The day after Christmas

 Happy Boxing Day

I learned about the day after Christmas when I was in High School while working part-time after school at a men's clothing store.  The day after Christmas was, in this store, the busiest day of the year. The store was swamped with returns and exchanges not to mention people anxious to spend their Christmas money. 

I do not recall the store conducting an after-Christmas sale on the day after Christmas. Usually that was a bit later. But on the sales floor, we were swamped. It was total anarchy from opening at 9 AM until closing at 5 PM, unless, as it is this year, the day after Christmas was a Friday and then the store was open until 9 PM.

My Dad was a manager at the store and at the end of the day we would walk, exhausted, to his car to head home. We did a lot of father-son bonding during the short couple of years that I worked at the store. It is a good memory. 

I never knew that the day after Christmas was also Boxing Day. I only learned of Boxing Day some years later. To my knowledge, American society has never given a name to the day after Christmas, unlike Black Friday which as we know is the day after Thanksgiving. 

That clothing store is long gone. It is just a shell of itself on Cayuga Street in Ithaca. I likely will never pass by it again, but I remember working on the sales floor as well as pressing clothes after the tailors had altered them, washing the windows, straightening stock, shoveling snow, breaking ice, vacuuming every night, taking out the garbage, and doing whatever the owner thought needed to be done. 

But I also remember my Dad. And the day after Christmas.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Happy Christmas 2025

 

Family Pajama Christmas Eve Brunch
Glen Burnie, MD
December 24, 2025

Christmas Eve was a fun-filled family day and Christmas morning has likewise been fun with family.

Marley Creek
Glen Burnie, MD
December 24, 2025

We did something different for the traditional Christmas Eve brunch by having each family arrive in pajamas. It was something fun and added a new twist to our gathering. The family posed for the annual picture still in their pajamas. After most of the others departed, Chris and I stayed for a while and enjoyed time with Baby Beck, who was fighting a cold he acquired at day care, but he was in a remarkably good mood and enjoyed a late afternoon walk down to the water.

The day was pleasantly warm and the walk to Marley Creek was very nice. The sunset was stunning.

Chris, Finn, and Me
Odenton, MD
December 25, 2025

Christmas Day dawned continuing the warmer trend. While not the 80's of the South Carolina beaches, it was still very comfortable and nice. We enjoyed a sumptuous Christmas breakfast of waffles and then descended upon the Christmas tree and the gifts. Santa was very generous. I guess I was a good boy this year, and why he doesn't know won't hurt him!

Now, it is time for games and fun as we relax and enjoy the day.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those in need and I am keeping our military personnel and civilian first-responders in the forefront of my mind. I know there are so many unsung heroes on the frontlines, whether the front is here in America or in some place around the world. 

May you find peace and joy wherever this Christmas Day finds you.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Christmas Eve 2025

 Happy Christmas Eve

For our family, the festivities begin this morning and continue through tomorrow. 

It is exciting this year with a new grandson who is experiencing his first Christmas. Actually, it was a lot of fun shopping for him. Who can possibly resist buying trucks and tractors for an almost one-year old? 

It was very easy to get pulled into the noise and hustle this season, but we resisted. Chris and I managed to get our Christmas cards addressed and mailed in a more relaxed manner and although we have had an aggressive travel schedule, we are looking forward to the next couple of days. We even have the presents wrapped. Well, I may have to wrap an additional gift we bought for Beck, the youngest grandson, yesterday. 

Now, it's time for family. 

I don't expect to listen to or watch the news until Friday. 

White Christmas? 

Thankfully, no! I am looking forwards to the projected high of 51 degrees for both today and tomorrow! Maybe snow on Friday. 

Of course, not everyone can be with their families on this holiday season. I am remembering the first responders, those working shift work, and of course our military personnel across the world and here at home and send them a special thank you for their service!

May the peace and joy of Christmas be with you today and throughout the New Year.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

A Great Day for Flying

Route 301 Bridge over the Potomac
Dahlgren, VA
December 22, 2025

 The trip north on a Southwest flight was, believe it or not, enjoyable. Yes, the airports were jammed with holiday travelers. There was even a line for baggage checkin at the Palm Beach International Southwest counters. I've never been in a line there before. TSA moved passengers through security screening in an expeditious manner and we enjoyed some time in the lounge before arriving at the gate about five minutes before boarding began. Actually, the pre-boarders were already being assisted down the jetway as we took our place in line. 

Our Flight Route
Southwest 2489 PBI-BWI
December 22, 2025

Our flight route took us out over the Atlantic and we went feet-dry over the Carolinas with Cape Fear in sight. It was one of the clearest flying days that I can remember and the sight of the coast from Cape Fear running to the north was stunning. The strip of sandy beach sandwiched between the spit of land and the ocean was very evident all the way to the horizon. I failed to take a picture of it for posterity, but I later took an image as we passed by Dahlgren, VA, and the Route 301 bridge crossing the Potomac River that I have had the pleasure of traversing on multiple occasions.

The jet was completely full, but the 2h 25m flight was still enjoyable. The only disturbing part was that we arrived in Baltimore 15 minutes early, but had to wait on the tarmac for the gate to open for 20 minutes. That meant we actually arrived at the gate 5 minutes late. I do not enjoy when that happens--and then, there was about another 10 minute wait until the cabin door was opened and we could begin the deplaning process. I am glad I did not have a connecting flight. 

Did I mention that there was no internet service? That was an annoyance, but fortunately, I did not have anything worthwhile to work on and so I sat back and enjoyed the flight crammed into a middle seat so that Chris could enjoy the window seat. We try to take an aisle and a window seat leaving the middle empty and hoping no one is anxious to sit between us, but with the jet being full I resigned myself to the middle seat even though I had an "A" boarding pass. I guess all of that goes away next month when Southwest begins assigning seats. 

I really cannot expect much more when traveling during the busy holiday season. I guess I am now an official traveler holiday statistic.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday Musings - December 22, 2025

 

View from Jupiter Lighthouse
Jupiter, FL
November 14, 2025

1. The penultimate Monday of the year has arrived. Christmas is three days hence. 2025 is quickly becoming history and I am looking forward to a fresh start in another year. I think the country needs it.

2. NFL Family Football Report. The abysmal NFL season continues for the family teams. Collectively, they went 1-5 this week. The Ravens hopes for a playoff berth are on life-support after losing last evening to the Patriots. The teams are 38-51-1, .428. 

Ravens (7-8) lost to Patriots (12-3), 28-24 

Dolphins (6-9) drowned by Bengals (5-10), 21-45

Steelers (9-6) defeated Lions (8-7), 29-24

Commanders (4-11) owned by Eagles (10-5), 18-29

Cowboys (6-8-1) were electrocuted by Chargers (11-4), 17-34 

Chiefs (6-9) were were stomped by Titans (3-12) 9-26

3. The weather in South Florida has been awesome. Chris and I did a short bike ride yesterday. It will be the last ride of 2025 as we head north today for Christmas. I rode 1517 miles during the year. Not my best in terms of total miles, but still a solid year given the amount of travel that we did.

4. Is anyone else concerned that the president selected a special envoy to Greenland? Are we going to get into a conflict with NATO and steal Greenland? USAToday

5. Today in History. On December 22, 1956, a baby gorilla named Colo enters the world at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio, becoming the first-ever gorilla born in captivity. Weighing in at approximately 4 pounds, Colo, a western lowland gorilla whose name was a combination of Columbus and Ohio, was the daughter of Millie and Mac, two gorillas captured in French Cameroon, Africa, who were brought to the Columbus Zoo in 1951. Before Colo’s birth, gorillas found at zoos were caught in the wild, often by brutal means. In order to capture a gorilla when it was young and therefore still small enough to handle, hunters frequently had to kill the gorilla’s parents and other family members.

Gorillas are peaceful, intelligent animals, native to Africa, who live in small groups led by one adult male, known as a silverback. There are three subspecies of gorilla: western lowland, eastern lowland and mountain. The subspecies are similar and the majority of gorillas in captivity are western lowland. Gorillas are vegetarians whose only natural enemy is the humans who hunt them. On average, a gorilla lives to 35 years in the wild and 50 years in captivity.

Syrians emptied Assad’s prisons. They’re filling up again, and abuse is rife - Reuters

Trump names Louisiana governor as Greenland special envoy, prompting Danish alarm - Reuters

Japan prepares to restart world's biggest nuclear plant, 15 years after Fukushima - Reuters

US pursuing third oil tanker near Venezuela, officials say - Reuters

CBS shelves ‘60 Minutes’ story on Trump deportees at the last minute: ‘People are threatening to quit,’ staffers say - CNN

A $6 billion nuclear deal has Trump’s name all over it. It’s raising serious ethics concerns - CNN

Russian general killed by Moscow car bomb, in latest attack on top military officers - CNN

Republicans and Democrats pitch competing plans to tackle affordability - The Washington Post

JD Vance to Turning Point crowd: ‘You don’t have to apologize for being white anymore" - MSNow

Lions' last-second TD overturned as Steelers snatch victory in wild finish - FoxNews

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Enjoying the Lights at Night

Happy Solstice

Winter or Summer Begins

 

The shortest day of the year for the Northern Hemisphere and the longest for the Southern Hemisphere has arrived!

We will be enjoying 10H 29M of sunlight today in Tequesta. For our family near Baltimore, they will enjoy only 9H 27M of sunlight! Conversely, in Sydney, NSW, Australia, they will enjoy 14H 27M of beautiful Summer sunshine.

Christmas Lights Along the Street
Port St Lucie, FL
December 20, 2025

Chris and I were in Port St Lucie last evening for dinner. It was fun being in a different neighborhood as darkness fell and the Christmas lights illuminated the street. This particular street was fully decorated, there may have been only one house not displaying festive holiday decorations. A huge contrast from our boring condo community where we didn't even put lights up on the welcome sign.  

Dinner and the conversation during the evening was fabulous. I was advised that I may have monopolized the discussion a bit, but we had a very deep discussion about the Netflix production, House of Dynamite. Finnegan even enjoyed being around his favorite cat friend, Tigger. 

A great holiday evening and a very nice way to celebrate the arrival of the Solstice.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Nighttime Reflection

 We enjoyed a great dinner last evening with friends. It was a festive holiday dinner complete with great conversation in advance of our upcoming travels. Their house was very festively decorated for the seasons. 

I spent time out on the lanai for a while after sunset taking in the scene across the lake. The dark lake was flat and reflected the lights of the houses on the far shore like an impressionist painting. The palms on the near shore provided some depth to the image. 

The South Florida evening was perfect. It was the kind of evening that I need to remember during the Dog Days when the temperatures do not fall below the mid-80s and sunset in after 8 PM. But, for now, I enjoy the evenings and look forward to them through at least February. Next week, we return to the Maryland winter. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Across the Bridge

Looking East from the New US-1 Bridge
Jupiter, FL
December 13, 2025

 Biking across bridges in South Florida often results in seeing some of the most stunning scenes. Of course, driving a car across the bridges provides a similar, only more brief view. And as the driver, I often cannot fully comprehend and enjoy the scene. 

Looking West to the New US-1 Bridge
Jupiter, FL
November 5, 2025

The first year anniversary of the new US-1 bridge across the ICW and Loxahatchee River is upon us. The bridge has returned to a normal part of life since the reopening, but I remember the traffic disaster in Tequesta during the construction.

A couple of days ago, I embarked on a 16-mile bike ride, crossing the newly constructed US-1 Bridge twice. I couldn’t help but marvel at the significant improvement in the bridge’s design compared to the previous span. Gone are the steel grates that posed a risk of losing balance; instead, there’s a dedicated bike lane. The breathtaking views from the bridge are simply stunning. On the day of my ride, the sky was a mesmerizing blend of blue and clouds, and the Intra Coastal Waterway (ICW) was relatively calm. Traffic was light, allowing me to effortlessly ascend to what may be the highest elevation in Jupiter, excluding the lighthouse.   

The view in each direction is stunning. I wanted to stop and linger, but there is a solid divider between the bike lane and the pedestrian walkway where the rest area is located. 

I checked my ride log for 2025, and I expect to complete over 1500 miles this year. That is lower than previous years as I have not to been riding as often lately due to travel. 

The ride across the bridge, however, was memorable and I am adding that circuit into my ride rotation. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Quiet Evening at Home

On the Veranda
Tequesta, FL
December 17, 2025

 With what promises to be a very busy final week before Christmas, Chris and I chose to relax at home last evening. We filled our tabletop fire pit with ethanol and enjoyed some wine and munchies while watching the news of the day on the veranda.

The temperature was perfect, low 70s, and we were out of the wind. Our fire pit was working perfectly and most importantly, Chris was relaxing. It is December evenings like that which remind us how enjoyable life can be in South Florida. While most of the rest of the country is freezing, literally, we are enjoying moderate temperatures. The temperature range yesterday was a low of 71 degrees to a high of 78 degrees. Very enjoyable. 

We completed our Christmas shopping during the day! Yay! Now we are entering the deployment phase. Monday we fly to Maryland for a holiday visit. Christmas is front loaded on the visit. 

By the time we return home, it will be time to celebrate the arrival of 2026. Wow, 2025 is disappearing! I guess I am happy to see it go.

I was given an interesting statement to consider yesterday: 

90 percent of the things I worry about never happen. Worrying Works! (The Big Apple)

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

It was COLD

Under the Tiki Hut at Tiki52
Tequesta, FL
December 16, 2025

 I know that it is hard to believe, but it gets cold here in South Florida. Last evening, Chris and I headed off to what was billed as a Country Style Christmas celebration complete with Line Dancing. It was being held at our favorite restaurant, Tiki52. 

The restaurant was festively decorated and a dance area had been raked in the sand to support the line dancing. We were able to get a front row table because we arrived early, which was really at our normal time. 

The wind coming off the ICW made it seem colder than the actual temperature. The temperature started at 71 degrees, by the time we departed it was only 69 and we were cold. I had dressed appropriately in jeans and a sweater, but still, I got cold. It was weird!

We had fun, but although the festivities were supposed to begin at 5:30 PM, there were problems with the sound system and the music was delayed. We waited about an hour before deciding that we were done eating, drinking, and we were cold. So despite that we were having an enjoyable time, we departed. It just got to be too cold. 

So yes, it gets cold here in South Florida, even at 69 degrees!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL