Monday Musings - June 30, 2025

 

1. The end of the month of June has arrived. This is the last Monday of the month and we have arrived at the halfway point of the year. As expected, there are 26 Mondays remaining in the year. 

Finn in the Lead
Tequesta, FL
June 29, 2025

2. Finnegan led the way on our walk yesterday. It was hot and humid, but he took the almost 1.5 mile walk in stride. It was good to tire him out. 

3. I remain stunned by the Supreme Court rulings that were rendered on Friday. It may be heresy, but I wonder if some of the justices are not as impartial in their reading of the law and the Constitution as they claimed during their hearings. One commentator saw the ruling as follows:

The law regarding birthright citizenship is clear and well-established. Nor can Presidents rewrite amendments to the Constitution with a stroke of a pen. So why, in this particular case, where the injunctions prevent the administration from doing something that is so clearly wrong and will be so harmful—depriving newborns of citizenship—would the Court decide it’s the right time to take the step of pushing aside the injunctions? It’s hard to believe there was a sudden upswell of concern about protecting the defenseless presidency from overreach by the courts. This case will have real impacts on real people’s lives 30 days from now, and when, or rather if (because there are concerns the solicitor general will posture to keep the substantive birthright citizenship issue out of the sights of the Court) the Court decides that Trump was wrong a couple of years down the road, many people will have been damaged in ways that will be hard to undo. Not all of them will have the resources to find a lawyer and file a lawsuit of their own.  (Civil Discourse with Joyce Vance)

4. The Orioles are back at 11 games under .500 (36-47). They need to continue doing what they did over the weekend, by winning a series from the Tampa Bay Rays, to have a glimmer of hope at being in the playoffs. They need a .608 record the rest of the way, meaning they must win 48 of the remaining 79 games. Time is short. I heard it estimated that it would take 84 winds to squeak into the playoffs as the last Wild Card team. It is time for Orioles Magic.  

5. I am personally very much against the budget bill now being discussed in the Senate. It is bad governance. I am very much against the bill because it allocates too much money for immigration enforcement and building the wall at the expense of Americans and seeks to vilify those who rely on Medicaid by suggesting that they are laggards who should work instead of being on Medicaid. If America first doesn't focus on Americans, then who is it for? Oh yea, I get it--the oligarchs. 

6. Today in History (modified). On this date in 1934 occurred the “Night of the Long Knives,” in which German dictator Adolf Hitler had his elite SS guards summarily execute many leading officials of the SA, a Naziparamilitary group.

Syrian forces massacred 1,500 Alawites. The chain of command led to Damascus. - Reuters

Canada rescinds digital services tax to advance stalled trade talks with US - Reuters

Immigration raids leave crops unharvested, California farms at risk - Reuters

Ukraine F-16 pilot killed in large-scale Russian attack - Reuters

The real reason Republicans are rushing to pass the Trump megabill - MSNBC

Senate rejects War Powers Act measure on Trump, additional military strikes on Iran - MSNBC

Israeli attack on Tehran facility leaves 71 dead, as nuclear concerns linger - FoxNews

Man arrested after disrupting Senate debate on Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' - FoxNews

The bill could change the federal government and U.S. economy. Here’s what’s in it. - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Across the New Bridge

Control Center
US-1 Highway Bridge over
the Loxahatchee River
June 28, 2025

 I rode across the new US-1 bridge over the Loxahatchee River yesterday. It was exciting and I have wanted to ride the bridge for a while. I made the ride whilst completing a 16+ mile ride. 

Riding across the new bridge was a lot easier than the previous bridge. The bike lane is wide. The previous bridge didn't to have bike lane and I had to ride next to (or in) traffic. I remember sitting in traffic when the bridge had opened and nearly suffocating from the exhaust of the car next to me. The span is easier to ride across as well because it is fully concrete as opposed to the open metal grates of the previous bridge. 

I enjoyed riding over this bridge as opposed to its predecessor. I think I may develop a regular route that includes this bridge into my riding plans because it will allow me to ride along the ocean. While the breeze was in my face heading out yesterday, it was as refreshing as a breeze at 85 degrees could be. 

I videoed of a portion of my ride across the bridge.

 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Math is Wrong

 Alligator Alcatraz! 

Catchy name, but everything else about it is wrong. 

It seems that the governments (Federal and Florida) are excited about the prospect of opening an immigrant detention camp in the middle of the Everglades on an abandoned airfield. 

The worst to operate the facility annually will be $450M to house up to 5,000 immigrants pending deportation. 

I did the math. 

It comes to $90K per year per person (a/k/a detainee) housed at the facility. 

That money comes through Medicaid cuts and other programmatic reductions for Americans! This makes no sense. Are we becoming a country of prisons and camps. 

The airfield was abandoned for a good reason some 50 years ago: to preserve the environment. Reactivating the airfield and housing people there is a bad decision made by people who have no regard for either less fortunate Americans or the environment.

The math is not good for the economy or the environment. 

Who comes up with these crazy ideas? 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Boats and Storms

Chris and Finn at the Helm on the ICW
Heading Back to the Marina
June 26, 2025

Blue Skies Heading Out at 9:52 AM
Manatee Pocket, Port Salerno, FL
June 26, 2025

Boat day was short yesterday. I could write that it was a tale of two hours. The first hour was blessed with blue skies and calm waters.

We enjoyed the 30 minute trip to our favorite boat-only access beach on Peck's Lake. The winds were fair and the water almost smooth. Being a weekday, there were few other boats plying the waters. I enjoy having the ICW to myself.

We checked out a Bayliner yesterday. I like these boats because they have a ladder in the front which makes for easy egress when we slide up onto a beach or sandbar. It does not handle as nice as the Cobias, but I have gotten used to it and it handles a lot better than the Hurricanes.

We arrived at the beach and got set up to enjoy beach time, but when I checked the weather I was amazed at how it had all changed in the short while since we departed the marina. The storm tracker showed a mixed bag of storms, some with lightening, headed our way and already in Stuart, which is where we had planned to enjoy lunch. 

The Storm from Manatee Pocket at 11:22 AM
Port Salerno, FL
June 26, 2025

Stuart is north of the marina and we were on a beach to the south. I estimated we had about 50 minutes to get back to the marina before the storms arrived. We packed up after enjoying about 10 minutes on the beach and started motoring back.

As we were motoring in Manatee Pocket towards the marina, the storm clouds were very threatening. Chris was very relieved when we tied-up and made it to the car before the rains started. And they did. As we were leaving the marina the rain started. 

We beat the storm, but our total boat time was short of 2 hours--not the day that I had envisioned, but safety of the passengers and vessel is the most important aspect of boating. And it is just not fun to boat in the rain and wind.

There will be more days to enjoy on the water. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Grooming Day

 

Keeping a Watchful Eye
Tequesta, FL
June 26, 2025

Yesterday was grooming day for Finn. He hates going to the groomer. I think it is separation anxiety from Chris, but he handles it fairly well. He is becoming used to the process. 

I have to admit, he smells a lot better when he returns. 

They brushed his teeth yesterday. I'm sure that was an experience for him. He hates having things put into his mouth, sometimes that includes food!

This morning, he came down and kept a watchful on the activity of the house. I'm sure he suspects that something is afoot. He does that many mornings and he usually couples that with a few more minutes of shut-eye. 

Today, however, he is getting a surprise. We are going boating and he is joining us! He likes the boat, but does get a bit nervous if the waves are rough. That can be a problem because he gets under my feet for safety. Haha. Right. Safe for whom?

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

At the Marina

Blowing Rocks Marina
Tequesta, FL
June 23, 2025

 It was a typical Tuesday in South Florida. It was hot, but not as hot as north of here where extreme heat warnings were issued for most of the East Coast. We had normal heat and humidity--which can be very enjoyable.

Pelican
Blowing Rocks Marina, Tequesta, FL
June 23, 2025

Chris and I made our usual Tuesday trek to the local watering hole. We enjoy the afternoon breezes coming off the ICW and watching the fishermen return from a day on the water. The sky was blue and punctuated with bright puffy clouds, but there was no rain.

A pelican arrived as we were enjoying the scene and provided some live entertainment before the band began cranking out noise. 

It was relaxing; sitting along the edge of the marina enjoying the scene and the breeze off the water.

I am beginning to really enjoy the idea of Tuesday. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL  

Frost Science Museum, Aquarium & Planetarium

Fish in the Aquarium
Frost Science Museum, Miami, FL
June 23, 2025

 Chris and I agreed to take Jeremy and Julie to the Miami Cruise Port yesterday. We decided to make it a day trip and planned a stop at the Frost Science Museum after dropping them off at the port. The museum is located near the cruise port and it was fairly easy to get from the port to the museum. 

The museum has its own parking garage, which I found a bit expensive at a flat rate of $18. But, the museum is right in the downtown area of Miami and the prices are not that high when considering other cities like Baltimore or NYC. 

Moray Eel
Frost Science Museum, Miami, FL
June 23, 2025

While at the museum, I was able to get a nice image of Freedom of the Seas, Jeremy and Julie's home for the next four nights, from the fifth floor observation deck. But that was just the beginning. The museum if full of exciting things to do and the centerpiece is the three-story aquarium with associated exhibits about Florida environs. Fantastic!! I  one of the Florida specific exhibits, I saw a barracuda that would definitely make me leave the water. 

Three Wheel Enigma
Frost Science Museum, Miami, FL
June 23, 2025

But wait! There is more to the five-story museum. Currently, an AI exhibit is being hosted and the museum also has a planetarium and a dinosaur exhibit titled, "The Dig." We did not explore the entire museum, saving some for a return trip. 

I was very excited about the AI exhibit. Inside of it I found a a three-wheel Enigma machine from WW2. There were also 1951 letters to and from Alan Turing discussing the possibility of a chess playing machine. 

There is a lot to see and experience in the museum. And, there is a very nice cafe to obtain beverages and food. 

It was definitely a great way to make the most out of the two-hour each way trip from home to Miami! Maybe next time I will use the train. 

Recommendation. The Frost Science Museum, Aquarium & Planetarium is a must visit when in Miami. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - June 23, 2025

 

1. It is the 4th Monday of June. The Summer Solstice happened Friday. There are 27 Mondays remaining in the year. 

Jer, Chris and Julie on the Sandbar
Jupiter, FL
June 22, 2025

2. Boating day was a huge success. The weather was a bit touch and go, but I determined that the rain and thunderstorms were going to remain inland from us and so we risked the weather and were rewarded with a fantastic afternoon of boating. The highlight was enjoying time on a local sandbar after which we motored to a restaurant and tied up the boat for lunch. Following that we toured the area before returning the boat to the marina.

3. Is anyone else concerned? The president looks as if he is getting us involved in another Middle East War. The same man who promised to end Ukraine-Russia within 24-hour of being elected. His actions by failing to support Ukraine fully have likely extended the conflict and resulted in the deaths many more Russians and Ukrainians. And now, Iran?

Looking at the New US-1 Bridge
Loxahatchee River, FL
June 22, 2025

4. Chris and I watched the 50th Anniversary showing of Jaws the other evening. This movie was one that she started every summer with while watching the grandsons! We will need to keep the tradition going as Beck gets older.

5. How about the O's? They had crawled up to 10 games under .500, but lost 2 of 3 to the Yankees to fall to 11 games under. And now Adley Rutschman is on the DL. Well at least they are only 12 games out of first and 6.5 games out of the Wild Card. Ugh. There remains a lot of baseball to play. 

6. Today in History. Well, it happened. They changed the website format and I cannot find the stories that I used to be able to access for my weekly history. I will keep looking and maybe return this item for next week. 

Iran issues warning to 'gambler' Trump: We will end this war - Reuters

Hague NATO summit aims to focus on Trump's spending goal but Iran looms large - Reuters

Russian attacks on Kyiv kill seven and injure dozens, Ukraine says - Reuters

Senate Democrats now have regrets about Kristi Noem. If only someone warned them. - MSNBC

Analysis Sweeping GOP budget bill illuminates the central fault line in the modern Republican coalition - CNN

‘Jaws’ turns 50. It changed pop culture and our perception of sharks - CNN

Russia says countries may supply nuclear warheads to Iran after US strikes on key facilities - FoxNews

Texas governor signs MAHA bill to add warning labels to food products - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Sunday Funday

Crepe Myrtle in Turtle Creek
Tequesta, FL
June 21. 2025

 Chris and I are expecting a very exciting day. Jeremy and Julie are scheduled to board an aircraft soon and fly-in for an overnight visit before heading off on a cruise out of Miami. We have a fun day planned on the water followed by a relaxing at the house for the evening.  

I have a boat reserved and we should have fun exploring the sandbars which appear at low tide with hundreds of our new best friends. 

Yesterday, I enjoyed a 17 mile ride through Tequesta. The crepe myrtle are in full bloom and I saw this one that made be take notice because of the deep color. 

Here's hoping you have a great Sunday!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Caught

Chris and Finn
Tequesta, FL
June 20, 2025

 Priceless. That is the expression on Chris's face as I caught her napping on the sofa with Finn. I wordlessly grabbed my phone to catch the scene as she was sleeping, but for some reason she woke up just as I took the image. 

What else is there to do on the longest daylight of the year? Nap, of course. 

We had had a busy morning and had just completed lunch. It was, after all, siesta time! Finn is a great bed buddy. 

We finished off the day entertaining friends and had an enjoyable Happy Hour  followed by a summertime dinner of hamburgers, potato salad, and cooked squash. Somewhere along the way we forgot to serve dessert!

Welcome weekend.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL