Travel Day

Classic Car Entering the Street
Tequesta, FL
September 19, 2025

 Chris and I are off to the cruise port in a couple hours. 

The excitement is building and the bags are packed, mostly. 

As we were out doing final errands yesterday, I saw a great classic car. I'm guessing 56 Chevy Bel Air. I didn't get a great image of it, as I had to use my Meta glasses. So, I zoomed in a lot and lost some detail. But she was a beauty. 

I'm hoping that Saturday traffic is light and our trip to the parking lot is smooth and easy. Heading into Ft Lauderdale can be a pain, even on a good day. It is not as bad as driving around Houston, but can still be challenging.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Day Before

Celebrity Reflection
Key West, FL
September 24, 2024

 Well, the sun arrived with the morning today. 

That was a welcome change. 

Chris and I are in the "day before" mode. Packing and preparing the house for our upcoming Caribbean Cruise. I expect to be able to continue blogging while on the cruise. 

We are excited because it is a longer cruise, 9 days. The short cruises, 3 and 4 nights, seem too short. On those cruises we just begin to get into the vibe of the ship and learn the crew members names and then it is time to disembark. 

Did you ever notice that cruises are sold in terms of nights and not days? 

The image is of our cruise ship from last year when we made a port call in Key West. 

We are excited for the cruise because we will be visiting three new Caribbean islands and by the end of the today we will be ready to head to the port to begin the adventure. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Watching the Storms

This is the time of the year when most Floridians become avid (rabid?) weather watchers. I have joined that group. I counted and I have no less than four weather apps on my phone.

Why?

I guess I really don't know. They all present the weather differently, but I think they all use the same basic information to create the weather depictions. 

For instance this morning. I am watching Tropical Storm Gabrielle in the Atlantic on one app and also the pervasive rain in my area on another. Why?

Well, the Atlantic Storm, although not a threat to Florida could have made a mess of my upcoming cruise. I keep cruising during September, usually the most active month of the hurricane season, because it's my birthday month! So Chris and I and friends seem to find a reason to cruise during the month. 

Well, and this morning the storms are all around me in Tequesta. Another wet, Florida day. The weather has made me appreciate the relatively clear skies we had over the weekend. 

Rain and storms! September in Florida. 

I love it!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

As the Weather Turns

Happy Constitution Day! 

On this date in 1787, The Constitution of the United States of America is signed by 39 delegates present at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Supporters of the document waged a hard-won battle to win ratification by the necessary nine out of 13 U.S. states.

Blowing Rocks Marina and Tiki52
Tequesta, FL
September 16, 2025

And it's back!

The stormy weather has returned this morning. We are experiencing thunderstorms and rain. 

Last evening we enjoyed Happy Hour at Tiki52. There had been a passing storm just before we arrived, but it was clear and we enjoyed great conversation and food with friends. 

Chris and I had been looking to join friends on a Mediterranean cruise, but realized that it was right in the middle of high school graduation--and we have a grandson who is a senior. So, we are looking for other dates for our BIG Beautiful 2026 trip. I can't call them vacations anymore since we are retired and everyday is a vacation. Well, not really. 

But, today is Hump Day. Let's see where it takes us. 

Oh yes, toe update: toe is much better today. Some residual pain (level 1 or lower) and still no severe bruising. I got lucky!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Ouch!

Sandhill Crane on my Ride
Turtle Creek, Tequesta, FL
September 15, 2025

 I stubbed my toe last night tripping over one of Finnegan's chew bones. 

Ugh!

So the injury didn't hurt all that bad last night, but today it is screaming at me. It does not appear broken, there is no swelling or blackness, but I jammed it good. Additionally, there is no sharp pain when it is moved--so no doctor, yet!

Yesterday I had a very enjoyable bike ride around Tequesta. The humidity is lower and that makes the ride more pleasant. I'm doing a better job deconflicting my ride with the school kids waiting for the bus. Often they lay on the sidewalk to read their phones and I have to be cautious when passing them. I had one boy, the other day, who I had to yell to not to back up because he was standing up and backing into my path in anticipation of the arriving bus. 

Well, it is Terrific Tuesday!

I am hoping the incendiary rhetoric regarding the assassination and the First Amendment cools a bit today nationally. We need to get back on a more even footing. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - September 15, 2025

 

1. It is the third Monday of September. There are 15 Mondays remaining in the year. The Vernal Equinox happens on September 23! Autumn is coming. 

Lizard on the Glass
Tequesta, FL
September 14, 2025

2. Family NFL Results. Family teams went 2-4 for the second week in a row, not a good start to the young season. Interesting side note, the Ravens scored one more point this week than last week and it helped ensure their win, unlike last week's loss. And who would have believed the Chiefs would begin the season 0-2.

Ravens (1-1) trampled Browns (0-2), 41-17

Cowboys (1-1) snuck past Giants (0-2), 40-37

Commanders (1-1) came up short to Packers (2-0), 18-27

Dolphins (0-2) drowned by Patriots (2-0), 27-33

Steelers (1-1) crushed by Seahawks (1-1), 17-31

Chiefs (0-2) scalped by Eagles (2-0), 17-20 

3. When Donald Trump uses the phrase “radical left”, he generally means political opponents, activists, or groups aligned with progressive/Democratic causes. However, when we look specifically at mass shootings or politically motivated attacks in the U.S., the data doesn’t really support the idea of the “radical left” being a major driver. 

According to the FBI and DHS (as well as research by groups like the Center for Strategic and International Studies), far-right extremism has been responsible for the overwhelming majority of ideologically motivated shootings and terrorist attacks in the U.S. in recent decades (examples: El Paso 2019, Pittsburgh synagogue 2018, Charleston 2015, Buffalo 2022).

Left-wing extremist shootings are extremely rare, with the 2017 Scalise shooting being the standout case.

(Chat GPT) 

4. It had been a tumultuous few days in America. I wish we could cease the name calling and incendiary rhetoric. We are be better than this. 

5. As I was walking up to my front door yesterday, I notices a small lizard on the window looking into the house. I guess it wanted to get out of the heat. It is very rare that lizards are seen on the windows, although they are plentiful on the ground around the shrubbery. 

6. Just as a reminder amidst all of the vile sputum. “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matt 22:36-40)

7. Today in History. On September 15, 1978, boxer Muhammad Ali defeats Leon Spinks at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans to win the world heavyweight boxing title for the third time in his career, the first fighter ever to do so. Following his victory, Ali retired from boxing, only to make a brief comeback two years later. Ali, who once claimed he could “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” left the sport permanently in 1981.

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. in Louisville, Kentucky, on January 14, 1942, the future world champ changed his name to Muhammad Ali in 1964 after converting to Islam. He earned a gold medal at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome and made his professional boxing debut against Tunney Hunsaker in October 1960, winning the bout in six rounds. On February 25, 1964, Ali defeated the heavily favored Sonny Liston in six rounds to become heavyweight champ, after which he famously declared, “I am the greatest!”

Trump vows national emergency in Washington, DC over ICE dispute - Reuters

Charlie Kirk shooting suspect not cooperating with authorities, Utah governor says - Reuters

Oil edges up after attacks on Russian energy facilities - Reuters

Why the most advanced military in the world is playing catchup on the modern battlefield - CNN

Kash Patel’s difficulties and embarrassments at the FBI do not go unnoticed - MSNBC

Federal Reserve set to meet next week amid chaos from Trump’s attacks on the Fed - MSNBC

‘Things have changed’: Schumer threatens government shutdown over health care - MSNBC

Trump threatens to call national emergency in Washington DC over Ice cooperation - The Guardian

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL  

Sunday Wanderings

Tigger on the Counter
Port St Lucie, FL
September 11, 2025

 We made it to Sunday. 

Take a deep breath.

Despite the vile rhetoric being spewed by too many people in positions of authority, we are still here. 

Why do we have to continue to put labels  on people and groups of people? 

And then, why do we have to generalize the actions of the an entire group? Clearly, that is wrong. 

Even more sadly, when the generalization is wrong, the people spewing the vile statements don't apologize. They just wait, apparently, for a time when they can make their assertions again and be correct for an isolated and unique instance. 

I am really tired of hearing the labels radical left or radical right. Why can't we just be Americans who have different points of view? And it seems the right wants to blame the left for the very things that the right is actually doing--like depriving people of their rights to choose. 

Florida, for instance, calls itself the Free State of Florida at the direction of the right-leaning governor. Why then can't I choose to get the Covid-19 vaccine? I went to Walgreen's and was told they were not allowed to give the shots in Florida.

I asked Chat GPT about the inaccuracy of the phrase and it provided the following comment: “Florida calls itself the ‘Free State,’ but it bans books, censors teachers, restricts voting, takes away reproductive rights, and even tells people which bathrooms they can use. That’s not freedom — that’s selective freedom for some, and fewer rights for others.”

So, turning to other things, I took the image of Tigger during our last visit with him before his family returned home. I enjoyed spending time with Tigger because he is a unique cat with a great personality. I especially enjoyed the way he ran across the house to greet me as I came through the door. 

That makes me smile a lot more than all of the stuff on the news lately. 

Happy Sunday.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

More of the Rain

Afternoon Storms
Tequesta, FL
September 12, 2025

 We have been suffering through a very rainy pattern for the past few weeks. 

That has meant afternoon, and sometimes morning, storms which are locally heavy. 

We need the rain as I believe the region remains on the border of drought conditions, but wow--it sure puts a damper on beach time. 

I also find it difficult to ride my bike. I just do not enjoy riding in the rain.

Conditions are forecasted to improve both in terms of less rain and cooler temperatures during the next week. 

I am looking forward to the improvement. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Colorless Day

Colorless Day on the River
Tequesta, FL
September 11, 2025

 Yesterday was a colorless day. 

There were tears of anguish over senseless political violence and over another school shooting.

I saw that the morning haze sapped the color out of the day as I rode over the river in Tequesta. 

It is as if the world was mourning the loss of innocence, the acceptance of unbridled greed, inhuman actions, wars that cannot be stopped, and leaders who forment hate, anger, and distrust for their own aggrandizement. 

It was Patriot Day. As Americans stopped to remember 9/11, the weight of the passing years and the continuing toll of that day further sapped color from a mourning country. I remember the images of 9/11 after the towers fell--everything was covered in colorless gray dust and we all cried with concern for the families of the victims. 

We rose from the ashes 24 years ago, but I'm not sure we have strengthened our Republic. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

STOP! Political Violence is Unacceptable

Charlie Kirk (1993-2025)

 I mourn Charlie Kirk. I pray for his family. 

I am angered at the senseless violence and also at the response of people, including the President, who are skewing facts and ignoring that political violence has occurred against democrats and republicans. I wish some of those spewing their virulent words would have felt as strongly about political violence when the Democratic leader and her husband were murdered in Minnesota during June. Or when the Democratic governor of Pennsylvania's house was subjected to an arson attack while he and his family slept inside. 

I am angered not because I agreed with Charlie Kirk's political views, but because politically motivated violence is fundamentally wrong.

I disagreed with Charlie on nearly every issue, but I respected his right to hold his views. 

If we lose the right to have meaningful discourse and to disagree we will have lost America. 

I served in the Air Force for 21 years and then as a Federal Civilian for another 24 years to protect every American's right to disagree--or to agree, peacefully and without fear of retribution. 

Guns are not the way for civilized people to solve political disputes. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL