Monday Musings - January 23, 2023

 

1. Happy Monday again. It is the 4th of 5 January Monday's. The year is off to a rapid start. In case you were keeping count, there are 48 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. Family NFL Results. No family teams remain in the NFL Playoff hunt. Dallas lost a defensive struggle to San Francisco (12-19) which removed all of the family teams from the playoffs. We all must try again next year. 

Gopher Tortoises along the Trail
Hobe Sound, FL
January 22, 2023

3. Chris and I enjoyed another bike ride through Seabranch Preserve State Park yesterday. We spied a number of tortoises along our path. Since we were riding with a friend who has not biked much, we kept the trek to a short 9.5 miles.

4. It was scary to watch the stock market crumble last week as the newly installed Republican-controlled House of Representatives toyed with the idea of having the United States default on its debt. Seems they forget that the previous president, who was a republican, added $8.2 trillion to the national debt in four years and they overwhelmingly voted for the debt increases. The current president has, thus far, added $3 trillion to the debt. 

Source: 

US Debt by President: By Dollar and Percentage

Sign in Mulligan's Bar
Jensen Beach, FL
January 17, 2023

5. Does anyone else find this sign to be offensive and out of touch with society's standards? There is an inherent bias here that must be corrected. It may have been funny a couple decades ago, but I don't believe it to be appropriate today. And no, I'm not upset that women can get free drinks!

6. Today in History. On January 23, 1957, machines at the Wham-O toy company roll out the first batch of their aerodynamic plastic discs—now known to millions of fans all over the world as Frisbees.

The story of the Frisbee began in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where William Frisbie opened the Frisbie Pie Company in 1871. Students from nearby universities would throw the empty pie tins to each other, yelling “Frisbie!” as they let go. In 1948, Walter Frederick Morrison and his partner Warren Franscioni invented a plastic version of the disc called the “Flying Saucer” that could fly further and more accurately than the tin pie plates. After splitting with Franscioni, Morrison made an improved model in 1955 and sold it to the new toy company Wham-O as the “Pluto Platter”–an attempt to cash in on the public craze over space and Unidentified Flying Objects(UFOs).

What we know about the 72-year-old suspect in the Monterey Park massacre - CNN

South Korea's lunar probe captures stunning Earth images - CNN

Poland signals intent to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine - Reuters

Russian warship armed with hypersonic missiles to join drills with China, South Africa - Reuters

Early rift over immigration exposes House GOP’s tough path to consensus - The Washington Post

Fear the deer: Crash data illuminates America’s deadliest animal - The Washington Post

Market Recovery Hinges on Rapid Drop in Inflation - The Wall Street Journal

Russia Presses Attack in Ukraine’s South - The Wall Street Journal

-- 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

Reflections of the Cruise

 Cruises are a significant event. 

It is hard to let them go even after they have been completed. The memories, the activity, the entertainment, and the fun linger.

I am going to highlight some of the images and a video that I took during the cruise. 

Me in the Flamingos on the Ship
Wonder of the Seas
January 7, 2023

One of the themes on the ship was flamingos. Flamingos were featured in sculpture, like this, and in many paintings and images. I enjoyed finding them in various places around the ship.

Our Traveling Group in the Pub on the Ship
Wonder of the Seas
January 7, 2023

A British-style pub became one of the group's hang-outs. We sent time enjoying each other's company and adult beverages while also playing games and relaxing. This image was taken just after the announcement of the impending nuptials. That Patrick and Jen were to be married on Coco Cay, day 3 of the cruise, was a total surprise! It made the cruise all that much more exciting and meaningful.

Chris and I next to the Mustang
Wonder of the Seas
January 9, 2023

One of the features of the ship was this classic Mustang right on the Promenade Deck. It was fun to look at the vehicle and imagine how it came to be on the ship. I believe it to be a 1966 Mustang Convertible, but I am no expert.

Moon over the North Atlantic
Wonder of the Seas
January 10, 2023

Sunsets, sunrises, and moon over the ocean. I love those subjects for images and cannot get enough of them. This moonrise was particularly interesting with the clouds. I took it from our balcony, or is it a verandah?

My Favorite Towel Animal
Wonder of the Seas
January 14, 2023

Who does not love the towel animals that the room stewards provide. I especially like it when they use items from the room to make them even more personal. This was the final towel animal of the trip. I saved this one for the last day and set it on the dresser in the room holding the tip envelope.

And finally, the video I took from the midnight party held on the very first night of the trip. The music was great and the party was fun.

The sad story of this party is that Chris and I did not attend together. I dozed off in the room about 9:30 PM and she went to the party with the rest of our group leaving me to sleep. That was a nice thought, but when I awoke about 11:15 PM, I went to the Promenade Deck in search of her, but did not find her. So I was alone for the opening big celebration of the cruise. In fact it turns out she was less than about 100 feet from me at a table in the pub. I had walked through the pub but did not see them. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - January 16, 2023

 

1. It is the third of five Mondays in January. And it is a holiday weekend.

2. It is Martin Luther King's birthday holiday today. 

Brown Booby
Wonder of the Seas, North Atlantic
January 10, 2023

3. I enjoyed my cruise. One of the things I like to do is image birds. On this cruise we were blessed with Brown Boobys which flew along the ship and gave me ample opportunities to try and get a good image. I also like images of sunsets and sunrises. I got this unique shot of the sun behind a cloud as the ship was departing Haiti.

Sun from Behind a Cloud
Wonder of the Seas, Haiti
January 13, 2023

4. It was a rough weekend in the NFL with both the Dolphins and Ravens coming close, but losing with back-up quarterbacks at the helm. Tonight, the Cowboys take the field and attempt to win a playoff game and defeat Tom Brady who is 7-0 against them.

5. When it is time to stop just reporting about Russian missile strikes targeting non-military targets in Ukraine  and killing civilians and do something meaningful either with sanctions or direct military action?

6. Today in History. The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, prohibiting the “manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes,” is ratified by the requisite number of states on January 16, 1919.

The movement for the prohibition of alcohol began in the early 19th century, when Americans concerned about the adverse effects of drinking began forming temperance societies. By the late 19th century, these groups had become a powerful political force, campaigning on the state level and calling for total national abstinence. In December 1917, the 18th Amendment, also known as the Prohibition Amendment, was passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification.

Europe's warm winter robs Putin of trump card - CNN

It's so cold in Florida, iguanas have started falling from trees - CNN

Missile strike in Dnipro kills 36 people, officials say - CNN

Household wealth optimism collapses, global survey shows - Reuters

Italy arrests top mafia boss Messina Denaro at Sicilian hospital - Reuters

Indonesia policemen on trial for negligence over deadly soccer stampede - Reuters

China’s bid to leave covid behind could determine global economy’s fate - The Washington Post

New details link George Santos to cousin of sanctioned Russian oligarch - The Washington Post

Russian Draftees Died in a Ukrainian Strike. Putin’s War Machine Rolled On. - The Wall Street Journal

Iran Plans Penalties for Women Breaking Hijab Rule - The Wall Street Journal

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Wonder of the Seas - Days 8 and 9, And So it Ends

 

Kitchen Nightmares
Wonder of the Seas
January 14, 2023

And it is over!

I am back home reviewing the trip and the past two days. It was 39 degrees at the port when we disembarked this morning! I thought this was supposed to be Florida!

Yesterday was a sea day as we cruised back to Port Canaveral from Haiti. The Captain warned us ahead of time that the upper deck would be closed due to high winds. And the winds across the deck averaged 50 mph or more for most of the day. I estimated the sea swells to be between 10-15 feet. Fortunately, the Wonder of the Seas is the biggest cruise ship afloat and we hardly noticed the wind and waves until the nighttime when I believe they became worse. 

What to do on a ship where the outside activities are not happening? Go to shows and shop. We did both. 

We went to a show called Kitchen Nightmares, loosely done like a TV cooking show with a lot of twists. The two teams, selected from the audience, were tasked with cooking a three course meal in 25 minutes with help from two the ship's chefs. The meals were evaluated, but the host of the event kept throwing obstacles into the paths of the cooks, like at one point making them swap cooking tables and at others giving them a one minute time out. It was a lot of fun.

365 Seasons on Ice
Wonder of the Seas
January 14, 2023

Later in the evening we attended 365 Seasons on Ice--an ice dancing show which was superbly executed. It was very enjoyable and the technology to make the show happen was amazing. It even snowed during the performance!

In between and after the shows there was time for food and enjoying some time with Patrick, Jen, Alex, and Becka. 

Snow during the Performance
Wonder of the Seas
January 14, 2023

This morning's the exit from the ship was smooth. We moved our own luggage and were off the ship by 7:30, at our car by 8 AM and home by 10 AM after a slightly less than 2-hour drive. Wow!

I will do a full review of the cruise and the ship in the future, but all-in-all, it was a great cruise. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Wonder of the Seas - Day 7, Labadee, Haiti

Beach 
Labadee, Haiti
January 13, 2023

We made our return to Labadee yesterday. Chris and I had been on another Royal Caribbean cruise which visited Labadee in the days before Coco Cay was completed. Labadee has a very different vibe from Coco Cay. I find it more relaxed with the primary focus being on the ocean and beach time. The water park portion of the site is not nearly as diverse as is Coco Cay.

That written, we had a very enjoyable day lounging in the shade of a large tree just off the beach. We found a strategically located spot near a drink station and a rest room. The day started with beautiful blue skies and calm water. Idyllic. The Royal Caribbean area seems very separated from the rest of Haiti. The area does sport a Straw Market with locals selling their wares, they are very aggressive, but Royal Caribbean security keeps them in check. 

Drones in the Effectors 2 Show
Wonder of the Sea
January 13, 2023

For the late afternoon and evening we retired to the ship. One of the highlights of the trip was the evening show in the Royal Theater, The Effectors 2: Crash and Burn. Like the aqua show we attended earlier in the trip it was top quality, exciting, and supremely interesting. In this show I was amazed at the use of multiple drones and lasers. I wonder if they have ever had a drone fail during the performance?

I didn't realize that it was Friday the 13th until the day was mostly over.

Angry North Atlantic
Wonder of the Seas
January 14, 2023

And finally, the trip back to Port Canaveral is a rough and windy one. The ship is very large and we hardly feel the rough North Atlantic. 

We expect to have a good day on the ocean, but the Captain advised us yesterday that the open upper deck would be closed or access would be severely restricted due to the high winds. I looked at the weather map and it seems we may be sailing into a 30 mph headwind at about 25 mph. Does that equal 55 mph over the deck? I don't know.  

Should be a fun day.

-- Bob Doan, Wonder of the Seas, North Atlantic