Drive Sane!

 Tuesday shows up like a faithful friend every week and I usually have no idea what to do with the day. 

It is funny, even before I retired I lamented Tuesday and its place in the week. What a terrible location, stuck between Monday and Hump Day. 

Today, however, the situation on the highways is on my mind. Jason sent me a graphic a while ago and I saved it until today to share. It is Tuesday and I had nothing else to write about.

Driving has become a free-for-all situation. Drivers pass on the right instead of the left. People drive in the wrong lane. This graphic shows how it should be. In reality, I find that the NASCAR drivers in training who are traveling likely 25-40 miles over the speed limit are passing on the right and driving through with multiple lane shifts. It can be frightening for a momentarily distracted driver to look up and see a car passing through where their bumper was mere moments ago. 

We all need to take a breath and drive sane!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Confused Cactus

Confused Cactus in our Backyard
Tequesta, FL
January 22, 2023

 

Our Thanksgiving/Christmas/Easter cactus is having an identity crisis.

It did not bloom for Thanksgiving or Christmas, but it is not in full bloom and enjoying life in South Florida. 

Close-up of Confused Cactus
Tequesta, FL
January 22, 2023

It is stunning, sitting off the patio where it apparently gets just enough sunlight. 

It is enjoyable to watch this plant, which we brought with us from Maryland, grow and thrive in its new environment. Chris and I still cannot figure out why it is blooming out of season, however. But, we are enjoying it. And it is nice that it can be outside during January!

This, BTW, is the plant for which we were searching for bug spray and found the Iguana-Rid that I wrote of yesterday.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Weird Item on the Store Shelf

 

Went into the Jupiter Home Depot the other day looking for some bug spray for a houseplant we want to bring inside. It was hard to find. 

There are all kinds of sprays and concoctions for various types of pests, but houseplants did not seem to be a big consideration. 

One thing that Chris and I did discover made us laugh. I have seen a lot of "get rid of" potions before, but this is uniquely a South Florida problem. 

Fortunately, Chris and I do not have a problem with iguanas, but we know that nearer the river some places do have iguanas. It was funny the other day when the temperatures dipped below 50 degrees that the public service announcement was about watching for falling iguanas. They tend to stop moving as temperatures fall below 50 and can fall out of the trees. 

Iguanas are not just a nuisance, they can be dangerous when falling from trees.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Spectacular Ending to the Day

 

From the Beach Looking into the Sunset
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
January 19, 2023

Friday-eve ended in a spectacular manner as Chris and I along with Fran and Mary enjoyed happy hour on the beach.

It was one of the most stunning sunsets that we have witnessed, casting its red glow across the sky.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
January 19, 2023

We enjoyed a great happy hour watching the waves crash onto the beach, talking, and marveling at how we could be so lucky to be in South Florida on a beach in January. I even stuck my toes in the water. 

The shorebirds were active and provided some comical moments and there was a lone seagull, I'll call it Jonathan Livingston Seagull, who kept watch over all the activity occurring around us.

And then, the sunset began. We watched the colors start on the reverse sunset in the east over the ocean. And as the time passed and the colors became brighter we turned to see the fire in the sky sunset over the land with the palm trees silhouetted. 

And that is how the day ended. One for the record books.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Port Salerno

 

Port Salerno, FL
January 18, 2023

Getting back in the saddle, of our bikes, Chris and I took a ride through a local state park and out into Port Salerno yesterday. It was a short ride, only 12 miles, but we had a good time and saw numerous, as in more than five, gopher tortoises along the way. We are careful to not double count the tortoises we see as we pass by them in both directions. 

We enjoyed the ride and continued on from the end of our usual stopping point into Port Salerno and along the streets. We had fun and saw shops to which we may soon return for further inspection. It was, as the image suggests, a beautiful day and there were more than a few other bikers out enjoying the weather.

Sunset over the Jupiter Lighthouse
Square Grouper, Jupiter, FL
January 18, 2023

After the ride we did some projects around the house, but decided to join a friend and head off to the Square Grouper for Happy Hour. It was another delightful afternoon along the banks of the Loxahatchee River and we were able to enjoy sunset as it enveloped the Jupiter Lighthouse.

It was the perfect ending to another enjoyable South Florida January Day.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Back to the Day-to-Day

 

Well, it happened yesterday. Chris and I returned to our day-to-day routine. Not that the routine is bad, but it is a routine. There was the obligatory morning dog walk followed by a 15+ mile bike ride. Then shopping in the afternoon and later we met friends in Jensen Beach for  happy hour and dinner. 

Lightning in the Storm
Wonder of the Seas, North Atlantic
January 9, 2023

It is a good routine, don't get me wrong. 

Especially the part about meeting friends in Jensen Beach. That was actually somewhat outside of routine. 

But, as Chris pointed out on a couple of occasions during the day, it is not the exciting life we lived on the cruise ship.

At least we did not have to return to work after the cruise. I remember that returning to work after a week of cruise ship life was a lot harder than being able to relax and enjoy the memories while sipping my coffee in the morning while writing my blog. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Friday-eve

North Fork Loxahatchee River
Tequesta, FL
January 5, 2023

Thursdays remain special days for me. 

I remember when I was working that I had a countdown to the weekend beginning on Wednesday--which is Hump Day. Thursday is Friday-eve, and Friday is simply the last day of the workweek and I was hoping to get out of work on time or a wee bit early to get a start on the weekend with our friends at Happy Hour.

Friday-eve, yesterday, was a very busy day and it needed to be as Chris and I are preparing to sail off on another Caribbean adventure beginning on Saturday. 

We began the day with a 15-mile bike ride which helped ensure that we would appreciate yet another glorious South Florida day. The image posted above, taken while as we paused on the Loxahatchee River Bridge in Tequesta for a water break, says it all. The day was glorious. The ride was gentle and enjoyable. 

Upon arriving home, however, Finnegan made it clear that he needed a walk--right now! And so, we headed out on a 1.5 mile walk to make the dog happy. I made a small tactical error in deciding to break in a new pair of sandals on the walk.

What happened next? A trip to Costco. It is about a 30 minute drive to Costco and so we do not make the trip until we are desperate.

Wait! We had an early lunch before going to Costco because we never go the the store on an empty stomach!

By the time we returned from Costco, it was 2:30 PM and we started packing for the cruise. I watched some of the Republican insanity in the House of Representatives, but we began packing and then enjoyed had an evening full of friends, including some former neighbors from Elkridge who were passing through. 

What a full day! And it was Friday-eve. I wonder what fun we will enjoy today. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Look What was Next to Me at the Light

 

Next to me at a Light
Jupiter, FL
January 2, 2023

I was headed for the cruise port in Fort Lauderdale yesterday, just beginning my journey waiting at a stop light in Jupiter when this awesome car slid up next to me.

Yes, it is a Lamborghini. 

I was in awe. 

I almost forgot to take a picture. I see a lot of high-end cars around town, but not many like this one. 

There is just something really cool about the morning light and the palm trees with this beautiful machine sitting next to me. I was amazed at how low to the road it sits. I used to sit low in the Jaguar, but this is even lower. 

It was a beautiful sight on the road. I enjoyed looking at it much more than the ostentatious Rolls Royces and Bentleys that I typically see cruising around town. 

Nothing says I've made it more than speed. I looked it up, the Lamborghini gets about 10 mpg and has a top speed of 350 kph. That is about 217 mph. I did a quick scan, all of the used Lamborghini Aventadors and Huracans for sale in my area are well over $200K with some over $400K. 

BTW, once the light turned green, the Lamborghini quickly navigated traffic and then, sadly, was gone from sight. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

December at the Beach

Blowing Rocks
Jupiter Island, FL
December 29, 2022

 Yesterday I made two visits to the beach. It was a beautiful day and so, why not?

We went for a morning walk on Jupiter Island and an afternoon visit to Carlin Park where I actually got into the ocean! The water temperature was listed as 78 degrees, a mite cool for my liking, but bearable. I enjoyed being in the water with my grandson, Lucas.  

Osprey on the Hunt
Jupiter Island, FL
December 29, 2022

Yesterday was the first time that I had been advised to get out of the water due to sharks being sighted in the area. It was really cool, but, sadly, I did not see any sharks. They were likely Bull Sharks, which tend to be in the area this time of year and which should be avoided. A short while later we were allowed back into the water.

I was amazed at the number of people on the beach yesterday, but then it was a beautiful sunny day with temperatures approaching 80 degrees and kids are off from school. The snowbirds are also arriving and I have noticed a definite increase in traffic as compared with two weeks ago. 

Today is my one year anniversary of being retired. The last day that I went into work was December 30, 2021, and later that same day Chris and I flew to Florida to begin our lives here. I still remember driving out of the parking lots and realizing that I might never return to the place where I had worked for over 25 years. Wow! What a year it has been. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Traffic and Holiday Palms

Traffic Jam
Stafford, VA
December 27, 2022

I am happy that my travel day is over. I was reflecting upon the trip and found a picture of the traffic jam in Stafford, Virginia, that I had Chris snap. The back-up stretched for miles. 

Jeremy, Julie, and Lucas arrived yesterday. Their driving experience was better, as they departed ay 4 AM and missed the mess in Virginia, but they experienced the same slowdowns in South Carolina that we did just a day earlier. I don't know what the problem is in South Carolina, but perhaps they should focus more on the roads and less on overturning the 2020 election. 

Holiday Palm Trees
Tequesta, FL
December 28, 2022

As a counterpoint, last evening Chris and I were out walking and found a display of Christmas-light wrapped palm trees. It was a parking lot, but the decorations were festive. 

We enjoyed the sight for a few minutes and I snapped this image. It is very good to be back in the land of palm trees and warmth. Although it was cool, in the low 70s, I was in shorts and a short-sleeved shirt wearing my sandals. A significant change from wearing layers of long-sleeved shirts and coats to stay warm that I experienced just a couple days ago. 

Today I am thinking on a beach walk. Just saying.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Decorating for Christmas in South Florida

 

Poinsettias in the Garden
Tequesta, FL
December 9, 2022

It has been since I went to college at the University of Miami during the mid-1970s that I have lived in South Florida during the Christmas season. 

I have always enjoyed the Christmas light-wrapped palm trees, but this year I have noticed a different outdoor decorating aspect: poinsettias!

The poinsettias are everywhere in gardens. They are primarily used as border color, like impatiens and pansies are used during other seasons. They are stunning because of the bright red color.

And because I grew up in the north I always thought poinsettias were strictly indoors plants--of course I did; freezing temperatures kill them.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Back to the Beach

Arriving on Jupiter Island Beach
Jupiter Island, FL
December 6, 2022

 We felt we just had to go to the beach last evening to enjoy Happy Hour. And we were not disappointed. 

It was a beautiful evening with the sun setting and the moon rising over the ocean amidst the reverse sunset. 

Moon over the Atlantic
Jupiter Island, FL
December 6, 2022

The temperature was a moderate 79 degrees and the winds were light. There were a couple drones flying over the beach, reminding me that I have not flown Radio Flyer in a few months. I guess I will have to charge the batteries and get it out for a flight.

The moonrise was beautiful to watch as it cleared the clouds and the colors of the reverse sunset deepened. 

Chris and I along with a friend enjoyed talking, watching the osprey, and listening to the crashing of the waves on the beach. It is, after all, why we moved to Florida. 

The sunsets here are beginning before 5:30 PM and continue for about 30 minutes. In some respects the reverse sunset is almost as fun to enjoy as looking west into the setting sun. The color palette is more subdued.

Here's hoping for another great sunset tonight!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Life Race

 There is an old country song "The Race is On" which was originally sung by George Jones during 1965. It has recently been redone by Sawyer Brown.

While the song is about losing at the game of love, the title seems appropriate for what Chris and I are experiencing in life right now. I cannot believe how busy we are right now. I know there were concerns that I would retire and not move, but without our daily exercise routine approaching two hours, I can assure everyone that we are busy and moving. I have already logged just short of 50 miles on my bike during the first three days of the month!

And travel time is upon us. 

Sunday, we sail out on a cruise for a week. Then we return home for a week before heading north for Thanksgiving. It remains unclear whether we will remain in Maryland through Christmas or return to Florida. We are considering a side trips to Ithaca and Houston. Talk about an aggressive holiday travel schedule.

The race is on.

Did I mention we are booked on an early-January cruise? 

And I thought retired life would be quiet.

The race is definitely on. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Florida State Sound

I have a nomination for the State sound of Florida.

There is one sound that is so prevalent that it is everywhere and all of the time from early in the morning until the late evening.

Of course, the sound is most annoying. Living in a tropical environment there is always yard work and trimming happening. But it seems that I can never escape the noise of the gas-powered leaf blower. 

That is my nomination for Florida State Sound!

And it is obnoxious. 

I used to have one and I used it to clear the pool deck at our home in Maryland. I never liked the noise, but it was very limited in duration. But here, the din is constant.

I guess there are some things we just need to learn to accept.

I wish they could be made quieter, more like the sound of a broom.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

From Dawn to Night

Sunrise in the Clouds
Tequesta, FL
October 22, 2022

Standing on my patio as the sun was rising yesterday, I did not know that by the end of the day I would own a new laptop, but I do.

The repair cost for my old MacBook Pro was going to be about $700 and I just could not justify putting that amount of money into a 5 year old computer which would only fix the current issues. I have concerns that the screen was failing as well. And so, I decided, after much consternation, to replace my old friend.

Replacing a computer is messy. Although there is a good program to transfer data from one computer to another, it is not perfect especially when I was running a Windows emulator to allow me access to one program that just does not run well in an Apple OS environment. I am currently still getting that program up and running. 

It was not until after dark that I arrived back at home with my new laptop ready to set up. And I let the set-up processes run overnight.

I am now fine-tuning my computer and getting it ready to fill the void left by the failure of my old friend. It turns out that the old laptop was doomed by a failed Apple technology experiment--the Touch Bar. The Touch Bar technology is no longer included in Apple laptops because of the problems it created. I also found that I could not just replace my old laptop--no, I had to give up some capability or buy more capability. 

I wonder what planned obsolescence is included in my new MacBook Pro?

In the end, it was a full day, from dawn on my patio to arriving back home after dark with the solution to my computer problem. I did get in a 14 mile bike ride--just saying.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Wasting a Day

I wasted most of yesterday trying to revive my laptop. It is amazing how much time it takes to work on computers, especially when reloading the operating system is one of the suggested actions.

I could get it into Safe mode, but in the end and after chatting with an Apple tech I fear my laptop has a fatal hardware issue. I took it to a nearby tech store and I will join them this afternoon to waste more time, and probably money, to come up with the same solution—the touch bar has a flaw. Now the error can likely be repaired, but the cost seems excessive for an almost six year old laptop. I fear that I am looking at a case of planned obsolescence. MacBook Pro laptops are not inexpensive. 

The good news is that I have backed up all of my data on my external terabyte drive. I have stopped short of wiping the disk and reinstalling everything from start because I am convinced that the issue is hardware and not software related. It should be noted that the battery on my laptop is also failing, but I usually use the laptop plugged in and it gives me a couple hours power when needed. 

So, I am sitting on my patio watching the sunrise through the palms. It is 69 degrees, the sky is clear and I am looking forward to a long-ish bike ride this morning. After that, I will deal with my laptop.

Happy Saturday. 

—Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Different and Difficult Monday

Jupiter Island Beach
Jupiter, FL
October 10, 2022

 I am still numb, even this morning, from the passing of Makayla during yesterday's pre-dawn hours. 

Once sunrise occurred yesterday,  Chris and I decided to head to the beach for a walk to enjoy the sun, the sand, and the surf. We thought a beach walk would help us to begin processing Makayla's passing. Upon arriving at our favorite beach, we found that the storms had deposited piles of sea grasses and sargassum which combined with the high tide made walking impractical. So we stood for a few minutes and just enjoyed the sounds of the waves, the feel of the sun, and the smell of the ocean. 

It was, after all, Chris's first morning home after her 10-day Maryland trip. It was good to have her home, especially with everything that had happened already during the still early morning hours of the day. 

Egret Hunting
Square Grouper, Jupiter, FL
October 10, 2022

When we arrived back home after the aborted beach walk,  I announced that I was going out on a bike ride to clear my head. Chris wanted to join me and we set out on what I had planned as a short and easy 8-mile ride. About 3 miles into the ride, Chris developed a flat tire. It reminded me of my flat tire last week. The bike ride was doomed much like the beach walk. Even though I had my newly assembled tire repair kit with me, I decided to ride back and get the truck to retrieve Chris and her bike. I think I am going to buy her a new bike this week. She is riding a second-hand bike and she really deserves one built and adjusted for her. I enjoy riding with her.

Here it was still before 10 AM and it had already turned into a very different and difficult Monday. 

We busied ourselves for most of the remainder of the day with a trip to the airport to retrieve friends, lunch, a nap, and getting the Halloween decorations displayed. I am not a huge Halloween fan, but we decorate to enjoy the season. 

We closed out the day at our favorite watering hole, the Square Grouper, for some nachos and adult beverages. The Square Grouper, situated along the banks of the Loxahatchee River looking at the Jupiter Lighthouse, is one of my favorite places. There is almost always some activity to watch be it boats, or fish, or birds, or the people in the bar. Being off-season, the bar was not packed and it is still an enjoyable place. Soon, however, as the snow birds begin arriving it will be very difficult to find parking and tables to sit and enjoy the view will be scarce.

I sincerely hope that today is better than yesterday. I already has started out better. I am still coming to terms with how big a hole Makayla's passing has left in my life, and heart. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Doing my Civic Duty

 I have been called to Jury Duty in Palm Beach County.

I cannot believe it, I only just earlier this year obtained a drivers license and registered to vote. How can my my Jury number come up already?

The only time during my almost 22 years in Maryland I received notices for Jury Duty, I was not required to report. 

Not so--I actually have to report to the court house in West Palm Beach this morning at 8 AM in business attire. I guess that means no shorts or sandals. 

I haven't worn socks in months, except when I play golf! Maybe sandals are acceptable business attire in Florida--I am going to find out. I haven't worn long pants since April! That is going to be an experience.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Learning About Tomorrow

 I learned a lesson about tomorrow, yesterday. Yes, I learned it when yesterday was today and today was tomorrow.

Possible New End Table
Stuart, FL
September 17, 2022

Chris and I had a busy day. We were able to sneak out for a short 9 mile bike ride in between rainstorms that got the kinks out. We also took time to drive 22 miles to a furniture store in Stuart, FL. We are beginning the next phase of updating the living room from the furniture that came with the house to something different with more of a coastal theme. 

Maravilla Positioning
Tequesta, FL
September 18, 2022

Then, we decided to join friends on the beach for Happy Hour, but due to the impending storms (which never arrived) we met at our house for the evening. It was an awesome evening of wine and talking and pizza! I even received some much needed assistance in where to hang one of my favorite fine art prints which we brought from Maryland--The Maravilla by John Kelly. 

Because of the time we spent on those endeavors, I was unable to complete some of the projects that I had scheduled. I began to get stressed about the failure. 

Then, it dawned upon me that since I am retired, I have tomorrow. Duh!

So, I will be doing yesterday's projects today. (or is it tomorrow?)

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Back in the Saddle

 

Sun-Kissed Cloud
Tequesta, FL
September 4, 2022

Chris and I managed a short ride bike outing yesterday. It was great to be back on the road again and touring the neighborhoods in our vicinity. We rode some streets that we had not ridden before and enjoyed a relatively short 30 minute ride just to check out our conditioning and reacquaint ourselves with our bikes after riding sparingly for the past four months in Maryland. I have to admit, I enjoyed riding the flat streets a lot more than the continuous hills of my Elkridge neighborhood.

Radar of the Large Cloud
Tequesta, FL
September 4, 2022

We have a respite from unpacking until Wednesday. We cannot access our PODS until then and begin the processes of unpacking, sorting, disposing, storing, and using the treasures we moved from Maryland. 

This morning as I looked out from the patio, I saw a huge sun-kissed cloud heading my way. Dark Skies predicted rain imminently, but that never materialized. The radar image of the cloud was impressive and somewhere very close saw a heavy, brief downpour.

I am glad the storm missed my location.

And the holiday weekend continues. Chris and I have been busy and we have also been relaxing a bit. Good friends invited us for dinner and a swim last evening and it was great fun. 

We are definitely "back in the saddle" with its multiple connotations.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL