It was a Cool and Rainy Day

Egret on the Hedge
Tequesta, FL
February 9, 2022

After more than a week of blue skies and warm sun we suffered through a cool, overcast, and rainy day yesterday. It reminded me of the weather back in Maryland where it just would not end so that outdoors life could continue. It worked out, however, because I had scheduled Comcast to come and figure out what was wrong with the connection to one of my TVs and it also turned into a good time to go to Costco for supplies. So Chris and I turned a gloomy day into a productive one. 

Because of the rain we only walked a limited distance, until Finnegan did his business and I did not ride my bike and as the gloomy day became a day-off from exercise. 

But what did I learn?

Well, first off I learned that newer TVs with real HD require more bandwidth than older less capable ones. All that was wrong with my cable connection was the actual cable jumper. The tech replaced the jumper and everything worked. He wondered why Comcast even gives the jumper that I had out because it is so bad. Oh well, no wonder all of my troubleshooting was for naught.

I also learned that the cable outlet in one of the bedrooms that has a transformer attached to it is running a splitter somewhere in the house and to add a television I need a power pass through splitter--who knew? Well, I do now and at least I asked the question before I  bought the wrong connector.

And then there was the afternoon trip to Costco. Note to self--Wednesday afternoon is not a good day to attempt Costco! The place was packed. Chris and I made a successful run, but it really was difficult to check-out. It is amazing how differently Costco lays out their stores. 

To make it all better, however, an egret was standing on our bushes when we returned form shopping. I guess hunting was not good in the normal areas and it decided that since we could not go to the beach, it would bring the beach to us. 

BTW, Happy Friday-eve!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Friday Night Lights

 It was a very different Friday Happy Hour. We went to the Tequesta Trucks N' Tunes which is held on the first Friday of the month.. 

Tequesta Trucks N' Tunes
Tequesta, FL
February 4, 2022

Live music, food trucks, kids, activity, and outdoors fun on February 4th!

It was a beautiful afternoon. Chris and I spent some time at the beach getting "rays" trying to cast off the pale Northern look. For cruising into the weekend, it could not have been a better start. The music and food continued into the evening, well after sunset as the community gathered to celebrate a new month.

Chris and I enjoyed the evening. It was warm and we were wearing shorts and short-sleeved shirts. I was very nice to be celebrating the arrival of February in a warm and inviting setting. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Birds of the Beach

Seagull
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
February 3, 2022

Chris and I enjoyed another great Happy Hour on the beach the other night. The waves were crashing on the beach, the ocean has been very rough this week.

The warm sun and temperatures have made enjoying the beach a great February pastime. Chris and I are attempting to get there everyday and especially when the temperatures are in the high 70s and low 80s as they have been most of this week. 

The birds have been very active as well. I managed this image of a seagull which was hoping for hand-outs from our evening Happy Hour munchies. Frankly, I don't know how I managed this shot as the seagull was moving so quickly and he was so close. 

Osprey with Catch
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
February 3, 2022

We have also enjoyed watching the osprey hunt. We also saw this osprey after having made a successful catch. I missed seeing the actual catch, but this bird was headed for its nest with dinner. 

Along with being mesmerized by the waves and enjoying the breeze the birds provide something to watch, enjoy, and marvel about. Not to be outdone, the fish sometimes take center stage by jumping from the water. I saw a huge splash which was reportedly a spinner shark, but I did not see the shark in the air as my eyes were focused elsewhere. 

I am beginning to settle into retirement. Walking the dog and biking in the morning. Taking care of projects and business during the mid-part of the day. And then to the beach during the mid- to late-afternoon. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Retirement Gift to Me

Cannondale Quick CX
In the Garage
Tequesta, FL
February 2, 2022

I finally decided to buy a bicycle to ride around the relatively flat lands of South Florida. I have always wanted bike and with the addition of the NordickTrac S22i studio workout cycle to my inventory last year, I have been building up to actual riding. I admit I have enjoyed biking through different countries and terrains, but the past two days of actually riding a bike have been very enjoyable. 

Chris and I have not ventured too far as we adjust to riding in different conditions and learn how to not die in traffic. 

Yes, I have appropriate safety equipment. I even have a helmet, which in my life I had never before used when riding a bike. 

I have not yet put too many miles on the bike as I am working up to longer rides, but the bike is awesome. It rides very nice and I feel very comfortable riding on it. I spent a lot of time deciding between a medium and large frame, but in the end I just felt better on the medium and so that is what I bought. It works better with my short legs.

I wonder where I will go today?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

As the Week Wears On

 Temperatures are returning to more normal in South Florida--the reason that I am wintering here. The average high temperature is around 76 degrees. Yesterday it reached, officially, 72 but it was a bit warmer in reality. 

Jupiter Island Beach
Jupiter, FL
February 2, 2022

Chris and I went to the beach during the afternoon when it was warmer. This was after walking and then biking. We enjoyed having there entire beach to ourselves. I took a panorama to document our "alone-ness" on the stretch of beach. And remember er, it is high season here--all of the other "snow birds" are in town. Sadly, the wind coming off the ocean was a bit cool and so we departed after about an hour; retreating to the intracoastal side of Jupiter Island to enjoy the warm afternoon sun and water.

Today the temperature is expected to reach 76 degrees, or higher. I am watching the ice and snow storm sweeping through the country which is reaffirming my decision to winter in South Florida. 

And to think, it is Friday-eve! An absolute bonus. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

From Cold to Warm

Chris and Finnegan Afternoon Beach Walk
Jupiter Island, FL
January 31, 2022

Despite the cold temperatures during the morning, yesterday turned into a very enjoyable afternoon which included a beach walk to stretch our legs after hunkering down against the cold temperatures of the weekend. I admit, it was not as cold here over the weekend as farther north, but it was in the 30s to start the days and that meant walking the dogs was an unappealing chore. 

One of the big differences between living in Maryland on our very private lot and here in modified condo living is taking care of the dogs. Unlike Maryland where I can let the dogs run the yard when they have needs, here they must be walked on a leash every time they go outside. That means either Chris or I need to be on the other end of the leash. 

Egret on the Beach
Jupiter Island, FL
January 31, 2022

Being on the other end of the leash is not all bad. For instance, yesterday we went for an afternoon beach walk once the temperatures achieved the mid-60s. It was windy, but the sun was warm and the time on the beach was enjoyable. Truth be told, Finnegan actually gets some off the leash time if the beach is devoid of people, which is usually the case. Yesterday he attempted to herd birds. That did not work too well as the birds simply took flight when they got tired of being chased. That frustrated Finnegan because of course he doesn't to have wings--he is a dog.

One of the birds that Finnegan attempted to "herd" got the better of him. This particular bird was wading the water on the rocks and Finnegan does not like to get his feet wet--that is a problem when it rains as well. The bird craftily placed a pool of water between himself and Finnegan which the dog did not notice. After racing full speed into the pool, Finnegan came to a full stop with his back feet going up in the air much like a bicycle back wheel rises up when the only the front brake is applied. It was pretty funny, although Finegan did not think so. The bird looked at the dog, appeared to laugh, and then calmly flew off to another spot in deeper water. 

And that is how we spent part of the last day of January 2022!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Reflection on a Month

Sign at the Flamingo Gardens
Ft Lauderdale, FL

One month ago today I walked out of my former place of employment for the last time and began my journey into the land of retirement. I miss all of my former coworkers and friends and hope they are well.

Since my retirement, it has been a wild month. Flying to Florida on my last work day, time in Houston, and then back to Maryland just long enough to close the house and return to Florida before the Blizzard of 2022. 

I have visited with a lot of my family and said good-byes to friends. Amazingly, Chris and I have enjoyed multiple days around fire pits even during January and in Maryland--before the storms. And I have been to a flamingo center to enjoy my favorite birds. 

It was at the Flamingo Gardens Botanical Gardens and Wildlife Sanctuary that I came across perhaps the most the most important piece of advice for dealing with retirement. I took an image of the sign. What does the sign mean to me? Don't sit around waiting for life to come to me because the only thing that comes without asking is poop, and I really don't want to clean that up.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

A Top 10 Happy Hour

Carlin Park Beach
Jupiter, FL
January 28, 2022

Happy Hour at the beach last night was one of the most unique adventures that I have lately enjoyed.

The evening almost did not happen because the temperature was cool and the winds were blowing. Both Chris and I believed that it would be too windy and cold to enjoy time on the beach watching the waves.

We were wrong. 

At almost the last minute we decided to meet friends at the beach for Happy Hour--an early one about 3:30 PM. Why early? Because I'm retired and I can!

It turned into an incredibly enjoyable event. 

The weather was milder on the beach than anticipated because the bright sun kept us warm despite the constant breeze. But that was not the best part. First off, the waves were magnificent. They were curling and breaking just offshore like waves we have seen in California and Hawaii. And there were surfers enjoying the rough seas despite the red flag warnings posted on the lifeguard stands. 

As a reminder of how rough the water was, one of the surfers was smashed onto the shore by a wave. He shook the collision with the beach off, but his surfboard was not so lucky as it was broken in half.

Friday Evening Beach Wedding
Carlin Park Beach
Jupiter, FL
January 28, 2022

But wait, there's more!

As if the activity of the waves and surfers were not enough, a wedding occurred behind us complete with music, vows, attendants, and witnesses. It was an intimate affair and we were fortunate to be able to enjoy the activity. 

I thought the wedding set-up was well done and thought out. We had met the three-year old ring-bearer in the parking lot as he was throwing a fit because he had to wear a bowtie. He later departed, mid-ceremony, to chase a seagull and had to be shepherded back by his mother.

We enjoyed watching the activity and celebrated with the invited guests when the couple was pronounced married. 

This Happy Hour was high up there on the list of top 10 Happy Hours!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Welcome Spring

It has been almost a year since the COVID-19 quarantines began. Everyone is using a slightly different date for their start, but I will be using March 18th. I distinctly remember that I was at work on St Patricks Day and then the weird schedules and quarantines began. We thought it would last a couple weeks.

Now, a year later there is finally hope. Some places are opening--perhaps too soon. 

As I raised the Springtime flag outside our home, I was encouraged by the bright colors that remind me that Spring is close and almost here. I looked as some of they mages that I took last Springtime and noticed that last year the leaves and blossoms seemed to be ahead of where we are now. But that is OK--they will come and the rebirth of the world will be underway for another year. 

And as an added benefit this year, we will have the 17 year cicadas! I remember their noise from the last time that the brood appeared. 

I will enjoy the near 80 degree temperatures today, before the plunge back into the 40s to begin the week--but I know with every passing day the weather will trend warmer and the days longer.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Fire, Friends, Wine

 

Chris at the Fire Pit
Elkridge, MD
March 9, 2020

Spring is only a a short 10 days away. 

Last evening we celebrated the return of warm weather by hosting a fire pit evening for friends in the neighborhood.

The evening was beautiful and most importantly, warm.

The fire in the pit was crackling and hot--it kept the inevitable chill that announced the arrival of nightfall from driving us inside. We enjoyed stories, conversation, and wine around the fire and dreamed of coming out the other side of the pandemic unscathed. There remains a long way to go, but as more and more of our friends and family are vaccinated, we can begin to resume more normal relationships.

Last evening was the beginning of what we hope are many more evenings around a roaring fire reflecting on life and planning for the future. 

Thanks to our friends who joined us last evening. We are looking forward to enjoying more evenings together.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD