the content of my blog. The subject is the vandalization, not the actual words that were carved into the new plaster. 

Well, at least the holiday lights and the food were enjoyable. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Information Warfare

 It seemingly has become a way of life in America. False news and disinformation are everywhere. The recent election demonstrated the effectiveness of the false news agencies in convincing Americans that we, as a country and a society, are bottom barrel and trash. 

If a majority believe it, it must be true--right? Not so. It remains not true, but the following information does demonstrate how disinformation affected the election outcome.

There is data from a Reuters/Ipsos poll in October that shows just how damaging the information gap is. People who are in possession of truthful, accurate information voted overwhelmingly for Harris. In other words, if you believed violent crime in major American cities was at an all-time high—which is not true—you were far more likely to vote Republican. Voters who knew that inflation had declined over the last year and was close to historic averages were +53 Democratic votes. Perhaps most disturbingly, people who did not have truthful information about undocumented people crossing the southern border were more likely to vote Republican.

(Civil Discourse)

If Americans were making decisions based upon disinformation then who won the election? Well, that does not change, but America will change. 

I am a bit frightened because our president-elect has stated that he will fulfill every promise he made. 

We can't afford them. And I thought Republicans were the party of fiscal responsibility?

Figure 1 summarizes Trump’s campaign promises and their corresponding revenue estimates (collected by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget).

(Forbes)

And so it begins. The sad thing is that the people who elected him will be the ones who may suffer most. BTW, I heard him say something like that in a campaign speech.

Almost every economic policy Trump proposes would, at best, do little for the middle and working classes and, at worst, outright harm them. To take one example, among the random suggestions Trump has made is to make car insurance interest tax deductible. But that would only benefit you if you already itemize your deductions, and only 10% of taxpayers itemize, most of whom are wealthier. The rest of us take the standard deduction, which was significantly increased in that 2017 tax cut Trump wants to extend.  (MSNBC)

Well, the ride into misty future has already begun.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL