Showing posts with label Musings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Musings. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Two Paths to the World

 

Path off Beach Road
Jupiter Island, FL
February 24, 2024
Yesterday was a travel day. I am looking at a few travel days during the next two weeks as Chris and I visit family in Weston Lakes, near Houston, and then, after a brief stop back in Tequesta head off to Maryland. 
Leading to The Concourse
Houston Hobby Airport, TX
February 27, 2024


But it was yesterday as we were leaving Hobby Airport that I turned around and snapped an image of the main hallway leading to the concourse. It reminded me of a path that I had seen during our last bike ride along Beach Road.

And so I thought about the two paths. One leading to concourses which provide a means to access the sky to travel the world and the other leading to the beach and the ocean which also allows access to the world. So very different, yet similar.

I much prefer the beach path lined with grape mangroves on either side of it to the cold and lifeless windows of the airport. 

But as travel days go, it was a great day. The Southwest flight departed the gate on-time, arrived 20 minutes early and was able to pull right into a gate at our destination. That does not happen often. There is nothing worse than arriving early and waiting on the tarmac for a gate to open. Well, maybe pulling away from the gate and waiting an hour to take-off is worse because the flight really hasn't even gotten underway and the passengers are trapped inside the plane. 


-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

#travel #houstonhobby #southwest #flying #beach

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Abrupt End for the Stairs

 

Seaglass Condos
Jupiter Island, FL
February 12, 2024

It seems that even in buildings where the starting price for condos is about $6M, there can be interesting construction issues. 

Take, for instance, these stairs. The building is supposed to have beach access. And it sorta does, except they ended the stairs about 5 feet above the beach and then had to close the access. There are two sets of stairs from the building to the beach, and both are like this. 

It is an abrupt ending. 

Blowing Rocks
Jupiter Island, FL
January 2, 2022
Now, I know what happened. When the stairs were being constructed there was actually sand at the base of the stairs. But, since then the ocean has reclaimed the beach sand and the stairs no longer reach the beach. Clearly the contractor building the stairs was not familiar with beach conditions. The stars need to be build down into the sand to account for beach erosion.

The bigger problem is that the people living in the building do not have easy beach access right now. And the building is strategically positioned right near Blowing Rocks--which is beautiful. 

Note to self: Mind the Step!


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#blowingrocks #jupiterisland #seglassjupiterisland #dangerousstairs

Thursday, January 11, 2024

Happy Hour--Outside

Chris at Happy Hour
Lenora's, Tequesta, FL
January 10, 2024

 I wore shorts, sandals, and a short-sleeve shirt to Happy Hour at a local restaurant last evening. We sat outside on the veranda and I was very comfortable.

It felt great to be back in the warm humidity of South Florida and enjoying a cool January day outside. I had spent most of the day packing Christmas decorations and transporting them to our storage room. It did not help that I forgot the key on one trip and had to go back for it. Notice the bottle is empty. 

I received a great new toy for Christmas upon returning home: Smart Glasses! I am learning them and enjoying playing with them. I took a video of the Brightline train yesterday while we were sitting at the light. It came out really nice, but trains can be boring to look at and so I won't add it here. 

We enjoyed Happy Hour; then headed back to the house for one more glass of wine with friends and then some food. What a great evening. 

Today will be filled with more packing and then onto the garage for some serious reorganization. 


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Sunday, December 31, 2023

The Last Day


 The final day of 2023 has arrived. 

Despite predictions to the contrary, it appears we will actually make it to the arrival of 2024, which should be quite a tumultuous year. 

The new year is a Leap Year and that means it is one-day longer than 2023. 

Unlike the past two years, I will be ringing-in the new year in Maryland and not Florida. It has been just two years since I retired and I am still enjoying life without the necessity of setting an alarm clock.

This week, the flexibility of my retired life was recognized as Chris and I made the decision to extend our time in Maryland by a few days. In the world before retirement that would have been a difficult, if not impossible, ask. I would have been driven, literally, to get back to work.

Chris and the Boat
Sandbar in St Lucie River
August 2, 2023
I reviewed my image archives searching for the image which best characterizes the year, but it is tough with so many memories. I think this one, of Chris next to our boat, Sea Bean, anchored on a sandbar really captures the character of the year. We joined a boat club during the year and I have found great enjoyment learning to handle a boat and exploring the Intracoastal Waterway between Ft. Pierce and Lake Worth. I am looking forward to getting back onto the water when we return to Florida. And that is the beauty Florida life--year round outdoors summertime activity!

So on this final day of 2023, I remember those who have passed this year, and for whom I shed many tears, and the new friends we have made. I also remember the travel and fun that we have enjoyed, as well as the roughly 1967 miles I rode on my bike!

Here's a toast to the past and hope for the future.


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Kaleidoscope of Colors

Pattern of the Christmas 
Lights through the Screen
Tequesta, FL
December 16, 2023

Rain and wind. . . 

That describes yesterday's weather. Well, add in some gray skies. I haven't seen the sun in over three days. It is very gloomy. 

Chris and I put the covers over our patio furniture for protection. The rain fell so hard and the tropical storm strength winds blew the raindrops into our patio screen. We could not see through the screen, but our Christmas lights shone in a creative pattern for us to enjoy. 

At least we found something interesting despite the poor weather. 

A short while later, there was so much rain that the GFI circuit activated. Too much water at near the outdoors plug I suspect. 

Christmas is just over a week away!

Tomorrow is the first of two travel days. We will be following the storm up the coast. 


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL


Friday, December 8, 2023

December Friday--A Rising Darkness

The end of the workweek brings respite for many.

I think I need a rest as well. It has been a busy week between biking and boating. I have ridden over 44 miles already this week--I had a light ride of only 12 miles on Tuesday and boating on Wednesday meant no ride. 

The weather at least will turn warmer for the weekend here. 

I ran across the following statement during my morning reading and thought I would pass it along for thoughts:

Ultimately, the struggle between fascism and democracy was the question of equality. Were all men really created equal as the Declaration of Independence said, or were some born to lead the rest, whom they held subservient to their will? (Letters from an American)

I was appalled the other morning to see that a former president admitted that he would be a dictator--even if only for one day. That totally ignores the Constitution. Also, hearing his henchmen openly say that they would go after the news media and journalists who didn't to report things the way they wanted is a direct violation off the 1st Amendment. 

There is darkness rising in America.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL


Saturday, December 2, 2023

Yup, the Weekend!

Poinsettias Decorating the Grocery Store
Tequesta, FL
November 9, 2023
Christmas Cactus
Tequesta, FL
December 2, 2023

 Well Saturday has arrived yet once again. 

It is weird because I remember distinctly that last Saturday we were sleeping off the effects of Black Friday and a great family Happy Hour. 

Today, I am back in the warmth of South Florida planning a 20-mile bike ride in the sun leaving in about an hour. 

But, we have decorated the house and the Christmas cactus is even in bloom! I also love the poinsettias that have been planted through out the communities providing a bright entry into the season. 

It is that time of year, I guess. 

I am glad and hope that we can all just enjoy the season without too much drama. 


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL


Sunday, November 26, 2023

That's What Saturdays are for

 

I did nothing of value yesterday. 


Amazing. I only left the house once and that was to take Chris to the store to get carrots for the fantastic turkey soup she made. 

What did I do?

I watched college football games. Yes, I was happy that Michigan won. It was one of the best played games that I h ave watched this season. Two very good teams in a pitched battle against each other. That game was always hanging in the balance.

And after that, I enjoyed a couple campy Christmas movies. 

It was a lazy day. I'm guessing that everyone needs a lazy day on occasion, especially at the start of the Christmas crush!

Today will be much busier, of that I am sure. 

Here's hoping that you get to enjoy a lazy day, soon!


--  Bob Doan. Odenton, MD

Saturday, November 25, 2023

Black Friday Tales

 I apparently have survived Black Friday. 

Axis and Allies as the game begins
Odenton, MD
November 24, 2023
First, from the Axis and Allies front, you should begin learning either German of Japanese. My partner and I failed to save the world. We played the allies. It was a difficult day for us as Russia fell quickly and the UK and USA could not coordinate their activities. At one point the Japanese briefly held San Francisco--and if you know anything about the game there is no way that should happen. Thank goodness it was but a game and not reality.

The leftovers were great! Especially the Apple pie, which I did not get a chance to sample on Thanksgiving.

Happy Hour at or son's house was fun. We watched the last quarter of the NFL Black Friday game where the Dolphins crushed the Jets and then sang along to an impromptu Garth Brooks concert that was live from his new bar in Nashville. We are huge Garth fans.

I confess, I did not purchase anything either online or from a brick and mortar store yesterday. Does that put me in the minority of Americans?

And now the weekend is upon us. I am feeling like Christmas decorations will soon be retrieved from the storage room.


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Sunday, November 19, 2023

Walk in the Leaves

Old Roadbed
Odenton, MD
November 18, 2023

 We do it almost daily, walk the dogs. Well, in Florida we only have one dog now--but Finn gets walked every day and sometimes multiple times per day. While we are visiting, we have the added fun of walking Lily, one of Nicole's dog. That means that we each get to walk a dog!

Trees along the walk
Odenton, MD
November 18, 2023
We generally walk the same route. The dogs know the route and so they also enjoy walking. Yesterday, however, the route was very different than when we last walked it during June. Autumn happened. And while peak is well behind us, Chris and I still marveled at the colors of the leaves having just arrived from nearly perpetual green Florida. It was also chilly. No, it was cold! I had two shirts and a coat on and was still cold. I am not fully prepared for a cold wind to slap my face, I am more used to hot and humid breezes.

We enjoyed the walk and the bright autumnal scenery. It was a change from Florida and added some spice to our lives. 


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Down the Path

Along the Path 
Riverbend Park, Jupiter, FL
November 10, 2023

I have walked a few paths during the past week as Chris and I have been out exploring and finding new things to see and do. 

The well marked dirt-packed paths of Riverbend Park were fun to walk and I am excited about getting back there soon to check out the large park on my bike. The stunning Florida wild landscape along the river is a thing of beauty. It allows me to escape the business of the urbanized areas in which I live and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.

Path through the Mangroves
Juno Beach, FL
November 12, 2023
Even on Sunday, as we were walking along busy Ocean Blvd, I spied a quiet and secluded path through the mangroves to the ocean. I had to walk down it to see the ocean. Although the color at the at the end of the path is white in the image, it was really a blue ocean. Down the step and onto the beach and then to be potentially immersed in the then calm waters of the Atlantic. It was a calming mental image.

Escaping the craziness. Down a path into a different world for a few minutes or hours of peace.

Find a path.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Moving the Season Along

Sunrise Through the Screen
Tequesta, FL
November 14, 2023
Tuesday has arrived. I realized that I only have three more days to awaken in my own bed before heading north for the Thanksgiving holiday. I think Chris and I will pack our turkey decorations up before we leave so that we have a clean slate for Christmas when we return. It is hard to believe that Christmas in upon us and I need to begin thinking about putting up the Christmas tree. 

Riordin in a Christmas Wreath
Elkridge, MD
November 30, 2019
It will be strange not having Riordin around to bat at the balls on the tree or to push the Polar Express off its tracks this Christmas. He really loved Christmas and I think it was one of his favorite times of the year. I can still see him sleeping in the decorations and getting into the empty boxes. He loved boxes and checking out the decorations. At least I don't have to worry about how many stinkbugs have managed to find their way into the decorations this year. Those dirty bugs seemed to find a way to get into everything.

But, next up is Turkey Day! And I am excited about seeing family and friends. And eating turkey, playing Axis and Allies, and watching football, did I mention football?

I hope that the government does not shut down and really make a disaster out of the holidays. 


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Halloween 2023

 


The fright night has returned. 

I hope the weather in your area will be conducive to supporting throngs of Trick or Treaters.

We are expecting very few kids again this Halloween. It almost takes the fun out of the holiday. 

But, on a different note, tonight marks the conclusion of the month of October! Yup, there are two months remaining in the year 2023 and then we get to do it all over again for 2024. 

The year has been quite a ride. 

With the beginning of November, there will be 5 national holidays during the next 10 weeks! That is one holiday every other week?

What are the holidays, you ask?

Veterans Day (November 11, observed on November 10)

Thanksgiving - November 23

Christmas - December 25

New Year's - January 1

Martin Luther King's Birthday Observed - January 15

So for those still employed and who get to enjoy holidays off--here comes the end of the year. Beware, the light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming holiday train. Or maybe it is Santa!


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Sunday, October 29, 2023

Birds of a Feather . . .

 

Flocking Ibis and Egyptian Geese
Tequesta, FL
October 28, 2023

It is Autumn.

I am receiving images of autumnal-cloaked trees from friends and family in the North, but here in South Florida it is Autumn as well. 

How do I know?

The birds are flocking. They are congregating. 

Last evening I looked across a lake outside of a friend's house and marveled at how two very different species congregated together. There were Egyptian Geese and Ibis on the bank of the lake opposite of where we were enjoying a glass of wine. What was most interesting was that there appeared to be three separate flocks within the congregation. Two Ibis flocks and one of Egyptian geese. 

They fed together on the shore for quite a while until departing just before dark. 

It is Autumn, after all.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL


Friday, October 27, 2023

Sundown on the ICW

ICW
Jupiter Island, FL
October 26, 2023

It was a windy, but warm day.

I managed a short, 12 mile, ride in the wind and a bit of rain. Although I shortened the ride due to the elements, it pushed me over the 150 mile mark for the month. And I don't really feel as if I have been riding all that much.

The best part of the day was yet to come. We met friends along the ICW to enjoy Happy Hour and watch as the sun moved low in the sky. We were protected from the wind by the mangroves and as the tide gradually rose, we were able to move higher on the small sandy beach. 

We watched the boats pass in the ICW and even drew some perverse pleasure from seeing a jet skier stopped by the Sheriff just outside the channel, likely for exceeding the speed limit both in and outside of the channel. The jet skier was operating his vessel in an unsafe manner. 

I love getting to a beach for Happy Hour with friends. It is one of the best ways to put an exclamation point on a day.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL


Sunday, October 8, 2023

We Need a Rainbow

Rainbow over the Atlantic
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
October 5, 2023

 The rhetoric spewing from a subset of Republicans is scary. 

Some of the ideas they profess can be found in the history of despotic authoritarian leaders.

The disinformation is deafening being generated is attempting to drown out fact.

The fate of our Republic hangs in the balance.

I have to begin starting with the leading candidate for the Republican nomination who paraphrased Hitler when he suggested that immigrants are "poisoning the blood of our country." As if that is not a frightening statement on its own, that it echos one of the most cruel and evil leaders in the history of the world is even more appalling. 

But the other disinformation continues without consideration for fact, for instance:

We are suffering runaway inflation. Nope, inflation is under control. The annual inflation rate has been below 4 percent and headed for below 3 percent for the past four months. (Inflation Rate Calculator)

Democrats are responsible for runaway government spending. Not true! But a major culprit for the US’s soaring debt is George W Bush’s and Donald Trump’s huge tax cuts that mostly benefited the wealthy and big corporations – and that will have added $8tn and $1.7tn, respectively, to the debt by the end of the 2023 fiscal year.

House Republicans are even proposing to cut funding for the IRS, which would make it harder for the tax agency to go after rich tax cheats and thereby reduce the debt. (The Guardian)


We need a rainbow. Rainbows call us to pause, for a moment, and consider something other than ourselves. Something larger than the mess we've made in our lives. Rainbows are a symbol of hope and a promise. 

The other day, I saw many rainbows. They were beautiful and at the same time mesmerizing. Maybe if we took a timeout to consider a rainbow we might figure out a way to stop seeing those with opposing views as enemies or adversaries and realize that we are all stuck together in this place and that competing opinions are the substance of a strong and healthy society.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Reflections

 I guess I am going go introspective today--it being my birthday and all. 

What a very unexpected year it has been since my last birthday. 

Chris and I completed our first full year living in Florida full-time at the beginning of September. What a year it has been punctuated with joy and sadness! The separation from family has been challenging. But living in Florida has been everything that I had hoped it would be--and that includes going to the beach almost whenever I want to go.


Horseback Riding
Saint Anne, Jamaica
November 9, 2022
Highlights:

 - Travel: 

  -- Caribbean cruise on Holland America in November

  -- Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean in January

  -- Alaska cruise on Royal Caribbean in August-September

  -- Weekend in Key West during October

  -- Spring Training Trip

  -- Visiting Charlottesville, VA

Graduation Day
Odenton, MD
June 6, 2023
 - Family:
  -- Ethan, graduated High School and is off to college.

  -- Jax made the JV baseball team

  -- Lucas became a smart 8th grader!

  -- Patrick got married to Jen, a wonderful woman and companion, that was during the January cruise

  -- We visited Dad in Houston

  --  We enjoyed the holidays in Maryland with our family and friends

 - Recreation:

  -- We joined a boat club

  -- We went to a few concerts

  -- I biked over 2,000 miles

  -- Chris got a bike and we bike a lot together

  -- We bought new furniture for the living room

  -- We played golf a lot

  -- We saw fireworks on the 4th of July

  -- We survived multiple hurricanes


Alaskan Cruise
Juneau, Alaska
September 1, 2023

Difficult things:

  -- Jodie passed during July

  -- Makayla, my dog of 14 years, passed during October

  -- Riordin, my cat of 14 years, passed earlier this month

  -- Dad was hospitalized twice--but is doing great

 

I am not sure what the next year will bring, but I am thankful for family, friends, and the health to enjoy being retired. I hope we can all continue the ride.

Be well!


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL


Saturday, September 16, 2023

When the Big Waves Arrive

Surfers at the Park
Carlin Park Beach, Jupiter, FL
September 15, 2023

 Celebrating Friday and the start of the weekend has been something that I love to do. Usually I do it with a Happy Hour. Since retiring, I have lost that overpowering need to be somewhere at the end of the workweek with friends celebrating the beginning of the weekend. I guess because everyday is a weekend now. 

Surfer at the End of the Rainbow
Carlin Park Beach, Jupiter, FL
September 15, 2023
Last evening Chris and I went to Carlin Park Beach to celebrate happy hour. It was a great choice because the passing hurricane in the Atlantic had kicked up some big waves, in excess of 6 feet. And that means surfers!

There were so many surfers that they almost looked like the fish I took pictures of in the waves a few days ago. And they were fin to watch. We arrived on the beach about 4:30 PM, but stayed until almost 7 PM and we had non-stop entertainment. At one point there were in excess of 26 surfers ranging in age from and estimated 12 yo to 58 yo. I know the oldest was 58 because we chatted with him. And as for the youngest, I was talking to his Dad. 

The afternoon Florida storms kicked up, but remained south of us. That meant the sky to the south was very dark, but to the east and north, the skies were of broken clouds. The rain to the south caused a rainbow, actually there was a double rainbow, but the second one was very weak. As the sun sank lower in the sky, it illuminated the front of the waves and created a very beautiful scene of which I was able to capture one decent image. 

It was a fantastic Happy Hour!


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Water and Sun

Jupiter Island Beach
Tequesta, FL
September 11, 2023

 The stars aligned yesterday afternoon and Chris and I headed off to the beach. 

I realized that it had been over a month since the last time that I was on a warm, ocean beach. The Alaskan adventure surely did not provide the opportunity to enjoy beach time and the only view I had of the Pacific Ocean was cold, gray, and angry.  

With the humidity moderating and the temperatures remaining in the high 80s, it was a perfect beach afternoon. The water was warm--it must have been at least 86 degrees. 

The beach break provided a much needed respite from all that we have been facing the past two months.

We are heading out on another adventure next week--to Houston, and so yesterday was just a "melt all the troubles away" sojourn to the beach. 

I definitely needed the time in the sand of the warm Atlantic. 


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Thursday, September 7, 2023

The River

The White River
Mount Rainier National Park
August 25, 2023

 Garth Brooks, one of my favorite musicians, sings a song titled, The River. 

The chorus goes:

And I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky

I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So, I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry

I am not sure of my destination, but I know that I am still sailing the waters of the river. 

Sometimes the things we have to do are hard, but they are right. There really is a right and a wrong even though sometimes cloaked in shades of gray. 

Occasionally, we lose friends as the river changes course and they run aground or their time on this planet is done. The water can be rough and we can get wet. Sometimes the dunking is from our own mistakes but lately, all too often the dousing is with tears. 

But--we sail on down the river of life. The final verse of the song cautions us about resigning and giving up:

So don't you sit upon the shoreline
And say you're satisfied
Choose to chance the rapids
And dare to dance the tide

I'm sailing rough waters today and my tears because I believe that today I will be saying a final goodbye to a faithful, furry, four-footed companion. 


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

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