Clouds to Cloudless

Clouds in the Loxahatchee River
Tequesta, FL
June 16, 2025

 During my ride yesterday, I crossed the Loxahatchee Bridge in Tequesta and I just had to stop. The scene was almost like a painting. The water was still and the reflection of the clouds; stunning! I stood, holding my bike, and enjoyed the moment for a bit longer than normal.

Carlin Park Beach
Jupiter, FL
June 16, 2025

Later, we descended on the beach to enjoy Happy Hour. The sky was cloudless and the beach almost deserted. I love an empty beach. There were a few people about, but we enjoyed Happy hour and watched the osprey's hunt. There were not the usual shore birds, but the scene was very satisfying.

A great Florida day from start to finish.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Monday Musings - June 16, 2025

 

1. It is the third Monday of June. It is later than you think! There are but 28 Mondays remaining in the year. Summer officially begins on Friday at 10:42 EDT! Are you ready?

2. Regarding the protests on Flag Day. I was appalled by the comments of some elected leaders who do not support Americans right to peaceful protests. These leaders are not supporting The Constitution which specifically protects the rights of the people to peaceably protest. Amendment 1:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. (US Constitution)

Birthday Celebration for Julie
Ellicott City, MD
June 12, 2025

3. Before departing Maryland we were honored to celebrate a big birthday. I won't say how many years, but the number did end with a zero. Happy Birthday Julie--and many more. The celebration occurred at a Japanese Steak House and we were treated to the usual excitement surrounding a hibachi meal. I missed my small piece of pork on all three occasions when the chef flipped it to me. 

4. An amazing thing is happening. Last week the inflation rate was reported at 2.4% over May 2024 and everyone was happy. The president promised that he would reduce prices, a 2.4% inflation rate is still an increase. It is counter-intuitive. BTW, the inflation rate for May 2024 over May 2023 was just 3.3% and it was an outrage. Weird. The inflation rate for September 2024 over 2023 was 2.4% and inflation became a huge issue in the campaign.

5. Today in History. On June 16, 1884, the first roller coaster in America opens at Coney Island, in Brooklyn, New York. Known as a switchback railway, it was the brainchild of LaMarcus Thompson, traveled approximately six miles per hour and cost a nickel to ride. The new entertainment was an instant success and by the turn of the century there were hundreds of roller coasters around the country.

Coney Island, a name believed to have come from the Dutch Konijn Eilandt, or Rabbit Island, is a tract of land along the Atlantic Ocean discovered by explorer Henry Hudson in 1609. The first hotel opened at Coney Island in 1829 and by the post-Civil War years, the area was an established resort with theaters, restaurants and a race track. Between 1897 and 1904, three amusement parks sprang up at Coney Island–Dreamland, Luna Park and Steeplechase. By the 1920s, Coney Island was reachable by subway and summer crowds of a million people a day flocked there for rides, games, sideshows, the beach and the two-and-a-half-mile boardwalk, completed in 1923.

Iranian missiles hit Tel Aviv and Haifa, Israel warns of tough response - Reuters

Airbus bags Saudi order as Franco-Israeli dispute rocks air show - Reuters

Minnesota shooting suspect Vance Boelter arrested - Reu tears

Trump rejected Israeli proposal to assassinate Iranian supreme leader: U.S. officials - MSNBC

I’m not just protesting kings — I’m protesting Christians idolizing Trump - MSNBC

Trump orders 'largest mass deportation operation' as unrest erupts in major cities - FoxNews

Congress is coming for your EV — and what’s left of conservatism - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#mondaymusings

The Final Leg Home

 Happy Fathers Day 2025

Locally Heavy Rainstorm
Ft Pierce, FL
June 14, 2025

Yesterday's final leg home took just over 4 hours. I would like to say it was an easy drive, but driving through Florida during the summer (OK, technically not summer, but tell that to the weather!) means rain and thunderstorms. We had rain yesterday. Locally heavy rains. Fortunately, the storms while at times fierce were localized and we drove through them after a few minutes. 

Finn on the Luggage Cart
Kingsland, GA
June 14, 2025

We began the day in Kingsland, GA, and enjoyed a quick breakfast before loading up and driving away. I usually gas-up the truck the night before, but decided to do it as we pulled out in the morning. I won't do that again. I like getting to the highway expeditiously after leaving the hotel. Finn enjoyed the ride from the room to the truck on the luggage cart. He is a trooper and is very good at our hotel stops. There were other dogs on the floor. How do we know? We heard them barking, yet Finn did not return their calls.

I-95 FL-GA Line Going South
June 14, 2025

I determined that when we can make it, Kingsland, GA, is my stopover of choice. It is a few minutes from the Florida-Georgia line and Florida always seems like the longest part of the trip. I-95 traverses many open uninhabited areas which make the drive seem longer. Not to mention that it being the second travel day, we just want to get home by that point. 

We arrived home safely and were very happy to have returned. Being mid-June, we have noticed that the daylight is significantly longer in the north. I looked it up and discovered that today the daylight is 1h6m longer in Elkridge, MD, than it is here in Tequesta! Of course, it goes the other way during the winter season. 

Well, that wraps up the travel south and we are getting back into the rhythm of life here.

As a final thought--Happy Father's Day to all of the fathers. Being a father is a special calling.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

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