Return to St Lucia - Day 5

Celebrity Reflection at Dock 
Castries, St Lucia
September 24, 2025

 It has been 14 years since Chris and I visited St Lucia. We enjoyed a great week then with my sister Pennie and her husband, Scott. 

Yesterday, we made our return to the island and were not disappointed. We made port in Castries, the capital, and took a bus tour of the northern part of the island. Lush vegetation was everywhere. The roads were as bad a I remember, rough but passable. We further enjoyed a beautiful but hot day from the comfort of an air conditioned bus. 

A Hole on a Sandal's Golf Course
St Lucia
September, 24, 2025

During our three-hour tour, we discovered a golf course built along the Atlantic Ocean that I would love to play. It looks to be a lot of fun and a definite difficult challenge with the narrow fairways and ocean breezes.

We also revisited Pigeon Island, where we had visited during our previous adventure on St Lucia. It was much the same, except this time we did not enter the fort. 

We made our way back to the ship for lunch and an afternoon of relaxation. 

Sunset over the Ocean
Atlantic Ocean off St Lucia
September 24, 2025

The final bit of St Lucia enjoyment came during dinner as we witnesses a stunning sunset over the ocean near the northern tip of the island.

We have not enjoyed many sunsets on this cruise because we have been blessed with many storm clouds, but few sunsets. I took the image through the somewhat cloudy windows in the dining room. But it was a sunset to enjoy. 

-- Bob Doan, St Johns, Antigua

St Kitts and Nevis, Day 4

Chris at the Port
St Kitts
September 23, 2025

 Our cruise continues and yesterday we made our first port: St Kitts and Nevis. Although the weather forecast was for showers and thunderstorms, they did not arrive until the day was complete. 

We did not have a planned excursion and so we got off the boat and walked around the port area for a couple hours. Our ship was the only one in port meaning that the shops were not crowded. The day was hot! The sun was hot! But we enjoyed ourselves, even stopping at a local bar for some refreshments. 

From the Pier
Basseterre, St Kitts
September 23, 2025

The island is picturesque with its volcanic hills running right into the water. The hills are green and lush. In retrospect I wish we had done an excursion to explore the island a bit more.

The ship departed St Kitts about 6 PM and headed for St Lucia, where we are about to enter the post at Castries. We are looking forward to a bus tour around the island which will allow us the opportunity to see how the island has changes/grown since our visit some 14 years ago. 

More fun and adventure is in store. 

-- Bob Doan, Castries, St Lucia 

At Sea 2, Day 3

Out the Stateroom Window
North Atlantic Ocean
September 22, 2025

 We enjoyed another Sea Day yesterday. The ship was alive with things to do and see. 

First though, the scene out my stateroom window has only this morning changed since we are porting in St Kitts. But for the past two days it has been unending blue ocean with the skies varying by the clouds. 

The seas moderated from our first day and the sailing has been very smooth. 

Riedel Wine Glass Tasting
Celebrity Reflection
September 22, 2025

The highlight of yesterday's activities was a Riedel Wine Glass tasting and demonstration. We thoroughly enjoyed the tasting and were reminded that glassware really does affect the taste of the wine. We compared four wines in Riedel glassware, standard unnamed glassware, and a plastic glass. Glassware definitely makes the difference. Of course we knew that, but it is good to be reminded. And I was reminded why wine in plastic glasses served on airlines tastes so bad! It may be cheap wine as well.

We enjoyed a great day, some great meals, and good fun. 

The only damper on the day was the Ravens not showing up for their game against Detroit! Ugh.

-- Bob Doan, St Kitts

At Sea, Day 2

Chris and I on the Ship
Celebrity Reflection in the North Atlantic
September 21, 2025

 Since Chris and I are at sea aboard Celebrity Reflection, there will be no Monday Musings today. 

Day 2 was a Sea Day, as is today, Day 3. Beginning tomorrow we will be making port calls on 5 successive days. I forget the complete order, but tomorrow is St Kitts and Nevis followed by St Lucia on Day 5.  

Yesterday, Chris and I relaxed and enjoyed some hot tub time along with wandering around the ship. Oh wait, we did a World Wide Wine Tasting of six reds and six whites from around the world. Yes, there were twelve wines. The wines presented well, but the tasting was more of a free-for-all rather than being a structured tasting with each wine being introduced and tasted along with a food pairing. Even so, we had a lot of fun.

We managed to watch some of the Cowboys loss to the Bears and earlier we saw the Steelers steal a game from the Patriots. Congrats to the Commanders and Chiefs for their wins. Tonight the Ravens play and I'm hoping for a good result. 

The evening was a dress-up night and we enjoyed a very nice dinner. Our table is next to a window and being on Deck 3 we are much closer to the ocean. It is amazing how different it looks compared with our stateroom Deck 10 view. What looks to be a mostly flat ocean from above is actually 2-3 foot swells as we get closer. 

I am enjoying the veranda as I have an ocean front view! Those are hard to come by on land unless blessed with millions of dollars. I enjoy sitting on the veranda reading and writing, although this morning I am in the stateroom waiting for our coffee order to arrive. 

-- Bob Doan, Celebrity Reflection, North Atlantic Ocean

And off into the Caribbean, Day 1

Grand Foyer of Celebrity Reflection
North Atlantic Ocean
September 20, 2025

Our cruise departed Fort Lauderdale yesterday dodging rainstorms and 4 foot swells. Fortunately it is a big ship, not the biggest, but far bigger than the 23 foot boat I use from my boat club. Being massive, the waves hardly affect it but the winds cause a perpetual rocking motion.

It is the kind of motion that will either make you sick or rock you to sleep. It rocked me to sleep, but only slightly. I can report that the swells moderated overnight and are much more tame today. 

I stood out on my veranda at about 10 PM last night and looked at the stars in the very black sky. I do not see such a black sky devoid of ground light very often. I saw stars that I had forgotten existed between the clouds and the smoke from the Reflection's engines. We were traveling at about 18 knots--a solid speed for a cruise ship facing two sea days and needing to be somewhere in less than 48 hours. 

I remembered how small we are in the universe and that what happens on our rock called Earth matters only to us and in the larger scope of the universe we are insignificant.  A speck. 

Yet, we are all that we have and we can't seem to get along. 

We need to do better. 

-- Bob Doan, North Atlantic Ocean

Travel Day

Classic Car Entering the Street
Tequesta, FL
September 19, 2025

 Chris and I are off to the cruise port in a couple hours. 

The excitement is building and the bags are packed, mostly. 

As we were out doing final errands yesterday, I saw a great classic car. I'm guessing 56 Chevy Bel Air. I didn't get a great image of it, as I had to use my Meta glasses. So, I zoomed in a lot and lost some detail. But she was a beauty. 

I'm hoping that Saturday traffic is light and our trip to the parking lot is smooth and easy. Heading into Ft Lauderdale can be a pain, even on a good day. It is not as bad as driving around Houston, but can still be challenging.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Day Before

Celebrity Reflection
Key West, FL
September 24, 2024

 Well, the sun arrived with the morning today. 

That was a welcome change. 

Chris and I are in the "day before" mode. Packing and preparing the house for our upcoming Caribbean Cruise. I expect to be able to continue blogging while on the cruise. 

We are excited because it is a longer cruise, 9 days. The short cruises, 3 and 4 nights, seem too short. On those cruises we just begin to get into the vibe of the ship and learn the crew members names and then it is time to disembark. 

Did you ever notice that cruises are sold in terms of nights and not days? 

The image is of our cruise ship from last year when we made a port call in Key West. 

We are excited for the cruise because we will be visiting three new Caribbean islands and by the end of the today we will be ready to head to the port to begin the adventure. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Watching the Storms

This is the time of the year when most Floridians become avid (rabid?) weather watchers. I have joined that group. I counted and I have no less than four weather apps on my phone.

Why?

I guess I really don't know. They all present the weather differently, but I think they all use the same basic information to create the weather depictions. 

For instance this morning. I am watching Tropical Storm Gabrielle in the Atlantic on one app and also the pervasive rain in my area on another. Why?

Well, the Atlantic Storm, although not a threat to Florida could have made a mess of my upcoming cruise. I keep cruising during September, usually the most active month of the hurricane season, because it's my birthday month! So Chris and I and friends seem to find a reason to cruise during the month. 

Well, and this morning the storms are all around me in Tequesta. Another wet, Florida day. The weather has made me appreciate the relatively clear skies we had over the weekend. 

Rain and storms! September in Florida. 

I love it!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

As the Weather Turns

Happy Constitution Day! 

On this date in 1787, The Constitution of the United States of America is signed by 39 delegates present at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Supporters of the document waged a hard-won battle to win ratification by the necessary nine out of 13 U.S. states.

Blowing Rocks Marina and Tiki52
Tequesta, FL
September 16, 2025

And it's back!

The stormy weather has returned this morning. We are experiencing thunderstorms and rain. 

Last evening we enjoyed Happy Hour at Tiki52. There had been a passing storm just before we arrived, but it was clear and we enjoyed great conversation and food with friends. 

Chris and I had been looking to join friends on a Mediterranean cruise, but realized that it was right in the middle of high school graduation--and we have a grandson who is a senior. So, we are looking for other dates for our BIG Beautiful 2026 trip. I can't call them vacations anymore since we are retired and everyday is a vacation. Well, not really. 

But, today is Hump Day. Let's see where it takes us. 

Oh yes, toe update: toe is much better today. Some residual pain (level 1 or lower) and still no severe bruising. I got lucky!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Ouch!

Sandhill Crane on my Ride
Turtle Creek, Tequesta, FL
September 15, 2025

 I stubbed my toe last night tripping over one of Finnegan's chew bones. 

Ugh!

So the injury didn't hurt all that bad last night, but today it is screaming at me. It does not appear broken, there is no swelling or blackness, but I jammed it good. Additionally, there is no sharp pain when it is moved--so no doctor, yet!

Yesterday I had a very enjoyable bike ride around Tequesta. The humidity is lower and that makes the ride more pleasant. I'm doing a better job deconflicting my ride with the school kids waiting for the bus. Often they lay on the sidewalk to read their phones and I have to be cautious when passing them. I had one boy, the other day, who I had to yell to not to back up because he was standing up and backing into my path in anticipation of the arriving bus. 

Well, it is Terrific Tuesday!

I am hoping the incendiary rhetoric regarding the assassination and the First Amendment cools a bit today nationally. We need to get back on a more even footing. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - September 15, 2025

 

1. It is the third Monday of September. There are 15 Mondays remaining in the year. The Vernal Equinox happens on September 23! Autumn is coming. 

Lizard on the Glass
Tequesta, FL
September 14, 2025

2. Family NFL Results. Family teams went 2-4 for the second week in a row, not a good start to the young season. Interesting side note, the Ravens scored one more point this week than last week and it helped ensure their win, unlike last week's loss. And who would have believed the Chiefs would begin the season 0-2.

Ravens (1-1) trampled Browns (0-2), 41-17

Cowboys (1-1) snuck past Giants (0-2), 40-37

Commanders (1-1) came up short to Packers (2-0), 18-27

Dolphins (0-2) drowned by Patriots (2-0), 27-33

Steelers (1-1) crushed by Seahawks (1-1), 17-31

Chiefs (0-2) scalped by Eagles (2-0), 17-20 

3. When Donald Trump uses the phrase “radical left”, he generally means political opponents, activists, or groups aligned with progressive/Democratic causes. However, when we look specifically at mass shootings or politically motivated attacks in the U.S., the data doesn’t really support the idea of the “radical left” being a major driver. 

According to the FBI and DHS (as well as research by groups like the Center for Strategic and International Studies), far-right extremism has been responsible for the overwhelming majority of ideologically motivated shootings and terrorist attacks in the U.S. in recent decades (examples: El Paso 2019, Pittsburgh synagogue 2018, Charleston 2015, Buffalo 2022).

Left-wing extremist shootings are extremely rare, with the 2017 Scalise shooting being the standout case.

(Chat GPT) 

4. It had been a tumultuous few days in America. I wish we could cease the name calling and incendiary rhetoric. We are be better than this. 

5. As I was walking up to my front door yesterday, I notices a small lizard on the window looking into the house. I guess it wanted to get out of the heat. It is very rare that lizards are seen on the windows, although they are plentiful on the ground around the shrubbery. 

6. Just as a reminder amidst all of the vile sputum. “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matt 22:36-40)

7. Today in History. On September 15, 1978, boxer Muhammad Ali defeats Leon Spinks at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans to win the world heavyweight boxing title for the third time in his career, the first fighter ever to do so. Following his victory, Ali retired from boxing, only to make a brief comeback two years later. Ali, who once claimed he could “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” left the sport permanently in 1981.

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. in Louisville, Kentucky, on January 14, 1942, the future world champ changed his name to Muhammad Ali in 1964 after converting to Islam. He earned a gold medal at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome and made his professional boxing debut against Tunney Hunsaker in October 1960, winning the bout in six rounds. On February 25, 1964, Ali defeated the heavily favored Sonny Liston in six rounds to become heavyweight champ, after which he famously declared, “I am the greatest!”

Trump vows national emergency in Washington, DC over ICE dispute - Reuters

Charlie Kirk shooting suspect not cooperating with authorities, Utah governor says - Reuters

Oil edges up after attacks on Russian energy facilities - Reuters

Why the most advanced military in the world is playing catchup on the modern battlefield - CNN

Kash Patel’s difficulties and embarrassments at the FBI do not go unnoticed - MSNBC

Federal Reserve set to meet next week amid chaos from Trump’s attacks on the Fed - MSNBC

‘Things have changed’: Schumer threatens government shutdown over health care - MSNBC

Trump threatens to call national emergency in Washington DC over Ice cooperation - The Guardian

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL  

Sunday Wanderings

Tigger on the Counter
Port St Lucie, FL
September 11, 2025

 We made it to Sunday. 

Take a deep breath.

Despite the vile rhetoric being spewed by too many people in positions of authority, we are still here. 

Why do we have to continue to put labels  on people and groups of people? 

And then, why do we have to generalize the actions of the an entire group? Clearly, that is wrong. 

Even more sadly, when the generalization is wrong, the people spewing the vile statements don't apologize. They just wait, apparently, for a time when they can make their assertions again and be correct for an isolated and unique instance. 

I am really tired of hearing the labels radical left or radical right. Why can't we just be Americans who have different points of view? And it seems the right wants to blame the left for the very things that the right is actually doing--like depriving people of their rights to choose. 

Florida, for instance, calls itself the Free State of Florida at the direction of the right-leaning governor. Why then can't I choose to get the Covid-19 vaccine? I went to Walgreen's and was told they were not allowed to give the shots in Florida.

I asked Chat GPT about the inaccuracy of the phrase and it provided the following comment: “Florida calls itself the ‘Free State,’ but it bans books, censors teachers, restricts voting, takes away reproductive rights, and even tells people which bathrooms they can use. That’s not freedom — that’s selective freedom for some, and fewer rights for others.”

So, turning to other things, I took the image of Tigger during our last visit with him before his family returned home. I enjoyed spending time with Tigger because he is a unique cat with a great personality. I especially enjoyed the way he ran across the house to greet me as I came through the door. 

That makes me smile a lot more than all of the stuff on the news lately. 

Happy Sunday.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

More of the Rain

Afternoon Storms
Tequesta, FL
September 12, 2025

 We have been suffering through a very rainy pattern for the past few weeks. 

That has meant afternoon, and sometimes morning, storms which are locally heavy. 

We need the rain as I believe the region remains on the border of drought conditions, but wow--it sure puts a damper on beach time. 

I also find it difficult to ride my bike. I just do not enjoy riding in the rain.

Conditions are forecasted to improve both in terms of less rain and cooler temperatures during the next week. 

I am looking forward to the improvement. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Colorless Day

Colorless Day on the River
Tequesta, FL
September 11, 2025

 Yesterday was a colorless day. 

There were tears of anguish over senseless political violence and over another school shooting.

I saw that the morning haze sapped the color out of the day as I rode over the river in Tequesta. 

It is as if the world was mourning the loss of innocence, the acceptance of unbridled greed, inhuman actions, wars that cannot be stopped, and leaders who forment hate, anger, and distrust for their own aggrandizement. 

It was Patriot Day. As Americans stopped to remember 9/11, the weight of the passing years and the continuing toll of that day further sapped color from a mourning country. I remember the images of 9/11 after the towers fell--everything was covered in colorless gray dust and we all cried with concern for the families of the victims. 

We rose from the ashes 24 years ago, but I'm not sure we have strengthened our Republic. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

STOP! Political Violence is Unacceptable

Charlie Kirk (1993-2025)

 I mourn Charlie Kirk. I pray for his family. 

I am angered at the senseless violence and also at the response of people, including the President, who are skewing facts and ignoring that political violence has occurred against democrats and republicans. I wish some of those spewing their virulent words would have felt as strongly about political violence when the Democratic leader and her husband were murdered in Minnesota during June. Or when the Democratic governor of Pennsylvania's house was subjected to an arson attack while he and his family slept inside. 

I am angered not because I agreed with Charlie Kirk's political views, but because politically motivated violence is fundamentally wrong.

I disagreed with Charlie on nearly every issue, but I respected his right to hold his views. 

If we lose the right to have meaningful discourse and to disagree we will have lost America. 

I served in the Air Force for 21 years and then as a Federal Civilian for another 24 years to protect every American's right to disagree--or to agree, peacefully and without fear of retribution. 

Guns are not the way for civilized people to solve political disputes. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Happy Hump Day

Blowing Rocks Marina near Tiki52
Tequesta, FL
September 9, 2025

 Well it is Hump Day again! 

I remember the commercial with the camel yelling for Mike and asking if he knew what day it was. 

Makes me smile. 

It used to bring some levity at work when someone would say, "Mike, Mike do you know what day it is?"

Sandhill Cranes
Port St Lucie, FL
September 9, 2025

Guys named Mike hated that, although they always played along.

Chris, Finn, and I sheltered during a ferocious storm yesterday and then headed out to our Tuesday watering hole for some enjoyment and dinner. Tiki52 was nearly empty! The storm kept people away. Even the paid musician seemed less than interested in playing. 

Earlier during the day, I drove to Port St Lucie to visit with Tigger. He was being visited by a pair of sandhill cranes. I felt bad that I couldn't let him out to play with the birds, but the birds probably would have just walked away leaving him no better off. 

Plans for Hump Day are not nearly as exciting as yesterday turned out to be. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Moon and Palms

Moon and Palms
Tequesta, FL
September 8, 2025

 Yesterday morning, while taking Finn out for his morning  relief, I noted the Moon in the clear sky amidst the palms. I enjoyed the view and took an image of it to remind myself of the simple beauty of the scene. 

Shortly after the image was taken, the storms settled in for the day. It was damp, humid and rainy. I was not able to bike the streets and so I hopped on my recently repaired NordicTrack S22i and biked around Moorea in French Polynesia. I enjoyed the ride and the heat and humidity in my garage probably approximated the heat and humidity in Moorea where the ride I followed was videoed. 

I find that riding the S22i and following a video is tougher than actually biking because there is no coasting along allowed. The feet have to be pedaling all the time. As such, it makes the workout more efficient. But I miss seeing all of the activity around the my community. 

I am planning to ride this morning.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - September 8, 2025

 

1. And as the month races by, it is already the second Monday of September. Wow! The opening weekend of the NFL continues tonight. Just so we remember, there are 16 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. Democracy is under siege. Changing the name of the Department of Defense to Department of War is scary and demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding about the concept of defense. And then likening an operation against Chicago to the movie Apocalypse Now further demonstrates that senior leadership is unhinged in a frightening manner. The following represents not only an immature, but dangerous view of fellow Americans and is something that never should be uttered by an American president. 

Trump is quoted as follows in USA Today:

“I love the smell of deportations in the morning,” Trump said, converting a line about napalm in the Vietnam War to refer to deportations. “Chicago about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR.” 

Tigger
Port St Lucie, FL
September 7, 2025

3. Sunday's excitement was driving to Port St Lucie to visit Tigger. Tigger's family is on vacation and while they have someone feeding him daily, Chris and I are familiar with Tigger and we actually can play with him a bit and just be with him. I love the way Tigger greets me when we show up at the door. He lets me hold him for a few minutes before he decides to play rough. I miss having a cat, but not enough to actually get a cat. Tigger and Finn actually get along really well. 

4. Family NFL Results. Yes, the NFL season is underway and the family teams were in action this weekend. Family teams went 2-3, not a good start. It seems that the Ravens are continuing their embarrassing 4th quarter collapses again this year by blowing a 15-point lead to the Bills to open the season. This marks the 10th time since 2022 that the Ravens have lost after blowing a 4th quarter lead. Not good!

Ravens (0-1) snatched defeat from the jaws of victory to Bills (1-0), 40-41

Cowboys (0-1) lost to Eagles (1-0), 20-24

Commanders (1-0) defeated Giants (0-1), 21-6

Dolphins (0-1) were stampeded by Colts (1-0), 8-33

Steelers (1-0) outlasted Jets (0-1), 34-32

5. Is the Trump administration targeting Baby Boomers? The vaccine policies of HHS coupled with reductions in Medicare and Medicaid are targeting the Boomers possibly with the intent to reduce expenditures for Social Security and medical expenses as well as federal pensions. How come no one is talking about this?

6. Given the weather this morning, I think I am going to ride the NordicTrack S22i for my workout. I don't want to get caught in a downpour on some busy street.

7. OK, while I'm on it and still fuming, I asked ChatGPT to review the Ravens 4th quarter blown lead losses since 2022 and it reported the following 10 disasters:

Total since 2022: 10 games

2022 season (4)

Week 2 vs Dolphins (L 38–42) — led 35–14 early in the 4th. PressBox

Week 6 at Giants (L 20–24) — 10-point 4th-quarter lead evaporated late. ESPN.com+1

Week 12 at Jaguars (L 27–28) — late lead lost on TD + 2-pt with :14 left. Baltimore Ravens+1

Week 17 vs Steelers (L 13–16) — led in 4th, allowed TD with :56 left. ESPN.com

2023 season (3)

Week 3 vs Colts (OT L 19–22) — led 19–16 in the 4th; tied on late FG, lost in OT.

Week 5 at Steelers (L 10–17) — led 10–8 late 4th; allowed go-ahead TD. ESPN.com

Week 10 vs Browns (L 31–33) — led 31–17 in 4th; Browns rallied to win. ESPN.comCBS News

2024 season (2)

Week 2 vs Raiders (L 23–26) — up 23–13 with ~12:00 left; gave up three straight scoring drives. ESPN.com+1Baltimore Ravens

Week 8 at Browns (L 24–29) — lost on TD with :59 left after holding a late lead. ESPN.com+1

2025 season (1)

Week 1 at Bills (L 40–41) — blew late 4th-quarter lead; walk-off FG beat them. ESPN.com

8. Today in History. September 8, 1974. In a controversial executive action, President Gerald Ford pardons his disgraced predecessor Richard M. Nixon for any crimes he may have committed or participated in while in office. Ford later defended this action before the House Judiciary Committee, explaining that he wanted to end the national divisions created by the Watergate scandal.

The Watergate scandal erupted after it was revealed that Nixon and his aides had engaged in illegal activities during his reelection campaign–and then attempted to cover up evidence of wrongdoing. With impeachment proceedings underway against him in Congress, Nixon bowed to public pressure and became the first American president to resign. At noon on August 9, Nixon officially ended his term, departing with his family in a helicopter from the White House lawn. Minutes later, Vice President Gerald R. Ford was sworn in as the 38th president of the United States in the East Room of the White House. After taking the oath of office, President Ford spoke to the nation in a television address, declaring, “My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.”

Trump threatens 'WAR' in Chicago; Pritzker hits back at potential National Guard deployment - USA Today

South Korea to fly detained workers back as US vows more raids on employers - Reuters

UN says time is short to stop famine spreading as Israel bombards Gaza City - Reuters

Trump's 'Department of War' wants to bring back some of the worst aspects of American history - MSNBC

Military-related work absences at a 19-year high amid National Guard deployments - The Washington Post

 US considers banning Iranian diplomats from shopping at Costco during UN meeting - CNN

 Russia strikes Ukrainian government building for first time, in largest air attack of war - CNN

Trump fires back at reporter over Chicago question: 'That's why you're second-rate' - FoxNews

US treasury secretary denies Trump tariffs are tax on Americans - The Guardian

Republican condemns Vance for ‘despicable’ comments on Venezuelan boat strike - The Guardian

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#mondaymusings

Football Induced Haze

Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge Beach
Hobe Sound, FL
September 6, 2025

 I have been in a football induced haze since Thursday which is not expected to end until tomorrow night. The NFL season kicked off and I watched the Thursday and Friday editions of the NFL, then yesterday's storm-lengthened Georgia Bulldogs game, and I expect to watch three NFL games today and one tomorrow night. 

I am going to need a rest before beginning it all over again on Thursday.

I am not sure that I am ready for football season. The Ravens are the late game tonight.

It should be noted that the Orioles are still playing baseball and executed a stunning two-out bottom of the ninth walk-off comeback win last night over the Dodgers. They were no-hitter victims until the last out of the game--which, as it turns out, never arrived. Whew. 

Fortunately, I biked 23 miles yesterday and so I am physically fit and ready to tackle the sofa and watch the football games. My ride was one that I only do infrequently and usually on a weekend because there is less traffic. I biked to the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge and stood on the edge of the sand to admire the beach. I noted that it was almost exactly 10 miles to the beach and then riding back along Jupiter Island's Beach Road adds about three miles. 

September is such a busy month!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

It was like a Ghost Town

Empty Parking Lot
Vero Beach Outlets, Vero Beach, FL
September 5, 2025

 Chris and I went on a shopping excursion yesterday. On a whim, we headed off to an outlet mall in Vero Beach. I felt it was time to expand our shopping area and thought heading off to one of the, what I thought was, premier outlet malls in the area would be fun. 

We drove for about an hour to arrive at the Vero Beach Outlets. The outlet mall is just off I-95 and is both well marked and easy to find. We expected to find a thriving economic area with a full parking lot, many busses and throngs of shoppers.

We found a ghost town. 

The place was nearly empty. We cruised the perimeter to find the shops we wanted to visit and noted many empty storefronts. The economic downturn, as evidenced in yesterday's jobs report, is real. We were part of a handful of shoppers. 

While we enjoyed shopping without crowds, it was a bit eerie. The complex seemed as if it had one foot in the grave on its way to total closure. The sales staffs in the stores were nice and provided individualized attention to us as we shopped. Chris bought a number of items because of the close-out pricing. AS this was a Chris focuses excursion, I did not do much "Bob" shopping.

Despite the desolate nature of the outlet mall, we had an enjoyable trip and we took a late lunch at Cracker Barrel before heading back to Tequesta. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL