Monday Musings - January 20, 2025

 

Loxahatchee River Bridge
Tequesta, FL
January 19, 2025

1. The third Monday of January has arrived. It is a momentous day as the 47th president of the U.S. is sworn in. It is also Martin Luther King Jr Day to remember the struggle for equality for all Americans. There are 49 Mondays remaining in the year.

2. Family NFL Report. Two of the three remaining family NFL teams won their playoff games and move on to the Conference Championship games next week. 

 - Chiefs defeated Texans to move to the AFC Championship game next Sunday and host the Bills. 

 - Commanders defeated Lions to move to the NFC Championship game next Sunday against the Eagles in Philadelphia. 

- Ravens fell short against the Bills and are out of the playoffs. It was both exciting and heartbreaking. 

3. I completed my first bike ride of 2025. It was a short 8 miles since I have not ridden in over three weeks and then only lightly during December. It felt very good to be back on my bike and out touring the area. I enjoyed the mid-70 degree morning especially after being so cold in Maryland. I still cannot believe the extreme of temperatures, from 12 degrees Thursday morning to 80 degrees yesterday afternoon.

4. Three weeks from today, Chris and I will be setting off on a significant trip to experience wine, flora, fauna, and scenery. We have so much to do between now and then.

5. Today in History. On January 20, 1981, minutes after Ronald Reagan’s inauguration as the 40th president of the United States, the 52 U.S. captives held at the U.S. embassy in Teheran, Iran, are released, ending the 444-day Iran Hostage Crisis.

On November 4, 1979, the crisis began when militant Iranian students, outraged that the U.S. government had allowed the ousted shah of Iran to travel to New York City for medical treatment, seized the U.S. embassy in Teheran. The Ayatollah Khomeini, Iran’s political and religious leader, took over the hostage situation, refusing all appeals to release the hostages, even after the U.N. Security Council demanded an end to the crisis in an unanimous vote. However, two weeks after the storming of the embassy, the Ayatollah began to release all non-U.S. captives, and all female and minority Americans, citing these groups as among the people oppressed by the government of the United States. The remaining 52 captives remained at the mercy of the Ayatollah for the next 14 months.

Biden issues preemptive pardons for Milley, Fauci and Jan. 6 committee members - CNN

First Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages freed as Gaza ceasefire takes force - CNN

Ukraine opens a new front against Russia – flattering Trump - CNN

Relieved US TikTok enthusiasts hope 'magic' returns as app is restored - Reuters

China's crude oil imports from top supplier Russia reach new high in 2024 - Reuters

US upgrades probe into 129,000 Ford vehicles over hands-free tech - Reuters

What the North Koreans took into battle against Ukraine - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - January 13, 2025

 

Winter Sunset
Odenton, MD
January 12, 2025

1. It is the second Monday of the year. That means there are only 50 Mondays remaining in 2025. Don't let it slip away!

2. Family NFL Report. It was a good weekend for the family teams in the playoffs. Three of the four playoff teams advanced to the Division Series, which is the best to be expected since two family teams played each other in the Wild Card Round. 

  Ravens defeated Steelers 28-14 to advance. They play the Bills next Saturday

 Commanders defeated Buccaneers, 23-20. They face the Lions next Sunday.

 Chiefs had a bye and will face the Texans next Sunday.

3. Chris and I are expecting to visit with our newest grandson today. We are very excited because we will soon return to the land of warmth and sunshine and will miss getting to know Beck.

4. Today in History. On January 13, 1129, at the Council of Troyes, Pope Honorius II grants a papal sanction to the military order known as the Knights Templar, declaring it to be an army of God. Led by the Frenchman Hughes de Payens, the Knights Templar organization was founded in 1118. Its self-imposed mission was to protect Christian pilgrims on their way to and from the Holy Land during the Crusades, the series of military expeditions aimed at defeating Muslims in Palestine. For a while, the Templars had only nine members, mostly due to their rigid rules. In addition to having noble birth, the knights were required to take strict vows of poverty, obedience and chastity. In 1127, new promotional efforts convinced many more noblemen to join the order, gradually increasing its size and influence.

Ukraine losing ground on the battlefield as Trump team pushes ceasefire - CNN

Venezuela’s Maduro starts another disputed term in office more isolated than ever - CNN

Protests turn violent in China after student falls to his death - CNN

Final draft of Gaza truce deal presented after 'breakthrough' - Reuters

Robust US economy may not need Trump's big reforms - Reuters

Trump's crowd-size obsession to be tested at inauguration after 2017 controversy - Reuters

ukraines-capture-of-north-koreans-offers-rare-insight-into-russian-alliance-says-zelenskyy - The Guardian

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday Musings - January 6, 2025

 

Percy and Lily Napping
Odenton, MD
January 5, 2025

1. Welcome to the first Monday of 2025. I still have trouble typing the new year. There are 51 Mondays remaining on the new calendar to enjoy.

2. Family NFL Report. The teams we cheer for have finished the regular season. Four teams are in the playoffs, while others failed to make the post-season.  

 Chiefs (15-2) are the #1 Seed in the AFC. They have a BYE. 

Cowboys (7-10) are out of the playoffs. Finished with a loss to the Commanders.

Commanders, (12-5) are the #6 Seed in the NCC and travel to Tampa for a playoff game against the Buccaneers

Ravens (12-5) are the #3 Seed in the AFC. They host the #6 seed Steelers (10-7) next Saturday

Dolphins (8-9) finished with a loss to the Jets and are out of the playoffs. 

3. Who says cats and dogs don't get along. Yesterday Percy and Lily were caught napping together. They seemed very happy.

4. The biggest Winter storm in a few years has descended upon the region. Most everything is shuttered and the snow is falling at a rate of 1-3 inches per hour. This could continue all day. We estimate 6 inches on the ground already.

5. I remember January 6, 2021. I am appalled at how the events of that day have been recounted to fit competing narratives. Police were attacked and, despite statements to the contrary, people died both on that day and later as a result of injuries sustained on that day. In a sanctuary of democracy, the Capitol, Americans attacked Americans with the intent to do harm.

6. Today in History. On January 6, 1838, Samuel Morse’s telegraph system is demonstrated for the first time at the Speedwell Iron Works in Morristown, New Jersey. The telegraph, a device which used electric impulses to transmit encoded messages over a wire, would eventually revolutionize long-distance communication, reaching the height of its popularity in the 1920s and 1930s.

Samuel Finley Breese Morse was born April 27, 1791, in Charlestown, Massachusetts. He attended Yale University, where he was interested in art, as well as electricity, still in its infancy at the time. After college, Morse became a painter. In 1832, while sailing home from Europe, he heard about the newly discovered electromagnet and came up with an idea for an electric telegraph. He had no idea that other inventors were already at work on the concept.

Congress convenes today to certify Trump’s 2024 election win, clearing his way to be America’s 47th president - CNN

Blinken warns Russia is close to sharing satellite technology with North Korea - CNN

Pope appoints Trump critic to be archbishop of Washington, DC - CNN

Canada PM Trudeau is likely to announce resignation, source says - Reuters

European shares, euro surge after report of more targeted US tariffs - Reuters

U.S. Steel, Nippon allege Biden violated constitution in lawsuit over blocked deal - Reuters

Winter storm hits central US, barrels toward Washington - Reuters

Warren Upton, oldest survivor of Pearl Harbor attack, dies at 105 - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday Musings - December 30, 2024

 

Barrel Room at Big Cork
Rohersville, MD
December 29, 2024

1. The New Year is less than 48 hours away! Today is the last Monday of 2024. All of the year end reviews will be out soon. 

2. Family NFL Report. Family teams went 4-2 during the week long football extravaganza. Ravens took sole possession of the AFC North Division, and the Commanders clinched a playoff spot.  

Cowboys (7-9) failed to show against Eagles (13-3), 7-41

Commanders, (11-5) overcame Falcons (8-8), 36-33

Ravens (11-5) trounced Texans (9-7), 31-2 

Steelers (10-6) were pummeled by Chiefs (15-1) 10-29

Dolphins (8-8) drowned Browns (3-13), 20-3

3.  Yesterday, Chris and I visited our favorite Maryland Winery for the last time during 2024. We were joined by Sue and George and we spent a great afternoon enjoying the wines and reconnecting. 

4. The weather moderated yesterday with temperatures reaching into the 60s. It was a relief from the below freezing experience we had been having. 

5. Remembering Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of these United States. My how times and presidents were different then. 

6. There have been three significant aircraft accidents/crashes during the past week. That seems very strange and concerning.

7. Today in History. On December 30, 1922, in post-revolutionary Russia, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) is established, comprising a confederation of Russia, Belorussia, Ukraine and the Transcaucasian Federation (divided in 1936 into the Georgian, Azerbaijan and Armenian republics). Also known as the Soviet Union, the new communist state was the successor to the Russian Empire and the first country in the world to be based on Marxist socialism.

During the Russian Revolution of 1917 and subsequent three-year Russian Civil War, the Bolshevik Party under Vladimir Lenin dominated the sovietforces, a coalition of workers’ and soldiers’ committees that called for the establishment of a socialist state in the former Russian Empire. In the USSR, all levels of government were controlled by the Communist Party, and the party’s politburo, with its increasingly powerful general secretary, effectively ruled the country. Soviet industry was owned and managed by the state, and agricultural land was divided into state-run collective farms.

Jimmy Carter dies at 100 - CNN

Passengers report flames as Air Canada flight suffers ‘suspected landing gear issue’ after landing - CNN

Azerbaijan’s president accuses Russia of downing airliner in Christmas Day crash and covering up cause - CNN

Exclusive: The Russian billionaires whose chemical factories fuel Russia's war machine - Reuters

South Korea orders airline safety probe after worst domestic crash kills 179 - Reuters

Syria eyes 'strategic' ties with Ukraine, Kyiv vows more food aid shipments - Reuters

Jayden Daniels does it all in OT thriller, lifts Commanders into playoffs - The Washington Post

Where Is Russia Finding New Soldiers? Wherever It Can - The New York Times

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD 

Monday Musings - December 23, 2024

 

Happy Christmas Eve Eve

1. Don't look now, but this is the penultimate Monday of 2024. 

2. Family NFL Report. Family teams went 5-1 during the weekend. The Ravens with the win tied the Steelers in the divisional race and clinched a playoff spot. All of the family teams except the Cowboys, are still in play for the post-season with the Chiefs, Steelers, and Ravens having clinched a post-season spot. 

Cowboys (7-8) outlasted Buccaneers (8-7), 26-24  

Commanders, (10-5) overcame Eagles (12-3), 36-33

Ravens (10-5) doubled-up Steelers (10-5), 34-17

Dolphins (7-8) drowned 49ers (6-9), 29-17

Chiefs (14-1) overcame Texans (9-6), 27-19

3.  Chris and I had a surprise yesterday. Thinking we would be flying on a too crowded aircraft, we were greeted by the Southwest flight crew advising us that the flight was not full and we could spread out. That made the flight almost enjoyable.

4. It is 18 degrees outside this morning. I felt bad for Finn when I put him outside to take care of his morning needs. He was very efficient in getting everything accomplished. 

5. Today in History. On December 23, 1888, Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, suffering from severe depression, cuts off the lower part of his left ear with a razor while staying in Arles, France. He later documented the event in a painting titled Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear. Today, Van Gogh is regarded as an artistic genius and his masterpieces sell for record-breaking prices; however, during his lifetime, he was a poster boy for tortured starving artists and sold only one painting.

Vincent Willem van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853, in the Netherlands. He had a difficult, nervous personality and worked unsuccessfully at an art gallery and then as a preacher among poor miners in Belgium. In 1880, he decided to become an artist. His work from this period—the most famous of which is The Potato Eaters (1885)—is dark and somber and reflective of the experiences he had among peasants and impoverished miners.

Trump bristles at Musk’s rocketing profile - CNN

Nissan, Honda announce plans to merge, creating world’s No. 3 automaker - CNN

Suspect in German Christmas market attack had history of troubling social media posts - CNN

Biden commutes sentences of 37 of 40 inmates on federal death row - Reuters

Biden launches new US trade probe into legacy Chinese chips - Reuters

Markets in 2024: Wall Street's high-octane rally keeps investors captive to the US - Reuters

South Korea says it detects signs of North Korea preparing more troops, drones for Russia - Reuters

Zelensky’s slow shift toward negotiating for Ukraine’s future - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday Musings - December 16, 2024

 

1. Wow. It is the third Monday of December and there are only two Mondays remaining in the year. I hope that your holiday shopping is complete because Christmas is upon us!

2. Family NFL Report. Family teams went 4-2 during the weekend. The Ravens won and the Steelers lost setting up a battle for the division on Saturday. The Steelers, however, clinched a playoff spot by losing. 

Cowboys (6-8) overcame the Panthers (3-11), 30-14  

Commanders, (9-5) slipped by Saints (5-9), 20-19

Steelers (10-4) were routed by Eagles (12-2), 13-27 

Ravens (9-5) stomped Giants (2-12), 35-14

Dolphins (6-8) were outgunned by Texans (9-5), 12-20

Chiefs (13-1) stomped Browns (3-11), 21-7

3. I'm taking a deep breath this week because once we return to Maryland next Sunday, the pace ramps up and continues into January. The holidays are upon us. 

Self Service Postal Center
Tequesta, FL
December 15, 2025

4. Thank goodness for the post office 24-hour self service center. Chris and I visited our local post office yesterday to purchase some additional stamps for a couple Christmas cards that were too heavy. It was worth it to add 28 cents rather than 73 cents for the additional postage. It was no lines and no waiting.

5. Christmas is nearly in the bag. Our shopping is complete, mostly except of course for those gifts we forgot. The Christmas cards are in the mail and we are cruising into the home stretch of the holidays. 

6. Today in History. December 16, 1773. In Boston Harbor, a group of Massachusetts colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians board three tea ships and dump 342 chests of tea into the harbor.

The midnight raid, popularly known as the “Boston Tea Party,” was in protest of the British Parliament’s Tea Act of 1773, a bill designed to save the faltering East India Company by greatly lowering its tea tax and granting it a virtual monopoly on the American tea trade. The low tax allowed the East India Company to undercut even tea smuggled into America by Dutch traders, and many colonists viewed the act as another example of taxation tyranny.

Netanyahu says he spoke with Trump about need for ‘victory,’ as Israeli government approves plan for Golan expansion - CNN

Considering moving out of the US in 2025? These are the best countries for American expats - CNN

Mayotte cyclone kills several hundred, maybe thousands, in worst storm in century - Reuters

Israel plans to double population on occupied Golan, citing threats from Syria - Reuters

Russian tanker splits in storm, spilling oil into Kerch Strait - Reuters

North Korean troops join Russian assaults in significant numbers, Kyiv says - Reuters

‘Unbearable’: Residents of some small towns, feeling inundated by cruises, fight the industry - The Washington Post

Foreign powers jockey for control in Syria, risking new conflict - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#mondaymusings 

Monday Musings - December 9, 2024 Travel Edition

 

1. The second Monday of December is upon us. There are but three Mondays remaining in the year 2024! Christmas is a short two-weeks hence.

A Somber Scene as We Departed for the Airport
Odenton, MD
December 9, 2024

2. Today was a travel day. Chris and I, along with trusty dog Finnegan, returned to the warmth of Florida aboard a very nice Southwest Airlines flight after two great weeks in Maryland. While in Maryland visited with friends and family while enjoying a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner. 

Nicole after extinguishing the Candles
Odenton, MD
December 8, 2024

3. Yesterday we celebrated Nicole's birthday. It is not her actual birthday, but fully 50 percent of the family will not be in Maryland on her actual day and so we made it a special and festive day for her. Nicole graciously dropped Chris, me, and Ethan off at the airport before 8 AM this morning so that we could fly to our separate destinations.

4. We were lucky to attend the first game of Jax's basketball season yesterday. While it was a losing effort, it was good to see him on the court getting into playing shape for the upcoming season. He made a few great plays and is definitely a force in the middle. He is tall and when he gets his wings fully extended he can tower over the opposition.

Jax - Force in the Middle
December 8, 2024
Severn Run, MD

5. I had the opportunity to meet Joe Scarborough in the Palm Beach International airport as we deplaned this afternoon. I was surprised to meet him, but he graciously shook hands with me as I told him how much I appreciated his MSNBC show, Morning Joe. I was honored that he took a moment to greet me and shake my hand. I have to admit, that is the very first time in my life that I have stopped someone of consequence to say hello and get a handshake.

6. Airport Horror Story. We arrived at BWI this morning without having eaten breakfast and on one cup of coffee. The idea was that we would get a "too expensive" breakfast at the airport. We ate at Firkin & Flyer and even though I advised the waitress that we had a boarding time which was 25 minutes away (we had already sat with no service for 15 minutes)--breakfast was delivered two minutes before boarding time. I was livid! We asked for boxes and forks and walked very quickly to our gate finding the first half of the B-group already boarded. We had A-group boarding. We ate our now cold and somewhat unappetizing breakfast after the jet reached 10,000 feet.

7. It felt good to get off the plane this afternoon and not be cold! I am relishing the high 70s temperatures! I am barefoot for the first time in two weeks.

8. This being the travel edition, I am dispensing with Today in History and Headlines. Catch them next week. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - December 2, 2024

 

1. We made it to December. This is the first Monday of the last month of 2024. There are only four Mondays remaining in the year. Three weeks from today is Christmas Eve Eve!

Finn Under the Tree
Elkridge, MD
December 1, 2024

2. We enjoyed an afternoon at Jeremy's house yesterday. It was football Sunday and Finn found a great place to get away from Jeremy's bigger dogs. He looked like a present under the tree because he was wearing his snowman sweater. He would periodically head there to get out of the way. When we took him home we discovered that he smelled like the scent added to the tree to make it smell like a real tree. His reward for being so cute under the tree was a bath!

3. Family NFL Report. Family teams went 4-2 in the multi-day game holiday game format. The Steelers won the highest scoring game of the season with 82 points posted between the two teams. The Ravens suddenly have a field-goal kicker problem. The historically most accurate kicker in the NFL left 7 points on the field which resulted in a gut wrenching loss to the Eagles.

Cowboys (5-7) made it past Giants (2-10), 27-20  

Commanders, (8-5) thumped the Titans (3-9), 42-19

Steelers (9-3) slipped by Bengals (4-8), 44-38 

Ravens (8-5) lost to Eagles (10-2), 19-24

Dolphins (5-7) were drowned by Packers (9-3), 17-30

Chiefs (11-1) made it past Raiders (2-10), 19-17

4. I am becoming cold-soaked with the Maryland daily high temperatures in the 40s. I looked at the long-range forecast for Tequesta and noted that temperatures when we return next Monday will be in the 80s. Looking forward to reviving my fading tan!

5. Programming note: I will no longer be referencing Wall Street Journal headlines in the Monday Musings News section, as I have terminated my subscription. I continue my subscriptions to The NY Times and The Washington Post.

6. Today in History. On a day like today, Albert Einstein's Theory of General Relativity was published, after the German physicist shook the foundations of Physics with his presentation to the Prussian Academy of Sciences in Berlin.

On December 2, 1915, after it was officially presented on November 25, Einstein's theory of gravitation was published in the minutes of the Prussian Academy of Sciences, in a four-page article entitled The equations of the gravitational field.

The Theory of General Relativity, reformulated the concept of Newtonian gravity and gave way to a deep development of cosmology, a branch of physics that studies the origin and evolution of the universe.

Biden’s pardon of his son gives Trump an opening - CNN

Syrian and Russian jets step up strikes on rebels after opposition seizes much of Aleppo - CNN

Putin approves record defense spending – a third of Russia’s budget - CNN

Exclusive: Latest US strike on China's chips hits semiconductor toolmakers - Reuters

Guinea stadium crush kills 56 people after disputed refereeing decision - Reuters

Philippines' Marcos says presence of Russian submarine 'very worrisome' - Reuters

Threatened by climate change, Panama Canal has big plans - Reuters

Potential conflicts of interest may haunt Dr. Oz’s confirmation to run Medicare, Medicaid - The Washington Post

Snow continues to bury Northeast, with more expected through Monday - The Washington Post

U.S. Dual Citizen Thought to Be Alive in Gaza Died on Oct. 7,  - The New York Times

-- Bob Doan, Odenton,MD

Monday Musings - November 25, 2024 Travel Edition

 

Out the Hotel Window
Dunn, NC
November 25, 2024

1. Welcome to the last Monday of November. The Holiday Season begins officially on Thursday with Thanksgiving and there are only 5 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. I am writing from a hotel in Dunn, NC. We were on the road for just over 10 hours yesterday, but it was a beautiful driving day. 

3. Out the Hotel Window this morning is a bright sunrise and a parking lot. The blue sky is grand with the sun.

4. Family NFL Report. Family teams went 3-2 with the Ravens playing tonight. The Steelers lost a very snowy game on Thursday and the Cowboys escape the Commanders in what was probably the most exciting 4th quarter of football in a long while

Cowboys (4-7) overcame Commanders, (7-5) 34-26

Steelers (8-3) lost to Browns (3-8), 19-24 on Thursday in the Snow Bowl

Ravens (7-4) face Chargers (7-4) tonight

Dolphins (5-6) drowned Patriots (3-9), 34-15

Chiefs (10-1) held off Panthers (3-8), 30-27

5. We hope to be in Odenton, MD by about 1:30 this afternoon.

And this is the travel version of the Monday Musings!

-- Bob Doan, Dunn, NC

Monday Musings - November 18, 2024

 

1. Well, it has arrived. The last Monday before the beginning of the holiday travel season. There are just six Mondays remaining in the year and starting next week the rocket sled ride towards the new year gets into high gear. 

2. Thanksgiving is as late as possible this year. That means---a short Christmas season and more stress. 

3. Family NFL Report. Family teams went 2-3 with the Cowboys playing tonight. The Ravens lost a nail biter to the Steelers, again!.

Cowboys (3-6) tackle Texans (6-4),tonight

Steelers (8-2) survived Ravens (7-4), 18-16

Commanders (7-4) got whipped by Eagles (8-2) 18-26 on Thursday 

Dolphins (4-6) swam past Raiders (4-4), 34-19

Chiefs (9-1) stampeded by Bills (9-2), 21-30

4. For those of you who maintained that Project 2025 was not Trump's plan, see the article in the Washington Post, linked below, about the FCC pick. Project 2025 envisions sweeping changes to economic and social policies and the federal government and its agencies. The plan proposes taking partisan control of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Commerce (DOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Federal Trade Commission (FTC), dismantling the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and abolishing the Department of Education (ED), whose programs would be transferred or terminated.^[26][27]  (Wikipedia) I recommend getting familiar with Project 2025 because it seems to be the basis for what is coming to America.

5. Today in History. On a day like today, the first case of a person infected with Covid-19 was confirmed in the Chinese province of Hubei.

On November 17, 2019, the first case of a person infected with Covid-19 was confirmed: a 55-year-old adult from the city of Hubei, China, although at that time the authorities refused to confirm that it was patient zero.

China was able to reach the first known case of Covid-19 in the world, after an in-depth investigation that finally managed to track the patient and map the early contagion pattern, two months before the local outbreak turned into a pandemic.

On December 27 of that year, the doctor of the Provincial Hospital of Chinese and Western Integrated Medicine, Zhang Jixián, had reported to the authorities about new infectious conditions caused by a new type of coronavirus.

Ukraine's allies in disarray as Trump presidency draws near Show all - CNN

Analysis Trump doubles down on controversial Cabinet picks - CNN

India’s successful test of hypersonic missile puts it among elite group - CNN

Long-range strikes against Russia: too late to save Ukraine? - Reuters

US no-frills pioneer Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy protection - Reuters

Oil prices tick higher as Russia-Ukraine tensions escalate - Reuters

Trump picks Brendan Carr, who laid out agenda in Project 2025, as FCC chairman - The Washington Post

As it enters polar night, this Alaska town won’t see sunrise for 64 days - The Washington Post

No, Trump Cannot Run for Re-election Again in 2028 - The New York Times

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL