Finding Calm Amid the Upheaval of Life

North Jupiter Island Beach, FL
July 12, 2023

 It is amazing how many things have to be done when someone dies--especially unexpectedly. 

Chris and I appreciate all the outpouring of concern, support, and prayers. She was very close to her sister and they had made many plans for the future, once Jodie retired. 

We went to a happy place yesterday to escape, for a few hours, the weight of everything. There is something cathartic about sitting on a deserted beach listening to the sound of the waves washing up onto the sand. Chris actually found a few moments of peace as fixed our gaze looking off into the distance where the ocean and the sky meet. We were the only ones on the beach for the majority of the time we spent there, just sitting under an umbrella in our beach chairs. I told Chris to put her phone away, as I had done, to find a few moments of peace and to attempt to right the world which had gone askew. 

And the waves continued to gently wash up onto the beach. 

We started to depart more than once before we actually packed up our gear and headed off the beach walking down the trail that transported us back to the real world. But we were thankful for the respite.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Shock and Grief

Jodie Meyers

 It is with overwhelming sadness that I report the passing of Chris's sister, Jodie, on Monday. Her passing was sudden and unexpected.

I am writing this because many of our friends my not have yet heard of her passing. 

Chris and Jodie were very close. We had visited with Jodie most recently during our visit to Maryland during early June. Chris last spoke with her the day before she passed. 

Our hearts are broken and we are filled with grief and disbelief. 

Memorial service plans are incomplete, but will likely occur during mid-August in conjunction with the annual golf tournament established in memory her son Troy who passed during 2014 from complications associated with cancer treatment. Jodie resided in Ithaca, NY, with her husband Matt, and son Trevar. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tuesday Tattles

 

Well, the All Star Break is underway in MLB. Last evening's Home run Derby saw an Orioles participant, Adley Rutschman, who did a great job. I think he might have done better had both he and his Dad, who was pitching, not watched the blasts off the bat and were able together a few more balls into play.

B-1, B-2, B-52

A note on the Marine Corps today:

For the first time since 1859, the Marine Corps does not have a confirmed commandant. For five months, Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has held up the confirmation of about 250 Pentagon officers in protest of the Defense Department’s policy of enabling military personnel to travel to obtain abortion care. So when Commandant General David Berger retired today, there was no confirmed commandant to replace him. Assistant Commandant General Eric Smith will serve as the acting commandant until the Senate once again takes up military confirmations. 

That a Republican is undermining the military belies the party’s traditional claim to be stronger on military issues than the Democrats. So does the attack of House Republicans on our nation’s key law enforcement entities—the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation—after traditionally insisting their party works to defend “law and order.”  (Letters form an American)

And I thought Republicans supported the military?

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - July 10, 2023

 

1. Welcome to another version of Monday Musings. It is the second Monday of July and there are 24 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. The heat is oppressive across much of the country. It is limiting outdoors activity. 

Palms Against the Storm
Tequesta, FL
July 8, 2023

3. I managed a 17-mile bike ride yesterday, but I actually was planning on 23 but shortened it about 4 miles due to the heat which became very concerning. I really felt the heat exhaustion setting in about 1030 and decided to truncate the trek. Fortunately I was riding a loop and was able to take out a 3 mile section of my ride. Wow, it was hot. 

4. Palms against the storm. Evening thunderstorms continue across South Florida. The other evening as the storms approached, Chris and I went outside and the palms across from us were beautiful against the storm darkened sky. So, I took an image. 

5. How about those Orioles? As we are at the All Star break, the Orioles have the third best record in all of baseball.  They have been playing solid and exciting baseball. Let's hope the second half of the season is a much fun as the first half! Just as an aside, the Orioles have won two more games during the 2023 campaign than they did during the entire 2021 season!

6. Today in History. July 10, 1925: In Dayton, Tennessee, the so-called Scopes Monkey Trialbegins with John Thomas Scopes, a young high school science teacher, accused of teaching evolution in violation of a Tennessee state law.

The law, which had been passed in March, made it a misdemeanor punishable by fine to “teach any theory that denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible, and to teach instead that man has descended from a lower order of animals.” With local businessman George Rappleyea, Scopes had conspired to get charged with this violation, and after his arrest the pair enlisted the aid of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to organize a defense. Hearing of this coordinated attack on Christian fundamentalism, William Jennings Bryan, the three-time Democratic presidential candidate and a fundamentalist hero, volunteered to assist the prosecution. Soon after, the great attorney Clarence Darrow agreed to join the ACLU in the defense, and the stage was set for one of the most famous trials in U.S. history.

Kremlin says Wagner chief met with Putin after attempted rebellion - CNN

‘Not what it was’: House Freedom Caucus wrestles with its future amid split over tactics and Trump - CNN

China’s factory gate prices fall at fastest pace in 7 years - CNN

America Is Wrapped in Miles of Toxic Lead Cables - The Wall Street Journal

Disney World Hasn’t Felt This Empty in Years - The Wall Street Journal

Europe faces long wait for weight-loss drugs as governments eye costs - Reuters

North Korea warns it may shoot down US spy planes violating its airspace - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Cat Saga

Riordin Sleeping
Tequesta, FL
March 9, 2023

 Riordin, our tabby cat, is beginning to show his geriatric side. 

Apparently, after yesterday's $300 visit to the vet he is being diagnosed with asthma. At least that is one possible explanation for his coughing fits. Although, the vet did put him on antibiotics for some unspecified reason. 

The Gang of Three
Finn, Makayla, and Riordin
Tequesta, FL
February 11, 2022

Riordin is one of the two surviving members of the gang of three, Makayla, Riordin, and Finnegan, with Finnegan being the youngest. Makayla passed during October, an event which traumatized me. I may have PTSD from it.

We will see where it goes, but geriatric cats generally do not get better although we can support him and hopefully keep him from getting worse. I was encouraged when the vet weighed him and he had not lost anymore weight. 

It seems there is always something happening.

We will have to see where this goes.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Blocking the Way

 

Sand Hill Cranes
Tequesta, FL
July 6, 2023
Photo by Chris

Blockers!

That is what they sometimes become.

Sand Hill Cranes are big birds standing about 3 to 4 feet tall. They make a very disturbing sound, like what I imagine a pterodactyl would make. Fortunately, they are generally sedate birds, except when guarding a golf ball on a course. 

Chris and I came across two of the birds during our bike ride on Thursday. They meandered across the road and were effective blockers. 

I actually enjoy looking at the birds due to their size. I would never eat to disturb them as they seem more than capably of defending themselves and inflicting damage upon anyone who would attack them. 

It was fin to get excited about wildlife other than the tortoises, rabbits, and squirrels that we typically see during our rides. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Watching the Neighbor's Cat

Tigger and Chris
Tequesta, FL
July 4, 2023

 It is more than fair. 

We need people to watch Riordin when we travel and we can help our neighbors by watching their cat when they travel!

The cat, Tigger! He is a beautiful animal and I enjoy going over to feed and play with him twice per day. I am not as enthused about changing his litter box, but that is a necessity. 

Tigger loves to play. He also has a great purr motor and turns it on when he is held. I know that as the time goes on he is going to become more lonely and we will need to spend additional time with him. Fortunately, he is a short walk away. 

More fun to come, I am sure.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Beating the Heat

Bridge Road Drawbridge
Hobe Sound, FL
July 5, 2023

 Chris and I have discovered one almost sure-fire way to beat the oppressive heat which has been holding South Florida hostage for the past few weeks: boating!

The stress index has been running 105-112 degrees for the past few days. 

Yesterday, Finnegan has a grooming appointment and Chris and I decided that since we were going to be in the area anyway that we would check out a boat and spend time on the water. The day was perfect for boating with just a light breeze and nearly glassy smooth water. We enjoyed the intracoastal waterway (ICW) and stopped by our favorite beach for a few minutes. I noted that boating on weekdays is much preferable to weekends given that very often we are the only boat on the ICW. 

We have our favorite boat now, Sea Bean, which is a Cobia 220 dual console. Sea Bean is new. It only had 15 hours on the engine when we departed the Marina yesterday and we put about 3 of those hours on it last week. 

When the groomer called that Finnegan was complete, we were about an hour away from the marina. They agreed to kennel Finn for a couple hours and we were able to spend some time on a northern Jupiter Island Atlantic Ocean beach which is part of the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Preserve. 

I was a bit sad when we arrived back at the marina earlier than planned, but we had an enjoyable 3 hours escaping the heat of the day while enjoying the water.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Through the Palms

Roger Dean Stadium
Abacoa, FL
July 4, 2023

 A fantastic 4th of July was observed!

Chris and I spent the day together, hiding out from the oppressive heat and enjoying a two-day movie marathon which included watching both Independence Day movies and The Music Man! Now there is a combination. We also conducted a Zoom-call with the family.

There must be trouble right here in River City!

Actually no trouble, but we headed out last evening to Abacoa and the Roger Dean Baseball Stadium to enjoy a long and exciting fireworks display with a few thousand fellow residents. The city was hosting g a huge party, but we stayed on the periphery. Chris and I were positioned perfectly that two tall palms framed the fireworks. We enjoyed a classic 4th of July dinner of ribs before heading out. We timed the event perfectly arriving about 5 minutes before the fireworks began. Parking was awful--but we were able to smoothly escape from the crowd after the show was over. 

The trip home from Abacoa was highlighted by fireworks everywhere. I think I found a new place to watch fireworks, however. From atop the Alternate A1A bridge looking both ways along the Loxahatchee River. There were still people there as we were driving home.

It was fun to make new traditions!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

 

Fire up the 4th

Final Fireworks
Elkridge, MD
July 4, 2022

Celebrate the 4th of July.

It is Independence Day.

I wish I could write that we are doing something exciting, but we are not. We are just chillin' in Florida.

Here is hoping that you and yours are having a stunning holiday and are not trapped either in an airport or on a highway.

Here are some Independence Day thoughts:

And on July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, declaring: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

The men who signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, pledged their “Lives, [their] Fortunes and [their] sacred Honor” to defend the idea of human equality. Ever since then, Americans have sacrificed their own fortunes, honor, and even their lives, for that principle. Lincoln reminded Civil War Americans of those sacrifices when he urged the people of his era to “take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

(Letters from an American)

We must be on guard for those who would rewrite these words for their own personal gain and usurp the cause of freedom transforming it into a weapon rather than an unalienable right. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL