More Festive Decorations

Poinsettias at Publix
Tequesta, FL
November 10, 2024

 I know I wrote about this last year, but using poinsettias for outdoor Christmas plantings is a thing here where we do not get frost. 

The poinsettias are out everywhere brightening up the season with their red festive bracts. 

The splash of poinsettia red makes even the most unassuming garden announce that Christmas is coming!

I enjoy watching the transformation of the gardens for the holiday season and seeing the use of a typically indoors only plant (up north) in outdoors garden plantings. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Festivities Begin

 

Tiki52 Decorations
Tequesta, FL
November 12, 2024

We went back to our favorite Tuesday evening restaurant which is collocated with a marina. The holiday season's decorations were already illuminated brightening up the uncovered seating area. They added a festive mood to the area. We sat under the Tiki Roof to shield ourselves from the wind, which was not as bad as the previous week, for an enjoyable outing. 

Wall Under Repair
Tiki52
November 12, 2024

I appreciate the Christmas light wrapped palm trees. It is quite a production to wrap a palm tree--sometime they use a bucket lift to also wrap the fronds. 

This was the same restaurant where I pointed out the vandalization last week. Well, I can report that the holes are being fixed, but sadly even the new plaster has been vandalized. I just do not understand the immaturity of some people. 

This is why we cannot have nice things!

Newly Vandalized Wall
Tiki52
November 12, 2024

I worry that as the rails come off our society that there will be more of this needless vandalization. I remember when I visited Moscow during August 1992 that the vandalization was so prevalent that car owners took their windshield wipers off unless it was raining and every gas tank had a lock.

It should be noted that I retouched the image to remove two offensive words which were not consistent with the content of my blog. The subject is the vandalization, not the actual words that were carved into the new plaster. 

Well, at least the holiday lights and the food were enjoyable. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Information Warfare

 It seemingly has become a way of life in America. False news and disinformation are everywhere. The recent election demonstrated the effectiveness of the false news agencies in convincing Americans that we, as a country and a society, are bottom barrel and trash. 

If a majority believe it, it must be true--right? Not so. It remains not true, but the following information does demonstrate how disinformation affected the election outcome.

There is data from a Reuters/Ipsos poll in October that shows just how damaging the information gap is. People who are in possession of truthful, accurate information voted overwhelmingly for Harris. In other words, if you believed violent crime in major American cities was at an all-time high—which is not true—you were far more likely to vote Republican. Voters who knew that inflation had declined over the last year and was close to historic averages were +53 Democratic votes. Perhaps most disturbingly, people who did not have truthful information about undocumented people crossing the southern border were more likely to vote Republican.

(Civil Discourse)

If Americans were making decisions based upon disinformation then who won the election? Well, that does not change, but America will change. 

I am a bit frightened because our president-elect has stated that he will fulfill every promise he made. 

We can't afford them. And I thought Republicans were the party of fiscal responsibility?

Figure 1 summarizes Trump’s campaign promises and their corresponding revenue estimates (collected by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget).

(Forbes)

And so it begins. The sad thing is that the people who elected him will be the ones who may suffer most. BTW, I heard him say something like that in a campaign speech.

Almost every economic policy Trump proposes would, at best, do little for the middle and working classes and, at worst, outright harm them. To take one example, among the random suggestions Trump has made is to make car insurance interest tax deductible. But that would only benefit you if you already itemize your deductions, and only 10% of taxpayers itemize, most of whom are wealthier. The rest of us take the standard deduction, which was significantly increased in that 2017 tax cut Trump wants to extend.  (MSNBC)

Well, the ride into misty future has already begun.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Ending the Day

 

Sailing Across the Sunset
Tequesta, FL
November 11, 2024

With the shorter days that are now in play, the sun sets earlier. 

Chris and I headed off to the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) last evening to watch the sunset. We had not visited there in a while, as we often go to an eastward facing beach rather than sit along the ICW facing west directly into the setting sun. 

Jet Ski in the Sunset
Tequesta, FL
November 11, 2024

The ICW beach was more crowded than I expected, but I forgot that it was Veterans Day and many people had a holiday to enjoy. I kind of miss the excitement of a three-day weekend, but since every day is like a weekend I sometimes forget that holidays mean more people on the beaches. 

We arrived about 50 minutes before sunset. The sun was directly in our eyes as we waited for the anticipated event. Once the sun dropped below the buildings the real fun began as the sky and clouds began to reflect the ever-reddening rays. It was a grand show and the Jupiter Lighthouse soon became the focal point of our attention. I was amazed at the number of jet skis on the water even as it became dark and hard to see. I guess they weren't ready to end what had been an almost idyllic weather day in South Florida. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - November 11, 2024

 

Veterans Day. 

Say thank-you to a Veteran.

Gobble Till You Drop
Tequesta, FL
November 10, 2024

1. As the year careens to a close, we have arrived at the second Monday of November. There are seven Mondays remaining in 2024. 

2. Family NFL Report. Family teams went 3-2 with the Dolphins playing tonight. The Cowboys have apparently mailed in the rest of their season.

Cowboys (3-6) were massacred by the Eagles (7-2), 6-34

Steelers (7-2) slipped by Commanders (7-3), 28-27 

Ravens (7-3) slipped past Bengals (4-6), 35-34

Dolphins (2-6) visit Rams (4-4) tonight 

Chiefs (8-0) overcame Broncos (5-5), 16-14

3. Chris and I saw this haunting Thanksgiving lawn decoration yesterday on our bike ride. The skeleton was used for Halloween, but has been updated for Thanksgiving with the shirt that reads: Gobble Till You Drop! 

4. I am amazed at the difference this Monday brings over last Monday. Last Monday the world had hope that America would continue to be the leader of democracy for freedom loving people; today that hope is gone as we even now begin to look inward for the imagined "enemy within." Until this morning's news I had hope that the House of Representatives might be under Democratic control, but looking at the numbers, that seems unlikely now and so there are literally no rails on the president-elect and his plans to remake America into his own image. Well, it may not be his own image, but rather Viktor Orbán's image. 

5. My post-election unanswered question is: Why did about 12 million Americans stay home and not vote? 

6. Today in History. On a day like today, in 1918, the Armistice of Compiègne was signed in France between the Allies and Germany, with the aim of ending hostilities on the western front of the First World War. The main signatories were Marshal Ferdinand Foch, commander-in-chief of the Triple Entente forces, and the German representative, Matthias Erzeberger.

About 9 million soldiers lost their lives, 21 million were wounded and almost 10 million civilians died, indirectly, victims of the war. The two most affected countries were Germany and France, which sent approximately 80% of their male population between the ages of 15 and 49 to the battlefield.

After the armistice, in 1919 the peace treaty of Versailles was signed, in which Germany was obliged to reduce its troops by half, pay large compensations to the victorious countries, cede all its colonies and return Alsace-Lorraine to France. However, the treaty was unsuccessful: Germany said that it had signed the armistice under false pretexts, believing that peace was a "peace without winners." Germany's resentment towards the treaty and its authors is considered one of the causes of World War II, which occurred two decades later.

Trump is already causing massive disruption - CNN

Ukraine’s war effort faces uncertain future as Russia mounts record drone strikes - CNN

Tens of thousands of Chinese college students went cycling at night. That put the government on edge - CNN

Notre-Dame’s bells ring out for the first time since the devastating 2019 fire - CNN

Source says Trump told Putin not to escalate in Ukraine, Kremlin denies they spoke - Reuters

Oil falls as China stimulus fails to boost sentiment, US dollar strength - Reuters

New Zealand Maori begin march on capital to protest Indigenous treaty bill - Reuters

Trump Victory Leaves China Calling the Shots at COP29 - The Wall Street Journal

What Trump Can—and Can’t—Do on Day One - The Wall Street Journal

Republicans inch toward ‘trifecta’ control of House, Senate, White House - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Rough Football Day and Stuff

Stuart Airshow Fireworks and Drone Display
Stuart, FL
November 8, 2024

 Chris and I have begun watching college football on Saturdays when the Georgia Bulldogs are playing. 

I also continue to cheer for Syracuse and Maryland. 

Yesterday was a trifecta of misery: all three lost. 

Syracuse is having a solid season and should get a bowl invite as they are 6-3.  Georgia's loss probably takes them out of contention for the playoffs and a possible National Championship as they fell to 7-2. Maryland is mired in another so-so season at 4-5. 

I added an image from the fireworks and drone show the ended the first evening of the Stuart Airshow Friday night. It was so spectacular that I had to show more of it. The addition of drones, and at one point a piloted aircraft, really kicks the whole show up a notch. 

Today is football Sunday. The Ravens, thankfully, have already secured their win for the week on Thursday night. The other family teams are in action today and tomorrow. 

Do not forget that tomorrow is Veterans Day! Hug a veteran! OK, just say thank you for your service. For those who have a holiday tomorrow--enjoy the day. Veterans Day was when I used to set up the outside Christmas lights and decorations, although we did not light them until after Thanksgiving. Living in a condo, we do not have outside decorations anymore.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Opening Night Stuart Airshow

 

Stuart Airshow Fireworks
Stuart, FL
November 8, 2024

Chris and I went to the Veterans Day Weekend Stuart Airshow last year, but did not attend the opening night twilight and nighttime performances. Based upon what we experienced last evening, we missed a fantastic show. 

T-6 Titan Aerobatic Team
Stuart, FL
November 8, 2024

The show last evening was over the top. It began with a MiG-17 flight demonstration and only got better from there. There was an F-22, F/A-18J, the Titan Aerobatic Team, Nightime skydiving, a jet-powered truck, nighttime flying demonstrations with fireworks, and then to cap it all off the best fireworks and drone display that I have ever witnessed.

It was a spectacular display and a very enjoyable evening watching the sunset and the planes flying out of the setting sun. For those in the South Florida area, there are two more days of this fantastic airshow! Don't miss it.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#stuartairshow #stuartairshow2024

Tortoise by the Street

Tortoise Enjoying the Day
Tequesta, FL
November 7, 2024

 I managed an 18-mile ride yesterday. I really needed the ride to get my mind in a better place.

Wow. 

The craziness has already begun. 

There was more traffic than usual on my ride. Lots of lawn workers and municipal activity not to mention the trash trucks. There was one stretch where they had dug up the sidewalk to lay new pipes, but of course the sign announcing that was right before the construction and there was not other way to get past except to walk my bike in the street going against traffic. Thanks guys!

With the holiday coming, there are lots of preparations and planning that need attention. Chris and I still have not clarified our in-between Thanksgiving and Christmas plans. There is a ten-day gap where we will either hang around Maryland or come back to Florida (fly or drive?) for a brief time. 

I'm sure we will get it sorted soon.

The highlight of my ride yesterday was the tortoise by the street. It did not seem to mind my presence, which was nice. One thing I like about my Ray Ban Smart Glasses is that they allow me to snap images while on the move. IN this one the pole got in the way. I'm never sure exactly when the image is taken. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Day After the Day After

 

Sandhill Cranes
Tequesta, FL
November 6, 2024

So I am still in shock at the election outcome and the red wave. 

Chris and I managed a short, 12 mile, bike ride yesterday which did help alleviate some of my pent up frustration. It was good to be back out on the bike and able to process the events of the previous 24 hours. I enjoyed seeing a pair of sandhill cranes and a tortoise along my ride.

I have to admit I'm having a problem coming to grips with the American people electing a convicted felon and sex offender who has demonstrated misogynistic, traitorous, biased, authoritarian, and egomaniacal tendencies and who also, by the way, does not respect The Constitution.  

But, we did!

Yes, I say we. I am an American and I have to shoulder the burden of what just happened along with the rest of We the People. 

He is my president-elect, too.

Wow, I needed that bike ride. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Why Vandals?

Chris and I celebrated an Election Day Happy Hour at our favorite watering hole surrounded by many Trump supporters last evening. We seemed to be a small group of blue amidst many people, and their dog, decked-out in red. 

Well, red carried the night. I do not fully comprehend the concept of Making America Great Again--since, we continue to be the most powerful country on Earth in terms of military capacity and economics. But, I guess we will see the what is in store beginning in late-January. 

During my visit to the restroom, I was appalled to see the damage vandals had caused to a wall decoration. 

Why? I asked myself. Why do people feel the need to destroy things that are not theirs? The painting had been in the restroom since we have been visiting Tiki52 and I do not understand how anyone would feel it proper to destroy another's property. 

We saw similar activities associated with lawn signs during the thankfully now concluded campaign. Understand, people buy lawn signs to display them, yet some in our society believe they are empowered to steal the signs or to damage them.

If this is an example of making America great again, I'm not sure that is what I am looking for. Thuggishness and vandalism have no place in society. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL