Give the Doggie a Bone

Finn Hiding a Bone
Tequesta, FL
May 1, 2025

Finn is a funny little dog. 

Yes, he is lovable--but, at the same time, he is demanding. 

Yesterday, for example, he got into a barking mood. He was unhappy about something and neither Chris nor I could figure out what he needed. As a result he received a walk, more food in his dish, fresh water, a treat, another treat, and then finally a small bone to play with.

Finn at Rest
Tequesta, FL
April 27, 2025

The bone did the trick. He stopped barking and spent time finding the perfect hiding spot for the bone.

We try not to give him too many of the bones because he does not eat them, rather he hides them around the house and sometimes we step on them. We love watching him hide his bone. He engages in what we call "urban renewal" in that he moves stuff around and diligently puts the bone in a "safe" place for future retrieval. Sometimes the safe place is in the sofa. 

After he spends time--sometimes as much as 30 minutes, hiding the bone he relaxes and life in the house gets back to normal. 

Just to be clear, he does not get real animal bones, but commercially available Dreambones made with chicken and not rawhide. Sometimes he does eat the bone--but lately they are more of a soothing plaything. 

It is all just part of the pace of life around the house. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

May Day 2025

 Happy May Day!

Just some disconnected thoughts today. 

It is the first of May, a holiday throughout much of the world. It is a day of planned protests here in the U.S.

Our leaders are so disconnected with the electorate and reality that they discount polls where the people are indicating  their disapproval with the direction things are headed. 

In November, before he was President, Trump declared that the great economy and stock market run-up was all his. Yesterday, he blamed the first quarter GDP decline on Biden. He can't have it both ways. What's worse, his memory is so bad he can't remember anything he says. 

Well, maybe today the voices of the people will break through the sound barrier.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tiki Tuesday

Looking onto the ICW
Tiki52, Tequesta, FL
April 29, 2025

 I have always had trouble characterizing Tuesday, aside from recognizing that it is the day between Happy Monday and Hump Day Wednesday. 

I believe that I have finally found a name for Tuesday--Tiki Tuesday. 

On Tuesdays, weather permitting, we enjoy going to Tiki52 for their $2 Tuesday celebration. And last evening was no different. We used to enjoy Must Drink Monday at a different waterside bar/restaurant--but they have become a bit too pricey as their fame has increased. 

Last evening we enjoyed perfect weather and decided to sit at a marina-side table. It was very nice.

Costco
Stuart, FL
April 29, 2025

We had finished a busy day which saw Chris and I trek to Stuart to shop at the new Costco. The store is very nice and the shopping was pleasant even though there were more cars in the parking lot than I have seen since the last time I went to a ballgame. Sadly though, the store is a significantly longer trek than the one in Northern Palm Beach and so we likely will not return. I did note higher prices, however. A three-pound can of coffee increased $3 since the last time I bought one. Eggs were down to about $3.30 per dozen which was good. I saw increases on cheese, meat, drinks, and most everything else. It was distressing.

Well, I guess that is the path we are on. 

At least prices remained the same at Tiki52, but for how long?

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Atop the Slide into the Abyss

These are the times that try men's souls. - Thomas Paine

This statement was true in 1776, and scarily enough it is true today as well, almost 250 years later. 

We are facing half-truths, lies, and the outright trampling of the basic rights protected in the Constitution.

The latest "I can't believe they said that," revolves around the right to due process.

I read a statement from a congressman which (this is paraphrased) If they are here illegally they should be deported. 

Marco Rubio our Secretary of State suggested, on Sunday, that illegal immigrants can be deported outside of the protections of the Constitution. He said that immigration law requires deportation and that they are not entitled to due process, I'm guessing, because he feels immigration law supersedes the Constitution. 

“Once you come into our country illegally, it triggers all kinds of rights that can keep you here indefinitely. That’s why we were being flooded at the border, and we’ve ended that,” Rubio said.  

We've ended that--and "that" is the Constitutional right to due process. The Constitution applies to EVERYONE within the borders of the U.S. and territories--no matter how they've managed to get here. That fundamental principle is what has made America Great! And now it is being cheapened and we are becoming a laughing stock.

What happened to "innocent until proven guilty?"

We have begun the slippery slide into the abyss of authoritarian chaos where even the Constitution is subject to reinterpretation. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Monday Musings - April 28, 2025

 

1. Happy Monday. It is the final Monday of April. The year is about 1/3 over and there are 35 Mondays remaining.

Gardenia Bush in Bloom
Tequesta, FL
April 27, 2025

2. I am very concerned about the Orioles. They are on pace for a 100 loss season and there seems to be no way to get the club into the win column. They were just swept by Detroit and the Yankees come to town tonight! Ugh. 

3. I managed to get an image of blooming gardenia bushes yesterday. The sweet fragrance remains hanging in the air. I enjoyed my almost 18-mile ride yesterday. The traffic is lighter on Sundays although there were many more people out walking. I got out a bit later than normal. 

4. There is no plan! Typically when the U.S. sets a policy or chooses a course of action there is a plan, a playbook, which has both short-term and strategic goals. It becomes clear last week that with regard to Ukraine-Russia, the economy, tariffs, immigration, foreign policy, and whatever else I can think of that there is no plan. We are at the mercy of the gray matter inside of one person's head. We have seen regular flip-flops which leave everyone wondering--what's up? All that I can discern is that a failed 19th century solution is being applied blindly to a 21st century problem and it is floundering just as badly now as it did back then. The world is very different now and more interconnected than it was in the 1800s. 

5. Today in History. April 28, 1789. Three weeks into a journey from Tahiti to the West Indies, the HMS Bounty is seized in a mutiny led by Fletcher Christian, the master’s mate. Captain William Bligh and 18 of his loyal supporters were set adrift in a small, open boat, and the Bounty set course for Tubuai south of Tahiti.

In December 1787, the Bounty left England for Tahiti in the South Pacific, where it was to collect a cargo of breadfruit saplings to transport to the West Indies. There, the breadfruit would serve as food for enslaved passengers. After a 10-month journey, the Bounty arrived in Tahiti in October 1788 and remained there for more than five months. On Tahiti, the crew enjoyed an idyllic life, reveling in the comfortable climate, lush surroundings and the hospitality of the Tahitians. Fletcher Christian fell in love with a Tahitian woman named Mauatua.

Hispanic voters helped Trump retake the White House. Now their support is waning - Reuters

Risk of global economic recession surges on US tariff shockwaves - Reuters

Putin declares 3-day May ceasefire to mark 80 years since World War Two victory - Reuters

Suspected US airstrike hits Yemen migrant centre; Houthi TV says 68 killed - Reuters

Analysis How Trump’s big bet on tariffs went bad - CNN

Canadians vote in election overshadowed by US tariff and annexation threats - CNN

New estimates suggest Elon Musk's DOGE has been a self-sabotaging project - MSNBC

Debt crisis deepens as 1 in 4 Americans forced to choose between bills and basics - FoxNews

Putin thanks North Korea for sending troops to fight Ukraine: 'Will never forget the heroism' - FoxNews

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Cars I Don't Often See

 

Lotus and Lamborghini
Jupiter, FL
April 26, 2025

It has been a great week for car spotting. 

Sure we have seen the usual plethora of Bentleys and Rolls. They are almost everywhere. But, over the past couple days I have been introduced to a few cars that just do not show up often.

Yesterday, for instance, Chris and I pulled into a small shopping area to find a Lotus and a Lamborghini parked next to each other. That was a first, but even more interesting was the color of the Lamborghini--purple. There they were, parked together alone in the lot. I took a moment to admire them and imagine the sound of their engines accelerating. 

1989 Jaguar XJS V-12 rouge Special Edition
Image from the Internet

Late last week, I was introduced to a very special Jaguar. It was a 1989 Jaguar XJS V12 Rouge Special Edition. And it was in our community. One of the residents had borrowed it from his father-in-law to take his daughter and friends to Prom. Wow--it was a beauty with only 28,000 miles on it. Now this Jaguar was not in the same class as the Lotus or the Lamborghini, but it was a really beautiful car. I failed to take an image of it sitting in his drive, but found a few on the internet so I could remember the awesomeness of this classic. He told me how much someone told him it was worth, but that was a bit of an exaggeration. Nonetheless, it was a heart stopping car. 

Later Chris and I got into our 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-e and headed out wishing we were in the Jag and remembering the ones we have owned. At least our Mach-e is red. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

A Night at the Theater

 

View from my Seat, Dreyfoos Hall, Kravis Center
West Palm Beach, FL
April 25, 2025

We went to see a Broadway Across America production of Les Misérables last evening at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. The production began promptly at 8 PM and was stunning.

But there is more to the story.

Our normal roughly 30 minute trip to West Palm Beach took almost and hour due to Friday-night rush hour traffic. The situation on I-95, my preferred route, was so bad that we saved almost 10 minutes by driving US-1, with all of its stoplights, into the city. We made our dinner reservation and enjoyed a relaxed dinner at True Food Kitchen which is a short walk from the Kravis. When I say short walk, I mean short, like less than 10 minutes at a leisurely walking pace. 

But what about the show? 

The show was great. We had less than optimal seats at the very back of the hall, but still had good view of the stage. The sound system was perfect. What bothered me is that the show is very dark--I knew that before hand, but from where sat it was a bit too dimly lit. We could not make out the faces of the actors and actresses. 

The Kravis, however, is a great place to watch live theater. The seats are comfortable and parking is free. I look forward to returning for another show soon. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Happy Hour Returns to the Beach

 

Happy Hour Crew on the Beach
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
April 24, 2025

It happened.

We finally returned to the beach to enjoy Happy Hour. It had been months, it seems, since we last enjoyed an evening on the beach. 

Between our traveling, the weather, and some sickness we have been away from the beach--but not so last evening. We returned. It was glorious. 

Pelicans on Patrol
Carlin Park Beach, Jupiter, FL
April 24, 2025

The highlight of the evening was the appearance of two spinner sharks, well it could have been one shark jumping twice. There is almost no way to capture spinner sharks on camera because before you realize it's happening it is over except for the splash.

We enjoyed a few hours of watching the waves crash on a nearly empty beach. Sadly, there were no surfers to entertain us--but we spent time catching up on recent travels. 

We had a great time and are looking forward to getting out tonight to attend a performance of Les Miserables at the local theater. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Fragrance of Gardenias

Gardenia in Bloom
Tequesta, FL
March 29, 2025

 The fragrance of gardenias was everywhere yesterday during my almost 18-mile ride. 

The gardenias have been in bloom for a couple of weeks now, but yesterday they seemed to be at their peak. The sweet fragrance was everywhere and it was very enjoyable. I enjoyed the sweetness around every curve. 

After my morning ride, Chris and I spent the day restocking the food supplies which we had drawn down during April due to our many travels. We expect to be home for most of May! Yay. 

Due to a dental appointment, I won't be able to ride today, but I am hopeful of getting out again tomorrow and enjoying the gardenias again. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Home Again

From the United Club
George Bush Intercontinental Airport 
Houston, TX
April 22, 2025

 The travel day was executed without incident. That is always great. The flight was onetime and the journey to the airport was without incident. 

Who can ask for more? 

Even Finnegan was at home and greeted us as we entered the house. He puts on an unrivaled display of excitement when we arrive after being away. 

We had left the car at the airport and it was great just walking into the garage, hopping into the vehicle and driving away after traveling. We do not do that too often, but the short nature of the trip meant that parking at the airport was less expensive than getting an Uber or a Lyft. 

We do not have any travel planned for the month of May. It will be good to be home and enjoying the South Florida lifestyle of boating, golfing, and biking for a while. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL