Banyan Tree

Banyan Tree
Tequesta, FL
January 6, 2023

 On one of my biking routes there are a couple of Banyan Trees. 

One, in particular, is very large. Not as large as the banyan tree in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, which covers a whole city block, but large for this area. It takes up a significant area and provides a natural rest stop in the shade. 

The tree, on a corner, is where I usually pause to take a water break and just enjoy the day. Yesterday, although a bit cool when I was riding, it was only in the mid-60s was another perfect South Florida day.

Sadly, the image does not really provide the true sense of just how big this tree has grown until you notice the house next to it on the right.

I enjoy recording sights from my rides. I only did 16 miles yesterday because of the cool weather, but it was another great ride. I have to admit, I actually wore a long-sleeved fleece-lined hoodie to keep warm.

Today--Chris and I are off to Port Canaveral to begin a week long journey on Wonder of the Seas, the biggest, baddest cruise ship in the world. Chris believes that size matters!

-- 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

Through the Screen

 

Through the Motorized Screen
Tequesta, FL
January 4, 2023

Chris and I made a minor, but significant upgrade to the patio. We had a motorized screen installed. The screen keeps the leaves and debris off the patio, but more importantly, it allows me to sit outside without being covered by bug spray on beautiful evenings. I wrote briefly about it yesterday, but decided to expand on the item a bit. 

Last evening after the sunset, I looked out at the moon rising above the senior citizens living center next door through the screen. It actually reminded me of Elkridge and looking out through the screens on the porch during the nighttime hours. It made me happy.

I actually have an image to post with this item, but Blogger is having problem this morning and will not let me add the image to this blog. Hopefully it will resolve itself later in the day. I added the image to the Facebook and Twitter items. 

The screen added a surreal look to the scene!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

And that was Christmas

All evidence of Christmas has been removed from our house. 

The season, while not officially over until January 6th, has ended.

The tree is gone, the Christmas dishes were returned to their storage bin under one of the beds, and the decorations found their way to the storage room that we rent. 

I would say the house has returned to normal, but it has been so far from normal for the past few months that even normal seems unnatural. 

We had a motorized screen installed on the patio so that I can sit out there in the evening without bug spray. Chris and I have been enjoying the freedom it gives us and Riordin, our cat, also likes being able to join us for happy hour on the patio. 

What's next? 

Oh wait--another Caribbean cruise coming soon. 

-- 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

Monday Musings - January 2, 2023

 

1. Welcome to the first Monday of 2023. It is also New Year's Day Observed, so do not expect mail delivery. 

2. Family NFL Report. It was a mixed week for the family teams which went 2-2. The Commanders were eliminated from playoff contention while the Steelers remain alive for the post season. The Cowboys and Ravens have secured a post-season playoff spot. 

    Cowboys (12-4) defeat Titans (7-9), 27-13

    Commanders (7-8-1) lost to Browns (7-9), 10-24

    Ravens (10-6) lost to  Steelers (8-8), 13-16

Luke with Lego Model
Tequesta, FL
January 1, 2023

3. We say goodbye to our youngest grandson today. He has been enjoying the South Florida warmth and beaches for the past few days. He has also enjoyed walking over to the ice cream store after dinner for a cone and lounging on the beach. While he was here he constructed a Lego model he received for Christmas. 

4. Happy New Year 2023. 

5. Relax, there are 51 Mondays remaining in the year in which to complete your New Year's resolutions!

6. Today in History. On January 2, 1980, in a strong reaction to the December 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, President Jimmy Carter asks the Senate to postpone action on the SALT II nuclear weapons treaty and recalls the U.S. ambassador to Moscow. These actions sent a message that the age of detente and the friendlier diplomatic and economic relations that were established between the United States and Soviet Union during President Richard Nixon’s administration (1969-74) had ended.

Carter feared that the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, in which an estimated 30,000 combat troops entered that nation and established a puppet government, would threaten the stability of strategic neighboring countries such as Iran and Pakistan and could lead to the USSR gaining control over much of the world’s oil supplies. The Soviet actions were labeled “a serious threat to peace” by the White House. Carter asked the Senate to shelve ratification talks on SALT II, the nuclear arms treaty that he and Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev had already signed, and the president called U.S. ambassador to Moscow Thomas J. Watson back to Washington for “consultation,” in an effort to let the Kremlin know that military intervention in Afghanistan was unacceptable.

Lula takes over in Brazil, slams Bolsonaro's anti-democratic threats - Reuters

Ukrainians cheer the new year as Russian drones are blasted from the skies - Reuters

China December manufacturing contracts sharply as COVID infections soar - Reuters

Twitter Sued Over Rent Payment in San Francisco - The Wall Street Journal

Can Southwest Buy Back Its Customers’ Love? - The Wall Street Journal

California Storm Floods Roads and Cuts Power - The Wall Street Journal

How investigators homed in on Idaho murder suspect - CNN

McCarthy commits to key concession in push to be next House speaker - CNN

Second quake in two weeks sends Northern California back to response mode - CNN

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

And So It Begins!

Me and Luke Ready for the
New Year's Eve Celebration
Tequesta, FL
December 31, 2022

 Happy New Year!

Here is hoping that your 2023 is better than 2022!

2022 was a great year for me. It was my first year of retirement and with the help of friends and family Chris and I forged ahead into this chapter of our lives. Florida is warm today and we will head to the beach, later.

We were awake to see the year begin. It was the second time in less than a week that I was awake to see a new day begin. It really messes with the sleep cycle. 

Be well and stay well.

Take a moment to remember and thank the first responders, medical personnel, and our courageous military personnel for their faithful and dedicated service.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

New Year's Eve 2022

 

Me, Lucas, Chris, Jeremy
Carlin Park Beach, Jupiter, FL
December 29, 2022

So here is a conundrum--is it New Year's Eve 2022 or 2023? 

Tomorrow is 2023, but we have not celebrated New Year's Eve 2022. It is New Year's Eve FOR 2023, but being that the day remains 2022, I'm guessing that it is New Year's Eve 2022 and at midnight when the year fades into history, so will New Year's Eve. 

I suppose it really doesn't matter--it is New Year's Eve and tomorrow is 2023. 

Lucas on a Boogie Board
Carlin Park Beach, Jupiter, FL
December 30, 2022

In more important issues. What do you get when you mix a relatively calm ocean, one boy, and a boogie board?

Answer: FUN!

It was a beautiful afternoon yesterday, and despite the water being a bit too cool for me to venture in beyond my ankles, Luke had fun with an old boogie board that we have. 

And so it was a great day. The weather was perfect and I made a trip to Port Everglades to drop Jeremy and Julie off for their cruise. Chris and I get some alone time with our youngest grandson! Yay!

Tonight, we will ring in the New Year together!

-- 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