Instructions are Misleading

 

Happy Groundhog Day!

The groundhog saw its shadow and the forecast is for six more weeks of Winter! I can handle that living here in South Florida.

Happy Hour on the Beach
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
February 1, 2023

And so there we were, sitting on our favorite beach at the end of a busy day. During the day, I had helped Fran erect a pergola in his lanai. The instructions that came with the kit indicated that the project should take about 45 minutes. Ha!

We began constructing the pergola about 9:30 AM. It was finally erected, with additional help from a neighbor and Mary, about 2:00 PM--but it still was not completely done. Screws need to be driven into the concrete and additional screws need to be installed in the beams. OK, why the difference in time? Well, this pergola is double size from the instructions, it is constructed with very heavy pressure treated lumber, and there was cutting involved. It is fairly clear that there instructions were written for a pergola using pre-cut not pressure-treated lumber, like the 8 foot 4 X 4s that come direct from Home Depot or Lowe's and the pergola would be a single span of 8' square.

Looking East Over the Ocean at Sunset
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
February 1, 2023

We survived without major injury although at times I was concerned about the sanity of what we were doing. 

And so to celebrate victory over the instructions and inanimate objects, we decided to wash away the sweat, frustration, and problem solving of the day by enjoying dinner and Happy Hour on the beach--beginning at 4:00 PM with sunset being at 6:02 PM. It was again an awesome way to end the day.

I do so enjoy sunset Happy Hours on the beach.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

In the Morning, On the Beach

Carlin Park Beach
Jupiter, FL
January 31, 2023

 Given the combination of calm winds and mild temperatures, Chris and I went to the beach for our morning walk yesterday. 

Admittedly, it has been a while since we went for a morning beach walk, but we were not disappointed. The day was a classic January South Florida day with blue skies, light winds off the ocean, and medium surf. It was a fantastic way to begin the last day of January 2023 and it reminded us both why we are living here. 

Pelicans on Patrol
Carlin Park Beach, Jupiter, FL
January 31, 2023

While we were walking a squadron of pelicans flew over. We almost always stop to admire them. They fly in formation I imagine that they always seem to be enjoying the air currents as they fly above or skim over the ocean's surface.

After the walk, we managed a short 11-mile ride on our bikes. Chris is really coming along in her stamina and endurance. The ride yesterday took me over 1024 miles ridden since September 3rd and I rode over 250 miles during January. I think I am getting my money's worth out of my bike.

The first month of 2023 is now history and now we are queued up for February. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Lurking in the Water

 

Looking South from Loxahatchee River Bridge
Tequesta, FL
January 30, 2023

The South Florida idyllic January weather returned yesterday and Chris and I made the most of the opportunity to get outside and enjoy life. After a series of days with high winds, clouds, and occasional rain the blue skies and calm winds were welcome. 

We biked our base circuit, just over 15 miles, to enjoy the day and the weather. The water on the Loxahatchee River was very still and provided an amazing reflection of the shore and sky as we rode across the bridge in Tequesta about 9 AM. 

Portuguese Man O War
Loxahatchee River
January 30, 2023

It being Monday, later during the day we met friends at our favorite watering hole for a few adult beverages. The beauty of the day continued as we watched the sunset explode over the Jupiter Lighthouse. But my eye was attracted to something sinister floating in the Loxahatchee River. Something that I find all too often on the beach, but rarely in the river. It was a larger than normally seen Portuguese Man O War floating just in the river near where we were sitting.

The Portuguese Man O War is the bane of swimmers and snorkelers as well as beach goers. Their tentacles deliver a nasty sting than can ruin a beautiful beach day. Most of the ones washed up on the beach are small with a sail of up to 3 inches, but this one had a sail of about 10 inches, meaning its tentacles had to be at least that long under the water.

It is sad that the seemingly placid sight of a Portuguese Man O War floating on the river can have nasty consequences.

But such was the day. And the evening was perfect ending with friends at the Square Grouper.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - January 30, 2023

 

1. It is the last Monday of January, meaning the "new" year is 1/12 complete. My, time flies!

2. The Super Bowl teams are set. The Eagles will face the Chiefs. The best game of the weekend was between the Chiefs and the Bengals with the winning score leaving only 3 seconds on the clock. Unfortunately, the Eagles game was a blow-out because the 49ers quarterback got injured. The NFL season ends in two weeks. And then it will be time for baseball!

3. I submit for your consideration another graphic provided by Jason. The graphic provides a comparison of something as basic as salt and how one's latitude can change it use. I like the bottom portion especially.

Black-crowned Night Heron
Flamingo Gardens, Davie, FL
January 28, 2023

4. Reflecting back on the recent visit to Flamingo Gardens, I was able to get many great bird pictures. One that I particularly enjoy is the Black-crowned night heron. There are so many different birds on display, but the Gardens has a large collection of these unique herons.

5. It was cold towards the end of last week. I was dismayed that I had to wear jeans and a long sleeved shirt when going outside on Thursday and Friday. Fortunately, the 80s are returning today.

6. Today in History. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the political and spiritual leader of the Indian independence movement, is assassinated in New Delhi by a Hindu extremist on January 30, 1948.

Born the son of an Indian official in 1869, Gandhi’s Vaishnava mother was deeply religious and early on exposed her son to Jainism, a morally rigorous Indian religion that advocated nonviolence. Gandhi was an unremarkable student but in 1888 was given an opportunity to study law in England. In 1891, he returned to India, but failing to find regular legal work he accepted in 1893 a one-year contract in South Africa.

Russia's deputy foreign minister blames the US for no negotiations with Kyiv after NATO allies agreed to send tanks to Ukraine - CNN

Experts explain what Memphis got right in the days since Tyre Nichols' death - CNN

Union members are poised to reject Disney World contract offer - CNN

Exclusive: Pro-Kremlin activists in Germany gave money for Russian army gear - Reuters

Toyota defends title as world's top-selling automaker in 2022 - Reuters

Suicide bombing at mosque in Pakistan kills 32, targeted police - Reuters

Zelensky Urges Faster Weapons Deliveries Amid Russian Push - The Wall Street journal

Blinken Heads to Israel Amid Tensions Over Violence With Palestinians - The Wall Street journal

Along front-line river, this deadly road shows toll of Russia’s war - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Flamingo Gardens Return

Flamingo
Flamingo Gardens, Davie, FL
January 28, 2023

 

It being a new year, we journeyed to Flamingo Gardens yesterday to enjoy the animals and plants. Chris and I realized that we had not been to the gardens since last March and it is a place that we very much enjoy. Of course, the over an hour drive does deter us from more frequent visits, but even so, we decided to join the gardens so that we could head there whenever we had the itch to wander around the 60 acre piece of heaven that sits right here in South Florida.

Orchid Bloom
Flamingo Gardens, Davie, FL
January 28, 2023

I also enjoy the Flamingo Gardens because I get a chance to take a lot of images that I will never use again. I also play with some of the features on my camera (iPhone) that I only rarely use. For instance depth of field, which allows me to blur the background while keeping the orchid bloom in full focus. And there are many potential subjects for my photographic interests. 

I have determined that taking images of birds and animals in enclosures is not desirable. The enclosure gets in the way and takes away from the scene. The nice thing about Flamingo Gardens is that many of the birds wander around the grounds or are enclosed in natural settings. 

Ibis on the Rocks
Flamingo Gardens, Davie, FL
January 28, 2023

I enjoy taking images around the pool where the flamingos and other water birds are on display. Its open area provides a natural background as do the rocks and waterfall. The area is next to the food stand and having lunch or a snack while watching the birds, and especially the Flamingos, continues the experience. Of course the numerous peafowl which wander the grounds also provide amusement and photo opportunities, but how many images do I really need of a peacock on full display?

Even though the sun was hidden behind the sky full of clouds, it was a very enjoyable afternoon. I look forward to returning again, soon.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Bike Ride

Yesterday was an exciting day, in terms of bike riding.

When I bought my NordicTrack S22I trainer, I developed a route, a tough route, which went from my Tequesta home north along US 1 to the Hobe Sound Natural Wildlife Preserve and then back home riding along Beach Road on Jupiter Island past the uber-expensive homes. It was a 23 mile trip requiring two drawbridge crossings and riding along a fairly narrow 2-lane road as well as risking life and limb along US-1.

The Ocean
Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge
January 27, 2023

It was a great ride. I had not done the ride before because I did not want to do it alone. Thursday evening my friend Fran suggested we make the ride, and that is what we did yesterday. I logged just over 23 miles, he rode from his house which is a bit longer and I believe he logged over 25 miles.

The day was cold! Yes, for South Florida it was cold and windy. The temperature was about 63 degrees when we set off under overcast skies and facing, at times, a headwind of 15-20 mph. The ride north was tough. Along US-1 the wind was in our faces and this particular stretch of US-1 undulates continuously. Once we got off US-1, the wind was broken by vegetation and buildings. The ride south along Beach Road, heading home, saw us post an 5-mile average speed of 15.8 mph, which is definitely high due to the wind assist at our backs. The total elapsed time of the trip was just over 2 hours, including stopping at Hobe Sound to view the ocean.

Surprisingly, we were not the only crazy bikers out riding. We passed more than a few others enjoying the day and the relatively light traffic of Beach Road. I enjoyed looking at the multi-million dollar, (some into the $30Ms) houses along the road and biking past the high-end golf course.

So now that I have finally ridden in real life the ride that I had ridden so many times on my exercise cycle using Google maps, I am anxious to do it again with Chris, as soon as we get her up to riding in the 20 mile range. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Busch Wildlife Sanctuary

 

Chris and I did something a bit different yesterday. We visited the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, which is very close to us in Jupiter. 

Eastern Screech Owl
Busch Wildlife Sanctuary
Jupiter, FL
January 26, 2023

We had an enjoyable couple of hours walking through the exhibits and talking to the volunteers. The Sanctuary is planning to move to a new larger 20 acre location later this year. They currently occupy 9.2 acres. One of the volunteers indicated that they rescue about 6,000 animals per year. The ones on display are the permanent residents which cannot be returned to the wild due to either injury or domestication. The animals being rehabilitated are kept away from the visitors so that stye do not become accustomed to human interaction.

Barn Owl
Busch Wildlife Sanctuary
Jupiter, FL
January 26, 2023

We last visited the sanctuary about 10 years ago on a hot summer's day which also was filled with a multitude of mosquitoes. Yesterday was almost idyllic. Temperatures were in the mid-70s and there were no flying annoyances to worry about. 

With the impending move to Jupiter Farms, which was planned for March of this year but reportedly has been delayed until September, I felt that some of the enclosures are not being maintained as would be normal. The site looks a bit rundown, frankly, but the animals seem well cared for. Chris did remind me that it is the middle of winter. There is a good variety of animals to view and we saw a Florida Panther, a bobcat, two Black Bears, turkeys, deer, fox, an alligator in addition to numerous species of birds and a few reptiles. The otters were not in view! All-in-all we cruised through the sanctuary in about an hour and a half. 

The entrance fee is by donation and the staff was very welcoming.

I recommend a visit to gain an understanding about Florida's native and non-native animals and plants as well as to support the sanctuary's animal rescue work.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Internet Saves iPhone 14 proMax

 

My one-month old, in two days, iPhone 14 proMax, died overnight.

I was in shock since it is new. It was dead. Very very dead. I could not start it in the usual manner and it was not taking a charge. I had what some refer to as the Black Screen of Death.

As most of you are aware, I use my phone a lot. It has and does everything for me. 

I tried placing the phone in different chargers to ensure it was getting juice, to no avail. I tried to reboot it, to no avail.

I was planning to get an appointment at the Apple Store to save the phone when I wondered if this problem had occurred to other users who may have documented a solution on the internet. I found a couple videos on YouTube which provided some clues and a solution that worked. 

The video that saved my day is below.

I was ecstatic when the solution worked. It was a unique key combination, that I wasn't aware of, to force a reboot. Even though the video was for an iPhone 14 pro, it worked for my iPhone 14 proMax.

My day was recovered. 

As was my phone.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Winter Weather Driving

 

Winter weather driving can be dangerous. 

White-outs, blizzards, freezing rain, ice and irresponsible drivers can make the daily commute or the trip to the store a dangerous undertaking. 

I received a graphic from a friend, who is trapped in the north, which provided some timely and important Winter weather driving rules, titled Tips for Driving in the Snow, and I am sharing it today. 

From personal experience, I can attest to the validity of the tips provided. I might add a fifth: avoid getting sand in your beverage.

Thanks to Jason for sending me the snow driving tips.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Dodging the Rain Clouds

 

Looking South from Loxahatchee River Bridge
Tequesta, FL
January 23, 2023

It was an uncharacteristically cloudy day complete with passing showers yesterday. When I first went out for my morning ride, I decided to wait a bit. Chris and I were able to get Finn's walk in, barely, between the showers.

About 10 AM, I was able to get out onto the streets and risk life and limb for a 15 mile ride. I had planned on a longer ride, but the weather kept changing around me and I decided to keep it to me normal ride and to add any additional side trips. I felt as if I was dodging the rain throughout the ride. And I was! 

I even accomplished a few projects around the house and managed to change auto insurance companies for the first time in my adult life. One big downside to living in Florida is the continuing insurance hassle. Auto insurance is out of sight and property insurance is worse. I was informed that my condo policy was not going to be renewed because the company is terminating operations in Florida. So, I have more insurance fun ahead. 

All in all, it was another great South Florida day!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL