I snagged one

iPhone 17 Pro Max

 I have been on a quest for a new iPhone 17 Pro Max. It had been quite a search over the past two weeks. Trying to search at the right time to snag one as it became available had me checking three times per day. 

First image with new iPhone 17 Pro Max
Finnegan
Tequesta, FL
October 22, 2025

I was successful yesterday. I actually was online at just the right time to order the phone on Tuesday evening for pick-up yesterday. Earlier Tuesday, I could have snagged one at a store 74 miles away, but I was not that desperate. A short time later my local store, 6 miles away, offered the phone, although not in the color I wanted, for Wednesday delivery and that was where I ultimately went. Staying local saved about 4 hours of driving in Miami rush-hour traffic.

I am retiring my iPhone 14 Pro Max, which has served me well--well, actually, it failed me during our trip to South Africa earlier this year, and Apple replaced it under Apple Care. But overall, the iPhone 14 was a great tool for the years that I had it.

I know it has only been 3 years since I got my iPhone 14 Pro Max, but Apple made enough changes in the camera system and the inclusion of Apple Intelligence to make me renew my phone earlier than normal. I really think I am going to like it--I enjoy it so far. 

My first real test of the camera/video system will be the 

Stuart Airshow Opening Night on November 7. I fought with my phone last year to get videos of the flying, and I am hoping that the new 17 Pro Max will work a lot better this year. Time will tell. I have about two weeks to figure it all out. 

Here is the video from last year's Stuart Airshow Opening Night. I have also secured reserved seats in the second row which should help with the video exercise. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Pillage and Plunder

White House East Wing Demolition Image
From NYTimes Video

 Conquerers and authoritarians have a things in common. One is pillaging and plundering the conquered lands with little concern for the populace. 

Our president's true colors are on display more now than ever before. 

The White House is being plundered, despite assurances before construction of the big, beautiful, new ballroom that the existing structure would not be changed. 

The president had pledged that construction wouldn’t “interfere with the current building,” a promise that always seemed unrealistic given the grand scale of the plans. (NYTimes)

And yesterday the pillaging of the treasury began with the request for $230 million from the DOJ.

I never believed it would happen in America!

But it is! 

I wonder, can we sue file a class action suit against Trump for say, $3 trillion, for broken/ignored campaign promises?

I am still waiting for an end to Ukraine/Russia War.

And lower food prices.

No inflation. Inflation is actually higher now than when he took office. 

Where are the lower energy prices.

Oh yeah, and importing Argentinian beef to lower prices sure helps out U.S. farmers. 

And why is he afraid to help ensure medical coverage for millions of Americans at the expense that he has closed the government down and is not negotiating? Is that really the Art of the Deal? 

No--he wants to break the American people while robbing the treasury. 

Is this really his vision for the "Golden Age of America?" Or did he misspeak and really mean to say the "Gilded Age of America?"

Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) took the floor of the Senate to hold it through the night “to protest Trump’s grave threats to democracy.” He said: “We cannot pretend this is normal.” (Letters from an American)

Sources:

Trump Said to Demand Justice Dept. Pay Him $230 Million for Past Cases

White House's East Wing Partially Demolished to Build Trump's Ballroom ...

Trump Hopes Argentina Can Help Bring Down Meat Prices

Letters from an American, October 21, 2025

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Happy Tuesday to All!

North Fork Loxahatchee River
Tequesta, FL
October 20, 2025

 We have arrived back at another Tuesday. 

The World Series competitors are set: The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays will face off to determine the best team in baseball for the 2025 season. 

I had hoped Seattle would finally make a World Series--they got close, losing the lead in the deciding Game 7 in the 7th inning. 

My prediction: LA wins in 5. 

I was able to enjoy the continuing good weather with an 18-mile ride yesterday. The humidity has returned, but the temperatures are remaining enjoyable. 

Chris and I received a shock yesterday afternoon as we went to our favorite grocery store in Hobe Sound. It is closing! Well, it is almost closed. The shelves were mostly empty. This Winn Dixie store was sold to Aldi's and is being converted. That is sad, because I have always found Aldi's to be inferior to almost any other grocery store. Yea, people say the prices are good, but the selection is poor as they do not routinely carry most of the food items for which Chris and I shop. And their checkout plan is confusing as best. 

Well, it is Tuesday. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - October 20, 2025

 

1. Happy 3rd Monday of October. The month continues to move away at seemingly light speed. There is one Monday remaining in October and ten Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. What a year it has been. On Saturday we experienced the largest civil protest in the history of the United States with 7 million people estimated to have participated. If you don't think there is a problem in the country right now, you might be out of touch. 

3. Family NFL Report. The NFL season continues to be a disaster for the family teams which are a combined (16-23-1). The Ravens and Dolphins remain especially dismal. 

Ravens (1-5) were thankfully on a bye.

Cowboys (3-3-1) scalped Commanders (3-4), 44-22 

Dolphins (1-6) drowned by Browns (2-5), 6-31

Steelers (4-2) came up short against Bengals (3-4), 31-33

Chiefs (4-3) blanked Raiders (2-5), 31-0 

4.  Wouldn't it be nice to have a president for all Americans? It appears we have a president who fancies himself as a crown-wearing fighter pilot dropping feces on the American public. I found the video, which was attached to a longer story about No Kings Day, at Sky News. We are truly scraping the bottom of the barrel.

5. Looking for answers. Why are we preparing to go to war with Venezuela? Worse, why is there so little transparency to support the potentially illegal actions that have been taken by blowing up ships in international waters? Would the republicans accept any of that from a democratic president?

6. Today in History. On October 20, 1947, the notorious Red Scare kicks into high gear in Washington, as a Congressional committee begins investigating communist influence in one of the world’s richest and most glamorous communities: Hollywood.

After World War II, the Cold War began to heat up between the world’s two superpowers—the United States and the communist-controlled Soviet Union. In Washington, conservative watchdogs worked to out communists in government before setting their sights on alleged “Reds” in the famously liberal movie industry. In an investigation that began in October 1947, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) grilled a number of prominent witnesses, asking bluntly “Are you or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?” Whether out of patriotism or fear, some witnesses—including director Elia Kazan, actors Gary Cooper and Robert Taylor and studio honchos Walt Disney and Jack Warner—gave the committee names of colleagues they suspected of being communists.

Giant Russian gas plant suspends intake from Kazakhstan after Ukrainian drone strike - Reuters

Trump urged Ukraine's Zelenskiy to make concessions to Russia in tense meeting, sources say - Reuters

Trump's IVF announcement was the final blow to one of his wildest campaign promises - MSNBC

Fall in China's exports of rare earth magnets stokes supply chain fears - Reuters

In Trump's drug war, prisoners may be too much of a legal headache, experts say - Reuters

Trump mocks 'No Kings' marches - CNN

US conducts seventh strike on boat allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the Caribbean - CNN

Colombia’s Leader Accuses U.S. of Murder, Prompting Trump to Halt Aid - The New York Times

Trump boards AF1 quickly, using small stairs due to 'increased security measures' - FoxNews

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

On a Wing

Pair of Ospreys
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
October 14, 2025

 The other afternoon, as Chris and I along with friends were sitting on the beach enjoying Happy Hour. I watched ospreys fly above the ocean. They are magnificent birds and we are fortunate to see them whenever we are near the ICW or the ocean. 

I marvel at the ospreys' ability to see fish in the water, dive and often enough catch dinner. Watching them struggle back into the air with a fish in their talons is sight to see. They are able to overcome the water, gaining altitude with each pull of their wings. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Saturday in America

 It is No Kings Day, version 2.

I have been very disturbed by the republicans view of the protests, especially those in positions of leadership. 

Let's be clear! To say the protests are anti-American is unconstitutional.

The protests today are uniquely American and they are protected by the Constitution.

Amendment 1 U.S. Constitution

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

I have witnessed many recent events which weaken this amendment and I need to remind my friends that there is a good reason why this amendment is first in the Bill of Rights. This amendment, arguably, is the most important in the Bill of Rights because it helps preserve democratic functions of government. 

In the past weeks, the assault upon the 1st Amendment have been severe. 

The press has been stifled. We are getting no news about the potentially unlawful attacks on shipping in the Caribbean. The Pentagon created untenable restrictions on the press. 

I found that FoxNews signed the following to be especially insightful:

“The policy is without precedent and threatens core journalistic protections,” the outlets said.

To underscore: This is Hegseth’s own former employer saying he’s undermining freedom of the press. (CNN)

And for the planned rally today:

Speaker Mike Johnson on Friday slammed the No Kings protest march scheduled to take place at the National Mall next week, describing the planned protest as the “hate America rally” that would draw “the pro-Hamas wing” and “the antifa people.” 

Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), another senior House Republican, also criticized the planned demonstration and blamed it for prolonging the shutdown. Telling reporters Democrats had caved to the “terrorist wing of their party,” Emmer alluded to a “hate America rally in D.C. next week.”  (Politico)

If you don't think the 1st Amendment is under attack, look again. 

So what is the purpose of today's rallies? Simple, in my mind it is to demonstrate to the Republican-controlled Congress that they are headed in the wrong direction. They have stopped listening to the constituents in their districts, maybe they will listen to "We the People!"

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Longest Trip Yet

2023 Mustang Mach-e in the Driveway
Tequesta, FL
October 17, 2025

 Chris and I have owned our Ford Mustang Mach-e for a year and a half. It has a paltry 9500 miles on it because we use it exclusively for driving around our local area. I had estimated its total annual mileage to be about 7000 and we are even below that number. 

Until yesterday, the Mach-e, which is an EV, had been charged at a commercial charge station twice. Once when we took delivery of it because it had less that 20 percent charge and we had not yet installed the charger in our garage, and then when Ford delivered the Tesla supercharger converter--just so we knew how to use it. 

Yesterday, was the third time the car was charged commercially. We drove to the Space Force Base near Cocoa Beach to get new ID cards and took the Mach-e. We had to stop on the way back for an energy. A Tesla Supercharger collocated with a gas station/restaurant was recommended by our mapping program. We enjoyed lunch while the car charged. Suffice it to say, we were nervous. Had the charger not worked I believe there was just enough energy to get home (with about 3 percent remaining), but it worked great and the cost was not too bad, 50 cents per KwH versus the 16 cents I pay at home. (BTW, the c/KwH is my total bill in $ with all the add-ins divided by KwH usage, so it is higher than the posted rate)

Wow! 

I guess we will be using the car for longer trips since we are more comfortable with the technology and the mapping program we use incorporates charging locations into its travel calculations. I also liked the self-driving aspect of the car on the open road. 

We may be ready to try a Florida to Maryland trip!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Another Day, Another Decade

Happy Birthday
Tequesta, FL
October 15, 2025

Chris has finally joined the next decade.

She crossed the line yesterday into her 70's and we celebrated in style. I made her favorite birthday cheese cake and we went out for a great dinner at a local Harbourside Place restaurant with friends. 

She chose to get her toes and nails done for the occasion.

Harbourside Place at Night
Jupiter, FL
October 15, 2025

The cheesecake was an all afternoon affair. It cracked! Ugh.

We had a great day together and an even better evening. I was amazed at how deserted the area around the restaurant was last evening. I guess everyone is hoping for the soon return of the snowbirds because most everywhere is devoid of customers. It is really nice for those of us who live here, but I'm not sure the lack of business can sustain the establishments. 

It is amazing how decades change and it feels like just another day. Wait! It is just another day. As she said this morning, "Yesterday was such a great day!"

Well, Happy Birthday to Chris and, God willing, many more!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Out onto the Waters

 

Heading out of Manatee Pocket
Port Salerno, FL
October 14, 2025

Yesterday was a fabulous boat day. 

OK, the weather was clear, but breezy, the water was choppy, and it wasn't a good lay on the beach day; but it was a great boat day. Why? Because we actually got onto the water and out on a boat. 

We motored to Stuart to do some shopping. I admit, I had to use all of my nautical skills to get the boat into the slip in Stuart due to the wind and current, but on the third try I figured it out and we slid in perfectly. 

We enjoyed shopping in Stuart and began our day with coffee and coffee cake at a local cafe. 

The winds grew a bit stronger on our return trip which caused me to cancel a proposed beach stop and head directly back. 

Sitting at the base of the Dune
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
October 14, 2025

Later that same day, we joined friends at Carlin Park for Happy Hour. The destruction of the beach caused by the hurricanes, even though they remained offshore was incredible. I figure we lost about 100 yards of beach. Waves were crashing on rocks where there a been sand that we enjoyed sitting on. The drop-off where in front of our seats is where the waves were coming and with before had been a nice sloping beach to the ocean. 

We enjoyed our Happy hour, although there was not much room for other beach goers to pass in front of us. We had not enjoyed Happy Hour on the beach in a very long time due to travel and weather. 

It was great fun. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

As the Week Begins

View Down the North Fork Loxahatchee River
Tequesta, FL
October 13, 2025

 I was able to get out on my bike to enjoy the spectacular weather we are experiencing. The really nice weather arrived after almost a month of stormy, hot, humid weather which effectively put a damper on all outdoors activities. 

Water Covered Road
Jupiter, FL
October 13, 2025

I managed a 21-mile ride yesterday in the relatively cooler morning air with a fairly stiff wind from the north. The sky was clear and it was fun to be out on the streets. Since it was a federal holiday, I expected light traffic. That was not the case. It seemed everyone was out and about. 

I biked different places than I had biked on Saturday. I was shocked that some streets were still water covered, although I know these streets are subject to flooding at high tide and the king tides make them worse. I did manage to get coated with mud. I need to wash my bike and oil my chain after a couple days of wet riding. 

Today, due to the favorable weather, is a boating day. Yay. Chris, Finnegan, and I are looking forward to heading out on the water and the plan is to head to Stuart to do some shopping and lunch before heading back to the marina. Depending on the weather, we might have some beach time. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL