A Week Ago

I cannot believe it has been a week since we celebrated the 250th Birthday of America.

It seems like it was a long time ago . . . 

In a place far, far away

Yet, it was just a short week ago, or so the calendar says. 

Why do I feel that the holiday was somehow stolen from us? That the celebration was muted. 

But it was a great celebration. 

And we need to remember the celebrations as the Dog Days deepen. It is already a very hot summer. 

According to Duck.ai, here are some of last week's news highlights:

Key News Highlights from Last Week

Political Developments

• Election Assistance Commission Changes: President Trump removed the last members of the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission, dismissing two Democratic commissioners and allowing a Republican member to resign. This move has raised concerns about the future of election oversight.
• 
  

Environmental Issues

• Wildfires in Spain: Spain is currently facing severe wildfires that have resulted in at least 12 fatalities. The situation remains critical as efforts to contain the fires continue.
• 
  

Scientific Discoveries

• New Dinosaur Species: A new species of dinosaur, named Uragasaurus kalasinensis, was discovered in Thailand. This plant-eating dinosaur is believed to have lived approximately 150 million years ago and had a neck as long as a cricket pitch.
• 
  

Technology and Society

• Meta's AI Image Feature Backlash: Meta faced significant criticism after releasing a new AI feature that allowed users to alter Instagram content. The backlash led to the company retracting the feature shortly after its launch.
• 
  

These stories reflect a mix of political, environmental, scientific, and technological developments that shaped the news last week.

My news note is that apparently the Iran War is not over as hostilities have resumed. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Off-season Life

Busy South Florida Beach
Hobe Sound, FL
July 6, 2026

 It is the off-season here in South Florida. We look forward to this time of year when there are no crowds, fewer cars, and wide open beaches. This is exactly the time of year that Chris and I used to vacation here before we eventually bought our condo, which is now our home. 

Rainstorm over the Atantic
Hobe Sound, FL
July 6, 2026

The snow birds, as they are referred to, are gone. The roads are wide open. Reservations are not required at restaurants. It is almost idyllic. I have even noticed that our condo associations "too-small" parking lot has open spaces.

I needed to get some miles on the truck yesterday to keep the battery charged and the fluids moving. Chris, Finn, and I took a drive to Hobe Sound. We stopped at the very popular beach there. It was sparsely attended. I recall that during the busy season sometimes there are no empty spaces in the parking lot. Not so yesterday. 

I snapped a nice image of the nearly deserted beach along with the rainstorm in the distance. It was too bad we had not planned to remain on the beach with it being such a perfect beach afternoon. The waters of the Atlantic were nearly flat--a perfect day. The lifeguard station had a green flag flying--something we have only rarely seen recently. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Best Month of the Year Arrives

 

Chris Flying into July
3D Doubt Your Eyes display
Elliott Museum, Stuart, FL
June 29, 2026

Welcome to July! My favorite month of the year. 

Summer is in full swing. Schools are out. Vacations are underway. 

Independence Day is upon us!

I was reflecting upon the 250th Anniversary of our nation and became a bit sad. I remember the excitement and energy for the 200th, waaay back in 1976. The bicentennial celebration was a very special time and the energy and excitement in the country was felt everywhere. 

Veteran's Day Airshow
Stuart, FL
November 7, 2025

I'm not feeling it for the 250th.

It feels as though my celebration has been stolen. It feels like our country is divided like perhaps never before. 

But then, I read an article in PolitiFact that compared 1976 to the present day. I guess in my remembrance of the good old days, I had forgotten how the country really was in 1976. The article begins: 

A country in a sour mood. Inflation and gasoline prices soaring. A culture war raging. A president with sagging approval ratings. 

America at 250? Actually, America at 200 and 250.

As the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding, a look back five decades to 1976 — the year of the nation’s bicentennial — reveals notable similarities with today. (PolitiFact)

Well, my favorite holiday of the year (Independence Day) is nearly here and I am going to celebrate the month of July and our nation.

Why?

Because I remain proud to be an American!

Happy July!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Bob Effect

 Traffic lights. 

Intersection of A1A and Indiantown Rd
Jupiter, FL
June 11, 2026

My superpower is getting stopped by more than my share of traffic lights. 

Traffic lights apparently become aware of my approach and turn red. Ugh! Driving often becomes a painful slog. I approach empty intersections and wait for no one until the light turns green. It is frustrating. 

It is the Bob Effect. Green lights turn red.

Green lights turn to yellow and then red as I approach. 

There is a stretch of 5 lights from the corner of South Dixie Highway and Village Blvd to Toney Penna and ALt A1A that I regularly drive. I have begun to make it a game as to how many of the 5 intersections I be waiting. Most days it id 3 or 4 of the 5. On good days it is only 2. I have never made it through all intersections 5 without being stopped by red.

Having my progress halted by red lights is, therefore, obviously, my superpower. Chris and I laugh about it all of the time and I usually add about 5 minutes to a projected driving time to compensate for my proclivity to be stopped at red lights. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

I Love my EV

Our Mustang Mach-e
Tequesta, FL
October 17, 2025

 Soaring gas prices due to the unauthorized war with Iran are making us love our Ford Mustang Mach-e even more.

Chris and I have owned our Mach-e for over two years and with gas rising above $4.19/gallon here we are effectively laughing all the way to the bank. I did some comparisons and discovered that our rough average of 4 miles/kWh is equivalent to 134 mpg. 

We still have our Ram 1500 truck, but it only moves every couple weeks to keep the tires round and the fluids from settling too much. We use it as our road vehicle because of its comfort on long trips, although we have been rethinking that approach. 

I fail to understand why alternate/renewable energy sources have been demonized by the administration. Given the increase in AI processing centers and their incredible need for energy, alternate energy sources can be rapidly deployed to fill the gap. They have to be better than the resurgence of nuclear power. And get this, renewables do not depend on the Strait of Hormuz!

By the way, the Iran war continues--a blockade is an act of war, despite the misinformation from the White House. Hostilities with Iran continue and the President has busted the 60-day requirement to terminate operations against Iran as required by the 1973 War Powers Resolution. Stand-by for even higher gas prices.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

P.S. Thanks today's idea, Mark!

Mascots and Nicknames

 A funny thing happened on the way to college. 

Our second grandson, Jax, who is destined for higher education declared his future school of study yesterday. We are very excited for him and I am not going to steal the joy of the announcement except to say that Chris and I are thrilled for him and shocked because we did not even think the school he chose was on the list. 

Here's the thing. His choice got me thinking about mascots. 

Mascots are a part of our lives we often do not consider. 

I was a Fighting Ibis and a Saltine Warrior during my college career. Yea, I changed colleges.

My favorite sports teams mascots are Pittsburgh Pete, Poe, Gunnersaurus Rex, and the Orioles Bird. 

I have cheered for teams with mascots like Sammy the Sea Gull, Rocky the Pride, Testudo, Skunk, and Hairy Dawg. And there is a new one coming--which I will not name.

And then there are the team nicknames: Hurricanes, Orangemen, Ravens, Orioles, Penguins, Bulldogs, Sea Gulls, The Rock, Terps, Gunners, Wildcats, and Cowboys.

Wow! How do we keep them all straight? I am sure I have forgotten to include some. 

But it is fun! 

OK, I had not thought about the Saltine Warrior in decades. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Mid-week Thoughts

Stunning Orchid
Tequesta, FL
March 7, 2026

Happy Hump Day!

The middle day of the week is upon us. I'm glad everyday that I am happily retired and don't work through the workweek the way I used to. 

George and Sue departed yesterday after spending a great week with us and the house seems very empty this morning. They had both a good and bad trip home, as it was relayed to me. Getting through security and the flight was great, the fact that the battery was dead in their car on arrival to Baltimore was bad. Fortunately, they had a portable charger in the car and were not long delayed on their return home.

Traveling comes with a lot of challenges. 

Pelican at Jupiter
Henry Starter
Norton Museum of Art
March 8, 2026

I was happy to hear that TSA-pre is still functioning as Chris and I have planned travel for the Easter holiday. Hopefully, things will go smoothly for us.

It is orchid season. We were out the other night and I was very impressed with Mary's orchid. It was stunning and I had to get an image of it. 

While at the Norton Museum of Art on Sunday, we toured the permanent collections after visiting the Rembrandt exhibit. I came across this painting with the Jupiter Lighthouse as a subject. It was done by Henry Starter in 1935. I found the depiction of the lighthouse to be very interesting because there is no large tree around the base. Any modern image of the lighthouse will show the base obscured by a huge ficus tree.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Beach Beckoned

Carlin Park Beach to Ourselves
Jupiter, FL
February 12, 2026

 We did it!

Yesterday afternoon, Chris and I made it to the beach for happy hour and dinner. We ordered subs and enjoyed a very nice late afternoon and early evening on the beach. 

Seagull in the Beach
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
February 12, 2026

Except for the birds, we had the beach to ourselves--and this is one of the main beaches in the Jupiter area. The surf was calm and the wind off the ocean, while cool was not uncomfortable. We dressed appropriately and were quite comfortable.

We enjoyed the birds who seemed very brave in approaching us for handouts. I went about knee deep into the 72 degree water--it was too cold to actually immerse myself into the ocean. It remember that as a boy growing up in Upstate NY, we believed that once the water hit about 70 degrees it was swimming time in the lakes. I'm not sure I'd enjoy that now and I also understand why the adults who accompanied me never got into the water. It is just too cold!

For our first foray to the beach for 2026, it was a great time. We stayed until just after sunset, leaving as the beach succumbing to the evening darkness.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The day after Christmas

 Happy Boxing Day

I learned about the day after Christmas when I was in High School while working part-time after school at a men's clothing store.  The day after Christmas was, in this store, the busiest day of the year. The store was swamped with returns and exchanges not to mention people anxious to spend their Christmas money. 

I do not recall the store conducting an after-Christmas sale on the day after Christmas. Usually that was a bit later. But on the sales floor, we were swamped. It was total anarchy from opening at 9 AM until closing at 5 PM, unless, as it is this year, the day after Christmas was a Friday and then the store was open until 9 PM.

My Dad was a manager at the store and at the end of the day we would walk, exhausted, to his car to head home. We did a lot of father-son bonding during the short couple of years that I worked at the store. It is a good memory. 

I never knew that the day after Christmas was also Boxing Day. I only learned of Boxing Day some years later. To my knowledge, American society has never given a name to the day after Christmas, unlike Black Friday which as we know is the day after Thanksgiving. 

That clothing store is long gone. It is just a shell of itself on Cayuga Street in Ithaca. I likely will never pass by it again, but I remember working on the sales floor as well as pressing clothes after the tailors had altered them, washing the windows, straightening stock, shoveling snow, breaking ice, vacuuming every night, taking out the garbage, and doing whatever the owner thought needed to be done. 

But I also remember my Dad. And the day after Christmas.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Return of the Dark Season

 The end of October marks the transition to the dark season, with the return to Standard Time this weekend. As a result, sunset moves from the 6 PM hour to the 5 PM hour. This change means that Sunday, November 2, will be a 25-hour day, with the 1 AM hour repeating. While it may seem like we’re getting an extra hour of sleep, the reality is quite different.

I refer to this period as the Dark Season because the early sunsets leave us living our entire evenings in darkness. Before I retired, I recall days when I would go to work and return home in complete darkness, never seeing the Sun.

I remember one Sunday when I was a kid that our entire family was up and out as usual on Sunday morning for church. We arrived to find the facility deserted. It took a bit, but Mom and Dad finally figured out that we had forgotten to set our clocks back for the return to Standard Time. We drove back home, relaxed for a bit and then piled into the car to head back to church at the appropriate hour. I wonder how many other families have similar stories?

In response to the problem of springing forward and falling back, legislation called the Sunshine Protection Act was introduced in Congress. The goal of this act is to keep the U.S. on permanent daylight saving time. Unfortunately, this legislation has yet to be enacted.

As a result, we are destined to endure darkness during the late-Autumn and Winter months. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Happy Tuesday to All!

North Fork Loxahatchee River
Tequesta, FL
October 20, 2025

 We have arrived back at another Tuesday. 

The World Series competitors are set: The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays will face off to determine the best team in baseball for the 2025 season. 

I had hoped Seattle would finally make a World Series--they got close, losing the lead in the deciding Game 7 in the 7th inning. 

My prediction: LA wins in 5. 

I was able to enjoy the continuing good weather with an 18-mile ride yesterday. The humidity has returned, but the temperatures are remaining enjoyable. 

Chris and I received a shock yesterday afternoon as we went to our favorite grocery store in Hobe Sound. It is closing! Well, it is almost closed. The shelves were mostly empty. This Winn Dixie store was sold to Aldi's and is being converted. That is sad, because I have always found Aldi's to be inferior to almost any other grocery store. Yea, people say the prices are good, but the selection is poor as they do not routinely carry most of the food items for which Chris and I shop. And their checkout plan is confusing as best. 

Well, it is Tuesday. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The day that it Happened

Dad on his retirement
Etna, NY
November 18, 2012

Thanks to all who have passed on their thoughts, prayers, and condolences on the passing of my Dad. The outpouring of love and concern has been inspiring and comforting.

It was a much harder day than I had imagined it would be.

But some good things happened. I snubbed my nose to the Secretary of Health and Human Services by getting a COVID-19 booster! Haven't missed one yet. I also received my annual flu shot at the same time. 

This morning, I restarted my genealogy work after realizing I did not know my Dad's mother's middle name. I discovered it and began running down some genealogy. It is very interesting. I always thought her last name was Dutch, but I discovered it is English, or German according to some sources, and means "battle-maiden". In German it means "battle bear". 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Friday-eve and Summer

Summer Begins Tomorrow

Remember Juneteenth

 Thursday has come rolling in announcing that tomorrow is Friday! What a calling, announcing that the weekend is near. 

Even though I am retired, I still like to think of Thursday as Friday-eve, especially on a morning like today when it is raining and I probably will not get my mood-altering bike ride accomplished. 

Today, however, Thursday is not just Friday-eve. No, it is also Summer-eve. Yes, for those who have lost track of the seasons, Summer begins tomorrow! Yay!

For the next three months we are set to enjoy long days, hot nights, and hopefully, sunshine. Maybe some boating, travel, and excitement. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The House Seems Empty

 We dropped George and Sue off at the airport about 12:30 PM yesterday. That ended their all-to-short time with us. 

It is amazing how the house seems empty. 

It really isn't as we are still here along with the Finn-dog. 

But still--it is sad because instead of thinking about heading off to some place and enjoying the Florida climate, I will be heading to the grocery store. 

I will also continue to install a replacement door lock. The overly complicated on that I installed last August broke and the company sent me a replacement, no charge, which has  some software issues and is complicating the reinstallation. Ugh. 

After a week on enjoying the outdoors and considering the animals of Florida, I came across this image. It got me thinking. Wow!

We are, and the Big Beautiful Budget makes it worse.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Idyllic Evening

Tiki52
Tequesta, FL
March 12, 2025

Happy PI Day! 

The weather in South Florida lately has been nothing short of idyllic. Days with highs in the high-70s and low-80s coupled with low humidity. Wow!

I know summer is coming with mid-90s coupled with high humidity making the feels like temperature in the 100s, but for now--let's enjoy the weather and get to the beach or outside. 

I had a boat reserved for Monday, but that is the one day when temperatures will struggle into the mid-70s and thunderstorms are expected. Not a good boat day. 

But, this week we have been enjoying getting out. We went to our favorite watering hole on Wednesday evening enjoy Happy Hour and the weather was perfect. I find Tiki52 to be visually stimulating with colors, boats, birds and the ICW just beyond. 

A great way to begin the evening. 

Spring is coming, Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 5:01 AM EDT!

-- Bob Doan, Tequeta, FL

On the Waterfront

Pelican Duo
Blowing Rocks Marina
Tequesta, FL
February 4, 2024

 With daytime highs in the low 80s, South Florida is perhaps the best place to be living in the whole nation. Chris and I joined friends at our favorite watering hole last night for Happy Hour. It adjoins a marina where there always seems to be a lot of activity. 

Last evening in addition to people, pelicans were monitoring the comings and goings at the marina. They were magnificently perched atop some of the pilings and with the color of the reflected sunset adorning the sky, I could not help myself but to snap an image. 

By way of an update:

My truck has returned from the repair shop with two more tires, a four wheel alignment, stainless steel muffler and pipes, and new back brakes. Hopefully, it is ready for another 100,000 miles! We took out the resonators that were on the tailpipes and the truck has a bit more throaty sound--which I like. 

And in the news:

Is anyone else concerned that the fox is in the henhouse with Elon having access to the entire U.S. payment system? 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Getting Back into Life

 

It is Sunday the 19th of January and the last full day of the Biden administration. I worry and wonder what our country will become. We will find out during the next few days as Trump 47 becomes a reality. I have already seen some of the chaos and confusion that accompanied Trump 45 and that concerns me. 

I am taking a deep breath and trying not to get too caught up in the political storms. I will watch the inauguration because seeing and hearing for myself is better than getting only a digested version with inherent biases incorporated into the analysis.

On the home front--Chris and I are getting back into Florida life. We removed most of the traces of Christmas yesterday and made two trips to the storage facility. We have a few more items to pack and store and then we will be ready for the coming months. 

We are looking forward to travel and spending time with family and friends. 

I enjoyed the 80-degree temperature yesterday. Being back in shorts and tee-shirts with bare feet or sandals is definitely my preferred attire. Yesterday was the first day that I had not worn socks in almost a month--and my toes were not cold. I even went barefoot to the mailbox. 

Maybe a bike ride today.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Christmas is Closing in

Poinsettia Plantings
Tequesta, FL
November 18, 2024

 I was able to get bike yesterday, even though the wind was strong and in places made me wonder why I decided to head out. I walked Finnegan a mile-and-a-half before the ride and I had failed to eat breakfast. Don't know how that happened. Well, about 10 miles into my ride I realized that I was low on energy and, as it was about 11:30 AM, I shortened my ride and headed home to get some lunch. Coffee is just not good for powering a body into the middle portion of the day. 

Along the way I did see more poinsettia plantings to bring a splash of color to the upcoming holiday season. Most of the usual flower plantings are past their prime and the poinsettias provide as needed kick-start to the gardens. 

Chris and I are about to start our holiday season travel gymnastics. She returns today from the baby shower trip and we leave Sunday to head back for Thanksgiving. We will be there two weeks and then return to Florida for about two weeks before heading back for Christmas and an undefined stay in Maryland while waiting for the arrival of our fourth grandchild, who is also our fourth grandson. Gonna be a wild ride. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

More Festive Decorations

Poinsettias at Publix
Tequesta, FL
November 10, 2024

 I know I wrote about this last year, but using poinsettias for outdoor Christmas plantings is a thing here where we do not get frost. 

The poinsettias are out everywhere brightening up the season with their red festive bracts. 

The splash of poinsettia red makes even the most unassuming garden announce that Christmas is coming!

I enjoy watching the transformation of the gardens for the holiday season and seeing the use of a typically indoors only plant (up north) in outdoors garden plantings. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Moon in the Palm

 

Moon in the Palm
Tequesta, FL
September 19, 2024

Sometimes when I walk out my door in the morning to allow Finn to do his business, I am confronted with a scene that causes me to stop and consider it for more than a passing moment. Such opportunity presented itself yesterday morning as the sky was only beginning to lighten and the moon was visible through a tall palm in front of my building.

I went back inside to get my phone, with the camera, to capture the scene. I had to wait until Finn had completed his task, but it was only a few minutes. I continue to bed frustrated because cameras do not easily capture the moon, it tends to show up fuzzy despite my best efforts.

By taking the image, I also documented the coconuts on the tree which the community's tree service has not removed. There are coconuts everywhere. I had thought the trimming in June was supposed to prevent the coconuts from forming. I guess not. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL