Monday Musings - January 5, 2026

 

1. Happy New Year again. Welcome to the first Monday of 2026. We have a whole year ahead of us along with 51 more Mondays.

Out the Hotel Window
Port Canaveral, FL
January 5, 2025

2. Today we board Utopia of the Seas for a week of fun and a visit to the Bahamas! I am awake this morning looking out on a foggy Florida morning. I was happy to be able to charge the car for free at the hotel!

3. NFL Family Football Report. The regular season is over and only one family team made the post season. Congratulations to the Steelers and the game ending missed Ravens field goal. Collectively, the teams finished a dismal 43-58-1, .426, for the season. 

Ravens (8-9) lost to Steelers (10-7), 24-26 

Dolphins (7-10) lost to Patriots (14-3), 10-38

Commanders (5-12) defeated Eagles (11-6), 24-17

Cowboys (7-9-1), lost to Giants (4-13), 17-34

Chiefs (6-11) lost to Raiders (3-14), 12-14

4. I am very conflicted this morning. I am appalled that international law and the Constitution were so blatantly ignored with the "arrest" of Maduro and his wife. I was further shocked that the Attorney General talked of the full "wrath" of American justice. I thought justice was blind and fair in a country governed by the rule of law. And I am further distressed by the Republicans talking on FoxNews (yes I watched) and not addressing the legality of the actions, but rather condemning Democrats who are concerned about the law, the state of our country, and are concerned that the veiled arrest is really a land and resource grab form a sovereign country. How is this different from what Putin did to Ukraine? And now Trump is talking about Cuba and Colombia next!

5. Today in History. On January 5, 1933, construction begins on the Golden Gate Bridge, as workers began excavating 3.25 million cubic feet of dirt for the structure’s huge anchorages.

Following the Gold Rush boom that began in 1849, speculators realized the land north of San Francisco Bay would increase in value in direct proportion to its accessibility to the city. Soon, a plan was hatched to build a bridge that would span the Golden Gate, a narrow, 400-foot deep strait that serves as the mouth of the San Francisco Bay, connecting the San Francisco Peninsula with the southern end of Marin County.

Although the idea went back as far as 1869, the proposal took root in 1916. A former engineering student, James Wilkins, working as a journalist with the San Francisco Bulletin, called for a suspension bridge with a center span of 3,000 feet, nearly twice the length of any in existence. Wilkins’ idea was estimated to cost an astounding $100 million. So, San Francisco’s city engineer, Michael M. O’Shaughnessy (he’s also credited with coming up with the name Golden Gate Bridge), began asking bridge engineers whether they could do it for less.

Venezuela's Maduro due in US court, substitute leader softens stance - Reuters

Cuba says 32 of its citizens killed in Maduro extraction - Reuters

Ukraine says Russian strike on Kyiv leaves first civilians dead this year - Reuters

Popular Japanese sushi chain pays record $3.2 million for tuna in New Year auction - Reuters

Mike Johnson brags about ‘a great year.’ House Republicans are discussing his replacement - MSNow

Trump predicts Cuba is 'ready to fall' after US captures Venezuela's Maduro - FOXNews

Ravens' season ends in heartbreak as missed field goal sends Steelers to playoffs - FoxNews

U.S. plan to ‘run’ Venezuela clouded in confusion - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Port Canaveral, FL

Monday Musings - December 29, 2025

 

1. The final Monday of 2025 has arrived. Christmas Day has passed and we are looking forward to the New Year with some trepidation. We will party and greet the new year, but the joyous celebration may soon evaporate as the realities of the world overcome our senses. 

2. NFL Family Football Report. As weeks go, at least the family teams were 3-3, .500, which is certainly better than they have been doing. The Steelers failed to win the AFC North Division. That loss sets up a "Win and In" game next week with the Ravens for the division crown with the loser watching the playoffs from their sofas. The winner of that game will be the only family team in the playoffs. Collectively, the teams are 41-54-1, .432, for the season. 

Ravens (8-8) overcame Packers (9-6-1), 41-24 

Dolphins (7-9) swam past Buccaneers (7-9), 21-20-17

Steelers (9-7) tackled by Browns (4-12), 6-13

Commanders (4-12) were lassoed by Cowboys (7-8-1), 23-30

Chiefs (6-10) fell to Broncos (13-3), 13-20

Lilly, Arthur and Finn Watching Football
Odenton, MD
December 28, 2025

3. Watching football is a family affair. Yesterday we managed to get four adults and three dogs onto the sofa for the games. The dogs were quite comfortable and staked out some prime real estate complete with pillows to enjoy the contests. 

4. And writing of sports teams, Arsenal, of the Premier League, continues to maintain a 2-point advantage over Man City and 3-points over Aston Villa--their opponent tomorrow. This is a very important game.

5. Whack-a-mole. The US Military is being used to play Whack-a-Mole across the globe. Whether it be sinking unarmed power boats in the Caribbean Sea or Pacific Ocean, striking ISIS positions in Syria, or for some unknown reason wasting valuable munitions to do something in Nigeria, apparently our president who claims to be committed to peace is spending our national treasure willy-nilly around the planet. Yet, he won't commit our support to Ukraine where the focused application of US weapons could actually bring a terrible war to a conclusion.

6. Today in History. On December 29, 1890, in one of the final chapters of America’s long Indian wars, the U.S. Cavalry kills 146 Lakota Indians at Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota.

Throughout 1890, the U.S. government worried about the increasing influence at Pine Ridge of the Ghost Dance spiritual movement, which taught that Native Americans had been defeated and confined to reservations because they had angered the gods by abandoning their traditional customs. Many Lakota believed that if they practiced the Ghost Dance and rejected the ways of the white man, the gods would create the world anew and destroy all non-believers, including non-Indians.

On December 15, 1890, reservation police tried to arrest Sitting Bull, the famous Hunkpapa Lakota leader, who they mistakenly believed was a Ghost Dancer, at the Standing Rock reservation and killed him in the process.

On December 29, the U.S. Army’s 7th cavalry surrounded a band of Ghost Dancers under the Lakota Chief Big Foot (a.k.a. Spotted Elk) near Wounded Knee Creek and demanded they surrender their weapons. As that was happening, a fight broke out between an Indian and a U.S. soldier and a shot was fired, although it’s unclear from which side. A brutal massacre followed, in which it’s estimated almost 150 Native Americans were killed (some historians put this number at twice as high), nearly half of them women and children. The cavalry lost 25 men.

Trump-Zelenskiy talks yield no progress on Ukraine-Russia territorial issues - Reuters

China stages record drills designed to encircle Taiwan - Reuters

Syria secures mass grave revealed by Reuters and opens criminal investigation - Reuters

North Korea's Kim Jong Un oversees cruise missile launches - Reuters

The small-business owners going uninsured as premiums skyrocket  - CNN

Blizzard conditions and tornadoes disrupt travel as winter brings frigid reality check back to the US - CNN

Congress is desperately failing at its main job - MS Now

Trump’s Christmas bombing of Nigeria has little to do with protecting Christians - MS Now

Iran sends conflicting signals on its missiles as Israeli concerns rise - The Washington Post

Steelers make major money decision on DK Metcalf after 2-game suspension - FoxNews

Donald Trump in his own words – the year in racism and misogyny - The Guardian

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

#MondayMusings

Monday Musings - December 22, 2025

 

View from Jupiter Lighthouse
Jupiter, FL
November 14, 2025

1. The penultimate Monday of the year has arrived. Christmas is three days hence. 2025 is quickly becoming history and I am looking forward to a fresh start in another year. I think the country needs it.

2. NFL Family Football Report. The abysmal NFL season continues for the family teams. Collectively, they went 1-5 this week. The Ravens hopes for a playoff berth are on life-support after losing last evening to the Patriots. The teams are 38-51-1, .428. 

Ravens (7-8) lost to Patriots (12-3), 28-24 

Dolphins (6-9) drowned by Bengals (5-10), 21-45

Steelers (9-6) defeated Lions (8-7), 29-24

Commanders (4-11) owned by Eagles (10-5), 18-29

Cowboys (6-8-1) were electrocuted by Chargers (11-4), 17-34 

Chiefs (6-9) were were stomped by Titans (3-12) 9-26

3. The weather in South Florida has been awesome. Chris and I did a short bike ride yesterday. It will be the last ride of 2025 as we head north today for Christmas. I rode 1517 miles during the year. Not my best in terms of total miles, but still a solid year given the amount of travel that we did.

4. Is anyone else concerned that the president selected a special envoy to Greenland? Are we going to get into a conflict with NATO and steal Greenland? USAToday

5. Today in History. On December 22, 1956, a baby gorilla named Colo enters the world at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio, becoming the first-ever gorilla born in captivity. Weighing in at approximately 4 pounds, Colo, a western lowland gorilla whose name was a combination of Columbus and Ohio, was the daughter of Millie and Mac, two gorillas captured in French Cameroon, Africa, who were brought to the Columbus Zoo in 1951. Before Colo’s birth, gorillas found at zoos were caught in the wild, often by brutal means. In order to capture a gorilla when it was young and therefore still small enough to handle, hunters frequently had to kill the gorilla’s parents and other family members.

Gorillas are peaceful, intelligent animals, native to Africa, who live in small groups led by one adult male, known as a silverback. There are three subspecies of gorilla: western lowland, eastern lowland and mountain. The subspecies are similar and the majority of gorillas in captivity are western lowland. Gorillas are vegetarians whose only natural enemy is the humans who hunt them. On average, a gorilla lives to 35 years in the wild and 50 years in captivity.

Syrians emptied Assad’s prisons. They’re filling up again, and abuse is rife - Reuters

Trump names Louisiana governor as Greenland special envoy, prompting Danish alarm - Reuters

Japan prepares to restart world's biggest nuclear plant, 15 years after Fukushima - Reuters

US pursuing third oil tanker near Venezuela, officials say - Reuters

CBS shelves ‘60 Minutes’ story on Trump deportees at the last minute: ‘People are threatening to quit,’ staffers say - CNN

A $6 billion nuclear deal has Trump’s name all over it. It’s raising serious ethics concerns - CNN

Russian general killed by Moscow car bomb, in latest attack on top military officers - CNN

Republicans and Democrats pitch competing plans to tackle affordability - The Washington Post

JD Vance to Turning Point crowd: ‘You don’t have to apologize for being white anymore" - MSNow

Lions' last-second TD overturned as Steelers snatch victory in wild finish - FoxNews

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - December 15, 2025

 

1. And here we are, mired in the middle of the last month of 2025. There are 10 days to go until Christmas and it is the third Monday of the month. There remain only two Mondays of 2025!

2. NFL Family Football Report. Given what happened with the Ravens last Sunday, I boycotted watching the NFL this week. Between both dismal play execution by the team and criminal refereeing, I just couldn't take watching the games yesterday. Three family teams have been eliminated from the playoffs, I put the Cowboys in that category because they must win their three remaining games and the Eagles must lose all of their three remaining games. The teams are 36-45-1, .445. 

Ravens (7-7) exacted revenge on the Bengals (5-9), 28-0 

Dolphins (6-7) play Steelers (7-6), tonight

Commanders (4-10) dispatched Giants (2-12), 29-21

Cowboys (6-7-1) were effectively eliminated from playoffs by Vikings (6-8), 26-34 

Chiefs (6-8) were eliminated from playoffs by Chargers (10-4) 13-16

Christmas Poinsettia
Tequesta, FL
December 14, 2025

3. Chris placed our poinsettia in the garden to add some much needed color. It does. It was especially radiant yesterday still carrying the raindrops from the overnight rainstorm.

Christmas at the Mall
Gardens Mall, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
December 14, 2025

4. We ventured to the local mall, the Gardens Mall, yesterday to do some Christmas shopping. We have been going to the mall fairly regularly during the year and it is usually a ghost town. Not so yesterday. The parking lots were full and the mall was bustling with Christmas shoppers. It was fun to be out and enjoying so many other shoppers. And we were successful in our efforts to find some actual physical Christmas gifts in a brick and mortar mall setting. The Christmas Spirit was definitely evident. 

5. The attacks at Brown University in Rhode Island and on Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia, that killed so many people and injured so many others sadly highlight the continuing hostility and lack of civility in the world. I thought Australia had tough gun laws and we know how liberal they are here in the US. I cannot fathom why people believe they need to get weapons and go shoot strangers. 

6. Today in History. In a ceremony held in Baghdad on December 15, 2011, the war that began in 2003 with the American-led invasion of Iraqofficially comes to an end. But violence continued and in fact worsened over the subsequent years. The withdrawal of American troops had been a priority of President Barack Obama, but by the time he left office the United States would again be conducting military operations in Iraq.

Five days after the 9/11 attacks, President George W. Bush announced the “War on Terror,” an umbrella term for a series of preemptive military strikes meant to reduce the threat terrorism posed to the American homeland. The first such strike was the invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001, which began a war that continued for two decades.

Australia plans tougher gun laws after police say father and son killed 15 at Bondi Beach - Reuters

Meta tolerates rampant ad fraud from China to safeguard billions in revenue - Reuters

 Canada's farmers are producing record crops despite droughts and floods - Reuters

Morning Bid: Stocks catch a break after bruising AI selloff - Reuters

Authorities seek Brown University gunman after releasing person of interest - The Washington Post

Why Trump won’t stop trying to free Tina Peters — and why Colorado refuses to back down - MS Now

 Last-ditch and likely to fail: The House GOP is finally ready to act on health care - MS Now

NFL officials under fire after Rams edge Lions 41-34 to secure postseason berth - FoxNews

Congress races against the clock to avert skyrocketing health care costs for millions - CNN

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - December 1, 2025

 

1. The final month of the year has arrived. This is the first Monday of December and there are only four Mondays remaining in the year. Where did it go? I cannot begin to comprehend the time compression of 2025, but I can almost hear 2026 striving to be born.

2. Family NFL Report. The ugly NFL season continues for the family teams. They went 2-4 during the past week. The only good news is that the Steelers and Ravens are currently fighting for the AFC North Division lead at 6-6--which is really miserable if you think of it. I want to mention the Commanders who went for the win last night against the Broncos, but failed. The family teams are now collectively 32-39-1, .451 for the year. The prospects of posting an overall winning record by the end of the season grow ever dimmer.

Ravens (6-6) were mauled by Bengals (4-8), 14-32 

Dolphins (5-7) drowned Saints (2-10), 21-17

Commanders (3-9) went for the win and lost to Broncos (10-2), 26-27

Cowboys (6-5-1) stunned Chiefs (6-6), 31-28

Steelers (6-6) stampeded by Bills (8-4), 7-26

 

Merry Christmas from Bob and Chris

3. Chris and I had our Christmas picture taken yesterday. Thanks to Patrick for decorating his house in such an inviting manner and including a photo stop. Yea, this will be an image on our Christmas card. 

Dinosaur Christmas Decoration
Odenton, MD
November 29, 2025

4. I have been enjoying the Christmas decorations. One in particular makes me smile, the dinosaur in my daughter's front yard. I'm not sure how a dinosaur could be a Christmas decoration, but it works. 

5. Conflicts of Interest. The U.S. government always had strict rules of ethics which prevented presidents from using their office to amass incredible wealth while in office. Trump has destroyed those rules. Here is a paragraph from an article in the Guardian:

Trump’s eldest sons, Don Jr and Eric, formally the custodians of the family business, are conducting a global dealmaking blitz. They have broken ground on new golf courses, received permission for new skyscrapers, rented out the Trump brand, and in cryptocurrency they have embraced a venture with the capacity to bring in more than everything that has gone before. (The Guardian)

6. Is anyone else concerned that the U.S. is about to go to war with Venezuela? Wait, it cannot be a war, legally. Are we on the verge of becoming a pariah nation just like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea?

7. Today in History.  In Montgomery, Alabama on December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks is jailed for refusing to give up her seat on a public bus to a white man, a violation of the city’s racial segregation laws. The successful Montgomery Bus Boycott, organized by a young Baptist minister named Martin Luther King Jr., followed Park’s historic act of civil disobedience.

“The mother of the civil rights movement,” as Rosa Parks is known, was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, in 1913. She worked as a seamstress and in 1943 joined the Montgomery chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Kazakhstan tells Ukraine to stop attacking oil terminal - Reuters

Venezuela's National Assembly to investigate US boat strikes - Reuters

Airbus narrows software crisis as airlines ride out A320 recall - Reuters

The case for Hegseth’s impeachment - MS NOW

Republicans’ health care homework is due — and they’re panicking - MS NOW

Trump’s threats bring war with Venezuela closer as legal fears mount - CNN

A college freshman deported while flying home for Thanksgiving is fighting to return. Here’s what we know about her case - CNN

Aid cuts have shaken HIV/Aids care to its core – and will mean millions more infections ahead - The Guardian

Experts warn of ‘global crisis’ as number of women in prison nears one million - The Guardian

Trump gave Maduro ultimatum to flee Venezuela as land operations loom: report - FoxNews

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday Musings - November 24, 2025

 

1. It is the final Monday of November. Time grows short for the year 2025 as there are but 5 Mondays remaining. Next Monday marks the beginning of December and the short sprint to Christmas and then the New Year!

2. Family NFL Report. Four of the family teams were in action as the Dolphins and Commanders had the week off. It was a winning week, for a change, for the family teams as they went 3-1. The teams are now collectively 30-35-1, .462 for the year. Still overall losers. 

Ravens (6-5) stumbled past Jets (2-9), 23-10 

Dolphins (4-7) and Commanders (3-8), had the week off

Cowboys (5-5-1) stunned Eagles (8-3), 24-21

Steelers (6-5) were gored by Bears (8-3), 28-31

Chiefs (6-5) overcame Colts (8-3), 23-20 

The View from our Window
Dunn, NC
November, 23, 2025

3. Out the Hotel Window is not much of a scene. We have been here before and the view is not that exciting, but we are a short hop off the interstate. The big news here is that they have finally repaired the Burger King sign! Yay. Based upon some housekeeping issues at this hotel, we have decided not to stay here during future trips and so this is likely our last visit to Dunn. The housekeeping issues have been recurring and different each time, but the most recent one was significant enough to cause us to make the decision. Worse, there was no maintenance available and I had to remedy the situation. They offered us a different room, but we had already fully unpacked.

4. In other sports news, Arsenal defeated the Tottenham Spurs 4-1,  to remain atop the Premier League.

5. Today is another travel day. We are up early and preparing to head out onto the ever congested I-95.

6. Today in History. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, a groundbreaking scientific work by British naturalist Charles Darwin, is published in England on November 24, 1859. Darwin’s theory argued that organisms gradually evolve through a process he called “natural selection.” In natural selection, organisms with genetic variations that suit their environment tend to propagate more descendants than organisms of the same species that lack the variation, thus influencing the overall genetic makeup of the species.

Darwin, who was influenced by the work of French naturalist Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck and the English economist Thomas Malthus, acquired most of the evidence for his theory during a five-year surveying expedition aboard the HMS Beagle in the 1830s. Visiting such diverse places as the Galapagos Islands and New Zealand, Darwin acquired an intimate knowledge of the flora, fauna, and geology of many lands. This information, along with his studies in variation and interbreeding after returning to England, proved invaluable in the development of his theory of organic evolution.

US, Ukraine work on 'refined' peace plan to end war with Russia - Reuters

Exclusive: DOGE 'doesn't exist' with eight months left on its charter - Reuters

Trump faces same reality as Biden: Americans despise higher prices - Reuters

Record US Black Friday crowds to find fewer bargains amid high prices - Reuters

Trump expected to unveil new health care cost proposal - CNN

G20 summit in South Africa ends with US’ glaring absence after Trump’s boycott - CNN

-- Bob Doan, Dunn, NC

Monday Musings - November 17, 2025

 

1. Don't look now, but the end of the year is looming. This is the third Monday of November and there are only six Mondays remaining in the year and only FIVE Mondays until Christmas!

Chris with the Decorations in the Garage
Tequesta, FL
November 16, 2025

2. Well, the Christmas decorations arrived at the house yesterday. There are 12 containers (two are not shown in the image)! Ugh! Fortunately I got them all into the truck for one trip from the storage facility to the house. We put the tree up yesterday and will tackle the remainder of the decorations necessary to Christmasfy the house this week. 

3. Family NFL Report. Five of the six family teams played yesterday with the hapless Cowboys preparing to embarrass themselves on Monday Night Football tonight. The teams that played went 3-2, for a good week, although when it is all done the week will probably wind up 3-3. Overall the combined record stands at 26-34-1, .434. 

Ravens (5-5) snuck past Browns (2-8), 23-16  

Dolphins (4-7) overcame Commanders (3-8), 16-13

Cowboys (3-5-1) were play tonight

Steelers (6-4) hunted the Bengals (3-7), 34-12

Chiefs (5-5) were stampeded by Broncos (9-2), 19-22 

4. Well, the Epstein Files are still in the news. I was surprised that Trump has reversed his position and is not encouraging the House to vote to release the files. I am concerned, however, that by forcing the DOJ to open an investigation into certain individuals potentially associated with the documents that he may be able to veto the bill, should the Senate approve it, and claim that the documents are evidence and can't be released because of an on-going investigation. Nothing like a light of hand to keep the upper hand. 

5. Did anyone notice that even though the president insisted there is no affordability crisis that magically tariffs were reduced or eliminated on many food items? Hmm! 

6. Is anyone other than me tired of having the administration blame Biden for the current economic crisis? I'm not sure how they can continue to do it with a straight face. And to justify it they continue using economic numbers from the COVID crisis which was mostly created by Trump and passed onto Biden. Com-on guys, put on your big boy panties and accept responsibility for ruining what was the best economy in the world when you took office in January!

7. You don't think there is a war brewing with Venezuela in order to mask the failures of the current administration, do you? A query to ChatGPT for the question: "do failing leaders start wars to hide their failures?" responded with the following:

Sometimes yes — but not always.
History shows that leaders facing domestic political, economic, or legitimacy crises may start or escalate conflicts to strengthen their position. This is known as diversionary war theory. But it's important to note that:

• Not all wars are diversionary.

• Not all failing leaders choose war.

• Evidence varies by case, and motives are often mixed.  (ChatGPT)

8. Today in History. November 17, 1553. Queen Mary I, the monarch of England and Ireland since 1553, dies and is succeeded by her 25-year-old half-sister, Elizabeth.

The two half-sisters, both daughters of King Henry VIII, had a stormy relationship during Mary’s five-year reign. Mary, who was brought up as a Catholic, enacted pro-Catholic legislation and made efforts to restore the pope to supremacy in England. A Protestant rebellion ensued, and Queen Mary imprisoned Elizabeth, a Protestant, in the Tower of London on suspicion of complicity. After Mary’s death, Elizabeth survived several Catholic plots against her; though her ascension was greeted with approval by most of England’s lords, who were largely Protestant and hoped for greater religious tolerance under a Protestant queen. Under the early guidance of Secretary of State Sir William Cecil, Elizabeth repealed Mary’s pro-Catholic legislation, established a permanent Protestant Church of England, and encouraged the Calvinist reformers in Scotland.

Trump urges House Republicans to vote for releasing Epstein files - Reuters

US Border Patrol arrests 81 on first day of Charlotte immigration crackdown - Reuters

Electric vehicle sales are booming in South America — without Tesla - Reuters

Zelenskiy says Ukraine will obtain 100 French-made Rafale warplanes - Reuters

Trump’s ‘Department of War’ rebrand could be outrageously expensive - MSNow

Trump is right: He lowered some of your costs. But he also made many prices higher - CNN

US military carried out 21st strike on alleged drug boat, killing three - CNN

China expands desert nuclear test site as Trump revives nuclear tension - The Washington Post

FAA lifts all flight cuts, says normal operations can resume - The Washington Post

Trump’s Bid to Control the Western Hemisphere Is Upending Politics in the Americas - The New York Times

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL