As the Weekend Continues

Chris with Maverick
Stuart Air Show, Stuart, FL
November 7, 2025

 I woke to a beautiful South Florida morning. The temperature is 73 degrees and the humidity is acceptable. The sky was clear and the moon bright as it was descending in the western sky. 

We have a day planned that includes NFL football and dinner with friends. Chris and I are excited about both. 

I am planning to head out on a ride in a few minutes to enjoy the morning. 

Chris ran into an old friend at the Air Show Friday night. He was a bit stiff about the meet-up, but she had fun getting a picture taken. 

In light of the ongoing airport crisis, Chris and I have made the decision to drive north for Thanksgiving instead of flying, despite having already made reservations. I had predicted that the government shutdown would end by Friday (the 7th), but unfortunately, I was mistaken. The stubborn members of Congress appear more focused on punishing the American people than on negotiating an end to the Trump-led shutdown. 

And in college football news, congrats go to the Georgia Bulldogs for being the biggest dawgs on the block by decimating Mississippi State yesterday 41-21. The game was not as close as the score suggests. After Mississippi State scored on their opening drive, Georgia ran off 38 unanswered points until finally allowing two gratuitous touchdowns. 

Let's see how the family NFL football teams fare today. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Stuart Air Show 2025

 Bring out the oooohs and the awwws, the Stuart Air Show 2025 Opening Night edition had everything. 

Stuart Airshow 2025
Stuart, FL
November 7, 2025

Chris and I spent the evening enjoying the opening night of the Stuart Air Show. I am told that it is the last airshow of the season and it certainly likes to go out with a bang. 

The flying was incredible. The airshow after dark was especially exciting followed by the fireworks grand finale which was a spectacle to be witnessed. 

The only downside was the lack of military participation this year due to the government shutdown. But the show went on and it was grand, although I was excited about seeing the F-35 demonstration team in action, but alas, that did not happen. And there were no military aircraft on display. The organizers did a great job filling the gaps and making everything seem seamless. I stopped in at the Air Force recruiting tent, which was staffed by contractors, and enjoyed reminiscing about old times when I served as a recruiting squadron commander.  

Sunset at the Stuart Airshow
Stuart, FL
November 7, 2025

Chris and I secured reserved seating for this year's event. It was definitely worth the extra expense to have reserved seats. Parking was plentiful and free. Getting out of the lot after the show was slow, but that is almost always the case.

On the negative side, the show organizers do not allow people to bring in water or food, in addition to a number of other items. The food/water was an issue because the vendor selling food and water did not have enough help; the lines were very long. And the prices are out of sight. I paid $55 for two burgers and fries, a bottle of water, and an iced tea. Oh yea, and the fries were cold and limp and the burgers were, well not hot. At least the beer was only $6.

One other negative, the restroom facilities were inadequate for the crowd and they need lights in the area after dark. People had to use their cells to navigate in the restroom area.

The flying demonstrations were awe inspiring. I never grow tired of seeing the MiG-17 demo given how many years of my Air Force career were dedicated to monitoring Soviet aircraft. I probably devoted too much time in the video to this really old fighter jet. But, since our own Air Force was conspicuously absent, at least I got a military fighter fix for the evening. 

We loved the show and the fireworks grand finale is second to none. We are already planning on being in attendance next year!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#stuartairshow #stuartairshow2025 #airshow

It Happened the other Night

Moon over Jupiter
Jupiter, FL
November 5, 2025

by Francis Baranson

 I am still reviewing some of the images I took on Wednesday evening. It was a clear night with a bright moon. It was one of those evenings that just demands to be captured on image.  

Chris and I were out with friends celebrating two other friends who had traveled in for a wedding. We were along the Jupiter Inlet enjoying a fantastic South Florida evening. As the sun set, earlier now than during the summer, the moon was rising. The food and drink were definitely secondary to the scene that was presented before us.

Jupiter Lighthouse
Jupiter, FL
November 5, 2025

I took more than a few images of the moon rising and the glow of the lights due to the earlier darkness. My friend Francis sent me the one that leads off the article.

We had a great evening at a local restaurant and enjoyed $1 oysters on the last day of the off-season. The price of oysters will increase to an unspecified level to celebrate the return of the Snow Birds. Yes, prices go up here during the winter and will not head down again until May. 

I focused some of my imaging activities upon the lighthouse. I love that historical lighthouse. I spotted it from the airplane as we were making our approach into Palm Beach International on Tuesday. It sits strategically along the inlet as a big red tower. 

Tonight Chris and I are headed to the annual Stuart Airshow. I believe there will be an F-35 demo team in addition to many other flying events. I expect less military participation given the government shutdown. Last year the show was fantastic and I purchased second row reserved seats for this year's event. I am hoping to publish a video of the opening night's activities. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Heroes and Villains of the Shutdown

Moon over Jupiter Inlet
Jupiter, FL
November 5, 2025

 I was thinking, while flying home the other day, about some of the heroes I had met during the past week who are affected by the government shutdown. And then my mind turned to the villains. The villains, sadly, are not necessary to this story, but they serve to highlight the actions of the heroes.

And so, my heroes:

Federal employees who continue to be vilified by the villains, specifically and especially:

TSA agents and staff, they were professional and cordial in all of my interactions with them. I tried to thank each one personally for being on duty

Air traffic controllers, I could not, obviously, thank them in person, but my flights flew without incident

Other Federal employees who remain on duty without pay. Without them chaos would ensue 

Military men and women standing on guard for our country 

And the villains:

Executive Branch leadership who continue to be unwilling to negotiate an end to the government shutdown while flying around the world ISO a Nobel Peace Prize. 

Speaker of the House who may be the most disingenuous of all time by keeping the republicans home so as not to be able to negotiate an end to the shutdown. He keeps telling the great lie that the democrats created the shutdown, but the truth is that a take it or leave it position is not a negotiation. 

Representatives in Congress who continue to hurt Americans by denying access to affordable medical care 

Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list.

Oh yes, and speaking of denying medical care, I just learned that tele-visits are a victim. 

Because Congress did not extend authorization for some of those expanded telehealth flexibilities beyond September 30, 2025, a number of payment/coverage conditions reverted (or are in flux) as of October 1, 2025:

• The “home” as an originating site for many non-behavioral/mental health telehealth visits under Medicare will no longer be allowed (in traditional Medicare) unless covered by a separate exception.  (Chat GPT)

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Voters Speak--America Wins

 

I am thoroughly excited at the off-year election results from last night. The intelligence and determination of the voters was confirmed by the huge turn-out. 

In NYC, the turnout was the greatest for any election since 1969. (NYC Mayoral Election Sees Largest Turnout Since 1969)

I am excited not only about the results, but that in an off-year election, which are generally seen as yawners, Americans got out to vote and register their opinions about where the country is headed. 

But the results were vital as, especially in Virginia, the winds of change are evident with the election of a democratic governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. 

As I look at the results from the limited number of elections across the country, it seems to be a clean sweep against the current administration. Apparently the people who voted for change in 2024 do not like the change they received.

My hope is that current members of Congress take note of what their constituents desire and start listening to them and not fear the dollars of Trump. Our country may be being held hostage by oligarchs, but "We the People" still have the power of the ballot!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Returning to Florida

Our Last Dog Walk of the Trip
Odenton, MD
November 3, 2025

 Our trip to Maryland for Halloween is over. Chris, Finn, and I are currently on a Southwest 737 headed south. I like what Southwest has done with the internet. It is free for Rapid Rewards members. I like free.

We have departed autumnal Maryland with memories of brightly adorned trees still in our heads. We definitely got a taste of autumn, and of course the cold temperatures. I am happy to be returning to warm South Florida. 

Of course, the unqualified highlight of the trip was the time we spent with family, and especially Beck. It was so good that we were able to connect with our entire family this time. While we did not have time to get out with our friends, it was a short trip and we will be back for Thanksgiving. 

I want to recognize the air traffic controllers and the TSA agents and staff for the exceptional service we received during this tough government shutdown. I, being retired Air Force and retired federal worker, understand the calling that makes us want to be in service to America. But, we need to be able to thrive while serving and I only hope that the budget impasse is soon resolved. 

-- Bob Doan, Southwest Flight 1800, over the Atlantic off the coast of South Carolina

Monday Musings - November 3, 2025

1. It is the first Monday of November. We are back onto Standard Time and it gets dark already too early. There remain only eight Mondays in the craziness of 2025.

Beck and Chris
Glen Burnie, MD
November 2, 2025

2. Take one baby boy and add a grandmother who doesn't get to see him that often and you have instant magic. We had an extremely enjoyable morning and early afternoon with Beck. Chris was definitely in her element and thoroughly enjoyed being with him For his part, Beck seemed to enjoy being doted upon by Chris.

3. Family Football Results. The Family Teams had another tough week going 2-3 with one game tonight. The season record is dismal at 21-29-1.

Ravens (3-5) Drowned the Dolphins (2-7), 28-6

Cowboys (3-4-1) host Cardinals (2-5) tonight

Steelers (5-3) stampeded Colts (7-2), 27-20

Commanders (3-6) were beat-up by Seahawks (6-2), 14-38

Chiefs (5-4) run out of town by Bills (6-2), 21-28

Grandma and Beck in the Play Area
Glen Burnie, MD
November 2, 2025

4. The partial government shutdown continues. I am amazed at the ignorance of the republicans who try to spin the shutdown for anything other than what it is: republicans do not want to negotiate with democrats to reopen the government for the good of the American people. Furthermore, the issue is that republicans do not want to provide healthcare for millions of Americans and the insistence that democrats want to provide healthcare for undocumented immigrants is patently false--but they keep spewing it. BTW, how can there be any meaningful negotiation or even a compromise as long as the Speaker of the House keeps the chamber out of session until the shutdown is over? Any compromise spending plan would require House approval before it is implemented but the House won't be able to approve it since they are out of session. Insanity reigns.

5. Today in History. One World Trade Center officially opens in Manhattan on November 3, 2014. The new tower, along with the rest of the World Trade Center complex, replaced the Twin Towers and surrounding complex, which were destroyed by terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

As the city and the nation reeled from the attacks, which set into motion the series of U.S-led military operations dubbed the War on Terror, it was decided that the Twin Towers should be replaced by new office buildings, parks, a museum, and a memorial to those who died. In 2002, after cleanup and recovery efforts had concluded, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation announced a competition to find the chief architect of the new structure. Daniel Libeskind, a Polish-American architect then in charge of a studio in Berlin, won and became the site’s master planner. In reality, however, a number of people and entities, including then-Governor George Pataki, leaseholder Larry Silverstein, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, wrestled over what would happen to the space commonly referred to as “Ground Zero.”

Trump says no Tomahawks for Ukraine, for now - Reuters

US economy at risk of wobble as lower-income consumers get squeezed - Reuters

Afghanistan, Pakistan have been hit by a spate of quakes in recent years - Reuters

Why DOJ election monitors in California and New Jersey are setting off alarms - MSNBC

Trump tells '60 Minutes' he 'won't be extorted' by Democrats as shutdown enters Day 34 - MSNBC

CNN Poll Americans are broadly dissatisfied with the state of the country and the economy - CNN

7 power banks that meet TSA battery rules and keep your devices charged on the go  - CNN

Commanders star quarterback leaves field with horrific injury as playoff hopes fade - FoxNews

Most Americans doubt Trump’s commitment to free speech and fair justice, poll finds - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

A Cold Morning for Golf

12th Tee
Timbers at Troy, Elkridge, MD
November 1, 2025

Did you Remember? 

Turn your clocks back 1 hour!

Yesterday was a golf morning with my son Jeremy. We had a mid-morning Tee-time, but the temperature was still only in the 40's when we whacked our first golf ball of the day. 

Jeremy remarked that this time of year may be the best in terms of golf course beauty. The leaves were vibrant and the fairways and greens completely recovered from the stress of the too hot and dry summer. 

Morning on the Course
2nd Tee, Timbers at Troy, Elkridge, MD
November 1, 2025

Because I am not playing regularly my game was, as expected, ragged. But we had fun. We are paired up with two other golfers who were a lot of fun. We enjoyed making quips about our shots, or miss shots. We played fairly slowly taking 4.5 hours to complete the round. 

I was surprised that we did not seen any wildlife during our round. We usually see deer, woodchucks, and rabbits at Timbers. Maybe it was too cold. 

After golf Jeremy and I enjoyed lunch at Primanti Brothers and caught up on life. 

After lunch I returned to Odenton to watch Georgia come from behind and win again and then it was 11 innings of Game 7 of the World Series. Congrats to the Dodgers!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Cutest Little Dinosaur

Grandma with Beck
Hanover, MD
October 31, 2025

 The trip north was principally to celebrate Halloween with Beck, our youngest grandchild. 

We were successful in that endeavor. 

Although it was cold and very windy, we enjoyed a fun Halloween Trunk & Treat at Beck's childcare center. I was amazed at how many children were there, this place is huge!

Cute costume at Trunk & Treat
Hanover, MD
October 31, 2025

Chris got some great quality time with Beck, both during the festivities and later back at the house. I also got some much needed quality time with the youngest Doan. I only wish the winds had not been so strong, but yesterday was definitely a windy day.

There were a lot of cute costumes at the Trunk & Treat. The one in the image is of a toddler wearing a dinosaur but walking. Her feet are in the dinosaur's feet. It was a great costume. Even with the really strong, cold wind we had fun. 

This may have been our best Halloween in years because Halloween in our community in Florida is a bust! 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Back to Autumn

Happy Halloween!

Be Safe 

Autumn Path
Odenton, MD
October 30, 2025

There is no season as colorful as autumn, especially in the Northeast.

Chris and I managed a walk in the leaves and trees yesterday. It was a beautiful day with the temperature about 68 degrees. It was comfortable even for us Florida residents. 

I have been having trouble deciding if the leaves are at peak color, past-peak, or still coming to peak. It is the amount of still-green trees that make me think that peak is still to come. But there are areas where it is definitely past peak. We saw some areas definitely past peak as we traveled to Annapolis yesterday.  

Deer in the Distance
Odenton, MD
October 30, 2025

I am having a lot of fun trying out my new iPhone with the drastically improved camera.

Chris called to me when she spied some deer in the distance. I told her it would not make a good image, but decided to try out my improved camera. I was wrong. Instead of the deer becoming lost in the underbrush and being too fuzzy to even realize they were deer, the camera came through with a very nice image. It became a nice autumn scene. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD