Christmas in the Village

With the Tequesta Christmas Tree
Tequesta, FL
December 9, 2023

 The Village of Tequesta, our hometown, sponsored a Christmas with Santa event last evening. We decided to head over about 6:30 PM, after dinner, to enjoy the festivities. 

The event was well attended with throngs of children enjoying the carousel and other activities. The lines for some of the free activities were very long. But the nice warm evening and the smell of funnel cake made the event a lot of fun, if only for about a half hour. 

It was free fun and the event was only for Tequesta residents--we were asked our address as we entered the area. 

Santa, of course, was there seated in the pavilion and being visited by throngs of adoring children. It was a fun evening and we retired to the house, with friends, to continue the evening over a bottle, or two, of wine.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Open to Opportunities

Rainy Skies over Tequesta
Tequesta, FL
December 9, 2023

 The rain that is falling this morning definitely put a damper on my plans. 

I had panned a 15-mile ride through a local park. But not in the rain. Biking in the rain is just, in a word, miserable!

Last evening, Chris and I enjoyed happy hour at Cooper's Hawk and met a really nice couple that bought our dinner! Wow! When was the last time that happened? We engaged in very wide-ranging discussions about almost everything--including sports, kids, religion and politics. It was great because there were just some places where we agreed to disagree, but did it in a respectful and friendly manner. That is how it is supposed to be. We wound up spending the entire evening with them after meeting them at the tasting bar about 4 PM. 

It is funny how things happen if we are just open to the opportunities.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

December Friday--A Rising Darkness

The end of the workweek brings respite for many.

I think I need a rest as well. It has been a busy week between biking and boating. I have ridden over 44 miles already this week--I had a light ride of only 12 miles on Tuesday and boating on Wednesday meant no ride. 

The weather at least will turn warmer for the weekend here. 

I ran across the following statement during my morning reading and thought I would pass it along for thoughts:

Ultimately, the struggle between fascism and democracy was the question of equality. Were all men really created equal as the Declaration of Independence said, or were some born to lead the rest, whom they held subservient to their will? (Letters from an American)

I was appalled the other morning to see that a former president admitted that he would be a dictator--even if only for one day. That totally ignores the Constitution. Also, hearing his henchmen openly say that they would go after the news media and journalists who didn't to report things the way they wanted is a direct violation off the 1st Amendment. 

There is darkness rising in America.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

It's Cold--but on the Boat

Jupiter Lighthouse
ICW, Jupiter, FL
December 6, 2023

It is Pearl Harbor Day.

Yesterday was a cold morning, but it was a boating day. Due to the expected cold temperatures, I delayed our usual 9 AM pick-up until 10 AM. Still, the temperature was in the low 60s and we were wearing coats as we motored out of the marina. 

US-1, Federal Highway Bridge Construction
ICW, Jupiter, FL
December 6, 2023

Despite the temperature and the wind, it was a beautiful day with a near crystal sky above and blue water beneath us as we headed south in the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). The Jupiter Lighthouse was radiant in the sunlight as we motored by on our way south, ultimately to Lake Worth.

Along the way we enjoyed looking at the boats, houses, mansions, and Christmas decorations. It would be awesome to motor the ICW at night to enjoy the lights, but my boat club does not allow nighttime boating. 

I also had the chance to check out the US-1 Federal Highway bridge construction. The work is moving along and the plan is for one lane to be open each way by next November! I certainly hope so. 

Seasons 52
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
December 6, 2023

We stopped for lunch at Seasons 52. It was my first time teeing up at a dock other than one owned by the club. We did really well getting the boat to the dock and tied up even with the stiff wind and strong current. It was a great lunch sitting outside under cover and out of the wind but watching the boat bob in the water.  

Looking to the Jupiter Inlet
ICW, Jupiter, FL
December 6, 2023

All too soon, we were off again and headed for our home marina.

I wish the good times could never end, but I am sure I would not appreciate them as much in that case. After motoring for about 45 minutes we were in the familiar waters of the ICW in Jupiter and after passing by the US-1 bridge construction we had an unobstructed view of the Jupiter Inlet and the ocean beyond. The water was very blue due to the clear sky and the rising tide which was bringing relatively clear seawater into the ICW.  We made a left turn shortly after I took this image to continue along the ICW and a short ride later and we were safely back in the marina and heading out for the remainder of our day. 

I have to admit, the wind was strong making the day seem a lot colder motoring north rather than south. Going south we had the wind to our backs and we were traveling about a fast as the wind--so it felt like there was no wind and we enjoyed the bright sunshine. But once we started back north--we felt the 60 degree wind its speed doubled by our motion across the water. 

Another great day on the water!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

St Nicholas Day 2023

Christmas Pyramid
Tequesta, FL
December 6. 2023

Happy St Nicholas Day! Did you leave your boots clean and neat outside your door for St Nicholas to fill with candy and chocolates? 

Last evening, in advance of St Nicholas Day, we lit one of our Christmas Pyramids! Two German-made smokers were standing guard.

The pyramids recount the Christmas Story and the candles make the pyramid turn so the story progresses and repeats.

We have four pyramids that we have collected over the years. That is a bit excessive. The one we enjoyed last evening is the largest. We purchased it in Rothenburg, Germany, at the factory store. 

We enjoyed the patterns of the fan blades on the ceiling as the pyramid turned. And of course there may have been a glass of wine, or two, involved. 

Christmas traditions and decorations help remind me of people, places, and things I have seen.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

A Train Went By . . .

 

Brightline Train
Tequesta and N. Old Dixie Highway
Tequesta, FL
December 4, 2023

How can you tell? 

I can see the tracks!

Chris and I did a short 12-mile ride yesterday, but managed to sit at a crossing to wait for the Brightline to pass. It is exciting to have the Brightline passenger train zoom by at 60 mph and be gone in less than a minute as opposed to waiting for the lumbering freight trains that also pass through our village a couple times per day. They last, it seems, forever as they move long lines of freight-laden cars along the tracks. 

I learned a lesson about my iPhone while trying to video the train. The video will not work when the cell is on! Chris and I establish a cell connection when we bike to stay in communication and chat. I did not know that I could not be on the cell and use the video feature at the same time. 

Lesson learned. 

I at least managed to get a few images of the train as it whooshed past.

And then we rode off across the tracks as the train rolled across the drawbridge just down the way. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - December 4, 2023

 

1. Welcome to the first Monday of the last month of the year. There are three Mondays remaining in the year and, well, Christmas is three weeks away.

2. Family NFL Report. It was a rough week for the family teams with only one win. 

Cowboys (9-3) out-dueled Seattle (6-6), 41-35

Commanders (4-9) were drowned by Dolphins (9-3), 45-15

Steelers (7-5) got pooped on by Cardinals (3-10), 10-24

Ravens (9-3) had the week off (thankfully)

Egret on Post
Tequesta, FL
November 9, 2023

3. Riding through Tequesta and across the bridges, we often see birds perched. The other day, this egret stood out against the green background.

4. I must report that my bike now has over 3,000 miles on it. I crossed that threshold on Saturday during a 23 mile ride. Who knew that I could ride that far in almost two years without really trying. 

5.  I have been watching Christmas movies--they almost invariably have happy endings. I wonder if that really translates to real life. 

6. Today in History. On December 4, 1991, Islamic militants in Lebanon release kidnapped American journalist Terry Anderson after 2,454 days in captivity.

As chief Middle East correspondent for the Associated Press, Anderson covered the long-running civil war in Lebanon (1975-1990). On March 16, 1985, he was kidnapped on a west Beirut street while leaving a tennis court. His captors took him to the southern suburbs of the city, where he was held prisoner in an underground dungeon for the next six-and-a-half years.

Anderson was one of 92 foreigners (including 17 Americans) abducted during Lebanon’s bitter civil war. The kidnappings were linked to Hezbollah, or the Party of God, a militant Shiite Muslim organization formed in 1982 in reaction to Israel’s military presence in Lebanon. They seized several Americans, including Anderson, soon after Kuwaiti courts jailed 17 Shiites found guilty of bombing the American and French embassies there in 1983. Hezbollah in Lebanon received financial and spiritual support from Iran.

Israel kills top Hamas commander, IDF says - CNN

Turmoil at pro-DeSantis super PAC hits at critical moment - CNN

Trump is showing how a second term would rewrite the rules of presidential power - CNN

Western start-ups seek to break China's grip on rare earths refining - Reuters

Morning Bid: Buoyant markets hold near year's highs - Reuters

White House says it is nearly out of money to help Ukraine fight war with Russia - Reuters

South Korea flies solid-fuel rocket amid space race with North Korea - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Boat Parade 2023

 

Holiday Sailboat
ICW, Jupiter, FL
December 2, 2023

I love a parade!

Last evening we did something really different. We walked to the Alternate A1A Loxahatchee River Bridge, which has a great view of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), and watched a holiday boat parade. 

Yes--it was after dark. 

Santa and Flamingos
ICW, Jupiter, FL
December 2, 2023

The parade was on the ICW and was preceded by a fireworks barge. The boats in the parade were brightly lit and decorated for the holiday season.

There were hundreds of other people crammed onto the narrow walkway of the bridge watching the brightly lighted boats along with us. One of the boats had Santa being pulled along by flamingos instead of reindeer. 

We were at the end of the parade as the boats went past us and turned around to head home just out of our sight past the US-1 Federal Highway Bridge which is being reconstructed. 

Boats passing 
ICW, Jupiter, FL
December 2, 2023

After a while, there were brightly lighted boats passing both ways in the ICW and it was fun to watch. 

We walked the 1.5 miles to the bridge and back to avoid trying to park where there are few spots. It was an enjoyable nighttime walk and we were surprised at the lack of streetlights and suitable sidewalks along the streets. But, we arrived back home after the parade without injury and having enjoyed the evening festivities. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Yup, the Weekend!

Poinsettias Decorating the Grocery Store
Tequesta, FL
November 9, 2023

Christmas Cactus
Tequesta, FL
December 2, 2023

 Well Saturday has arrived yet once again. 

It is weird because I remember distinctly that last Saturday we were sleeping off the effects of Black Friday and a great family Happy Hour. 

Today, I am back in the warmth of South Florida planning a 20-mile bike ride in the sun leaving in about an hour. 

But, we have decorated the house and the Christmas cactus is even in bloom! I also love the poinsettias that have been planted through out the communities providing a bright entry into the season. 

It is that time of year, I guess. 

I am glad and hope that we can all just enjoy the season without too much drama. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Season Arrived

Happy December! Overnight November because history and December arrived. 

The Tree and Snow Village
Tequesta, FL
December 1, 2023

The tree is up and the decorations, over 10 boxes of them, have been displayed. We are in full Christmas mode here.

The tree is up, the decorations are in place and all that remains are to bring out the Christmas dishes and return the containers to the storage room until they are needed in January to repack the decorations and hold them until next December. 

It is a process. 

But, it brings a cheer to the house. 

I just noticed that I have not yet laid the track for the Polar Express around the base of the tree. Oops! And the sandpipers and fake plant atop the display case still need to be changed out. 

So much for being done!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

'Tis the Season

The Dining Room Ready for the Season
Tequesta, FL
November 30, 2023

 The turkeys and all remembrances of the harvest season are gone and we are full bore into Christmas. 

The tree is up and much of the house has been Christmasfied! Yup. The season has changed and with it not only the decorations but all of the art in out house. We have a complete set of holiday art that replaces our birds and beach-themed wall hangings. We do have some seasonal birds, mostly geese in the snow.

But, we are not done!

We are only half complete and today is Snow Village day. I will install the Snow Village pieces that we retained during the downsizing of last year into the display case and potentially elsewhere as deemed appropriate. 

It is, after all, the holiday season.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Surviving Air Travel

BWI Terminal C
Baltimore, MD
November 28, 2023

 We came, we saw, we made it home. 

It was not very bad for a post holiday travel. The airport was not empty, but it was not crowded either. The jet owe flew home was full--but then they are always full it seems. 

The Southwest desk was pleasantly empty, but processing for the flight still took a lot of time because we travel with a service animal. Thankfully, we arrived early for our flight.

It was cold in Baltimore as we departed and we looked forward to warm South Florida temperatures. It was in the 70s when we arrived at West Palm Beach. Yay. And palm trees!

I do have some feedback for Southwest, however. Loading and unloading the passengers on the aircraft has become a nightmare. There are multitudes of wheel chair and pre-board passengers. The problem is that they are slow, which is why they need pre boarding--but then they sit in the very front of the aircraft. That makes getting out of the plane an equally slow process. Perhaps the wheelchair and pre-board passengers could be seated in the rear of the aircraft. I know it seems harsh, but putting the them in the rear would allow for boarding of other passengers while they are getting seated. There are also two restrooms at the rear--a convenience issue for many. Having them in the rear would allow for faster unloading of passengers and then allow the wheelchair passengers to receive debarkation assistance without slowing the entire process. 

One other comment from yesterday's flight. The captain had the seatbelt sign on for nearly the entire flight and at least the last 1h30m. The captain and first officer were both able to use the restroom facility--but passengers were not supposed to leave their seats to do likewise. Maybe a bit more consideration for the self-loading cargo.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tuesday Travel

 Chris and I are at the end of our Thanksgiving visit to Maryland. 

It is sad to be leaving family and friends, but more moderate temperatures await us in Florida. And we will be there for three warmer weeks until returning for the final push to Christmas. 

I had planned this trip to occur just before and just after the traditional travel dates for the holiday so hopefully the airport will not be a disaster. 

We are supposed to fly when we return, but I am beginning to think about driving since we will need to rent a car when we return. I would not attempt a straight through event, but even adding in hotels I think it will be less expensive for us to drive. It is definitely a point of discussion. 

Well, here is for good flying from Southwest!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday Musings - November 27, 2023

 

1. And it has arrived--the last Monday of November leaving just four Mondays remaining in the year. Christmas is exactly four weeks away!

Nicole's Christmas Tree Arriving
Odenton, MD
November 26, 2023

2. Family NFL Report. The family teams did as good as possible during the long series of games beginning on Thursday. They went 3-1, but two of the teams were playing each other.

Cowboys (8-3) shot-up Commanders (4-8), 45-10

Steelers (7-4) outlasted Bengals (5-6), 16-10

Ravens (9-3) held-off Chargers (4-7), 20-10

Dolphins (8-3) swam past Jets (4-7), 34-13

3. Christmas trees are abounding. Yesterday, Nicole's Christmas tree arrived and was decorated. It was a family event and nearly everyone participated. The Christmas season is off and running. 

4. It is amazing how time flies at the holidays. Fast! Tomorrow is a travel day back to Florida for three weeks of warmth and then we return for Christmas and New Years! Wow!

5. Today in History. On November 27, 1095, Pope Urban II makes perhaps the most influential speech of the Middle Ages, giving rise to the Crusades by calling all Christians in Europe to war against Muslims in order to reclaim the Holy Land, with a cry of “Deus vult!” or “God wills it!”

Born Odo of Lagery, Urban was a protege of the great reformer Pope Gregory VII. Like Gregory, he made internal reform his main focus, railing against simony (the selling of church offices) and other clerical abuses prevalent during the Middle Ages. Urban showed himself to be an adept and powerful cleric, and when he was elected pope in 1088, he applied his statecraft to weakening support for his rivals, notably Clement III.

A US Navy ship responded to a distress call from a commercial tanker. Then ballistic missiles were fired toward it - CNN

15-year-old Pennsylvania boy faces first-degree murder charge in shooting of a homeless man - CNN

4-year-old Israeli American released from captivity as an orphan - CNN

Human Rights Watch says rocket misfire likely cause of deadly Gaza hospital blast - Reuters

March against antisemitism draws 50,000 in London - Reuters

Three dead as storm hits Crimea and Russia's Black Sea coast - Reuters

Negotiators Work to Extend Israel-Hamas Truce - The Wall Street Journal

Investors See Interest-Rate Cuts Coming Soon - The Wall Street Journal

Her last puppy died in the D.C. day care flood. Her new one just got stolen. - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

That's What Saturdays are for

 

I did nothing of value yesterday. 

Amazing. I only left the house once and that was to take Chris to the store to get carrots for the fantastic turkey soup she made. 

What did I do?

I watched college football games. Yes, I was happy that Michigan won. It was one of the best played games that I h ave watched this season. Two very good teams in a pitched battle against each other. That game was always hanging in the balance.

And after that, I enjoyed a couple campy Christmas movies. 

It was a lazy day. I'm guessing that everyone needs a lazy day on occasion, especially at the start of the Christmas crush!

Today will be much busier, of that I am sure. 

Here's hoping that you get to enjoy a lazy day, soon!

--  Bob Doan. Odenton, MD

Black Friday Tales

 I apparently have survived Black Friday. 

Axis and Allies as the game begins
Odenton, MD
November 24, 2023

First, from the Axis and Allies front, you should begin learning either German of Japanese. My partner and I failed to save the world. We played the allies. It was a difficult day for us as Russia fell quickly and the UK and USA could not coordinate their activities. At one point the Japanese briefly held San Francisco--and if you know anything about the game there is no way that should happen. Thank goodness it was but a game and not reality.

The leftovers were great! Especially the Apple pie, which I did not get a chance to sample on Thanksgiving.

Happy Hour at or son's house was fun. We watched the last quarter of the NFL Black Friday game where the Dolphins crushed the Jets and then sang along to an impromptu Garth Brooks concert that was live from his new bar in Nashville. We are huge Garth fans.

I confess, I did not purchase anything either online or from a brick and mortar store yesterday. Does that put me in the minority of Americans?

And now the weekend is upon us. I am feeling like Christmas decorations will soon be retrieved from the storage room.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Black Friday 2023

 

Shoppers, start your computers or engines. The time has arrived to break open the piggy bank and hit the stores, be they online or brick and mortar. 

Today is also the day we gather to play Axis and Allies. It is a day when most of the leftovers are consumed along with some adult beverages. Today's field of players is smaller than in past years, but it should be a lot of fun. The women will shop and the guys will play games. That seems to be exactly how it is supposed to be. 

It is great that we have traditions associated with the holiday. I know that many of us look forward to the game, although we rarely finish the contest because it takes over an hour per turn. But it is fun!

I hope that whatever your holiday traditions may be that you enjoy them and are with friends and family.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Thanksgiving 2023

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wherever you may be, take a moment to reflect upon the blessings you have received this year. I know, it may be hard in the face of tragedy and loss, but there are blessings to remember. 

I hope that you can gather with family and friends to celebrate and reflect. 

Here are my football predictions for the day:

Lions over Packers by 7

Cowboys over Commanders by 10

Seahawks over 49ers by 2

If my record holds, I will be 0-3

Happy Thanksgiving!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Holiday in the Rain

Ready for Christmas
Turf Valley Town Square, MD
November 21, 2023

 I experienced the rain yesterday. It arrived right on schedule and remained through the entire day making driving a lot of fun, especially last night coming back from Ellicott City. 

Chris and I enjoyed Happy Hour with friends and outside the restaurant was their Christmas fireplace and chairs. The only problem was that they were wet. Very wet. A nostalgic scene drowned by the rain. This morning seems nicer, no rain but cold.

Thanksgiving is upon us. 

I wish you and your family the joys of being together and giving thanks for blessings. I know many of us carry hurt and pain, but focus on the living and those we are with while remembering those who have gone on ahead of us and be thankful for the time they were with us.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Preparing for the Rain

Weather Radar 7:35 AM
November 21, 2023
Accuweather

 Apparently, the region is going to received a drought-ending rain soaking during the next two days. I admit I was amazed at the low water level in the storm water collection pond. I remember earlier in the year watching families of Canada Geese in the water, and the water level was much higher.

The rain has not yet arrived, but it is clear from the current weather radar that it will arrive soon. And be everywhere.

I really did not realize the this area was experiencing dry and near drought conditions. Being so close to the Chesapeake I wonder how that could happen. Upon further reading however, I discovered that the smoke from the Canadian fires, which are still not extinguished, affected the rain quantities. Some of the fires are expected to burn through the winter and continue to be a problem next year. 

Well, as for today, I guess I will be confined mostly inside. 

That is not a bad thing, it just is.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday Musings - November 20, 2023

1. Welcome to the third Monday of November. There are just five Mondays remaining in 2023! That is truly a scary thought. I am definitely not ready for Christmas, or Thanksgiving for that matter.

2. Family NFL Report. It was another mixed results week with the family teams going 2-2 again.

Commanders (4-7) lost to Giants (3-8), 19-31

Cowboys (7-3) handled Giants (1-9), 33-10

Steelers (6-4) came up short against Browns (7-3), 10-13

Ravens (8-3) smoked Bengals (5-5), 34-20

Dolphins (7-3) got past Raiders (5-6), 20-13

Out the Back Window
Tanyard Shores, Glen Burnie, MD
November 20, 2023

3. This morning I woke up in Glen Burnie after a day of football and celebrating with family. We had a great time. I looked out the back window just as the sun was rising on the construction of the over-55 homes. It was an interesting scene against the colorful sky. 

4. Spin management. I think that the spin management SpaceX is doing over their recent rocket failure is amazing. I don't think they actually have admitted it failed--it just came up a bit short on the flight's objectives, but we still learned a lot. Yup, about how to fail and not admit it.

5. This is news, why? One headline (copied below) from the The Wall Street Journal this morning is about Travis and Taylor. This headline appeared top be above the fold. Why?

6. Today in History. Twenty-four high-ranking Nazis go on trial in Nuremberg, Germany, for atrocities committed during World War II beginning on November 20, 1945.

The Nuremberg trials were conducted by an international tribunal made up of representatives from the United States, the Soviet Union, France and Great Britain. It was the first trial of its kind in history, and the defendants faced charges ranging from crimes against peace, to crimes of war, to crimes against humanity. Lord Justice Geoffrey Lawrence, the British member, presided over the proceedings, which lasted 10 months and consisted of 216 court sessions.

On October 1, 1946, 12 architects of Nazi policy were sentenced to death. Seven others were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 10 years to life, and three were acquitted. Of the original 24 defendants, one, Robert Ley, committed suicide while in prison, and another, Gustav Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach, was deemed mentally and physically incompetent to stand trial. Among those condemned to death by hanging were Joachim von Ribbentrop, Nazi minister of foreign affairs; Heinrich Himmler, leader of the Gestapo; Alfred Jodl, head of the German armed forces staff; and Wilhelm Frick, minister of the interior.

On October 16, 1946, 10 of the architects of Nazi policy were hanged. Goering, who at sentencing was called the “leading war aggressor and creator of the oppressive program against the Jews,” committed suicide by poison on the eve of his scheduled execution. Nazi Party leader Martin Bormann was condemned to death in absentia (but is now believed to have died in May 1945). Trials of lesser German and Axis war criminals continued in Germany into the 1950s and resulted in the conviction of 5,025 other defendants and the execution of 806.

IDF takes CNN to tunnel shaft near Gaza hospital. Here’s what we saw - CNN

Former first lady Rosalynn Carter has died - CNN

SpaceX loses megarocket in second test flight - CNN

Nasdaq leads Wall St higher as Microsoft hits record high - Reuters

Trump gag order appeal faces skeptical reception in US court - Reuters

US defense chief Austin visits Kyiv as questions swirl over aid to Ukraine - Reuters

Travis Kelce Opens Up About Taylor Swift and What Comes Next - The Wall Street Journal

The Era of Total U.S. Submarine Dominance Over China Is Ending - The Wall Street Journal
 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Walk in the Leaves

Old Roadbed
Odenton, MD
November 18, 2023

 We do it almost daily, walk the dogs. Well, in Florida we only have one dog now--but Finn gets walked every day and sometimes multiple times per day. While we are visiting, we have the added fun of walking Lily, one of Nicole's dog. That means that we each get to walk a dog!

Trees along the walk
Odenton, MD
November 18, 2023

We generally walk the same route. The dogs know the route and so they also enjoy walking. Yesterday, however, the route was very different than when we last walked it during June. Autumn happened. And while peak is well behind us, Chris and I still marveled at the colors of the leaves having just arrived from nearly perpetual green Florida. It was also chilly. No, it was cold! I had two shirts and a coat on and was still cold. I am not fully prepared for a cold wind to slap my face, I am more used to hot and humid breezes.

We enjoyed the walk and the bright autumnal scenery. It was a change from Florida and added some spice to our lives. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Where Am I, Today?

Where Am I?
Odenton, MD
November 18, 2023

 I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is less than a week away!

The holiday season has just about arrived! Well, given the level of decorating that I have already witnessed, it has arrived. I do so enjoy the palm trees wrapped in lights! 

Finn Trying to Sleep on the Plane
Somewhere Over the East Coast
November 17, 2023

Yesterday, however, Chris and I along with Finn departed the warmth of South Florida and journeyed north to Maryland for Thanksgiving. We were treated to a nice flight along the Chesapeake and beautiful scenery just before landing. The rusts of the final autumn colors greeted us. Of course, there was not a palm tree in sight! 

Regarding the holiday travel--we were lucky. I think we beat the big rush, although the plane was completely full. We did not experience any unusual delays. Southwest, however, does need to figure out how to get everyone seated before the door close time. People were still getting onboard at the designated time to pull away from the terminal. 

But we are here, complete with rental car--and I will not even begin to write about that broken process. 

So bring on the turkeys!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Neil Diamond Tribute Band

 

David Jericko as Neil Diamond
Lyric, Stuart, FL
November 16, 2023

It was concert night. We went to a see a Neil Diamond tribute band performance at the Lyric in Stuart, FL.

It was a windy and stormy evening, but that did not take any energy away from the crowd or the band. 

The band, Solitary Man: A Tribute to Neil Diamond, provided a solid two hour show, with a break, and played Neil Diamond hits all night. 

The Lyric is an intimate venue and the band filled the house with Neil Diamond tunes all night. David Jericko does a good job as Neil Diamond, and I have seen Neil in concert multiple times. The band encouraged the audience to participate and sing along although some of the concert-goers perhaps got into the night a bit too much, which is not a bad thing; just distracting. 

I was touched by couple of the songs, one in particular, America. I was torn singing these great lyrics about how America is the shining star for immigrants, yet against the current political backdrop that is no longer true. The lyrics say:

Home

To a new and a shiny place

Make our bed and we'll say our grace

Freedom's light burning warm

Freedom's light burning warm

Everywhere around the world

Somehow, I don't believe we are the shiny place that welcomes immigrants trying to escape from a dismal life anymore. 

But, all of that aside, the band was great and I took a video of them doing the song Desiree to remember them by.

It was a great night and I recommend seeing this tribute band if you like Neil Diamond's music.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL