It is Finnegan's World

Finnegan on the Bed
Tequesta, FL
August 28, 2025

 Finn is a small-ish, 6 lbs, Yorkie who apparently owns the world. 

I accompanied him on his morning walk today, because I didn't feel like riding my bike. He has two routes: short and long. The short is just under half-a-mile while the long is about a mile-and-a-half. More often than not, when I accompanied Chris and Finn he chooses the long walk. But not today. 

Today we did the shorter walk which includes a stop at the local Ace Hardware. Finn has a lot of friends working at Ace and they always give him a grand greeting. There are usually treats involved and he races around the store off-leash. His antics provide amusement for the day. 

After a while, he is ready to head home and crash on the couch for a well deserved nap. 

Ah, it is a dog's life after all. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Back in the Saddle Ride

Loxahatchee River Bridge
Tequesta, FL
August 29, 2025

 I was back in my bike saddle this morning for an 18-mile ride around Tequesta. I usually take it easy after a weeklong layoff, but I was feeling good and did my usual ride without the recent 1.4 mile add-on that I have been doing to get over 19 miles. 

I made my usual quick stop on the Loxahatchee River Bridge in Tequesta for a quick image to record the conditions of the day. The temperature was 78 degrees when the ride began and 1h19m later, when my ride was complete, it was 81 degrees. I bested my usual time by 5 minutes--that is how good I felt and I spent 38 percent of the time in my peak cardio zone! 

I did not see my usual tortoises nor frequently sighted Sandhill Cranes. But I did enjoy seeing the changes in the short week since I last rode. 

Soon I will be ready for the remainder of the day and a trip to Costco!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

And We Made it Home

Image of the Seat Back Video Taxiing to Depart Atlanta
Atlanta, GA
August 27, 2025

 Chris and I arrived home to a very happy Finnegan this morning just after 1 AM! The people caring for him dropped him off earlier in the evening so that he would be there to greet Chris. I am not sure who was more excited at the reunion, Finn or Chris.

Image from Houston Airport
Houston, TX
Auguat 17, 2025

The flights were, again, fantastic and on-time! Yay, Delta! They were 4 for 4 on this trip. We even dodged a few thunderstorms around Houston. It is always somewhat eerie arriving after midnight into a deserted airport as we did early this morning at PBI. 

We especially appreciated the hospitality of Pennie and Scott. Thank you again. It was good to spend time with you and of course see Dad.

Chris and I are excited that we have a break in our travel schedule, for just over three weeks, until we head out into the Caribbean for a cruise!

As we put an exclamation point on the Houston trip, we are happy that it was both successful and enjoyable. 

And now,  it is back to our regularly scheduled life. I know there is a palm tree around here somewhere. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Out the Airplane Window

Open Pit Mine
Nearing Atlanta, GA
August 22, 2025

 I rarely sit next to the window on an airplane. I did, however, sit next to the window on the flight last week from Palm Beach to Atlanta. Most of the flight the I kept the window shade down, it was a cloudy and there was bright sun above the clouds and I was on the East facing side of the jet. 

I opened the shade after the jet descended under the cloud deck to land in Atlanta and was amazed to see a very large open pit mine. The mine was pretty much in the middle of an industrial area and along side a major highway. I figured it was an active mine since the bottom had not filled with water. 

It is interesting to see some of the features outside the airplane window. 

Today is a travel day. Chris and I are completing our trip and heading home to Finnegan. Hopefully the flights are as smooth today as they were last week. We have had a good visit with Dad and the Houston-area members of the family.

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

Fun with Poppers

Lonely Jalapeño Popper
Weston Lakes, TX
August 25, 2025

 Jalapeño poppers were the stars of Happy Hour last evening.

I took an image of the last one sitting alone on the serving dish. 

I was amazed at how long the lonely popper stayed on the plate before being eaten. Funny, none of the adults ate this last popper. It was finally eaten by a passing 10 year old--who did not realize that the jalapeño had some heat to it and he made some interesting facial expressions before heading to the kitchen for relief. 

Food can be fun!

OK, I did feel bad for the child.

Earlier during the day, Chris and I visited with Dad. He was in remarkably good spirits and we had a very enjoyable visit.

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

Monday Musings - August 25, 2025

 1. Happy Monday! Today is the final Monday of August. Labor Day is celebrated next Monday which will be the 1st of September. It is later than you think. There are only 18 Mondays remaining in the year.

Around the Pool
Weston Lakes, TX
August 24, 2025

2. Chris and I have been enjoying the hospitality of my sister and her family. We enjoyed a fun afternoon around the pool after visiting Dad in the morning. It was a very enjoyable afternoon and I doubled as the margarita bartended. Frankly, I lost track of the number of margaritas I made, but I do know we had to Door Dash additional mixer!

3. Wow, things are happening in the country. I am concerned, that Lincoln's "government of the people, by the people, and for the people . . . " has become the government of the $, by the $, and for the $. I am very uncomfortable with the U.S. government having control of, getting money other than taxes from, and/or stock in significant companies. At least three, Intel, USSteel, and Nvidia have already succumbed. Government is not a business designed to turn a profit at the expense of the shareholders. Who are the shareholders? We the People!

4. As the administration of President Donald Trump is using loopholes in the nation’s laws to claim the right to use the military against American citizens, Democratic governors are pushing back.

The administration has taken control of the Washington, D.C., police under the 1973 Home Rule Act, which permits that takeover if “special conditions of an emergency nature exist.” Although the Department of Justice itself reported that crime in the city is at a 30-year low, Trump declared a crime emergency in the District of Columbia on August 11 to take control of the police.

The Home Rule Act limits the president’s takeover to 30 days unless the House and Senate pass a joint resolution to extend that time. On Friday, Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) introduced a bill to extend the takeover for about six months and to make that time the default for all future “emergencies.” (Letters from an American)

5. Has anyone else noticed that the current administration does not tolerate dissent or disagreement? Remember back to the Biden administration, just 9 short months ago, how it seemed everything that the administration desired was met with disagreement by the opposition and yet no one went to jail, they were not vilified, nor did they have their houses searched by the FBI.

6. As we head into the Artificial Intelligence (AI) age is anyone else concerned that rewriting history and news will threaten the accuracy of the responses? We really do not need biased AI results. 

7. Today in History. On August 25, 1944, after more than four years of Nazi occupation, Paris is liberated by the French 2nd Armored Division and the U.S. 4th Infantry Division. German resistance was light, and General Dietrich von Choltitz, commander of the German garrison, defied an order by Adolf Hitler to blow up Paris’ landmarks and burn the city to the ground before its liberation. Choltitz signed a formal surrender that afternoon, and on August 26, Free French General Charles de Gaulle led a joyous liberation march down the Champs d’Elysees.

Paris fell to Nazi Germany on June 14, 1940, one month after the German Wehrmachtstormed into France. Eight days later, France signed an armistice with the Germans, and a puppet French state was set up with its capital at Vichy. Elsewhere, however, General Charles de Gaulle and the Free French kept fighting, and the Resistance sprang up in occupied France to resist Nazi and Vichy rule.

Israel hits Gaza hospital, killing at least 15 people, including journalists - Reuters

Trump's redistricting push could bring decades of Republican rule to the US House - Reuters

Exclusive: US confirms first travel-associated human screwworm case connected to Central American outbreak - Reuters

Oil prices edge up as traders weigh supply risks - Reuters

Homes in California wine country and central Oregon are under evacuation orders as crews battle wildfires  - CNN

Retailers are using ‘sneakflation’ to pass along Trump’s tariffs - CNN

Taiwan defeats Nevada to win 2025 Little League World Series - FoxNews

France summons U.S. Ambassador Kushner over ‘unacceptable’ antisemitism letter - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

It was a Party!

Chris and I with Dad
Katy, TX
August 23, 2025

 Chris and I were part of a country-wide celebration yesterday afternoon. 

It was for Dad. 

The family gathered in person and on Zoom to honor Dad and connect with him. For his part, he had a good day. 

6 Great-grandkids Together with Dad
Katy, TX
August 24, 2025

All of 4 of his children participated along with 6 of 10 grandkids and 7 of 10 great-grandkids. Even the youngest great-grand was on screen to send him greetings. (I can only hope I got the numbers correct. Public math is not my forte.)

It was a great afternoon. The dinner convened in Dad's residence and the food was catered from Olive Garden, which made it very convenient. Who doesn't love pasta comfort food

The credit for bringing the entire dinner together goes to my sister Pennie. While Chris and I provided some muscle, Pennie was the brains behind the success. 

Dad looked good and it was good to visit with him in person again as I expect to do for the next few days until we return home. The dinner lasted about an hour and a half, after which Dad was tired and we took him to his room where the staff very shortly arrived to begin the evening bed-down procedure. 

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

Visiting Dad

Dad
August 22, 2025

 Chris and I arrived in Houston. where we were greeted by my sister Pennie and her husband, Scott.

As I wrote yesterday, we enjoyed some good flights. That we enjoyed flying was no small miracle given some of the horror stories we have been hearing from recent travelers. 

The purpose of this visit is to see Dad and we are having a big celebration for him this afternoon. 

He was in good spirits when we surprised him with our arrival yesterday afternoon. It was good so see him. We spend some quality time with him before he was wheeled off to dinner. We are looking forward to seeing him again today and, for that matter, every day during our trip. 

It is 74 degrees this morning in Weston Lakes. I find it very refreshing as the humidity is also low. I have not enjoyed a 74 degree temperature in South Florida since about April. So I will enjoy this bit of summer while preparing for the day. 

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

Off to Houston

Sunrise over our Jet
Palm Beach International Airport, FL
August 22, 2025

 Chris and I are traveling, again.

Finn is off to spend time with his second family. They love him, especially Cody. 

It has, so far, been a great travel day. I know that there are lots of travel impediments right now, but we have so far been spared. And we have enjoyed the Delta Sky Lounges!

The flights have been easy and on-time. I am actually writing this from my seat on the second flight of the day. Yay! 

It has been a different kind of travel day. Chris and I are flying to Houston from Palm Beach International (PBI) on the same plane. It is one of those weird days when the plane we flew from PBI to Atlanta is the same plane that we flying to Houston from Atlanta. 

The flight deck crew is the same and we enjoyed a great landing in Atlanta, but the cabin crew changed in Atlanta. Weirdly, the new cabin crew is all guys! How often does that happen?

We are looking forward to arriving in Houston about noon and will likely get to see Dad before the sun sets today.

Another positive thing is that I am getting free WIFI on the flight! Wow. Southwest doesn't do that for me!

Well, it is really encouraging that some things work sometimes!

Chris and I were not able to get adjoining seats on today's flights due to the short notice booking, but on this flight we are across the aisle. 

Rock on!

-- Bob Doan, Airborne over the Southeast United States

#deltaairlines #traveldays

Crashing on the Shore

Waves on Jupiter Island
Tequesta, FL
August 21, 2025

 Chris and I went to the beach yesterday and experience the huge waves from Hurricane Erin. 

And they were!

Crashing on the beach and eroding the sand. Turtle nests were being destroyed and it was sad, but it was nature. The ones high up on the dunes were safe and the turtles that dug those nests were champions of evolution. 

I took a video of the waves rolling onto the beach. They were ferocious and I am very happy the storm passed us by.  

The ICW looking at Jupiter Island
Tequesta, FL
August 21, 2025

But, weirdly, on the other side of the Jupiter Island the ICW was calm.

It was such a different scene from the ocean. The protected ICW was available for pleasure boating without restrictions. 

It amazed me how such widely different conditions could be separated by only a hundred yards or so of land. 

Inland, it was a beautiful evening to enjoy dinner at Tiki52 and look out at the ICW where there were boats and people actually waterskiing. The breeze made the evening enjoyable and Chris, I, and Finn had a great time just bing there enjoying the scene, the people, and the waitstaff. 

But to think, only a few thousand feet away the ocean beach was being ravaged by Hurricane Erin's storm-tossed waves.  

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#hurricaneerin #jupiterisland

Getting over Hump Day

Loxahatchee Bridge
Tequesta, FL
August 20, 2025

 Well we I made it to the second half of the week. I did enjoy a nice 19-mile ride yesterday around Tequesta. It was my usual route, but I still enjoy getting out and seeing the changes. 

I snapped a quick image of the day as I traversed the North Fork Loxahatchee Bridge yesterday, just to remind me of the clear beautiful day that we enjoyed. It was cooler in the morning, yes all of 78 degrees, but it made the ride enjoyable. 

Tomorrow is another travel day. Chris and I are headed to Houston, OK, Weston Lakes actually, to visit and spend some time with Dad. Yes, this trip is somewhat sudden as we only returned from Maryland a week ago, but it happens. 

Hopefully, today will be a bright and beautiful as yesterday was although the temperature is expected to top 95 degrees making it the hottest day of the year, so far. With the hurricane stoked surf, it will definitely not be a beach day. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Cute Baby Wednesday

 

Beck Prepared for an Outing
Somewhere in Maryland
August 19, 2025
Image from Patrick

It is cute baby Wednesday. 

To ward off the mid-week blues, I thought I'd share one of the latest images of our youngest grandson. We received it yesterday and it really brightened my day. 

It made me smile!

He is so cute! And I love his expressive eyes. 

So as this week drones on, I am going to hold onto these bright, expressive and happy eyes for motivation and encouragement.

Happy Wednesday. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tuesday has arrived again

Antenna at the Space Force Station
Tequesta, FL
August 18, 2025

 It is good to be home in Florida. 

The weather is a bit uncomfortable because the stress index was 112 degrees yesterday, but the blue sky was awesome. 

I managed a bike ride yesterday and as I was hitting my last two mile, I saw something I rarely see. One antenna at the Space Force Station was being repositioned. The closest one was swinging almost right over me as I rode by on the sidewalk. It was fun to watch the huge antenna swinging. I don't get to see that often. 

Deer near Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Tequesta, FL
August 18, 2025

I also saw a deer during the ride. While I usually see gopher tortoises, I rarely see deer. It was near the boundary to the Jonathan Dickinson State Park. I have to write again, I really love my Meta glasses. Being able to take an image at a moment's notice is really great. 

Aside from the normal pace of life, we are preparing to head-off Friday for Houston to see Dad. That is a sudden trip due to his declining health situation. We don't normally like to travel back-to-back. It reminds me too much of traveling for work which is just exhausting.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - August 18, 2025

 

1. The third Monday of August has arrived! Wow--we are surely slipping through the month in a wild fashion. There are only 19 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. Too little too late for the Orioles. They have had a couple of great series, including taking 2 of 3 from the Astros over the weekend. With 38 games remaining in the season the O's must win 24 (.632) just to get to .500 for the season. They are 6-4 in their last 10 games. 

NordicTrack S22i Partially Assembled
Tequesta, FL
August 17, 2025

3. One reason Chris and I drove the truck north on our recent trip was to retrieve our NordicTrack S22i Exercise Bike. We had given it to family, but it no longer fit into their exercise plan and so we brought it to Florida to ride on rainy days. It seemed to have arrived in good shape, although I have not fully reassembled it yet. It needs a new control board, which I ordered last evening. I hope to have it up and running by next week. 

4. A commentary on the republican approach to governing as evidenced by the disaster in Alaska is as follows: That’s the kakistocracy part: government by the most incompetent, ill-suited people. If kakistocracy is the shot, then kleptocracy is the chaser (though it might be the other way around; I can’t quite decide). The corruption—the willingness to pursue personal profit and political gain at the expense of principle—that now defines the former Republican Party is just jaw-dropping. (Civil Discourse with Joyce Vance)

5. I hear Putin has a bridge for sale that Trump wants to buy. It is in San Francisco. I also saw a small stand in the background of an image selling Russian Kool-aid.

6. Today in History. On August 18, 1991, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev is placed under house arrest during a coup by high-ranking members of his own government, military and police forces.

Since becoming leader of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1988, Gorbachev had pursued comprehensive reforms of the Soviet system. Combining perestroika(“restructuring”) of the economy—including a greater emphasis on free-market policies—and glasnost (“openness”) in diplomacy, he greatly improved Soviet relations with Western democracies, particularly the United States. Meanwhile, though, within the USSR, Gorbachev faced powerful critics, including conservative, hard-line politicians and military officials who thought he was driving the Soviet Union toward its downfall and making it a second-rate power. On the other side were even more radical reformers—particularly Boris Yeltsin, president of the most powerful socialist republic, Russia—who complained that Gorbachev was just not working fast enough.

Trump tells Ukraine to give up on NATO and Crimea ahead of Zelenskiy meeting - Reuters

Russian oil flows to Hungary and Slovakia halted after Ukrainian attack - Reuters

Israelis stage nationwide protests to demand end to Gaza war and release of hostages - Reuters

 After exploding in strength at a historic rate this weekend, Hurricane Erin will churn up the eastern US coastline After exploding in strength at a historic rate this weekend,  - CNN

Serbia’s populist leader vows tough response to protesters following riots - CNN

Texas Democrats may have finally cracked the best way to fight Trump - MSNBC

Rubio erupts on CBS host over 'stupid media narrative' about Trump-Putin summit - FoxNews

Russia pounds Ukraine as Zelensky, allies prepare to meet with Trump - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Disappointed and Embarrassed

 All bluster, no follow through.

I am appalled that the U.S. is apparently setting the brave Ukrainian patriots adrift. 

internewscast.com

And I believe it is all because of dollars!

In an interview with Fox News Channel personality Sean Hannity after the meeting, Trump said he would not impose further sanctions on Russia because the meeting with Putin had gone “very well.” “Because of what happened today, I think I don’t have to think about that now,” Trump told Hannity. “I may have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something, but we don’t have to think about that right now.”

Trump also suggested he was backing away from trying to end the war and instead dumping the burden on Ukraine’s president. He told Hannity that “it’s really up to President Zelensky to get it done.”  (Letters from an American)

I wonder what Putin promised Trump to effectively stop negotiating for the end of the war that he promised to end on day 1 of his new term?

Maybe a Trump Tower Moscow? 

Trump always said that he would get it done, it being the end to the war. 

The President of the U.S. welcomed a war criminal with pomp and circumstance, red carpet and a warm greeting. With that single greeting, the blood of over a million dead Ukrainians and Russians was splashed onto Trump and by extension the U.S. 

It seems that our president is as bad at international affairs as he is at domestic policy. We elected him why?

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Like a bad movie

Pyongyang

There are a lot of divisive forces at work in our country right now trying to unravel the protections of the Constitution. 

It is frightening. 

The militarization of Washington, D.C., reminds me of what I read about for cities like Pyongyang. Under strict military control and beautified to portray an unreal vision of the country. By the way, if you look closely at images of Pyongyang, there are almost no cars!

This is all like a bad movie. 

Washington, D.C. is becoming a showcase capital city for a wannabe authoritarian leader. I can't believe they tore up the Rose Garden for a convention hall. 

The targeting of the homeless is another play in the authoritarian take-over playbook. 

Adolf Hitler's regime began targeting the homeless and other marginalized groups in the early 1930s, with significant actions occurring around 1933 when the Nazis came to power. The regime implemented policies that aimed to "cleanse" cities like Berlin, often forcibly removing homeless individuals from public spaces. (Wikipedia) (ChatGPT)

And then yesterday. 

Despite all of the pre-visit bluster--TACO showed up in Anchorage yesterday and the Ukrainians are on their own because Trump met with his mentor.

Show me the money and you will see U.S. policy. There is no honor, no defense of allies only love of money. We all know where that leads. 

I've seen this movie before.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Touring South Carolina

Mount Pleasant, SC
August 15, 2025

 The trip back to Florida for Maryland was unique. We left our usual I-95 in southern North Carolina and headed for Murrells Inlet. Talk about an overland route! Wow! Between traveling yesterday to Murrells Inlet and today's trek back to I-95 to complete our journey to Tequesta, Chris and I traversed a lot of South Carolina.

Upon arriving, we were treated to a great lunch along the banks of the inlet. I guess I just like being near water. It was beautiful day, right up until the afternoon thunderstorm rolled in. I was glad we were off the road. 

Today, we traveled around Charleston and enjoyed the wide wetlands and forests on mostly Route 17. Yesterday it was a number of roads, many of them really small, to avoid Myrtle Beach and get to Murrells inlet. 

What a great place to drive through. Both Chris and I were impressed. 

Today's drive took 10 hours--a full day and we did not get home until just after 6 PM--but we made it home. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Sharing the Course

Geese on the 5th Fairway
Carroll Park, Baltimore, MD
August 10, 2025

 Playing golf, which is a fantastic outdoor sport, usually means that we share the course with the local fauna. 

I have enjoyed many different species over the years. There were geese on Sunday--they are messy and we have a rule that golf balls that come to rest in goose poop can be cleaned or replaced. Geese poop a lot! 

But there are many other animals prowling the golf courses. I have avoided alligators in Florida. We have another rule that a free drop is given for any ball landing within 10 feet of a gator. 

In addition to geese and gators there are sand hill cranes, foxes, turtles, woodchucks, deer, snakes, and lizards. 

It is fun to see all of the wildlife, but some of them require a wide berth.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

2 Days in a Row

Jeremy Chipping onto the 17th Green
Timbers at Troy, Elkridge, MD
August 10, 2025

 I played 18 holes of golf yesterday. Well, actually, the golf course played me for most of the day. It has been a long time since I played golf two days in a row and I remember why. The second day can be both painful and awful at times. Still, a day on the course is better than most things. 

Tiger Butterfly near 5th Tee Box
Timbers at Troy, Elkridge, MD
August 10, 2025

Jeremy and I headed out to Timbers mid-morning when the temperature was still nice. We did not finish until 1:30 PM and it was very hot and humid as we holed out on 18. It was nice to be playing on a Monday as the course was not jammed, although it still took over 4 hour to play the round. There were a couple slow groups in front of us.

As always, Jeremy and I had a great time whacking the little ball. I had a minor success in that I actually had a birdie--they are very rare for me. 

Our time in Maryland is drawing to a close and Chris and I are planning our return to Florida.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD 

Monday Musings - August 11, 2025

 

1. Greetings. It is the second Monday of August. There are 20 Mondays remaining in the year. Labor Day is coming soon and summer will be over.

2. The Orioles snatched defeat from the jaws of victory yesterday. They gave up two runs in the top of the ninth inning and lost 3-2. They are 12 games under .500 again and headed for a last place finish in the division. All hopes of making the playoffs have vanished and the team and fan base are in a "wait until next year" mode.

Woodchuck on the 8th
Carroll Park, Baltimore, MD
August 10, 2025

3. Jeremy, Julie, Chris, and I golfed yesterday. We went to Carroll Park, a nine hole course in Baltimore, and enjoyed a bright Maryland summer's day. The pace was slow and we spent some time looking at diversions, such as this woodchuck on hole 8. 

4. Apparently Washington, DC, is about to become a militarized city. Wait, I thought this was America and we  had police and not military to patrol our streets. What city is next? New York? (Reuters)

5. So, Putin is a wanted war criminal with an international arrest warrant. He is apparently meeting with Trump in Alaska. If the U.S. does not arrest Putin and hand him over to the international courts for prosecution, does that make the U.S. a criminal nation? Apparently not. The U.S. is not a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

6. Today in History. A group of federal prisoners classified as “most dangerous” arrives at Alcatraz Island, a 22-acre rocky outcrop situated 1.5 miles offshore in San Francisco Bay, on August 11, 1934. The convicts—the first civilian prisoners to be housed in the new high-security penitentiary—joined a few dozen military prisoners left over from the island’s days as a U.S. military prison.

Alcatraz was an uninhabited seabird haven when it was explored by Spanish Lieutenant Juan Manuel de Ayala in 1775. He named it Isla de los Alcatraces, or “Island of the Pelicans.” Fortified by the Spanish, Alcatraz was sold to the United States in 1849. In 1854, it had the distinction of housing the first lighthouse on the coast of California. Beginning in 1859, a U.S. Army detachment was garrisoned there, and from 1868 Alcatraz was used to house military criminals. In addition to recalcitrant U.S. soldiers, prisoners included rebellious Indian scouts, American soldiers fighting in the Philippines who had deserted to the Filipino cause, and Chinese civilians who resisted the U.S. Army during the Boxer Rebellion. In 1907, Alcatraz was designated the Pacific Branch of the United States Military Prison.

Israel strike kills Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza - ReutersIn India, Trump's tariffs spark calls to boycott American goods - ReutersTrump escalates crime rhetoric ahead of Washington crackdown announcement - ReutersPam Bondi has a new probe into the handling of 2016 Russian meddling. John Durham already spent four years investigating it - CNNTrump needed an Epstein distraction. A conspiracy theory explains what came next. - MSNBCAfter a deadly shooting at the CDC, shaken scientists demand answers from RFK Jr. - MSNBCHigh-stakes summit with Putin over Ukraine war tops Trump's agenda this week - FoxNews

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Anniversary Party

The Family at Dinner
Fulton, MD
August 9, 2025

 Our family gathered last evening at a local restaurant to celebrate our 50th Anniversary. 

It was a fantastic gathering, but not without some drama as the youngest member of the clan decided to practice some projectile vomiting just as we preparing to head to the restaurant. But, it was handled very well and everyone did arrive, some a bit late, for dinner. 

We enjoyed the evening together talking about our wedding day and some of the things that have happened in the 50 years since. 

One of the things that we get asked is about how we did 50 years. It is a fair question for which there is truly only one answer--one day at a time! Truly, it still seems like yesterday that we married. One other piece of advice that has worked for us is, don't go to bed mad at each other that way we start each morning with a "Good Morning" and mean it. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD 

50 Years

Anniversary Cake
Tequesta, FL
August 3, 2025

 Today Chris and I celebrate 50 years of marriage.

I remember that back during 1975 when two 19 year olds got married that the probability of still being together 50 years later were not that great. But, it happened! 

It was a hot summer day in Ithaca, NY, on August 9, 1975. The wedding was thankfully at 7 PM, but the church was not air conditioned. Fortunately, it was cooler as the day drew to a close and we were not all that uncomfortable during the service. Pastor Degner was mercifully short and soon we were enjoying a modest reception at a local Union Hall. I wish I had remembered to bring some wedding pictures along on this trip to include in the blog, but they are safely stored in albums in our Florida storage room.

After the reception, Chris and I settled into our hotel for the night, but a short while later our wedding party, comprised of our best friends and my sister Pennie, crashed our love nest with pizza and we partying with them until the wee hours of the morning. After the sun rose, it was off to begin Day 1 of a marriage which today celebrates 50 years together. We have been blessed with three great kids, four wonderful grandsons, and many friends and acquaintances over the years.

And writing of friends, before we departed Florida on our current trip to Maryland our friends there gave us a celebratory cake and congratulations. That was very nice and unexpected. Tonight we gather with our family to celebrate and remember. 

Tomorrow, we begin Day 1 of year 51!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

They are not just boring Pinecones

Pinecones
Elkridge, MD
August 6, 2025

 Chris, Finn, and I went for a walk and happened upon a pine tree hanging over the sidewalk. As I ducked under the branch, I noticed pine sap on the pinecones glistening in the sunlight. I had not noticed sap on pinecones before and it added a new aspect to a very familiar object.

 

I had to take an image. 

We enjoyed the walk and in writing this item I learned that pinecone, the word, can be written as an open compound word: pine cone, or a closed compound word: pinecone and that both forms are correct although writers should choose one form and remain consistent throughout their writing. 

BTW, Happy Friday--the weekend is upon us. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Bob - 2, Lanternfly - 0

Spotted Lanternfly

 Living in Florida, I had totally forgotten about  the Spotted Lanternfly, a Chinese import, until yesterday.

I came across two of the invasive insects yesterday and was able to dispatch them both; doing my part for the environment. 

As invasive spotted lanternflies continue moving through the United States, local agricultural agencies have launched “If you see it, kill it” campaigns urging people to kill the bugs in order to prevent any further spread across the U.S. 

(Time)

I wish we could have done something similar to the Emerald Ash Borer and we might still have some mature ash trees.

The spotted lanternfly is a planthopper indigenous to parts of China and Vietnam. It was accidentally introduced into South Korea and has spread invasively to Japan and the United States, where it is often referred to by the acronym "SLF". Its preferred host is the tree of heaven, but it also feeds on other trees, and on crops including soybean, grapes, stone fruits, and Malus spp. In its native habitat, L. Wikipedia

The spotted lanternfly is easy to identify, although some people may mistake it for a stink bug, another Chinese import. 

Is there a humane way to kill a bug? 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD