On the Course

Chris Finish the 11th Green
Jupiter Dunes, Jupiter, FL
July 9, 2024

 Chris and I headed off to the golf course yesterday. It was hot! The stress index was over 100 degrees by the time we finished our round--and we walked. Chris remarked that next time we are going to rent a golf cart because of the heat. I like having my clubs with me when I make a shot, so we will see how it goes. 

It was good to be on the course as we prepare for the upcoming August tournament. I have a lot of work to do between now and tournament time to recover some of my usually pathetic game. 

Black Snake
Jupiter Dunes, Jupiter, FL
July 10, 2024

Although the sky looks pretty gray in the image, there are actually clear patches. The sky is not blue because of dust from the Sahara. It is filtering the sun somewhat, but making the usually vibrant blue sky more gray. And it is holding the heat in. 

In the heat of the day, and we were arriving at the 11th Tee, we spied a small black snake. It was on alert, it seemed, holdings head up in the air as it hunted. It seemed unconcerned about our arrival and slithered off a short while later.

We went on our way and teed off. 

I guess we had a close encounter. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Buzzing Sound You Hear

Bees in the Box
Tequesta, FL
July 8, 2024

 Sometimes the buzzing sound that we hear is not all I our heads. 

During our walk yesterday, Chris and I discovered a bee hive discreetly hidden in an in ground junction box. There were a lot of bees and apparently this has become a large hive. 

Bees are becoming an important commodity and we both wondered what would happen when, at some future point, someone decided they needed to get into that junction box. Hopefully, they will call for a bee keeper to remove the bees rather than just killing them. 

I spent some time trying to determine that these are honeybees and not Yellowjackets. Although they are nesting in a ground location, based on their wing structure and coloring, I believe they are honeybees. But, I am no expert. I did note that I was not attacked while taking the image. Important note--Yellowjackets are not bees!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - July 8, 2024

 

1. It is the 2nd Monday of July. Wow, time flies! There are three Mondays remaining in the month and only 25 Mondays remaining in the year. 

Les Deux Raies
Henri Matisse
Norton Museum of Art
West Palm Beach, FL

2. One piece of art which intrigued me at the Norton this week was Matisse's Les Deux Races (The Two Rays). I had not been exposed to the work before and found it to be very much to my liking. There are a couple other works that I will be sharing in the coming days. There was one somewhat controversial work, Huck and Jim by Charles Ray, that I found intriguing, but will not share my image. 

3. The show, Expedition Unknown has an episode titled Traitor's Treasure about the infamous Doan Gang of Bucks County, PA. The Doan Gang were some of the worst outlaws of the Revolutionary War period. They were Loyalists who supported the Monarchy. I am not proud of that. I am related to, but not directly through the Doan Gang. 

4. Russia is continuing to violate the Laws of Armed Conflict most recently by attaching a children's hospital. These violations must not be allowed to continue and the U.S. and the West must provide better and more capable conflict changing weapons to defeat Putin and is aggression once and for all. 

5. Immigration conundrum. During Trump’s term in office from January 2017 to January 2021, deportations by U.S. immigration and border authorities fell lower than most years of his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama, who some advocates for immigrants dubbed the “deporter-in-chief.”

Biden had even fewer deportations than Trump during his first two years in office. But, faced with much higher numbers of migrants arriving at the border, he greatly increased deportations – including those of families – in federal fiscal year 2023 and the first five months of the 2024 fiscal year, outpacing Trump. (Reuters)

6. Today in History. On July 8, 1951, Paris, the capital city of France, celebrates turning 2,000 years old. In fact, a few more candles would’ve technically been required on the birthday cake, as the City of Lights was most likely founded around 250 B.C.

The history of Paris can be traced back to a Gallic tribe known as the Parisii, who sometime around 250 B.C. settled an island (known today as Ile de la Cite) in the Seine River, which runs through present-day Paris. By 52 B.C., Julius Caesar and the Romans had taken over the area, which eventually became Christianized and known as Lutetia, Latin for “midwater dwelling.” The settlement later spread to both the left and right banks of the Seine and the name Lutetia was replaced with “Paris.” In 987 A.D., Paris became the capital of France. As the city grew, the Left Bank earned a reputation as the intellectual district while the Right Bank became known for business.

Beryl slams Texas with extreme rainfall, life-threatening storm surge - CNN

France rejects far right, plunges into uncertainty after stunning election result - CNN

Russia attacks Ukraine's largest children's medical center - CNN

Boeing to plead guilty to fraud in US probe of fatal 737 MAX crashes - Reuters

Biden is now deporting more people than Trump - Reuters

Samsung Electronics workers strike as union voice grows in South Korea - Reuters

Insurers Pocketed $50 Billion From Medicare for Diseases No Doctor Treated - The Wall Street Journal

‘We’re Not Dead Yet.’ Baby Boomers’ Good Times Drive the Economy. - The Wall Street Journal

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Saturday Morning Ride

Crossing the Bridge
Loxahatchee River Bridge, Tequesta, FL
July 6, 2024

 The oppressive heat broke for a short while yesterday morning. I managed to enjoy a nice 17-mile ride around my usual haunts. 

I loved the sun and the scenes. The colors seemed so vibrant since the Sahara dust has stopped coloring the sky. The winds were calm and I enjoyed stopping for a minute to consider the wake from a passing boat that left ripples in the river. Except for the trees, the sky and river were the same color.  

Palm and Flag
Tequesta, FL
July 6, 2024

The ride went smoothly. There was less traffic than usual which made the ride nice.

I have noticed many flags are flying for the Independence Day weekend. That warms my heart. It is good to see people expressing their patriotism without connecting it to a particular party or candidate. All too often I see our flag being flown along with the banner of a particular candidate and that bothers me because I infer that the person is implying that all other candidates are un-American--which is not true. 

Here's hoping you had a great Independence Day weekend. 

America is never wholly herself unless she is engaged in high moral principle. We as a people have such a purpose. It is to make kinder the face of the nation and gentler the face of the world.

—President George H. W. Bush

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Museum Day - Norton Museum of Art

Typewriter Eraser
Claes Oldenburg
Norton Museum of Art
West Palm Beach, FL

 Yesterday was museum day. Chris and I visited a first class art museum in West Palm Beach. We were looking for something different to experience and it had been a while since we visited an art museum. We headed off to the Norton Museum of Art where we enjoyed some fabulous art and a very nice lunch.  

The museum is an exciting place to visit. The art is displayed creatively and that makes it easy to view and appreciate. 

We were greeted by Clear Oldenburg's, Typewriter Eraser, at the entrance. It is larger than life standing at least 10 feet tall. The funny thing is that this once ubiquitous office tool is almost extinct with the advent of computers. There is no need to erase mistyped letters anymore, just correct the document before printing. 

As we walked through the collections, we were challenged to expand our horizon to accommodate the subjects that the artists were confronting us with. Sometimes it was easy and fun, but with others the subjects were hard and gritty. 

I enjoyed the museum and will likely return in the near future. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

After the Sounds of the Cannons

Fireworks
Tequesta, FL
July 4, 2024

Fireworks
Tequesta, FL
July 4, 2024

 It was a rousing 4th. 

Chris, Finn, and I walked to Village Blvd and watched the fireworks from a community situated on the ICW. They were inspiring. Finn handled the noise well as long as I was holding him. We took Finn so that he would not be alone listening to the sound of the fireworks exploding around us. 

It was a much more enjoyable fireworks than heading out to a major display in the heat, crowds, and traffic. Other members of our community did the same. We enjoyed the fireworks and then walked back to our homes to finish-off the evening. 

Chris and I managed to watch both of the Independence Day movies over the course of the past two days. They are must viewing for the 4th of July!

I hope many people are enjoying the long weekend. Many made it into a five-day weekend. Wow, that seems almost like a week!

Leave the matter of religion to the family altar, the church, and the private school. Keep the church and state forever separate.

—President Ulysses S. Grant

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Happy 4th

 Happy Independence Day 2024

"I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration."

- John Adams, July 3, 1776

Last Fireworks over Elkridge Home
Elkridge, MD
July 4, 2022

I hope that this Independence Day is a grand celebration for you and your family. 

I remember that Chris and I used to host a grand celebration on Independence Day at our house in Elkridge. It was a fun day with the kids, dogs, and family around the pool listening to patriotic music and we ended the day with a fireworks display. There is something about being so close to the "rocket's red glare" and the bone jarring retort that adds a sense of excitement to the Independence Day celebration. It was also a way to continue the celebrations even during the COVID years.

Skyburst
Elkridge, MD
July 4, 2022

Last year it was very different. We celebrated here in Florida, away from family and joined a throng of people at the local baseball stadium to enjoy fireworks and music. I am not sure what form our celebration will take today, but I know it will not have the same family orientation that we enjoyed in years past.

I enjoyed going to the fireworks store, usually a warehouse, to select the pyrotechnics for our celebration. Most years I failed to buy the fireworks during the slow time and wound up with throngs of others buying the implements for our celebration just before the holiday. 

Living in a condo community, there is no space to safely host a fireworks display to celebrate the 4th. I miss planning and enjoying the family celebration. 

Enjoy the day and may your celebration be a reminder of just how precious is our Republic and our freedoms.

Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters. 

—Albert Einstein

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Independence Day Eve

 

For some reason, I stumbled into Hump Day this week. Perhaps it is because it is the day before Independence Day and I know that many people are calling this the last workday of the week because they are taking Friday off. Maybe it is because there has been so much happening in our country during the past week that I needed Hump Day to focus my thoughts.

Happy Independence Day, tomorrow. 

If traveling, I pray for safe and smooth travels. If not traveling, I pray for peace and contentment amid the challenges of life and the world.

Chris and I will not be traveling this year as we have been traveling a great amount lately. It is nice to be home. 

We will enjoy the 4th here in Florida.

It is a paradox that every dictator has climbed to power on the ladder of free speech.

Immediately on attaining power each dictator has suppressed all free speech except his own.

—President Herbert Hoover

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Imperial Presidency

 In a radical decision yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court expanded the powers of the president to an as yet undetermined level. As some have written, in an unconstitutional manner the president is now above the law!

That is frightening, especially given the potential repercussions. 

The decision highlights the very different views of the presidency. 

The conservative right, apparently, view the president as the supreme power, almost but not quite a king or emperor. The left view the president as a servant leader. Justice Sotomayor summed the situation up aptly:

We are entering a very dangerous period. Throughout our history we have sought to codify and ensure that the powers of the president are limited to the guidelines established by George Washington through his words and actions. Now, apparently, the Supreme Court is tossing out 240 years of history and Constitutional interpretation to create an imperial presidency. I am reminded of Julius Caesar who effectively ended the Roman Republic and created the Roman Empire.

President Biden responded to the ruling by saying:

“There are no kings in America. Each, each of us is equal before the law. No one, no one is above the law, not even the president of the United States,” Biden said in a speech from the White House.

“(With) today’s Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity, that fundamentally changed. For all practical purposes, there are virtually no limits on what the president can do. It’s a fundamentally new principle and it’s a dangerous precedent because the power of the office will no longer be constrained by the law even including the supreme court of the United States.”

Be afraid, be very afraid. We live in dangerous times.

We the People must make our voices heard in November. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - July 1, 2024

 

1. Welcome to the second half of 2024. There are 26 Mondays remaining in the year and 4 remaining in July.

2. Happy Canada Day!

3. July is my favorite month of the year! I'm glad that it has arrived. Enjoy the summer!

Gopher Tortoise
Tequesta, FL
June 30, 2024

4. Despite the morning thunderstorms yesterday, Chris and I were able to get out for a short 10-mile bike ride yesterday which brought my total miles ridden for June to 305! It was my third-ever month riding over 300 miles. Along the way we spied a tortoise moving across the sidewalk. I don't usually see them on the sidewalk. It was very different riding during the afternoon. I usually ride during the morning.

5. The pathologic liar, who arguably was the fourth worst president in the history of the United States (C-Span), continued his string of false claims during the debate last week. According to CNN, Candidate Trump made more than 30 false claims during the debate--that is one every 90 seconds. Additionally, he did not provide a plan for the future other than retribution. A quick summary, from CNN follows: Trump’s repeat falsehoods included his assertions that some Democratic-led states allow babies to be executed after birth, that every legal scholar and everybody in general wanted Roe v. Wade overturned, that there were no terror attacks during his presidency, that Iran didn’t fund terror groups during his presidency, that the US has provided more aid to Ukraine than Europe has, that Biden for years referred to Black people as “super predators,” that Biden is planning to quadruple people’s taxes, that then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi turned down 10,000 National Guard troops for the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, that Americans don’t pay the cost of his tariffs on China and other countries, that Europe accepts no American cars, that he is the president who got the Veterans Choice program through Congress, and that fraud marred the results of the 2020 election.

Trump also added some new false claims, such as his assertions that the US currently has its biggest budget deficit and its biggest trade deficit with China. Both records actually occurred under Trump. (CNN)

6. Have you heard the question, are you better now than you were four years ago? Remember, four years ago we were in the COVID-19 pandemic which the then sitting President denied existed until he actually was afflicted by COVID. 

7. Today in History. At midnight on July 1, 1997, Hong Kong reverts to Chinese rule in a ceremony attended by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Prince Charles of Wales, Chinese President Jiang Zemin and U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. A few thousand Hong Kongers protested the turnover, which was otherwise celebratory and peaceful.

In 1839, Britain invaded China to crush opposition to its interference in the country’s economic, social, and political affairs. One of Britain’s first acts of the war was to occupy Hong Kong, a sparsely inhabited island off the coast of southeast China. In 1841, China ceded the island to the British with the signing of the Convention of Chuenpi, and in 1842 the Treaty of Nanking was signed, formally ending the First Opium War.

Officials warn Hurricane Beryl will raise water levels by as much as 6 to 9 feet above normal near where it makes landfall - CNN

Car dealerships are racking up millions in losses as CDK outage enters second week - CNN

French parties rush to build anti-far right front - Reuters

Scientists wary of bird flu pandemic 'unfolding in slow motion' - Reuters

Top Democrats rule out replacing Biden amid calls for him to quit 2024 race - Reuters

Russia attacks Ukraine's two largest cities, Kyiv and Kharkiv - Reuters

17 Years, $700 Million Wasted: The Stunning Collapse of New York’s Traffic Moonshot - The Wall Street Journal

The Once-Dominant Rocket Maker Trying to Catch Up to Musk’s SpaceX - The Wall Street Journal

In Effort to Stem Quality Problems, Boeing Agrees to Buy a Longtime Supplier - The New York Times

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#mondaymusings