Happy Flag Day 2025

 Happy Flag Day

What a Flag Day it is!

Aside from the craziness in DC, the entire country is turning out for this year's Flag Day it seems. 

I remember the day as an opportunity to celebrate the country and our flag. 

It is fitting that Americans are also taking today to protest the actions of the Executive Branch which violate our inherent rights and the rights of others. It is our right under the First Amendment to the Constitution so to do!

Celebrate being an American and our freedom.

O, yes we are home!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Escape from DC

 

South of the Border
South Carolina
June 13, 2025

We are on the road headed south. I made a point of getting away from the DC area before the Flag Day festivities get out of hand. 

Or is the 250th Anniversary of the US Army?

Or is it a birthday celebration?  

Who knows?

Tanks will be rolling through our nation’s capital. 

 Chris and I decided to escape before the roads become gridlocked.

We have been driving about 6 1/2 hours and are in South Carolina headed into our first rainstorm of the day. 

Travel days can be so much fun.

— Bob Doan, near Dillon, SC

Liberty and Justice for all

 

I remember saying the Pledge of Allegiance every morning in school.  And I believed those words. I have always believed these words from which I understand that the U.S. is a republic (not a true democracy) and that everyone is entitled to "liberty and justice". 

It seems that forces in our country right now would have us forget that based upon our Constitution ". . . with liberty and justice for all" is a bedrock principle of our society and country. 

I had an enjoyably heated discussion the other evening about the principle of due process. Apparently, some of our leaders and many citizens do not believe that due process is entitled by all people in the United States. Reviewing three of the salient Amendments to the Constitution makes the point that liberty and justice for all is not just a convenient idea, but it is embedded in our laws as also is due process.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.  (Cornell Law School)

What is happening? It is routinely reported that warrantless searches of homes are being conducted by government officials. The exclusion describes in the interpretation of this amendment is, I believe, being exaggerated. These searches, therefore, may violate this amendment. It has also been reported that people are being whisked off the streets by masked officers who do not display their official affiliation. I cannot see how this can be legal? 

Amendment XIV (portion of section 1)

No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. (National Constitution Center)

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. (National Constitution Center)

Amendments five and fourteen go together to protect life and liberty while ensuring due process. I found it instructive in the Fourteenth Amendment that one portion specifies citizens, which are defined earlier in the amendment, but the next sentence states "any person." It is an important distinction because the constitutional protections are for everyone within the United States. For the purposes of Liberty and Justice for all, the constitution applies to everyone: illegal immigrants and legal visitors as well as citizens. And it further states persons are entitled to due process. 

Due process is where mistakes can be corrected, like trying to deport a citizen. Citizens cannot be deported by definition. And as for immigrants, dismissing legal asylum claims violates due process.

Liberty and Justice for all. That is what it is all about. Just because ensuring liberty, justice and due process may be inconvenient, does not justify abridging rights guaranteed by the Constitution. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

 

Evening Golf

Me Waiting for Tee Time
Timbers at Troy, Elkridge, MD
June 10, 2025

 I managed to get away for some evening golf yesterday. Jeremy and I headed off to the local course for a 5:45 PM tee time knowing that we would not be able to play the entire 18 holes, but still looking to enjoy hitting the ball and playing as many holes as we could. Evening tee times are much less expensive than the normal day rate. 

We were the first time after the league teed off. That meant that we were behind some slow golfers. We have played the evening times before and usually get through 14 or 15 holes. Last evening, because of the slow play of the league foursome in front of us we only were able to play 11 holes. Somehow, the course did not advise us of the 9-hole rate, for which I am a bit miffed because they tried to kick us off the course after 9 holes and only allowed us to play on after we had an excited discussion with them. But we had to succumb to the darkness in the end.

But we had a great time!


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Happy Hour and then the Game

 It was a great afternoon and evening where everything fell into place, smoothly. 

We began with Happy Hour and friends, Cathy and Gary, at Seasons 52 where we caught up and enjoyed great company. The apps we enjoyed were good, but the assortment of mini desserts was over-the-top delicious. It was funny that we had never enjoyed multiple desserts before, but last evening they were the perfect exclamation point to a wonderful Happy Hour.

Jax on the Mound
Arundel High, Odenton, MD
June 9, 2025

Following Happy Hour in Columbia we raced to Odenton to attend an American Legion team baseball game.

Jax was on the mound for the team and posted a dominating performance notching no earned runs and nine strikeouts over six innings. He only allowed four walks and three hits. 

The team played well and they won 4-1 with Jax getting the win.   

We definitely enjoyed the afternoon and evening especially the conversation during Happy Hour and Jax's great pitching performance to cap the evening.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - June 9, 2025

 

1. It is the second Monday of June. There are 29 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. Through an oversight, last week's Monday Musings was not published. Oops! 

Chris and Beck
Glen Burnie, MD
June 8, 2025
(Image by Patrick)

3. Happy Grandma. We spent last evening with our youngest grandson, Beck. Chris was in her glory with the opportunity to spend quality time with Beck. We enjoyed a great dinner and time together with Jen and Patrick. It was especially nice to sit outside around the fire pit and enjoy great conversation and food.  

4. We journeyed to Big Cork in Rohrersville, MD, yesterday. We enjoyed a tasting of a variety of wines and were then treated to a very nice charcuterie box which contained more choices than we could eat along with wines. The 2022 Cabernet Franc continues to be a great wine and my personal favorite. The 2022 Meritage, which is a blend of 50% Cab Franc, 25% Malbec, and 25% Petit Verdot; was also drinking very nicely. 

5. There are a lot of things happening in the country right now, but critically, the most concerning of the moment is the unrest in Los Angeles regarding the ICE arrests. The federal response seems excessive. But, perhaps that is why LA was chosen to have such a display of force. This situation surely is taking our eyes off the bigger issues and problems.

6. Today in History. With a spectacular victory at the Belmont Stakes, Secretariat becomes the first horse since Citation in 1948 to win America’s coveted Triple Crown: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes. In one of the finest performances in racing history, Secretariat, ridden by Ron Turcotte, completed the 1.5-mile race in 2 minutes and 24 seconds, a dirt-track record for that distance.

Secretariat was born at Meadow Stables in Doswell, Virginia, on March 30, 1970. He was sired by Bold Ruler, the 1957 Preakness winner, and foaled by Somethingroyal, which came from a Thoroughbred line known for its stamina. An attractive chestnut colt, he grew to over 16 hands high and was at two years the size of a three-year-old.

California governor calls Trump National Guard deployment in LA unlawful - Reuters

Israeli forces seize Gaza aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg - Reuters

Iran to present counter-proposal to US in nuclear talks - Reuters

Exclusive: US expects Russia to launch multi-pronged strike on Ukraine - Reuters

'Tom, arrest me. Let's go.': Gov. Gavin Newsom responds to Trump border czar's threat - MSNBC

LAPD says ‘agitators have splintered’ in downtown area, declares unlawful assembly - FoxNews

The NASA science missions that would be axed in White House’s 2026 budget - The Washington Post

Trump tax bill reveals striking shift in GOP’s focus - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunday Activities

 

We have a busy day planned. Once the day begins Chris and I expect to be visiting a our favorite winery for the late-morning and early-afternoon and then we celebrate the evening with our youngest grandson and his parents. It is a distinct change from yesterday which saw me golf in the morning and enjoy a very relaxing afternoon and evening. 

We visited Primanti Brothers to enjoy lunch with Jeremy. That was our first visit to Primanti Brothers. I enjoyed a huge Ruben sandwich and, well, an adult beverage. We enjoyed the atmosphere and the multiple sports games on the TVs for a while. The remainder of the afternoon was devoted to watching baseball and a movie. There may have been a nap involved. 

We are more than recharged for a busy day. 

Today promises to be cool--with a projected high around 74 degrees. In Rohrersville, MD, it will be cooler crawling up to a high of 70 degrees. I am glad that we golfed yesterday.

I guess we will need to take some jackets with us once we begin the day.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Being Watched

The Watcher, Deer on Hole 13
Timbers at Troy, Elkridge, MD
June 7, 2025

 Saturday was a golf day. Jeremy and I hit the course for 7:15 tee-time and because of the rain we got moved forward to the first tee-time of the day and led everyone off. Actually the course was pretty open, but it was fun not having anyone in front of us. 

We had a great time. My scorecard was typical for the course--Timbers at Troy in Elkridge. We were treated to a rainstorm for a couple of holes, but we looked at the radar map and saw that once the rain stopped we would be dry the rest of the day. It had been a while since I played in rain, but the day was warm and the rain was not at all uncomfortably cold.

Once the rain stopped and we dried off the day was actually a fantastic one for golf. We were lucky in that it did not rain hard enough to produce standing water on the course. 

We finished our round in 3h39m. The course posts that an acceptable pace of play is 4h20m.  

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

We Made It!

81st Anniversary of D-Day 

Our two-day I-95 fun drive was a success and we arrived in Elkridge yesterday afternoon. I had correctly discerned the weather from the projections and we only had rain for about the first 45 minutes of yesterday's six-hour highway event. It was supposed to be only five hours of road fun, but as usual, traffic delays that began in Richmond and continued through D.C. and into Maryland. 

View of the Roads Ahead
I-95 near Fredericksburg, VA
June 5, 2025

 During the drive, I especially do not enjoy getting a message like the one at the left. A 41-minute traffic delay is no fun at all. This message was from Wednesday as we were trying to make our way to the hotel. The day began with the mapping program estimating a 2:33 PM arrival at the hotel, based upon the need for gas and rest stops I had estimated 3:30 PM, and we finally got to the hotel at 5:02 PM. Having departed home at 5:07 AM that made for a very long day. 

We are looking forward to visiting with friends and family and reconnecting, before reversing our route and returning to Florida.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wait, That's a Torpedo

Torpedo
St Marys, GA
June 4, 2025

 It is not something that is expected to be seen when traveling north on I-95 and entering the state of Georgia--but there it was, a torpedo!

Amazing!

Well, we were in submarine country.

And I had forgotten how large actual torpedos are--but there it was, right in front of the restrooms. 

It was a reminder of naval warfare and the presence of the US Navy in the area. I love the display. Most people walked by and didn't even notice the weapon. Or, sadly, cared.

It was a more advanced version of the weapon that helped win the WW2 Battle of the Atlantic and also helped win the war in the Pacific. Many Japanese and German ships and subs succumbed to the predecessors of this weapon fired by the intrepid crews of U.S. submarines, many of whom never returned from their patrols, but who were instrumental in winning the naval war.

Wow. History in the raw!

-- Bob Doan, Dunn, N C

On The Road

 We are in Georgia having been on the road 5 hours already. It has been rainy at times as it will be all day.  Chris just took the wheel as we race through the state. I am taking a break. 

The program I use to forecast the trip weather was showing thunderstorms and rain all day, but the showers have been spotty so far.

We have just entered another storm area. Chris is doing well, she hates driving in the rain. 

After a stop tonight, we should arrive in Maryland tomorrow early afternoon. 

— Bob Doan, Brunswick, GA

Trip Preps

Readying the Truck
Tequesta, FL
June 2, 2025

 Chris and I are preparing to head north for a couple weeks. We have decided that while it takes longer, it is nice to have our own vehicle and not have to rent or borrow wheels when we arrive and so we are doing the two-day drive. 

We used to drive straight through, but determined that since we were so tired upon arriving that we effectively lost the next day the time investment is almost the same as spending a night on the road. We have also decided that the truck is more comfortable than the car for long trips and so it will be making the trip again.  

We took the truck over for the pre-trip cleaning. The wash center was really empty, I guess not a lot of people get their vehicles cleaned on a rainy day! Chris like to depart with a clean vehicle which is not a bad thing. I just wish I could remember to get it cleaned after we return, but before the next adventure. 

Gas prices are down! I paid $2.83/gallon yesterday. I only needed 5 gallons to top off the tank and I hope we can continue to find inexpensive gas along I-95 during our trek tomorrow. We shouldn't need our first fill-up until Georgia!

I will blog from the road tomorrow morning as the trip progresses. We have made the journey enough times that we have our favorite stopping places. 

See ya on the interstate!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

It Rained

Rain from the Doorway
Tequesta, FL
June 1, 2025

 It rained most all of yesterday. 

While the temperatures were cooler, outdoors activities were suspended and we had a flood watch for the low lying areas. OF course, since my elevation is all of 11 feet, I am not in a low lying area which seems pretty weird when compared to areas like Maryland where the elevation can change 11 feet in a very short distance. 

But June has arrived and with it the longest days of sunlight of the year! The counterpoint to December! I love the early morning sunrises and late evening sunsets. I guess that is why being confined to the house on a rainy afternoon is disturbing. 

I watched the Orioles complete a series sweep for the first time this season. They are sitting on a 3-game winning streak for the second time this year and actually are over .500 (6-4) for the past 10 games! Amazing. They even picked up a game during the series on the first place team and are now only 14 games away from the division lead. If they keep playing .600 baseball maybe they can crawl into the playoff race. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Rummaging through the Archives

The Family
Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
Sometime in 1986

 Chris and I have begun rummaging through the old pictures that we have in boxes and albums. 

There are a lot of them--too many. Printed images take a lot of space and are hard to store. I have also noticed that some of the places we had the prints made must have used bad solutions because the colors are faded--especially the reds. It is not like the images have been exposed to light, but some were in boxes stored in hot attic spaces. 

Thanksgiving 1989
Norfolk, VA
November 23, 1989

I have a couple programs that allow me to copy the picture into a current image format and then do some color correcting. It takes a bit of time, but hey, I'm retired, right?

Remembering where we have visited is fun and we are going to try to document the places, dates, and people as best that we can. The most unique picture, and also one of the worst for being faded, is Thanksgiving 1989. It is, so far, the only picture with all four grandparents and the entire family--even if Patrick is hidden in the chair. The real questions are, who took the picture and why do I look so serious? On the other hand, it is a good picture of my Mom and Dad together and smiling at the end of the table.

Well, there are so many more tidbits of family history to uncover and document. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Evening along the Jupiter Inlet

Looking to the Mouth of the Inlet and the Ocean
Dubois Park, Jupiter, FL
May 30, 2025

 Last evening Chris and I journeyed, along with a friend, to DuBois Park aside the Jupiter inlet to enjoy the ending of the day and sunset. We do not visit the park often as we usually head to the ICW to watch the sunsets and enjoy the evening. That was due to the closure of the US-1 bridge for the past almost two years. But, the bridge is open and getting to DuBois Park is much easier. We traversed the bridge twice yesterday crossing over the Inlet and ICW.

Sunset with the Lighthouse
Dubois Park, Jupiter, FL
May 30, 2025

DuBois Park is comfortably large and provides multiple areas to enjoy. Situated along the inlet, there is a lot of boat traffic to enjoy and last evening the water was fairly flat which made the evening even more enjoyable. 

We were treated to a colorful sunset with the Jupiter Lighthouse as the focal point. I have enjoyed boating the waters of the ICW and the inlet and looking across to the lighthouse last evening reminded me of those great times. 

It was a great ending to the day. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#jupiterinlet #jupiterlighthouse #duboispark

Follow the Bouncing Ruling

 The battles playing out in the courts right now are as compelling as the Super Bowl. 

Seriously.

I mean really, it's serious. 

Watching the judicial system work to uphold the rule of law when the Executive Branch is intent on usurping authorities form the other branches and exceeding the provisions The Constitution can at times be mind numbing, but it is critical. 

The spin doctors of the Executive Branch are trying to paint the judiciary as left-wing radicals while stealing for themselves authorities they do not have. 

The gambit Trump used successfully during the four years of the Biden administration was to claim he was being targeted. He is using that now by himself targeting the judiciary. Now that he is back in The White House, it is clear which family is the crime family. Nearly every deal with another country has a sub-plot whereby the Trumps get richer and the U.S. pays the freight. And when I say the U.S., I mean US, the taxpayers and working people of America. For instance, I saw that the trade deal with Vietnam also contained  Trump family project.

Poor me (Trump) has become at least $2B richer since becoming president and openly ignores the ethics regulations that public servants are bound to follow. WAIT! Did I write public servants? Well of course I am not speaking of the president, because we all know he is not a public servant, he is in it for himself alone as he continues to make deals that benefit his family and not the U.S.

We are engaged in a struggle to determine whether, as has been true for the previous 46 presidents, presidents  are bound to follow the Constitution and laws of the land or whether they, as 47 would have us believe, have absolute authority.

Support the judges, they are apparently our only hope.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Ahead of the Storm

Storm in the Distance
Loxahatchee River Bridge, Tequesta, FL
May 28, 2025

 I managed a solid bike ride yesterday around Tequesta. I was concerned about the storm clouds that I saw, but as it turned out they remained in the distance and I enjoyed the ride. 

I imaged the clouds from the Loxahatchee River Bridge in Tequesta and at that time I wondered if I was going to get rained on during my ride. I kept a close eye on the storm and was a lucky that it remained in the distance and eventually dissipated. 

May has not been a great biking month, as I am only at about 130 miles total for 8 rides. I have had some short rides and have not logged any 20-milers during the month. I have enjoyed my rides as they allow me to watch the summer creep into the area. During my rides I do my tortoise count and focus on the areas where I know there are tortoise dens. I also watch the houses which are being constructed. Construction is a very slow process and at times the contractors forget to allow enough space for two vehicles to pass on the streets--which is frustrating. I have had to dismount and walk my bike through adjoining yards to pass the areas. 

Hopefully, June will be a better riding month!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Riding the Hump of the Week

 It is the mid-point of the week.

After two days of rain that precluded riding, I am planning on getting out today to ply the streets on my bike. 

It will be very humid and I need to reacclimatize to the steamy weather.  

At least the storms are not expected until this afternoon. But, it is Florida in the summer. Storms and rain is expected. 

It is another busy week in the country and the news. 

It is disheartening that our president has figured out how to abuse his office to increase his wealth while running roughshod over the ethics laws and rules. Also, he always talked about the Biden crime family, when in reality there is only one crime family in operation in the U.S. right now. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

June Rains Arrive Early

Orchid on the Lanai
Tequesta, FL
May 25, 2025

 The much needed rains have arrived early. June is typically when Florida moves into the season of afternoon rains and thunderstorms, but for the past two days we have been having intermittent showers and an occasional thunderstorm throughout the day. 

The weather has prevented me from riding my bike which makes me a bit restless. 

Finnegan is currently sitting on my feet. He hates the storms and especially the thunder. 

The Rainstorm this Morning
Tequesta, FL
May 27, 2025

He just ran downstairs when he heard thunder and came over to where I am sitting. While I appreciate that Finn views me as the Big Dog, I feel bad that the storms cause him so much angst.

The rains have stopped and Finnegan has departed from the protection of my feet. We will see how long that lasts. 

The humid weather caused by the storms is bringing out the bugs (sadly) and the flowers. I took a solid image of a blooming orchid at a friend's house the other evening. I enjoy taking images where I can play with the depth of field.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - May 26, 2025

 Memorial Day 2025

“If words cannot repay the debt we owe these men, surely with our actions we must strive to keep faith with them and with the vision that led them to battle and to final sacrifice.” —Ronald Reagan

Decorated House
Tequesta, FL
May 25, 2025

1. Welcome to the final Monday of May 2025. There are 31 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. In an amazing finish, the Orioles are on a two game winning streak and split the four-game series against the Red Sox in Fenway. We have to enjoy the victories when they happen. Who knows, they may even get to 20 victories soon!

3. As I rode my bike around Tequesta yesterday, I was pleased to note how many houses were decorated, tastefully, for Memorial Day. There were many and that meant going above and beyond just having the flag on a pole. So many people add small flags around their gardens and the street. 

4. Well, the Big Beautiful Bill has gone onto the Senate. Wow. I am hopeful that the senators will put some fiscal sense into the bill. I am very concerned that the administration wants to cut funds to care for Americans in order to deport immigrants. That seems upside down to me. And then there is the huge tax cut for the wealthy while actually increasing the costs of living for the lower earners. I am hard-pressed to find an upside in the bill with the exception of increasing defense expenditures.

5. Today in History. On May 26, 1924, President Calvin Coolidge signs into law the Immigration Act of 1924, the most stringent U.S. immigration policy up to that time in the nation’s history.

The new law—also known as the Johnson-Reed Immigration Act—reflected the desire of Americans to isolate themselves from the world after fighting World War I in Europe, which exacerbated growing fears of the spread of communist ideas. It also reflected the pervasiveness of racial discrimination in American society at the time. Many Americans saw the enormous influx of largely unskilled, uneducated immigrants during the early 1900s as causing unfair competition for jobs and land.

Trump says Putin has 'gone absolutely CRAZY', considering more sanctions on Russia - Reuters

EU sees 'new impetus' in trade talks from weekend call with Trump - Reuters

European stocks rebound as Trump's tariff deadline extension aids sentiment - Reuters

Trump's tax cut plan will be cripplingly expensive for most Americans - MSNBC

The Trump administration’s literally toxic agenda exposes ‘MAHA’ as a ruse - MSNBC

Rand Paul slams Johnson, says 'big, beautiful' bill will 'explode' debt - FoxNews

Slammed by Russian missiles, Ukraine seeks more U.S. air defense systems - The Washington Post

E. coli outbreak sickened more than 80 people, but details didn’t surface - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Memorial Day Weekend 2025

 

Memorial Day is tomorrow and the unofficial start of Summer has arrived. 

Chris and I are laying low this holiday weekend. We are going to finish the month of May without traveling anywhere. That has allowed us to recharge in preparation for the summer season. We will be heading off to Maryland during early June to visit family. 

This weekend we remember and honor those who "gave the last full measure of devotion" for our country and our way of life.

I quote the final portion of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address as a thought for today:

It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

and finally:

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”

-- Ronald Reagan

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL  

Sitting Pretty

Finnegan
Tequesta, FL
May 23, 2025

 Last evening as Chris and I were sitting on the veranda enjoying the light and sound show of the storms, Finnegan, who is afraid of the thunder, calmed enough to jump onto the sofa and sit still long enough for me to get a great image. 

The Pack: Finn, Makayla, and Riordin
Tequesta, FL
February 11, 2022

He really hates the storms and often finds refuge under my feet as I am sitting. I have to be careful when I move, but he does know who is the Big Dog!

Later, he brought a tear to my eyes as he went inside and sat at the door looking out at me. He sat there and I was reminded of the missing members of the pack who once sat at the door as Chris and I were relaxing on the veranda. Was it already three years ago when they were all together? 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Confirming the Wine Status

 I wrote briefly about my FedEx troubles with recent wine delivery. The wine was delayed four days and not stored in good conditions. The condition of the corks seepage concerned me that the wines may have gotten "cooked."

Here is a good description of cooked wine:

If a bottle of wine has been exposed to extremes of heat, the wine might start to expand and leak out of the cork a bit. When you remove the capsule, you might notice a sticky mess. This is evidence your wine may have been exposed to heat, but it doesn't always mean that your wine is toast. A "cooked" wine's flavors will actually taste ... cooked. The fruit flavors might seem stewed, not fresh. There might be baked, burnt or caramel notes. The color may also have changed from deep red to more of a brown or brick tone.  (WineSpectator)

Well, I was concerned. But the only way to know if a wine is cooked is by sight and taste. But what, say, if I didn't want to open the bottle right now. I generally like to keep my bottles for a few weeks/months/years depending on the varietal and vintage. 

So, how to taste and evaluate the wines without opening them? 

The Coravin! 

I have had a Coravin for a few years but use it only infrequently. But, it provided a great way for me to sample the wines and make a determinations to whether they were cooked or not. 

Fortunately, the wines which appeared to have suffered the most were not cooked--by the definition above. They just got too warm and expanded in the bottle. This, of course, will lessen their shelf life, but again I am lucky in that none of the wines in this shipment were destined for long-term lay-down. One of the bottles, a solid CabSauv, was so good that I finished the bottle across three nights without ever removing the cork. 

That is the beauty of the Coravin. Chris and I are on divergent wine tastes at the moment, she likes whites more and I the reds, I will be using my Coravin a bit more because some wines go flat too quickly once oxidized.

I have contacted the winery and advised them of the results of my sampling and that I will not be requesting the replacements they graciously offered.

Ahh, wine. 

Life is too short to drink bad wine!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Down Day

 

Tobago Cays Marine State Park
St Vincent & the Grenadines
August 3, 2011 

We took a pass yesterday. 

We did manage a trip to the grocery store for replenishment, but other than that it was pretty quiet. 

I spent more time working on some older images to get them ready for possible printing and display. 

The one today is of a turtle I imaged while enjoying Tobago Cays Marine State Park during 2011. 

We had a fun day snorkeling with the turtles during a week long catamaran sailing trip. 

Working with the image brought back some great memories. I had posted a quick blog during the trip titled, Turtles of Tobago Cays. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The House Seems Empty

 We dropped George and Sue off at the airport about 12:30 PM yesterday. That ended their all-to-short time with us. 

It is amazing how the house seems empty. 

It really isn't as we are still here along with the Finn-dog. 

But still--it is sad because instead of thinking about heading off to some place and enjoying the Florida climate, I will be heading to the grocery store. 

I will also continue to install a replacement door lock. The overly complicated on that I installed last August broke and the company sent me a replacement, no charge, which has  some software issues and is complicating the reinstallation. Ugh. 

After a week on enjoying the outdoors and considering the animals of Florida, I came across this image. It got me thinking. Wow!

We are, and the Big Beautiful Budget makes it worse.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Off to the Beach--Last Day

Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge Beach
Jupiter Island, FL
May 19, 2025

 We headed off to the Hobe Sound Wildlife Refuge Beach on Jupiter Island to enjoy the sun, sand, and the waves. It was a beautiful day and the last full day of George and Sue's visit with us in Florida. 

Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge Beach
Jupiter Island, FL
May 19, 2025

The waters just off the beach were alive with schools of fish moving along the beach. Every so often they would be attacked by larger fish looking for a meal and the schools would scatter only to reform after the attacker left the area. We watched this activity literally for hours.

I was late getting to the beach as I had to wait for a wine shipment. Fortunately, the delivery was as about the time I expected. It was the 3rd delivery attempt. I am very disappointed with FedEx and their inability to advise me of the wine's initial delivery and then that I could not redirect it to a pick-up location. Some of the wine appears cooked with one cork popped a bit. I have contacted the winery and they will replace any bad bottles--but FedEx really is to blame for their terrible customer service and for not properly caring for the wine in transit. 

We closed out the day with Happy Hour at Hog Snappers and then back to the house for after dinner drinks. It was a wonderful day and we are sad to see George and Sue depart. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - May 19, 2025

 

Osprey with Catch
Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge
Jupiter Island, FL
July 13, 2012

1. The month of May continues. This is the third Monday of the month. There are 32 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. I have been going Bach through old images and using a newly acquired application to sharpen and upscale them. I am very happy with the results and we will be printing some of the images for display. 

3. Miserable. That is my current assessment of the train wreck which is the Baltimore Orioles. The team is currently mired in a six game losing streak and is hosing signs of already packing in the season. It is incredibly sad for a team which some pundits predicted would represent the American League in the World Series this year. 

4. After a busy weekend, we are looking at a quiet beach day today. It should be a lot of fun lounging on a nearly deserted beach. 

5. Today in History. At 8:32 a.m. PDT on May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens, a volcanic peak in southwestern Washington, suffers a massive eruption, killing 57 people and devastating some 210 square miles of wilderness.

Called Louwala-Clough, or “the Smoking Mountain,” by Native Americans, Mount St. Helens is located in the Cascade Range and stood 9,680 feet before its eruption. The volcano has erupted periodically during the last 4,500 years, and the last active period was between 1831 and 1857. On March 20, 1980, noticeable volcanic activity began with a series of earth tremors centered on the ground just beneath the north flank of the mountain. These earthquakes escalated, and on March 27 a minor eruption occurred, and Mount St. Helens began emitting steam and ash through its crater and vents.

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-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL