Post Hump Day

Aperol Spritz
Lucky Shuck, Jupiter, FL
July 30, 2025

 Wow, what a day yesterday turned out to be.

I have already written about the early morning activity--but wait, there's more. 

Chris and I checked out a new place for Happy Hour. We went to Lucky Shuck to enjoy their Wednesday Happy Hour Special: $1 oysters and $1 wings!

It has been a long time since I enjoyed a dozen oysters and did not feel guilty! I also enjoyed an Aperol Spritz, which is one of my favorite cruise ship drinks. 

It should be noted that Chris does not enjoy oysters, but she did devour a few wings. 

The restaurant sits along the ICW next to a marina and so there is a lot of activity, but with the heat last evening we stayed inside at the bar and I had my back to the water. No matter, there was plenty to enjoy. And in a really freaky coincidence, Chris and I met and chatted with two people from my actual hometown. We compared friends from the past for a short while. It was even weirder because even though I tell people I'm from a small city situated at the southern end of one of the Finger Lakes, I'm truly from a small town without a post office or a traffic light. We went into the city for everything, including school.

Well, today is Friday-eve AND the last day of my favorite month of the year. Tomorrow begins the slide into the end of the year. I can already tell that the days are getting shorter.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

How Early Did You Say?

Sunrise on the Pines
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
July 30, 2025

 Some days start way too early. 

Today, for instance, was one of those days. 

Chris and I were up at 4:45 AM for an early morning routine medical procedure. The good news is that we were done by about 8 AM, the bad news was that we didn't get much sleep the night before. Which is why I just woke from a much needed nap after delivering Finn to the groomer. 

I got to sit around, waiting, for two hours and not sleep as I was the dedicated driver. I walked outside about sunrise to get warm, because the A/C was on max at the office, and took a quick image. I could tell it was cold in the waiting. area because my glasses fogged over as soon as I stepped outside, but the 78 degree high humidity morning was, dare I say, refreshing. I thawed out.

But, Chris got through it and so did I. 

We have the rest of the day ahead, well when Finn is finished getting groomed. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

First Off the New Grill

First off the New Grill
Tequesta, FL
July 28, 2025

 My new Lumin grill is up and running. I cooked our first dinner on it last evening. It was a simple menu--steak and squash. We also had a very nice tossed salad, which, of course, was not grilled followed by Moose Tracks ice cream. It should be noted that Chris and I usually split the steak because neither of us can eat a whole steak anymore, especially a T-bone. The squash dish was supposed to be zucchini and squash, but the zucchini went bad before we could cook it. Sometimes vegetables linger in our refrigerator a bit too long.

I worked through my new grill concerns, for instance what temperature does the dial setting equate to? That was fun--I was a bit worried, but the grill really turns out the heat. I had burned off the grates earlier in the day and the grill made it to 550 degrees. The instructions said it could go over 600, but I really didn't want to see if it could make it there since I do not expect to grill anything at that temperature. 

I am very happy, so far. The real test will come later this week when I expect to smoke a rack of ribs! There is actually a setting on the dial for smoking. 

More to follow. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - July 28, 2025

 

1. It has arrived. The 5th and final Monday of July is here and there are only 22 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. It looks as if the Orioles are going to be sellers before the July 31 MLB Trading Deadline. They effectively played themselves out of playoff contention since the All Star Break by going 5-6 (.454). They are currently 11 games under .500 standing at 47-58 (.447). There are 57 games remaining and the O's need to win 37 of them to reach the expected 84 wins necessary to lock down a Wild Card Playoff spot. That means they need to play .649 (37-20) baseball. I don't see that happening. But, still l hope!

Crossing the Loxahatchee River on my Bike
Tequesta, FL
July 27, 2025

3. I got out a bit earlier yesterday to ride and rode almost 22 miles around Tequesta and Jupiter. Being Sunday morning the traffic was light and the roads open. Being early, I had hoped it would be cooler, but alas, it was not. I enjoyed the ride and saw multiple tortoises along my trek. 

4. I read the speech the our Vice President gave on July 5, 2025, at the Claremont Institute in which he makes some very concerning statements. First off, he believes that America as a creedal nation. That is a scary notion because it is clear that America was not intended to be creedal--there is no religious creed that is to be followed. But even more concerning was the statement: So I believe one of the most pressing problems for us to face as statesmen is to redefine the meaning of American citizenship in the 21st century. This, apparently, is becoming a new way that citizens can be deprived of their rights. As I read further in the transcript, he lays out a number ideals that citizens must meet and he also clearly denigrates those of alternate or atheistic religious beliefs. 

(Transcript: JD Vance’s Speech At The Claremont Institute’s Statesmanship Award Event)

5. This Day in History. July 28, 1868: Following its ratification by the necessary three-quarters of U.S. states, the 14th Amendment, granting citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States—including formerly enslaved people—is officially adopted into the U.S. Constitution. Secretary of State William Seward issues a proclamation certifying the amendment.

Two years after the Civil War, the Reconstruction Acts of 1867 divided the South into five military districts, where new state governments, based on universal manhood suffrage, were to be established. Thus began the period known as Radical Reconstruction, which saw the 14th Amendment, which had been passed by Congress in 1866, ratified in July 1868. The amendment resolved pre-Civil War questions of African American citizenship by stating that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States…are citizens of the United States and of the state in which they reside.” The amendment then reaffirmed the privileges and rights of all citizens, and granted all these citizens the “equal protection of the laws.”

Europe reacts with mix of relief and concern to US trade deal - Reuters

US, China to launch new talks on tariff truce extension, easing path for Trump-Xi meeting - Reuters

Thai, Cambodian leaders agree to ceasefire after five days of battle - Reuters

Russia at the gates: How Ukraine defended a strategic city for months - Reuters

Israel announces daily pauses in Gaza fighting as aid airdrops begin - Reuters

Justice Department drops cases against LA protesters after officers caught making false claims - The Guardian

Muscovites’ travel plans disrupted as Ukraine targets airspace with drones - The Guardian

Trump embraced Australia's harshest immigration policies. But there's one key difference. - MSNBC

Former anchor fears 'the end' of CBS as Paramount merger sparks liberal panic - FoxNews

Programming Note: Due to travel, Monday Musings will not be published next week, August 4th; unless, of course, plans change.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Escape from Grill Hell

My New Weber Lumin Grill
Tequesta, FL
July 27, 2025

 My time in griller hell has ended. My new electric grill arrived yesterday. 

Since the Condo Association requires me to use an electric grill, I decided to get a very nice and versatile unit and chose the Weber Lumin, in yellow. Since I can't have a full size grill, I decided to go for versatility and add some color to the situation. In addition to the standard red and black, the Lumin comes in four additional colors. I chose the yellow! Orange was not one of the additional colors or I would have chosen that one. 

The Lumin comes with the usual grates, but also a pan for either water for steaming or for wood chips for warming. The instructions provide methods for High-Heat Searing, Steaming, Smoke Infusion, Food Warming, and Grill from Frozen. The size of the inserts and grates appears to facilitate easy clean-up, but I'm not sure as I haven't cooked anything yet. 

So, I have been redeemed from griller hell and am now in a sort of purgatory awaiting today's arrival of a heat insulating pad to arrive to protect the wooden table I have it sitting on. The Lumen's matching stand is not currently available and I will acquire that as soon as I can so that I can return the wooden table to its previous location in the house. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Worse than Animals

Trump at Alligator Alcatraz
Somewhere in Florida
July 1, 2025

 It seems that we have becoming desensitized to the inhumane treatment that undocumented immigrants and citizens are receiving at the hands of law enforcement and ICE. 

I read an article in The Guardian this morning which is more than concerning. In addition to the obvious inhumane treatment by law enforcement, I was concerned about the mention of a bounty and the cavalier suggestion that some of them may be killed in the process of arrest. 

Video footage of the incident captured by Laynez-Ambrosio, an 18-year-old US citizen, appears to show a group of officers in tactical gear working together to violently detain the three men*, two of whom are undocumented. They appear to use a stun gun on one man, put another in a chokehold and can be heard telling Laynez-Ambrosio: “You’ve got no rights here. You’re a migo, brother.” Afterward, agents can be heard bragging and making light of the arrests, calling the stun gun use “funny” and quipping: “You can smell that … $30,000 bonus.”

In the video, Laynez-Ambrosio can be heard repeatedly telling his friend, in Spanish, to not resist. “I wasn’t really worried about myself because I knew I was going to get out of the situation,” he said. “But I was worried about him. I could speak up for him but not fight back, because I would’ve made the situation worse.”

Laynez-Ambrosio can also be heard telling officers: “I was born and raised right here.” Still, he was pushed to the ground and says that an officer aimed a stun gun at him. He was subsequently arrested and held in a cell at a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) station for six hours.

Audio in the video catches the unidentified officers debriefing and appearing to make light of the stun gun use. “You’re funny, bro,” one officer can be overheard saying to another, followed by laughter.

Another officer says, “They’re starting to resist more now,” to which an officer replies: “We’re going to end up shooting some of them.”

Later in the footage, the officers move on to general celebration – “Goddamn! Woo! Nice!” – and talk of the potential bonus they’ll be getting: “Just remember, you can smell that [inaudible] $30,000 bonus.”  (The Guardian)

Furthermore, the conditions where people are being detained are abhorrent. The administration has quickly moved to make the U.S. worse than authoritarian regimes. Responsible reporting on the conditions at Alligator Alcatraz continue to mention lack of water, food, protection from mosquitoes, and insufficient access to showers and sanitation facilities.

I believe the Humane Society would file charges against pet owners who did these things to their pets. Yet, we have become complicit with the inhumane treatment of those being prepared for deportation. I hate to remind us all, but everyone on U.S. soil has the rights granted in The Constitution, specifically, their 4th Amendment rights. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Finding Friday

Sidewalk Home
Tequesta, Fl
July 25, 2025

 Being on the cusp of the weekend again is amazing. It has been a busy week, even though I have not ridden since Tuesday. I'm not sure that I needed two days off. 

Watching the Republican Party implode over the Epstein files has been refreshing. It is weird that some try to blame the Democrats for the problem, but it is a self-inflected wound where many of the Cabinet-level leaders made promises to release the files before they wound up in their positions. It is almost funny if it weren't so tragic. 

I enjoyed a just short of 18-mile ride this morning. The wind from the East was tough, but I had a good time and crossed over 200 miles for the month. That is the most miles ridden in a month since I rode over 300 miles for the Cancer Society during October last year. 

And so, since it is Friday, Chris and I will be heading out to get some supplies for the weekend. That will be the big trip of the day, although we are looking forward to dinner tonight. We hope to try a new, as yet undecided, restaurant.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Whispering Angel - Wine Tasting

 Chris and I attended a wine tasting recently of Whispering Angel, a rosé from France. It was held at the Jupiter Grill and we went with friends. 

Whispering Angel is a rosé wine from the Côtes de Provence AOC in Provence, France. It is produced by Chateau d'Esclans, which is majority owned by LVMH. It is credited with reviving interest in rosé wine. It is priced expensively for a rosé to create the perception of a premium product. (Wikipedia)

Dishwasher After and Before
Whispering Angel Plastic Glasses

The venue was nicely prepared, but I believe they underestimated the crowd even though tickets were purchased in advance. Our tasting included two glasses (yes, 5 oz pours) of Whispering Angel and a discussion of the history of the wine and winemaker.

There were a few nice gifts including some plastic wine glasses with the name Whispering Angel on them. Fortunately, we tasted from very nice glasses and not the plastic beach/pool give aways. As it turned out, the plastic glasses were not dishwasher safe. They are for show and not use.

The wine was tasting very nicely and it was paired with a couple of enjoyable munchies. Whispering Angel used to be Chris' favorite rosé, but due to its popularity the price has risen to a premium price point. Despite the price, it remains a very enjoyable wine and is suitable for many meals. It is especially nice here in Florida as it  helps to beat the oppressive heat.

I recommend trying Whispering Angel if you haven to done so. Be careful of the price. I have seen it in stores recently ranging from $18 (Costco) to $25 (Publix). 

I applaud the Jupiter Grill for this inaugural tasting event and am looking forward to future offerings.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Griller Hell!

Tiki52
Tequesta, FL
July 22, 2025

 Tuesday is, of course, Tiki Tuesday and last evening was no exception. We sojourned to Tiki52 for Happy Hour and were greeted by bright sunny skies as Chris and I arrived. What is not evident in the image are the gray skies behind us which cut short our evening as a rainstorm moved in about an hour after we arrived. But, we had a great time until the rain began. We were actually very lucky because we arrived at our car just as the first raindrops started falling. We brought our Happy Hour wings home to enjoy--which we did sitting on our veranda watching the rain.

In disturbing news, I am in griller hell! Yup. My electric grill died. I have owned it for one-year and just over one month. The warranty expired at one year. I will not be purchasing another Char Broil grill. This is the second one that died prematurely. We went to Home Depot to look for a new grill, but they did not have any electric grills on the floor. I found that incredible. 

Always something it seems. Why, you might inquire, do I use an electric grill? Simple--gas or wood grills are not allowed in our Condo community. I have learned how to grill effectively on an electric grill. And we grill three to four times per week!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Crashing into another Week

View on the Ride
Turtle Creek, Tequesta, FL
July 21, 2025

 My trusty and somewhat faithful dog, Finn, is relaxing in his bed near me this morning as I begin to think about the day. 

We had quite an ending to yesterday as we had the vents, all 17 of them, in the house cleaned. That process did not start until almost 6 PM and lasted until just after 8 PM. Coupled with my HOA Board Meeting, we did not have dinner until late--too late! 

The highlight of my morning was a 17-mile plus ride through Tequesta. It was my usual route, but I enjoy heading down the streets and seeing the changes. 

It was a beautiful day for biking and I am headed out early this morning to beat the heat. Yes, we have been having heat stress temperatures in the 105-110 degree range by midday. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL