Moving the Season Along

Sunrise Through the Screen
Tequesta, FL
November 14, 2023

Tuesday has arrived. I realized that I only have three more days to awaken in my own bed before heading north for the Thanksgiving holiday. I think Chris and I will pack our turkey decorations up before we leave so that we have a clean slate for Christmas when we return. It is hard to believe that Christmas in upon us and I need to begin thinking about putting up the Christmas tree. 

Riordin in a Christmas Wreath
Elkridge, MD
November 30, 2019

It will be strange not having Riordin around to bat at the balls on the tree or to push the Polar Express off its tracks this Christmas. He really loved Christmas and I think it was one of his favorite times of the year. I can still see him sleeping in the decorations and getting into the empty boxes. He loved boxes and checking out the decorations. At least I don't have to worry about how many stinkbugs have managed to find their way into the decorations this year. Those dirty bugs seemed to find a way to get into everything.

But, next up is Turkey Day! And I am excited about seeing family and friends. And eating turkey, playing Axis and Allies, and watching football, did I mention football?

I hope that the government does not shut down and really make a disaster out of the holidays. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - November 13, 2023

 

1. The three-day weekend is over and the slide into Thanksgiving is beginning. This is the second Monday of November and there are just two Mondays remaining in the month. There are only six Mondays remaining in the year. In seven short weeks 2023 will be in the history books. 

2. Programming note: Six weeks from today in Christmas!

Juno Beach Artisan Festival
Juno Beach, FL
November 12, 2023

3. The weather has been hot lately, mid-80s. We went to an artisan festival yesterday along the ocean in Juno Beach and it was almost too hot, without a breeze, to even want to buy anything. Looking at the image, the ocean is on the other side of the foliage to the right. 

4. Family NFL Report. It was a mixed day for the family teams which went 2-2. The Dolphins did not play and my TV only showed either Jacksonville or Tampa at 1PM, ugh!

Commanders (4-6) lost to Seahawks (6-3), 26-29

Cowboys (6-3) mangled Giants (2-8), 49-17

Steelers (6-3) survived Packers (3-6), 23-19

Ravens (7-3) snatched defeat from the Browns (6-3), 31-33

Dolphins (6-3) on a bye

Atlantic Ocean
Juno Beach, FL
November 12, 2023

5. Is anyone else concerned that Ukraine has dropped off the media reporting and the Putin may be using this as cover for a major offensive?

6. The ocean was beautiful yesterday. The sun was hot and the wind refreshing. I was not able to actually enjoy being on the beach or in the water, but I was refreshed just by looking out on the vastness of the ocean.

7. Today in History. November 13, 1982. Near the end of a weeklong national salute to Americans who served in the Vietnam War, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is dedicated in Washington, D.C. after a march to its site by thousands of veterans of the conflict. The long-awaited memorial was a simple V-shaped black-granite wall inscribed with the names of the 57,939 Americans who died in the conflict, arranged in order of death, not rank, as was common in other memorials.

The designer of the memorial was Maya Lin, a Yale University architecture student who entered a nationwide competition to create a design for the monument. Lin, born in Ohio in 1959, was the daughter of Chinese immigrants. Many veterans’ groups were opposed to Lin’s winning design, which lacked a standard memorial’s heroic statues and stirring words. However, a remarkable shift in public opinion occurred in the months after the memorial’s dedication. Veterans and families of the dead walked the black reflective wall, seeking the names of their loved ones killed in the conflict. Once the name was located, visitors often made an etching or left a private offering, from notes and flowers to dog tags and cans of beer.

Johnson pleads for a break from GOP hardliners - CNN

US hit targets affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Syria after attacks on forces - CNN

Israeli tanks at gates of main Gaza hospital where patients trapped in 'circle of death' - Reuters

Zelenskiy tells Ukrainians to prepare for Russian winter onslaught - Reuters

Russian state media withdraw alerts on troop 'regrouping' in southern Ukraine - Reuters

China’s Spending on Green Energy Is Causing a Global Glut - The Wall Street Journal

Israel Warns of Wider War as It Presses On in Gaza - The Wall Street Journal

U.S. strikes kill Iranian proxies in Syria, officials say, a significant escalation - The Washington Post

Sen. Tim Scott suspends 2024 GOP presidential bid - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Stuart Airshow 2023

C-17 and KC-125 in Pre-contact Position
Stuart, FL
November 11, 2023

 Chris and I headed off to Stuart, Florida, yesterday to enjoy the Veterans Day Airshow. 

We had not visited the airshow before, but after our day we will definitely be attending next year. In short, it was fantastic. 

Cannons on AC-130J
Stuart, FL
November 11, 2023

There were static aircraft displays, food, events, and a true airshow with both civilian and military performers. We were treated to a tour of an AC-130J Gunship, this was the Nightstalker. While walking up to the plane I thought it was a C-130, until I walked around to the other side and saw the cannons! Wow. I really enjoyed walking through this aircraft with Chris.

The day was sunny and hot. We were well prepared with sunscreen, well until we lent our can to another couple and they emptied it. We did avoid getting burned, however.

I created a short movie of some of the airshow flying highlights. I was fascinated by the Heritage Flight and the civilian acrobatic demonstrations. 

Chris with a Top Gun Statue
Stuart, FL
November 11, 2023

The airshow was well organized. Parking was free and we were lucky enough to be very close to the entrance. The displays were easy to access, but some had long lines. The seating areas for the airshow demonstrations were great and we could hear the announcers very clearly, as will be evidenced in the video. I thought the admission was fair and reasonable. 

Areas for improvement:  There are not enough food vendors. The lines were extremely long and slow moving. On a hot day, water should be free! We brought our own. Exiting the parking lot needs work. The single lane to exit is a huge bottleneck. 

All-in-all we had a great day and enjoyed the airshow. It is definitely on our calendar for next year!

P.S. Did I mention that we had fun?

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#stuartairshow

Happy Veterans Day

 Thank you for your service! 

I say this to every veteran who, like myself, have devoted a portion of their adult lives to this great nation. I say it even to those with whom I do not agree, like my Congressman who truly is a war hero. 

A Pond on an Warm Afternoon
Riverbend Park, Jupiter, FL
November 10, 2023

I enjoyed a great Friday. That I rode 16.5 miles is almost an afterthought. That is just over 35 miles in the past two days. The highlight of the day was heading out to Riverbend Park and beginning to explore some new space. The park was the scene of battles during the Seminole Wars and I am only beginning to discover the history of the war. The park has many trails and we will be returning without our bikes very soon to explore them.

400 pound Swordfish
Blowing Rocks Marina, Tequesta, FL
November 10, 2023

For the evening, Chris and I went to one of our new favorite watering holes for Happy Hour. We were enjoying our conversation and libations when a fishing boat arrived at the marina with its catch of the day, two swordfish. One was 400 pounds and the other was 134 pounds. While I did not want to watch as the fish were weighed, I was drawn to the magnificent animal suspended by its tail. Just a few hours earlier the apex predator had been one of the kings of the ocean and now it was about to become dinner. I was told that it took over two hours to land the fish. The orange sky reflecting the rays of the setting sun made a unique backdrop for the image. The smaller swordfish is laying on the ground just under the hanging fish. 

It was another beautiful Florida day! November is one of the best months of the year here. But, traffic is increasing as the snowbirds complete their autumnal migration. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Veterans' Weekend

 Welcome to Veterans Day observed!

We get to celebrate for at least two days, with today being the Federal Holiday and tomorrow being the actual Veteran's Day or, in Europe, Armistice Day. 

Thank a veteran for their service to this great nation.

It is going to be a bit confusing out there today and tomorrow with different things closed on the two days due to the observed vs. actual nature of the holiday. 

To all of my friends in the military or Federal Service--enjoy the three-day weekend, if you actually can get off. You all deserve it. 

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” - Ronald Reagan

 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Plying the Inland Waters

Finn Keeping Lookout
ICW, Jupiter, FL
November 8, 2023

 Yesterday's weather was not perfect for boating, but it was very nice. 

I write that it was not perfect because we motored into a pop-up rainstorm that vexed us for about an hour in the Loxahatchee River where we got trapped when the railroad drawbridge went down for what seemed like and eternity--at least 45 minutes. I could see that the weather was clear north of us in the ICW, but could not get there, or at least I thought we were trapped in the river. With the bridge not budging, and at Chris's insistence, I decided to attempt to cross under the tracks at an alternate location and found that I had about a foot of clearance, meaning that I am no longer trapped by the railroad drawbridge when entering or leaving the Loxahatchee River from the ICW! Yay. 

Chris and Finn on a Beach Along the ICW
Tequesta, FL
November 8, 2023

Motoring back through Jupiter amid the US-1 bridge construction is always fun because I get a view that cannot be replicated from land. We are about a year away from having one lane of the bridge complete each way! It has been a long time since the bridge was closed and torn down,  but there are still months/years to go before the project is complete. 

We proceeded north in the ICW, past the Jupiter Inlet,  until we found some boat-only access beaches. I have to admit the one that I wanted to visit already had two boats with at least three dogs enjoying the day of broken clouds and occasional sunshine. But I knew that there was another stretch of accessible beaches just a bit further north. The beaches are nice because the water stays deep until just about a boat's length from the shore which makes for an easy landing. 

Small 5-armed Starfish
ICW, Tequesta, FL
November 8, 2023

The exciting part of yesterday's beach day was finding two different species of star fish. We found one moderately large 9-armed starfish and 2 very small 5-armed starfish.

9-armed Starfish 
ICW, Tequesta, FL
November 8, 2023

They were fun to discover right at the edge of the water. 

As we sat along the ICW, enjoying the day and chatting, both Chris and I noticed something. When there were no boats passing and when the waves from the boats stopped lashing the shore, it became very quiet. There was no wind, and no waves and it was so very quiet and peaceful. We have grown so accustomed to waves crashing on beaches that this newly discovered quiet was something which caused us to stop talking and sit quietly to enjoy. 

Finnegan enjoyed exploring the beach. The beach was perfect to allow him off leash because he does not like getting into the water and the beach was protected at both ends by mangroves which pushed into the water. We could walk around the mangroves by going into the water, but we had to carry Finn. He was, therefore, contained. 

It turned into a very nice boating day, even with the earlier rainstorm. It was good to be out on the water again. And Finn kept a great lookout from the bow.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

 

Impressionist Sky

Clouds Reflected in the River
North Fork Loxahatchee River, FL
November 7, 2023

A beautiful morning with moderate temperatures called Chris and I out for a nice 16-plus mile ride yesterday. I was happy that the bike shop repaired the broken spokes on my rear wheel in record time and my bike was ready for action. 

Gopher Tortoise
Little Creek Community, Tequesta, FL
November 7, 2023

We followed what has become our base route and as we crossed the North Fork Loxahatchee River Bridge, Tequesta, I saw the clouds reflected in the water and it looked like a French impressionist painting. We usually stop on the bridge in one of the sitting areas to get a drink of water and admire the view. It was especially beautiful yesterday and I and expecting to be in that very location today as it is a boat day and the weather seems perfect.

We were rewarded during our ride by sighting two gopher tortoises. They are more elusive than one might think and we enjoy watching them munch the grasses along the roadways. 

I have to say again, tis time of year is the best in South Florida. The temperatures are moderate and the water remains warm from the summer. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

A Turkey to Celebrate

 

Turkey
Tequesta, FL
November 6, 2023

Thanksgiving is coming--it is just over two weeks away. Last evening, however, we enjoyed an early Thanksgiving-style dinner complete with a sumptuous brined and cherry-wood smoked turkey. 

And wine! Lots of wine. 

But most importantly, there was conversation which was fantastic and ranged over a variety of topics--being very careful not to delve too far into some of the currently hot-button topics. 

It was a pre-Thanksgiving dinner with friends and some new acquaintances to begin the season of giving thanks and celebrating. 

I am excited about the prospects for enjoying another similar dinner in about two weeks with family in Maryland!

The season of the turkey is one of the best times of the year!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - November 6, 2023

 

1. November arrived. Daylight Saving Time is gone. It is the first Monday of November and there are only seven Mondays remaining in the year. Ugh.

2. Family NFL Report. It was a good week for the family teams that went 3-1. Remember, the Dolphins are not a family team, but they are my local team.

Commanders (4-5) overcame Patriots (2-7), 20-17

Cowboys (5-3) were clawed-up by Eagles (8-1), 23-28

Steelers (5-3) survived Titans (3-5), 20-16

Ravens (7-2) defeathered Seahawks (5-2), 37-3

Dolphins (6-3) were scalped by Chiefs (7-2), 14-21

 

Atlantic Ocean along South Beach Road
Jupiter Island, FL
November 5, 2023

3. I made a discovery after my 17 mile ride with Chris along the ocean yesterday. Two of the spokes were broken on my back wheel. So, it was off to the bike store for a repair. I hope to have my wheel back today. The weather is beautiful and I would really love a ride. The ride yesterday was windy, but fun although the crosswind experienced while crossing the drawbridge span with cars right on my knee was a bit disconcerting. 

4. I really wish that Congress had done away with the need to go back on Standard Time. The dark season has truly arrived. It was dark here by 6 PM last evening. 

5. Liars lie more creatively and apparently have no idea what is really true. The following is from ABC News: Donald Trump has claimed that he won all 50 states in the 2020 US election at a Florida event where two of his rivals for the Republican presidential primaries were booed for suggesting the party should dump the former president before his legal woes catch up with him. (ABC News Australia) Now we all know that his statement is not true. But, the lies, false news, and total break from reality continue. When will this person be legally declared incompetent due to his break from reality? The more he talks, the more outrageous his claims become. Soon he may declare the he and not Neil Armstrong was the first man to set foot on the moon.

6. 10 Pathological Liar Signs

How do you recognize a pathological liar? Consistent lying and making up stories are the primary signs of pathological lying. Typical pathological liar signs in young adults include:

1. Embellishing lies with extensive details 
2. Telling dramatic and highly unlikely stories
3. Appearing anxious while talking
4. Getting defensive when confronted about a lie
5. Constantly changing their story or being vague when questioned 
6. Lying about something even when there’s no reason to 
7. Seeming unconcerned with being caught in a lie
8. Feeling a “high” when they get away with lying
9. Passing off a story someone else told as their own
10. Acting in ways that don’t match their words

7. Today in History. On November 6, 1962, the United Nations General Assembly adopts a resolution condemning South Africa’s racist apartheid policies and calling on all its members to end economic and military relations with the country.

In effect from 1948 to 1993, apartheid, which comes from the Afrikaans word for “apartness,” was government-sanctioned racial segregation and political and economic discrimination against South Africa’s non-white majority. Among many injustices, Black South Africans were forced to live in segregated areas and couldn’t enter whites-only neighborhoods unless they had a special pass. Although white South Africans represented only a small fraction of the population, they held the vast majority of the country’s land and wealth.

Trump heads to the witness stand as polls show him leaping past Biden - CNN

US guided missile sub surfaces in Middle East, sending message of deterrence to regional adversaries - CNN

After a $1.8 billion verdict, the clock is ticking on the 6% real estate commission - CNN

 Ex-evangelical on what will cause White evangelicals to abandon Trump - CNN

Israel steps up Gaza strikes, pressure grows over civilian casualties - Reuters

Exclusive: China's clashing priorities behind rare money market distress - Reuters

Eyeing North Korea, Tokyo holds first missile evacuation drill in years - Reuters

Blinken Rushes to Reassure Arab Allies in Surprise Trips - The Wall Street Journal

Foreign Firms Pull Billions in Earnings Out of China - The Wall Street Journal

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

 

Who's Buried Here? Riverside Memorial Park, Tequesta

Mike Douglas Marker
Tequesta, FL
November 4, 2023

 I have been biking past a cemetery for two years now. I have not stopped in to check it out because, well, I'm not dead!

But, yesterday the Riverside Memorial Park in Tequesta, FL, hosted a Farmer's Market and Cemetery Historical Tour. I know--those two things don't usually go together. 

The Farmer's Market had vendors, but no actual farmers. It was small and I believe it was the first attempt at getting a market going on Saturday's at the cemetery. 

Chuck Daly Marker
Tequesta, FL
November 4, 2023

Chris and I had low expectations for the history tour, since the cemetery is relatively young--but we were both surprised and amazed.

Question: 

Which of the following are buried in Riverside Memorial Park?

a. Gary Carter, former MLB catcher for the Expos and Mets.

b. Perry Como, famous singer and entertainer.

c. Mike Douglas, former talk show host.

e. Chuck Daly, Hall of Fame basketball coach.

f. All of the above.

g. None of the above.

h. Some of the above. 

Well, the correct answer is: f. All of the above. 

Civil War Soldier for the Confereracy

We were truly amazed with the cemetery. The first interment took place in 1908 and was a Confederate Civil War soldier.

And the half-brother, High Prince Abdorreza Pahlavi, of the last Shah of Iran is also buried in the cemetery. 

Some of the markers from the cemetery.

Gary Carter
Note the baseball on the left side

High Prince Abdorreza Pahlavi

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL