Warm to Cold, Repeat

Tiki52
Tequesta, FL
December 20, 2024

 The story of my personal weather pattern lately is one of warm to cold and repeat as necessary. 

The cyclical pattern began during November when Chris and I drove north for Thanksgiving. We left the warmth of South Florida for the unusually cold of Maryland. We returned during early December to the warm temperatures we love. 

Now this morning, we are facing cold even here in South Florida as we prepare to journey north for Christmas. I know 51 degrees does not seem cold to many, but we have been enjoying near 80 degree temperatures and it is quite a shock. But of course, nothing like the shock we will experience when we get off our Southwest jet tomorrow in Baltimore facing 30 degree temperatures. 

As a final moment to enjoy warmth before the cold, we enjoyed Happy Hour at Tiki52 last evening. Our favorite member of the waitstaff was working and we enjoyed talking to him while they were not busy. Finnegan has become a regular there as well. 

Well, tomorrow it is back to Maryland and the warm-cold cycle will again repeat!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

December on the Beach

Jupiter Island Beach
Jupiter Island, FL
December 19, 2024

 Last evening, Chris and I headed off to the beach to enjoy Happy Hour. 

I know it sounds crazy, but the temperature was reportedly in the upper 70s. What we did not consider was the cool wind coming off the ocean. It made it feel much cooler--but still comfortable. 

And the Shadows Grew Long
Jupiter Island, FL
December 19, 2024

As you might suspect, we had the beach pretty much to ourselves and took advantage of the relative solitude to enjoy chatting and listening to the waves crash on the beach. The ocean was as calm as it has been in a week. The sun was setting and the shadows grew long and although we chose a spot in the sun, we were shaded by the dunes a short tile later.

We enjoyed the beach and the setting sun for about an hour and then retreated to the relative warmth of our home. 

I cannot think of a better ending to a December afternoon. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Closing in on Christmas

Palm Beach Gardens Mall
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
December 18, 2024

 I had a busy morning yesterday. 

It started at the Ford dealer where our Mustang Mach-e windshield wiper motor was inspected for possible replacement under a recall. That took an hour, but no further repair was necessary. Yay.

Then it was off to Costco. Ugh. I wish drivers would consider the impact of their action or inaction on others. I sat for a full five minutes waiting for someone to clear the drive lane because they were worried they might miss a parking spot. The resulting traffic jam wound out onto the main thoroughfare. Once clear, I drove past them and easily found a spot about 50 steps further with no waiting. 

Morning Sky
Tequesta, FL
December 19, 2024

And then there was the mall! I ventured into the mall, but at 11:00 AM it was pretty devoid of shoppers. The decorations were lighted and inviting, but I had a specific task to accomplish and so I was there all of about 20 minutes.

We are closing in on Christmas. In less than a week it will be in the rearview and we will be pressing ahead to the New Year. Time is flying past.

This morning while waiting for Finn to complete his morning needs, I looked into a clear sky with my three favorite palms in the foreground. It just caught my eye and I am hoping that the peaceful scene translates into another great South Florida day as we continue finalizing Christmas plans.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Nearing Completion

 The hectic holiday shopping season is complete, well mostly. 

We sighted the finish line yesterday and to be honest I think I have two more gifts to collect and then we can put a much needed ribbon around the 2024 Holiday Gift Blitz. Amazon has been a lifesaver! The final gifts arrived yesterday, as scheduled. 

We are entering the final stages and remember; Christmas is one short week from today. 

Now we begin working the logistics of the season. Menu planning, shopping, cooking, baking, and collapsing with a glass of wine at night!

Chris and I took time last evening to visit our favorite Happy Hour location, that would be Tiki52. Although the day was pleasantly warm with temperatures nearing 80 degrees, the breeze blowing off the ICW last evening was cool and strong. We had a small accident with the waitstaff removed dirty plates and the placemat/menus went airborne and toppled drinks on the table next to us. 

It is time for a deep breath.

Today is devoted to finishing my remaining two gifts and having the Mach-e evaluated for the recall we received last week. 

There is light at the end of the tunnel and I'm pretty sure it is not an onrushing train. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Admiring the Decorations

Santa Needs a Cookie
Tequesta, FL
December 16, 2024

 For the first time since my bike accident last week, I was able to ride yesterday. It felt good to be out on my bike again and relatively pain free. My hip pointer remains tender, but otherwise I felt fine. 

I managed just over 17 miles and enjoyed the seasonal decorations along my route. 

One yard decoration stood out as both disturbing and interesting. The skeleton Santa in the image to the right was that decoration. Clearly, Santa is not eating enough Christmas cookies as he is all bones--not even any skin. I actually was looking forward to this particular yard decoration because it has been erected since Halloween. During the Thanksgiving season it was transformed into a seasonal display and now has morphed into a bony Santa. 

I am not a fan of using skeletons for decorations other than at Halloween, but this works on a slightly macabre level. Sadly, this was not the only use for skeletons in Christmas decorations that I saw, it was just the biggest.

I guess it is easy to get tired of snowmen and sleighs. But really? A giant skeleton Santa is not the answer.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - December 16, 2024

 

1. Wow. It is the third Monday of December and there are only two Mondays remaining in the year. I hope that your holiday shopping is complete because Christmas is upon us!

2. Family NFL Report. Family teams went 4-2 during the weekend. The Ravens won and the Steelers lost setting up a battle for the division on Saturday. The Steelers, however, clinched a playoff spot by losing. 

Cowboys (6-8) overcame the Panthers (3-11), 30-14  

Commanders, (9-5) slipped by Saints (5-9), 20-19

Steelers (10-4) were routed by Eagles (12-2), 13-27 

Ravens (9-5) stomped Giants (2-12), 35-14

Dolphins (6-8) were outgunned by Texans (9-5), 12-20

Chiefs (13-1) stomped Browns (3-11), 21-7

3. I'm taking a deep breath this week because once we return to Maryland next Sunday, the pace ramps up and continues into January. The holidays are upon us. 

Self Service Postal Center
Tequesta, FL
December 15, 2025

4. Thank goodness for the post office 24-hour self service center. Chris and I visited our local post office yesterday to purchase some additional stamps for a couple Christmas cards that were too heavy. It was worth it to add 28 cents rather than 73 cents for the additional postage. It was no lines and no waiting.

5. Christmas is nearly in the bag. Our shopping is complete, mostly except of course for those gifts we forgot. The Christmas cards are in the mail and we are cruising into the home stretch of the holidays. 

6. Today in History. December 16, 1773. In Boston Harbor, a group of Massachusetts colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians board three tea ships and dump 342 chests of tea into the harbor.

The midnight raid, popularly known as the “Boston Tea Party,” was in protest of the British Parliament’s Tea Act of 1773, a bill designed to save the faltering East India Company by greatly lowering its tea tax and granting it a virtual monopoly on the American tea trade. The low tax allowed the East India Company to undercut even tea smuggled into America by Dutch traders, and many colonists viewed the act as another example of taxation tyranny.

Netanyahu says he spoke with Trump about need for ‘victory,’ as Israeli government approves plan for Golan expansion - CNN

Considering moving out of the US in 2025? These are the best countries for American expats - CNN

Mayotte cyclone kills several hundred, maybe thousands, in worst storm in century - Reuters

Israel plans to double population on occupied Golan, citing threats from Syria - Reuters

Russian tanker splits in storm, spilling oil into Kerch Strait - Reuters

North Korean troops join Russian assaults in significant numbers, Kyiv says - Reuters

‘Unbearable’: Residents of some small towns, feeling inundated by cruises, fight the industry - The Washington Post

Foreign powers jockey for control in Syria, risking new conflict - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#mondaymusings 

Christmas Movies

 Chris and I have been watching our favorite Christmas movies. It seems that the Holiday Season spawns quite a few movies. 

We watched a new release, Red One, which was a different take on Santa and Christmas. I enjoyed the movie and although it got a bit long, the mythical side of the season made for an interesting story. Who knew that Santa had a brother? And the cast is solid.

I decided today to rank my top 10 favorite Christmas movies, and so here goes:

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

2. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

3. The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

4. The Santa Clause (1994)

5. The Holiday (2006)

6. Die Hard (1988)

7. Home Alone (1990)

8. A Boy Called Christmas (2021)

9. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

10. (tie) Christmas with the Kranks (2004)

10. (tie) The Polar Express (2004)

I note that two of the movies are celebrating 20 years of popularity, while another is hitting 30 years old.

Biggest omissions and why:

A Christmas Story (1983) is missing and often ranked #1 on many lists. I just never got into the humor and the family situation. Yes, I can quote lines from the movie--but as a favorite Christmas movie for me it's not a must see. 

Elf (2003) is also missing and ranked high on many lists, but I am not a Will Ferrell fan and so this movie does not do it for me. 

I do enjoy watching new releases and there are many other Christmas movies that I enjoy, but I won't put them on "pause" if I have to leave the room for something. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Just Add Children

 

Christmas Tree
Constitution Park, Tequesta, FL
December 13, 2024

Chris and Finn with the Snowman
Constitution Park, Tequesta, FL
December 13, 2024

The annual Tequesta Christmas Tree lighting occurred last evening. The gates opened promptly at 5:30 PM for families to enter the Christmas displays and activities positioned in Constitution Park. Chris and I were among the first to enter the South Florida version of a winter wonderland as is possible.

There were lots of children with their families racing through the displays. We were a bit underwhelmed by the lack of food options given that it was the dinner hour. 

But, the Tequesta village tree was pretty and the giant snowman was a bit over-the-top. 

Sadly, we wandered the grounds and quickly discovered that since we were unaccompanied by children there was not much for us to do or enjoy. We could have joined the line to sit on Santa's lap, but that would have just been weird. Once we walked around we discovered that there was nothing for adults and so we departed probably 15 minutes after we arrived. 

Some holiday activities need a sign that says, "Just Add Children."

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Ride and the Crash

Riding on a Beautiful Day
Tequesta, FL
December 11, 2024

 It happens every so often.

I ride my bike a lot. During the past three years I am 70 miles short of riding 5000 miles. Over the course of that time I have been involved in, fortunately, a very few mishaps mostly through my own stupidity, but there have also been times when I laid my bike down to avoid a more serious situation like a car running running through an intersection without looking when I had the right of way. 

My most recent mishap occurred on Wednesday. It came at about the 4 mile point of what became a 22-mile ride. For me it was my most serious spill as I am still, two days later, feeling some pain and recovering. Even so, I rode another 18 miles after the mishap and enjoyed the ride knowing I would be working out the aches and pains later. 

The mishap happened quickly. I was riding with a friend, which whom I have ridden many miles, and a miscommunication between us resulted in me hitting the pavement. He thought I knew we were turning right and I thought we were continuing straight. He was in front and I was in trail to his right. I caught his back wheel and had just enough time to protect myself as I hit the pavement. I remember that when my head thunked onto the roadway I was very happy I wore my helmet. In addition to a few scratches and some light bruising, I tweaked my achilles tendon which is still recovering. I can walk, but not my normal gait yet. The only damage to my bike was that the handlebars and the front wheel needed to be aligned. 

We were lucky. He was unhurt. 

I got up and shook myself off and determined that I could continue the ride. I stretched out my foot so I could pedal and we had a very enjoyable ride from that point onward. 

These things happen, I just wish they wouldn't. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Never-ending Decorations

 

Snow Village Scenes
Tequesta, FL
December 11, 2024

Decorating for  Christmas never ends. 

Chris and I decorated the tree and the house before departing for Thanksgiving. I thought we had completed the seasonal decorating. 

Not so fast, grasshopper. 

Tuesday, we made a trip to the storage facility and retrieved some of our Snow Village pieces along with more Christmas decorations. After cleaning out the display case, we created scenes in each of the display areas. I guess we got the bug to set up some Snow Village after helping Patrick and Jen with their annual village. 

The project came out well and the scenes remind us of the snowy white stuff that I do not enjoy. We also added more festive decorations to the house. 

It seems the decorating never ends until we  put them away after the holidays. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL